Characterization of an Argentine isolate of Bacillus thuringiensis similar to the HD-1 strain.
We report the characterization of an Argentine isolate of Bacillus thuringiensis (INTA TA24-6) similar to the HD-1 strain, which harbors a cryptic cry2Ab gene that apparently is transcribed but not translated into a protein. INTA TA24-6 showed a Rep-PCR pattern identical to the HD-1 strain, a plasmid pattern that resembled that of this strain and cry1 and cry2 genes as HD-1. Screening of cry1 and cry2 genes showed that INTA TA24-6 harbors only cry1Ac and cry2Ab genes. Furthermore, crystalline inclusions of INTA TA24-6 exhibit a bipyramidal shape, typical of Lepidoptera-active B. thuringiensis strains, containing a major protein of ca. 130 kDa toxic to Epinotia aporema Wals. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) larvae. Neither the flat-square to cuboidal crystal nor a ca. 65 kDa protein typical of strains expressing Cry2 proteins were detected in INTA TA24-6. In agreement with this information, parasporal crystals of INTA TA24-6 did not show toxicity to Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera:Culicidae) larvae. Gene transcription analyses suggested that the cry2A gene might be cryptic in INTA TA24-6 despite its transcription at different sporulation stages.
Insumos Bacterianos, Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola, Buenos Aires, Argentina. dsauka@cnia.inta.gov.ar
Diego H
DH
Sauka
Regina E
RE
Basurto-Ríos
Jorge E
JE
Ibarra
Graciela B
GB
Benintende
D001118:Argentina; D001413:Bacillus thuringiensis / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010572:Pest Control, Biological
D001426:Bacterial Proteins