title: Complete Sequence and Organization of pFR260, the Bacillus thuringiensis INTA Fr7-4 Plasmid Harboring Insecticidal Genes.
abstract: We report the complete sequence and analysis of pFR260, a novel megaplasmid of 260,595 bp from the Bacillus thuringiensis strain INTA Fr7-4 isolated in Argentina. It carries 7 insecticidal genes: 3 cry8 copies previously reported, 2 vip1, and 2 vip2. Also, it carries a gene encoding a putative atypical Cry protein. These genes are arranged in a region of approximately 105 kbp in size with characteristics of a pathogenicity island with a potential coleopteran-specific insecticide profile. DNA strand composition asymmetry, as determined by GC skew analysis, and the presence of a Rep protein involved in the initiation of replication suggest a bidirectional theta mechanism of replication. In addition, many genes involved in conjugation and a CRISPR-Cas system were detected. The pFR260 sequence was deposited in GenBank under accession number KX258624.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Castelar, Argentina.
authors.forename: Laura E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Navas
authors.forename: Ariel F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Amadio
authors.forename: Elio M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Ortiz
authors.forename: Diego H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Sauka
authors.forename: Graciela B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Benintende
authors.forename: Marcelo F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Berretta
authors.forename: Rubén O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Zandomeni
mesh_terms: D001118:Argentina; D001413:Bacillus thuringiensis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D064113:CRISPR-Cas Systems; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D004265:DNA Helicases / Q000235:genetics; D004261:DNA Replication; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000235:genetics*; D023061:Gene Order; D044404:Genomic Islands; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010957:Plasmids; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004731:Endotoxins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; C030956:insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis; D004265:DNA Helicases