title: Aquatic degradation of Cry1Ab protein and decomposition dynamics of transgenic corn leaves under controlled conditions.
abstract: The increasing cultivation of genetically modified corn plants (Zea mays) during the last decades is suggested as a potential risk to the environment. One of these genetically modified variety expressed the insecticidal Cry1Ab protein originating from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), resulting in resistance against Ostrinia nubilalis, the European corn borer. Transgenic litter material is extensively studied regarding the decomposition in soils. However, only a few field studies analyzed the fate of the Cry1Ab protein and the impact of green and senescent leaf litter from corn on the decomposition rate and related ecosystem functions in aquatic environments. Consequently, a microbial litter decomposition experiment was conducted under controlled semi-natural conditions in batch culture using two maize varieties: one variety with Cry1Ab and another one with the appertaining Iso-line as control treatment. The results showed no significant differences between the treatment with Cry1Ab and the Iso-line regarding loss of total mass in dry weight of 43% for Iso-line and 45% for Bt-corn litter, lignin content increased to 137.5% (Iso-line) and 115.7% (Bt-corn), and phenol loss decreased by 53.6% (Iso-line), 62.2% (Bt-corn) during three weeks of the experiment. At the end of the experiment Cry1Ab protein was still detected with 6% of the initial concentration. A slightly but significant lower cellulose content was found for the Cry1Ab treatment compared to the Iso-line litter at the end of the experiment. The significant higher total protein (25%) and nitrogen (25%) content in Bt corn, most likely due to the additionally expression of the transgenic protein, may increase the microbial cellulose degradation and decrease microbial lignin degradation. In conclusion a relevant year by year input of protein and therefore nitrogen rich Bt corn litter into aquatic environments may affect the balanced nutrient turnover in aquatic ecosystems.
authors.affiliation: Federal Environment Agency, Schichauweg 58, 12307 Berlin, Germany; Institute of General Ecology and Environmental Protection, Technische Universität Dresden, PF 1117, 01737 Tharandt, Germany.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Böttger
authors.affiliation: Institute of General Ecology and Environmental Protection, Technische Universität Dresden, PF 1117, 01737 Tharandt, Germany. Electronic address: Joerg.Schaller@uni-bayreuth.de.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schaller
authors.affiliation: Institute of General Ecology and Environmental Protection, Technische Universität Dresden, PF 1117, 01737 Tharandt, Germany.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lintow
authors.affiliation: Institute of General Ecology and Environmental Protection, Technische Universität Dresden, PF 1117, 01737 Tharandt, Germany.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gert Dudel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001413:Bacillus thuringiensis / Q000235:genetics; D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D017753:Ecosystem; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000378:metabolism; D007915:Lepidoptera; D010636:Phenols / Q000378:metabolism; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004731:Endotoxins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D007306:Insecticides; D010636:Phenols; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C030956:insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis
keywords: Bt-protein; Carbon turnover; Cry1Ab litter decomposition; Nutrients; Transgenic Zea mays