title: A Review of Cry Protein Detection with Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays.
abstract: The widespread use of Cry proteins in insecticide formulations and transgenic crops for insect control has led to an increased interest in the environmental fate of these proteins. Although several detection methods are available to monitor the fate of Cry proteins in the environment, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) have emerged as the preferred detection method, due to their cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and rapid results. Validation of ELISAs is necessary to ensure accurate measurements of Cry protein concentrations in the environment. Validation methodology has been extensively researched and published for the areas of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and precision; however, cross validation of ELISA results has been studied to a lesser extent. This review discusses the use of ELISAs for detection of Cry proteins in environmental samples and validation of ELISAs and introduces cross validation. The state of Cry protein environmental fate research is considered through a critical review of published literature to identify areas where the use of validation protocols can be improved.
authors.affiliation: Pesticide Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Entomology, Iowa State University , 110 Insectary, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States.
authors.forename: Vurtice C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Albright
authors.affiliation: Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture , 110 Genetics Laboratory, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States.
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Hellmich
authors.affiliation: Pesticide Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Entomology, Iowa State University , 110 Insectary, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States.
authors.forename: Joel R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Coats
mesh_terms: D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000633:toxicity; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000737:chemistry; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000633:toxicity; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000633:toxicity; D007306:Insecticides / Q000032:analysis*; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004731:Endotoxins; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D007306:Insecticides; C030956:insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis
keywords: Bt proteins; Cry protein; ELISA; bioassays; cross validation; environmental fate; transgenic crops