title: Pathogenicity and characterization of a novel Bacillus cereus sensu lato isolate toxic to the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata Wied.
abstract: The lethal and sub-lethal effects of sporulated cultures of a novel Bacillus cereus sensu lato strain lacking detectable cry genes and identified through morphological and genetic analyses, have been studied on the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata. The lethal effects on young larvae were concentration dependent, with a median lethal concentration (LC50) of 4.48 × 10(8)spores/g of diet. Sporulated cultures of this strain significantly extended development time and reduced immature survival, and the size of emerging fly adults. Besides spores, the toxicity has been associated to the insoluble extra-spore fraction characterized through a proteomic approach. The profile of the extra-spore protein fraction (ES) showed major protein bands within the 35-65 kDa range. The results of mass spectrometry analysis highlighted the presence of putative virulence factors, including members of protein families previously associated to the insecticidal action of other microbial entomopathogens. These proteins include metalloproteases, peptidases and other enzymes.
authors: Dipartimento di Agraria, Sezione di Patologia Vegetale ed Entomologia, University of Sassari, via E. De Nicola, 07100 Sassari, Italy. Electronic address: lucaruiu@uniss.it.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Ruiu
authors: Dipartimento di Agraria, Sezione di Patologia Vegetale ed Entomologia, University of Sassari, via E. De Nicola, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Falchi
authors: Dipartimento di Agraria, Sezione di Patologia Vegetale ed Entomologia, University of Sassari, via E. De Nicola, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors: Ignazio
authors: I
authors: Floris
authors: Dipartimento di Agraria, Sezione di Patologia Vegetale ed Entomologia, University of Sassari, via E. De Nicola, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors: Maria Giovanna
authors: MG
authors: Marche
authors: Dipartimento di Agraria, Sezione di Patologia Vegetale ed Entomologia, University of Sassari, via E. De Nicola, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors: Maria Elena
authors: ME
authors: Mura
authors: Dipartimento di Agraria, Sezione di Patologia Vegetale ed Entomologia, University of Sassari, via E. De Nicola, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Satta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D033622:Ceratitis capitata / Q000382:microbiology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D007814:Larva / Q000382:microbiology; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D014774:Virulence; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors
keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis; Bioinsecticide; Entomopathogenic bacteria; Fruit fly; Tephritidae; Toxicity