title: The fate and transport of the Cry1Ab protein in an agricultural field and laboratory aquatic microcosms.
abstract: Genetically engineered crops expressing insecticidal crystalline proteins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), were commercialized almost two decades ago as a means to manage agricultural pests. The Bt proteins are highly specific and only lethal upon ingestion, limiting the scope of toxicity to target insects. However, concern of exposure to non-target organisms and negative public perceptions regarding Bt crops has caused controversy surrounding their use. The objective of this research was to monitor the fate and transport of a Bt protein, Cry1Ab, in a large-scale agricultural field containing maize expressing the Cry1Ab protein and a non-Bt near isoline, and in aquatic microcosms. The highest environmental concentrations of the Cry1Ab protein were found in runoff water and sediment, up to 130ngL(-1) and 143ngg(-1) dry weight, respectively, with the Cry1Ab protein detected in both Bt and non-Bt maize fields. As surface runoff and residual crop debris can transport Bt proteins to waterways adjacent to agricultural fields, a series of laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the potential fate of the Cry1Ab protein under different conditions. The results showed that sediment type and temperature can influence the degradation of the Cry1Ab protein in an aquatic system and that the Cry1Ab protein can persist for up to two months. Although Cry1Ab protein concentrations measured in the field soil indicate little exposure to terrestrial organisms, the consistent input of Bt-contaminated runoff and crop debris into agricultural waterways is relevant to understanding potential consequences to aquatic species.
authors.affiliation: Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences and Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL 62901, USA. Electronic address: katie.strain@siu.edu.
authors.forename: Katherine E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Strain
authors.affiliation: Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences and Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL 62901, USA. Electronic address: mlydy@siu.edu.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lydy
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000378:metabolism*; D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000235:genetics; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007753:Laboratories; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D021381:Protein Transport; D059748:Proteolysis; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004731:Endotoxins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D012987:Soil; C030956:insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis
keywords: Aquatic; Bacillus thuringiensis; Cry1Ab; Environment; Exposure; Non-target organisms