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Ma T, Huang J, Xu P, Shu C, Wang Z, Geng L, Zhang J. In Vivo and In Vitro Interactions between Exopolysaccharides from Bacillus thuringensis HD270 and Vip3Aa11 Protein. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:215. [PMID: 38787067 PMCID: PMC11125869 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16050215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) secretes the nutritional insecticidal protein Vip3Aa11, which exhibits high toxicity against the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). The Bt HD270 extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) enhances the toxicity of Vip3Aa11 protoxin against S. frugiperda by enhancing the attachment of brush border membrane vesicles (BBMVs). However, how EPS-HD270 interacts with Vip3Aa11 protoxin in vivo and the effect of EPS-HD270 on the toxicity of activated Vip3Aa11 toxin are not yet clear. Our results indicated that there is an interaction between mannose, a monosaccharide that composes EPS-HD270, and Vip3Aa11 protoxin, with a dissociation constant of Kd = 16.75 ± 0.95 mmol/L. When EPS-HD270 and Vip3Aa11 protoxin were simultaneously fed to third-instar larvae, laser confocal microscopy observations revealed the co-localization of the two compounds near the midgut wall, which aggravated the damage to BBMVs. EPS-HD270 did not have a synergistic insecticidal effect on the activated Vip3Aa11 protein against S. frugiperda. The activated Vip3Aa11 toxin demonstrated a significantly reduced binding capacity (548.73 ± 82.87 nmol/L) towards EPS-HD270 in comparison to the protoxin (34.96 ± 9.00 nmol/L). Furthermore, this activation diminished the affinity of EPS-HD270 for BBMVs. This study provides important evidence for further elucidating the synergistic insecticidal mechanism between extracellular polysaccharides and Vip3Aa11 protein both in vivo and in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianjiao Ma
- College of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (T.M.); (J.H.)
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jinqiu Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (T.M.); (J.H.)
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Pengdan Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- College of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Changlong Shu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zeyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lili Geng
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (T.M.); (J.H.)
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
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Liu X, Liu S, Bai S, He K, Zhang Y, Dong H, Zhang T, Wang Z. Toxicity of Cry- and Vip3Aa-Class Proteins and Their Interactions against Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:193. [PMID: 38668618 PMCID: PMC11053954 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16040193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is one of the most important insect pests affecting corn crops worldwide. Although planting transgenic corn expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins has been approved as being effective against FAW, its populations' resistance to Bt crops has emerged in different locations around the world. Therefore, it is important to understand the interaction between different Bt proteins, thereby delaying the development of resistance. In this study, we performed diet-overlay bioassays to evaluate the toxicity of Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1B, Cry1Ca, Cry1F, Cry2Aa, Cry2Ab, Vip3Aa11, Vip3Aa19, and Vip3Aa20, as well as the interaction between Cry1Ab-, Cry1F-, Cry2Ab-, and Vip3Aa-class proteins against FAW. According to our results, the LC50 values of Bt proteins varied from 12.62 ng/cm2 to >9000 ng/cm2 (protein/diet), among which the Vip3Aa class had the best insecticidal effect. The combination of Cry1Ab and Vip3Aa11 exhibited additive effects at a 5:1 ratio. Cry1F and Vip3Aa11 combinations exhibited additive effects at 1:1, 1:2, and 5:1 ratios. The combination of Cry1F and Vip3Aa19 showed an antagonistic effect when the ratio was 1:1 and an additive effect when the ratio was 1:2, 2:1, 1:5, and 5:1. Additionally, the combinations of Cry1F and Vip3Aa20 showed antagonistic effects at 1:2 and 5:1 ratios and additive effects at 1:1 and 2:1 ratios. In addition to the above combinations, which had additive or antagonistic effects, other combinations exhibited synergistic effects, with variations in synergistic factors (SFs). These results can be applied to the establishment of new pyramided transgenic crops with suitable candidates, providing a basis for FAW control and resistance management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobei Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110161, China; (X.L.); (H.D.)
- State Key Laboratory for the Biology of the Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (S.L.); (S.B.); (K.H.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Shen Liu
- State Key Laboratory for the Biology of the Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (S.L.); (S.B.); (K.H.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Shuxiong Bai
- State Key Laboratory for the Biology of the Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (S.L.); (S.B.); (K.H.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Kanglai He
- State Key Laboratory for the Biology of the Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (S.L.); (S.B.); (K.H.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for the Biology of the Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (S.L.); (S.B.); (K.H.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Hui Dong
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110161, China; (X.L.); (H.D.)
| | - Tiantao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for the Biology of the Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (S.L.); (S.B.); (K.H.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Zhenying Wang
- State Key Laboratory for the Biology of the Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (S.L.); (S.B.); (K.H.); (Y.Z.)
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Hemthanon T, Promdonkoy B, Boonserm P. Screening and characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis isolates for high production of Vip3A and Cry proteins and high thermostability to control Spodoptera spp. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 201:108020. [PMID: 37956858 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.108020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is an entomopathogenic bacterium that produces crystalline (Cry and Cyt) and soluble (vegetative insecticidal proteins or Vips) proteins during the sporulation and vegetative growth phases, respectively. Combining Cry and Vip proteins could delay insect resistance development and exhibit synergistic activity against various insect pests. This study aims to screen Bt isolates collected from Thailand for high Vip3A and Cry protein production levels and high thermostability to control Spodoptera spp. Among the selected Bt isolates with high target protein synthesis, Bt isolate 506 was found to be safe for further biopesticide formulation due to the absence of non-specific metabolite, as determined by the detection of thermo-stable β-exotoxin I based on biological assays and PCR analysis. Bt isolate 506 showed the presence of Cry1A, Cry2A, and Vip3A-type proteins identified as Cry1Aa45, Cry2Aa22, and Vip3A87, respectively. The insecticidal activity of whole culture extracts containing Vip3A and Cry mixtures and culture supernatants containing secreted Vip3A protein was evaluated against the second-instar larvae of S. exigua and S. frugiperda. The Bt isolate 506 showed high toxicity against both insects, and the insecticidal proteins produced by this isolate retained their activity after heating at 50 °C. This Bt isolate is a promising candidate for further development as a biopesticide against lepidopteran pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tharathip Hemthanon
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phuttamonthon, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Boonhiang Promdonkoy
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, 113 Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Panadda Boonserm
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phuttamonthon, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand.
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Fu BW, Xu L, Zheng MX, Chen QX, Shi Y, Zhu YJ. Stability is essential for insecticidal activity of Vip3Aa toxin against Spodoptera exigua. AMB Express 2022; 12:92. [PMID: 35834019 PMCID: PMC9283630 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-022-01430-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Vegetative insecticidal proteins 3A (Vip3A) were important insecticidal proteins for control of lepidopteran pests. Previous study demonstrated that Vip3Aa and Vip3Ad showed significant difference in insecticidal activities against Spodoptera exigua, while the molecular mechanism remained ambiguous. Here we demonstrated that the difference in insecticidal activities between Vip3Aa and Vip3Ad might be caused by the difference in stability of Vip3Aa and Vip3Ad in S. exigua midgut protease. Vip3Aa was quite stable while Vip3Ad could be further degraded. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed that Vip3Aa was more stable than Vip3Ad, with smaller RMSD and RMSF value. Amino acid sequence alignment indicated that three were three extra prolines (P591, P605 and P779) located on Vip3Aa. We further identified that residue P591 played a crucial role on stability and insecticidal activity of Vip3Aa. Taken together, our study demonstrated that the stability was essential for the insecticidal activity of Vip3A toxins, which might provide new insight into the action mode of Vip3A toxins and contribute to the design Vip3A variants with improved stability and insecticidal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bai-Wen Fu
- School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Lian Xu
- Agricultural Bio-Resources Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, 350003, China
| | - Mei-Xia Zheng
- Agricultural Bio-Resources Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, 350003, China
| | - Qing-Xi Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Yan Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China.
| | - Yu-Jing Zhu
- Agricultural Bio-Resources Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, 350003, China.
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Lázaro-Berenguer M, Paredes-Martínez F, Bel Y, Núñez-Ramírez R, Arias-Palomo E, Casino P, Ferré J. Structural and functional role of Domain I for the insecticidal activity of the Vip3Aa protein from Bacillus thuringiensis. Microb Biotechnol 2022; 15:2607-2618. [PMID: 35830334 PMCID: PMC9518980 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Vip3 proteins are produced by Bacillus thuringiensis and are toxic against lepidopterans, reason why the vip3Aa gene has been introduced into cotton and corn to control agricultural pests. Recently, the structure of Vip3 proteins has been determined and consists of a tetramer where each monomer is composed of five structural domains. The transition from protoxin to the trypsin‐activated form involves a major conformational change of the N‐terminal Domain I, which is remodelled into a tetrameric coiled‐coil structure that is thought to insert into the apical membrane of the midgut cells. To better understand the relevance of this major change in Domain I for the insecticidal activity, we have generated several mutants aimed to alter the activity and remodelling capacity of this central region to understand its function. These mutants have been characterized by proteolytic processing, negative staining electron microscopy, and toxicity bioassays against Spodoptera exigua. The results show the crucial role of helix α1 for the insecticidal activity and in restraining the Domain I in the protoxin conformation, the importance of the remodelling of helices α2 and α3, the proteolytic processing that takes place between Domains I and II, and the role of the C‐t Domains IV and V to sustain the conformational change necessary for toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lázaro-Berenguer
- Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain.,Institut Universitari de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina BIOTECMED, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Francisco Paredes-Martínez
- Institut Universitari de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina BIOTECMED, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Yolanda Bel
- Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain.,Institut Universitari de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina BIOTECMED, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
| | | | | | - Patricia Casino
- Institut Universitari de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina BIOTECMED, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Ferré
- Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain.,Institut Universitari de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina BIOTECMED, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
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6
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Yang X, Wang Z, Geng L, Chi B, Liu R, Li H, Gao J, Zhang J. Vip3Aa domain IV and V mutants confer higher insecticidal activity against Spodoptera frugiperda and Helicoverpa armigera. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:2324-2331. [PMID: 35243758 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda and cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera are major insect pests of corn and cotton worldwide. Genetically engineered crops producing Vip3Aa, a potent endotoxin, from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are effective in controlling these two harmful pests. However, Vip3Aa efficacy is relatively weak compared to that of other Bt proteins such as Cry1A and Cry1F. This study sought to modify Vip3Aa for increased insecticidal activity and determine the cause of elevated activity. RESULTS The two triple Vip3Aa mutants in domains IV and V (Vip3Aa-S543N/I544L/E627A and Vip3Aa-S543N/I544L/S686R) exhibited 7.3-fold and 2.8-fold increased toxicity against S. frugiperda, respectively, compared with the wild type while the toxicity of Vip3Aa-S543N/I544L/S686R was 3.2 times that of wild-type protein in H. armigera. The mutants had enhanced stability in midgut juice and 2.6-5.1 times higher binding affinity against S. frugiperda and H. armigera compared with wild type protein. CONCLUSIONS The enhanced toxicity of Vip3Aa mutants was due to increased stability and binding affinity during infection. The amino acids S543 and I544 combined with E627 or S686 in domains IV and V of Vip3Aa are important for maintaining structural stability and receptor binding. The results match insecticidal activity (LC50 ) with binding activity (Kd ), which provides novel clues for the rational design of Bt insecticidal proteins. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Yang
- Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zeyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lili Geng
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Baoyan Chi
- Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Rongmei Liu
- Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Haitao Li
- Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Jiguo Gao
- Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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Rodríguez-González Á, Porteous-Álvarez AJ, Guerra M, González-López Ó, Casquero PA, Escriche B. Effect of Cry Toxins on Xylotrechus arvicola (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Larvae. INSECTS 2021; 13:insects13010027. [PMID: 35055870 PMCID: PMC8778931 DOI: 10.3390/insects13010027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Xylotrechus arvicola is a destructive pest in vineyards (Vitis vinifera) in the main wine-producing areas of the Iberian Peninsula. X. arvicola larvae bore into the grapevine wood-making galleries, thus damaging the plant both directly and indirectly. The susceptibility of X. arvicola larvae to five coleopteran toxic Cry proteins was evaluated under laboratory conditions in order to deepen the knowledge of the effect of these proteins on this insect throughout its biological development. The Cry proteins tested could be applied to control X. arvicola larvae since they were able to kill them and cause serious alterations in the larvae during the remaining months of development that followed. The data presented suggest that these Cry proteins can be used as bioinsecticides against the larvae of this insect, in order to avoid the rapid evolution of resistance against these toxins since not all of the larvae were killed and thus increase vine wood protection. Abstract The beetle Xylotrechus arvicola is a destructive pest in vineyards (Vitis vinifera) in the main wine-producing areas of the Iberian Peninsula. X. arvicola larvae bore into the grapevine wood-making galleries, thus damaging the plant both directly and indirectly; the latter through the proliferation of wood fungi, which can invade the inside of the plant, decreasing the quality and quantity of its production. The susceptibility of X. arvicola larvae to five coleopteran toxic Cry proteins (Cry1B, Cry1I, Cry3A, Cry7A, and Cry23/37) was evaluated under laboratory conditions in order to deepen the knowledge of the effect of these proteins on this insect throughout its biological development. Cry7Ab and Cry1Ba were the most effective in controlling X. arvicola larvae due to the significant reduction in larvae survival (32.9 and 25.9 days, respectively), and by causing serious alterations in the larvae during the remaining months of their development. The developmental stage of the prepupal and pupal stages was not affected by the previous ingestion of Cry proteins. The Cry proteins tested could be applied to control X. arvicola larvae since they were able to kill them and cause serious alterations in the larvae during the remaining months of development that followed. The data presented suggest that these Cry proteins can be used as bioinsecticides against the larvae of this insect, applying them only at the moment when the larvae hatch from the egg outside the grapevine wood (this would only be useful and justified if the economic threshold is exceeded) in order to avoid the rapid evolution of resistance against these toxins since not all of the larvae were killed and thus increase vine wood protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Rodríguez-González
- Grupo Universitario de Investigación en Ingeniería y Agricultura Sostenible (GUIIAS), Instituto de Medio Ambiente Recursos Naturales y Biodiversidad (INMARENBIO), Escuela de Ingeniería Agraria y Forestal (EIAF), Universidad de León, 24071 Leon, Spain; (A.J.P.-Á.); (P.A.C.)
- Correspondence: (Á.R.-G.); (B.E.)
| | - Alejandra J. Porteous-Álvarez
- Grupo Universitario de Investigación en Ingeniería y Agricultura Sostenible (GUIIAS), Instituto de Medio Ambiente Recursos Naturales y Biodiversidad (INMARENBIO), Escuela de Ingeniería Agraria y Forestal (EIAF), Universidad de León, 24071 Leon, Spain; (A.J.P.-Á.); (P.A.C.)
| | - Marcos Guerra
- Grupo Universitario de Investigación en Ingeniería y Agricultura Sostenible (GUIIAS), Escuela de Ingeniería Agraria y Forestal (EIAF), Campus de Ponferrada, Universidad de León, 24401 Ponferrada, Spain;
| | - Óscar González-López
- Departamento de Agricultura y Alimentación, Complejo Científico Tecnológico, Universidad de La Rioja, Área de Producción Vegetal, 26006 Logrono, Spain;
| | - Pedro A. Casquero
- Grupo Universitario de Investigación en Ingeniería y Agricultura Sostenible (GUIIAS), Instituto de Medio Ambiente Recursos Naturales y Biodiversidad (INMARENBIO), Escuela de Ingeniería Agraria y Forestal (EIAF), Universidad de León, 24071 Leon, Spain; (A.J.P.-Á.); (P.A.C.)
| | - Baltasar Escriche
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Departamento de Genética, Universitat de Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
- Correspondence: (Á.R.-G.); (B.E.)
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8
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Critical domains in the specific binding of radiolabelled Vip3Af insecticidal protein to brush border membrane vesicles from Spodoptera spp. and cultured insect cells. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:e0178721. [PMID: 34586902 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01787-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vip3) from Bacillus thuringiensis have been used, in combination with Cry proteins, to better control insect pests and as a strategy to delay the evolution of resistance to Cry proteins in Bt crops (crops protected from insect attack by the expression of proteins from B. thuringiensis). In this study, we have set up the conditions to analyze the specific binding of 125I-Vip3Af to Spodoptera frugiperda and Spodoptera exigua brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV). Heterologous competition binding experiments revealed that Vip3Aa shares the same binding sites with Vip3Af, but that Vip3Ca does not recognize all of them. As expected, Cry1Ac and Cry1F did not compete for Vip3Af binding sites. By trypsin treatment of selected alanine-mutants, we were able to generate truncated versions of Vip3Af. Their use as competitors with 125I-Vip3Af indicated that only those molecules containing domains I to III (DI-III and DI-IV) were able to compete with the trypsin-activated Vip3Af protein for binding, and that molecules only containing either domain IV or domains IV and V (DIV and DIV-V) were unable to compete with Vip3Af. These results were further confirmed with competition binding experiments using 125I-DI-III. In addition, the truncated protein 125I-DI-III also bound specifically to Sf21 cells. Cell viability assays showed that the truncated proteins DI-III and DI-IV were as toxic to Sf21 cells as the activated Vip3Af, suggesting that domains IV and V are not necessary for the toxicity to Sf21 cells, in contrast to their requirement in vivo. IMPORTANCE This study shows that Vip3Af binding sites are fully shared with Vip3Aa, only partially shared with Vip3Ca, and not shared with Cry1Ac and Cry1F in two Spodoptera spp. Truncated versions of Vip3Af revealed that only domains I to III were necessary for the specific binding, most likely because they can form the functional tetrameric oligomer and because domain III is supposed to contain the binding epitopes. In contrast to results obtained in vivo (bioassays against larvae), domains IV and V are not necessary for the ex vivo toxicity to Sf21 cells.
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Gupta M, Kumar H, Kaur S. Vegetative Insecticidal Protein (Vip): A Potential Contender From Bacillus thuringiensis for Efficient Management of Various Detrimental Agricultural Pests. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:659736. [PMID: 34054756 PMCID: PMC8158940 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.659736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacterium is found in various ecological habitats, and has natural entomo-pesticidal properties, due to the production of crystalline and soluble proteins during different growth phases. In addition to Cry and Cyt proteins, this bacterium also produces Vegetative insecticidal protein (Vip) during its vegetative growth phase, which is considered an excellent toxic candidate because of the difference in sequence homology and receptor sites from Cry proteins. Vip proteins are referred as second-generation insecticidal proteins, which can be used either alone or in complementarity with Cry proteins for the management of various detrimental pests. Among these Vip proteins, Vip1 and Vip2 act as binary toxins and have toxicity toward pests belonging to Hemiptera and Coleoptera orders, whereas the most important Vip3 proteins have insecticidal activity against Lepidopteran pests. These Vip3 proteins are similar to Cry proteins in terms of toxicity potential against susceptible insects. They are reported to be toxic toward pests, which can’t be controlled with Cry proteins. The Vip3 proteins have been successfully pyramided along with Cry proteins in transgenic rice, corn, and cotton to combat resistant pest populations. This review provides detailed information about the history and importance of Vip proteins, their types, structure, newly identified specific receptors, and action mechanism of this specific class of proteins. Various studies conducted on Vip proteins all over the world and the current status have been discussed. This review will give insights into the significance of Vip proteins as alternative promising candidate toxic proteins from Bt for the management of pests in most sustainable manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamta Gupta
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, India.,ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana, India
| | - Harish Kumar
- Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Faridkot, India
| | - Sarvjeet Kaur
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
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Quan Y, Yang J, Wang Y, Hernández-Martínez P, Ferré J, He K. The Rapid Evolution of Resistance to Vip3Aa Insecticidal Protein in Mythimna separata (Walker) Is Not Related to Altered Binding to Midgut Receptors. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13050364. [PMID: 34065247 PMCID: PMC8190635 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13050364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Laboratory selection for resistance of field populations is a well-known and useful tool to understand the potential of insect populations to evolve resistance to insecticides. It provides us with estimates of the frequency of resistance alleles and allows us to study the mechanisms by which insects developed resistance to shed light on the mode of action and optimize resistance management strategies. Here, a field population of Mythimna separata was subjected to laboratory selection with either Vip3Aa, Cry1Ab, or Cry1F insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis. The population rapidly evolved resistance to Vip3Aa reaching, after eight generations, a level of >3061-fold resistance, compared with the unselected insects. In contrast, the same population did not respond to selection with Cry1Ab or Cry1F. The Vip3Aa resistant population did not show cross resistance to either Cry1Ab or Cry1F. Radiolabeled Vip3Aa was tested for binding to brush border membrane vesicles from larvae from the susceptible and resistant insects. The results did not show any qualitative or quantitative difference between both insect samples. Our data, along with previous results obtained with other Vip3Aa-resistant populations from other insect species, suggest that altered binding to midgut membrane receptors is not the main mechanism of resistance to Vip3Aa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudong Quan
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (Y.Q.); (P.H.-M.)
| | - Jing Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China; (J.Y.); (Y.W.)
| | - Yueqin Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China; (J.Y.); (Y.W.)
| | - Patricia Hernández-Martínez
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (Y.Q.); (P.H.-M.)
| | - Juan Ferré
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (Y.Q.); (P.H.-M.)
- Correspondence: (J.F.); (K.H.)
| | - Kanglai He
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China; (J.Y.); (Y.W.)
- Correspondence: (J.F.); (K.H.)
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11
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Current Insights on Vegetative Insecticidal Proteins (Vip) as Next Generation Pest Killers. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12080522. [PMID: 32823872 PMCID: PMC7472478 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12080522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a Gram negative soil bacterium. This bacterium secretes various proteins during different growth phases with an insecticidal potential against many economically important crop pests. One of the important families of Bt proteins is vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vip), which are secreted into the growth medium during vegetative growth. There are three subfamilies of Vip proteins. Vip1 and Vip2 heterodimer toxins have an insecticidal activity against many Coleopteran and Hemipteran pests. Vip3, the most extensively studied family of Vip toxins, is effective against Lepidopteron. Vip proteins do not share homology in sequence and binding sites with Cry proteins, but share similarities at some points in their mechanism of action. Vip3 proteins are expressed as pyramids alongside Cry proteins in crops like maize and cotton, so as to control resistant pests and delay the evolution of resistance. Biotechnological- and in silico-based analyses are promising for the generation of mutant Vip proteins with an enhanced insecticidal activity and broader spectrum of target insects.
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12
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Chakrabarty S, Jin M, Wu C, Chakraborty P, Xiao Y. Bacillus thuringiensis vegetative insecticidal protein family Vip3A and mode of action against pest Lepidoptera. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2020; 76:1612-1617. [PMID: 32103608 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Vip3A proteins are widely used for controlling pest Lepidoptera. Different binding sites with different receptors in the insect midgut membrane and lack of cross-resistance with crystal (Cry) proteins enhance their applicability, as both single proteins and proteins pyramided with Cry proteins in transgenic Bt crops. Vip3A proteins are effective but there is relatively little information about their structure, function, activation, specificity, and mode of action. In addition, the mechanism of insect resistance to these proteins is unknown. Phylogenetic analysis and multiple sequence alignment showed that Vip3A proteins are genetically distant from Cry proteins. The mode of action and insecticidal activity of Vip3A proteins are discussed in this review. This review also provides detailed information about the Vip3A protein family that may aid in the design of more efficient pest management strategies in response to insect resistance to insecticidal proteins. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swapan Chakrabarty
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Minghui Jin
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao Wu
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Panchali Chakraborty
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yutao Xiao
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
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13
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Shao E, Zhang A, Yan Y, Wang Y, Jia X, Sha L, Guan X, Wang P, Huang Z. Oligomer Formation and Insecticidal Activity of Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3Aa Toxin. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12040274. [PMID: 32340293 PMCID: PMC7232161 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12040274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Vip3A proteins are important insecticidal proteins used for control of lepidopteran insects. However, the mode of action of Vip3A toxin is still unclear. In this study, the amino acid residue S164 in Vip3Aa was identified to be critical for the toxicity in Spodoptera litura. Results from substitution mutations of the S164 indicate that the insecticidal activity of Vip3Aa correlated with the formation of a >240 kDa complex of the toxin upon proteolytic activation. The >240 kDa complex was found to be composed of the 19 kDa and the 65 kDa fragments of Vip3Aa. Substitution of the S164 in Vip3Aa protein with Ala or Pro resulted in loss of the >240 kDa complex and loss of toxicity in Spodoptera litura. In contrast, substitution of S164 with Thr did not affect the >240 kDa complex formation, and the toxicity of the mutant was only reduced by 35%. Therefore, the results from this study indicated that formation of the >240 kDa complex correlates with the toxicity of Vip3Aa in insects and the residue S164 is important for the formation of the complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ensi Shao
- China National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China; (E.S.); (A.Z.); (Y.Y.); (Y.W.); (X.J.); (L.S.)
| | - Aishan Zhang
- China National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China; (E.S.); (A.Z.); (Y.Y.); (Y.W.); (X.J.); (L.S.)
| | - Yaqi Yan
- China National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China; (E.S.); (A.Z.); (Y.Y.); (Y.W.); (X.J.); (L.S.)
| | - Yaomin Wang
- China National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China; (E.S.); (A.Z.); (Y.Y.); (Y.W.); (X.J.); (L.S.)
| | - Xinyi Jia
- China National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China; (E.S.); (A.Z.); (Y.Y.); (Y.W.); (X.J.); (L.S.)
| | - Li Sha
- China National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China; (E.S.); (A.Z.); (Y.Y.); (Y.W.); (X.J.); (L.S.)
| | - Xiong Guan
- Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China;
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Geneva, NY 14456, USA
- Correspondence: (P.W.); (Z.H.); Tel.: +1-(315)-787-2348 (P.W.); +86-591-83789259 (Z.H.)
| | - Zhipeng Huang
- China National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China; (E.S.); (A.Z.); (Y.Y.); (Y.W.); (X.J.); (L.S.)
- Correspondence: (P.W.); (Z.H.); Tel.: +1-(315)-787-2348 (P.W.); +86-591-83789259 (Z.H.)
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Zhao Y, Yun Y, Peng Y. Bacillus thuringiensis protein Vip3Aa does not harm the predator Propylea japonica: A toxicological, histopathological, biochemical and molecular analysis. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 192:110292. [PMID: 32035396 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The ladybeetle Propylea japonica is a widely distributed natural enemy in many agricultural systems. P. japonica is often used as a test organism for safety assessments of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis crops. Plant varieties expressing the Vip3Aa insecticidal protein are not currently commercially available in China. In this study, protease inhibitor E-64 was used as a positive control to examine the responses of P. japonica larvae to a high concentration of Vip3Aa proteins. Larvae that were fed E-64 had increased mortality and prolonged developmental period, but these parameters were unaffected when larvae were fed Vip3Aa. The epithelial cells of midguts were intact and closely connected with the basal membrane when larvae were fed Vip3Aa, but the epithelial cells degenerated in the E-64 treatment. The activities of antioxidative enzymes and expression levels of detoxification-related genes in P. japonica larvae were not altered after exposure to Vip3Aa; however, these biochemical and molecular parameters were significantly changed in the E-64 treatment. The results demonstrate that Vip3Aa protein is not harmful to the predator P. japonica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Yueli Yun
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Yu Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China.
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15
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Mitochondria and Lysosomes Participate in Vip3Aa-Induced Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 Cell Apoptosis. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12020116. [PMID: 32069858 PMCID: PMC7076775 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12020116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Vip3Aa, a soluble protein produced by certain Bacillus thuringiensis strains, is capable of inducing apoptosis in Sf9 cells. However, the apoptosis mechanism triggered by Vip3Aa is unclear. In this study, we found that Vip3Aa induces mitochondrial dysfunction, as evidenced by signs of collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, accumulation of reactive oxygen species, release of cytochrome c, and caspase-9 and -3 activation. Meanwhile, our results indicated that Vip3Aa reduces the ability of lysosomes in Sf9 cells to retain acridine orange. Moreover, pretreatment with Z-Phe-Tyr-CHO (a cathepsin L inhibitor) or pepstatin (a cathepsin D inhibitor) increased Sf9 cell viability, reduced cytochrome c release, and decreased caspase-9 and -3 activity. In conclusion, our findings suggested that Vip3Aa promotes Sf9 cell apoptosis by mitochondrial dysfunction, and lysosomes also play a vital role in the action of Vip3Aa.
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Rodríguez-González Á, Porteous-Álvarez AJ, Val MD, Casquero PA, Escriche B. Toxicity of five Cry proteins against the insect pest Acanthoscelides obtectus (Coleoptera: Chrisomelidae: Bruchinae). J Invertebr Pathol 2019; 169:107295. [PMID: 31783031 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2019.107295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The beetle Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) causes severe post-harvest losses in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Under laboratory conditions, the susceptibility of A. obtectus to five coleopteran-specific Cry toxic proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Cry1Ba, Cry1Ia, Cry3Aa, Cry7Ab, and Cry23/37) was evaluated. After 30 days exposure, Cry proteins demonstrated high activity against A. obtectus adults (100% mortality). Proteins showed statistical differences in toxicity parameters compared to the control treatment, but the parameters were similar among them, and indicated that the final toxic effects can be observed after the 24th day. The toxic effects on A. obtectus larvae were evaluated indirectly by allowing adults to oviposit on treated beans and recording the emergence of F1 adults. All treatments resulted in a lower rate of successful emergence compared to the control treatment, ranging from 60% (Cry23/37) to 10% (Cry1Ia) reduction in eclosion. Finally, to evaluate the ability of Cry proteins to protect the beans against A. obtectus; the number of beans infested, the number of holes in each bean and bean weight loss were determined 45 days after the treatment. The parameters showed significant bean protection by all Cry proteins analyzed compared to control treatment. Cry23/37 showed the best results, however, results for the other proteins were similar. The proteins belong to different Cry protein families, which suggest that they could be used in combination to increase plant protection without compromising resistance management. Moreover, adult emergence and bean protection results indicate differences among the proteins, which may suggest different modes of action. Our results indicate that the studied Cry proteins can be applied for the control of A. obtectus larvae and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Rodríguez-González
- Grupo Universitario de Investigación en Ingeniería y Agricultura Sostenible (GUIIAS). Instituto de Medio Ambiente Recursos Naturales y Biodiversidad. Universidad de León, Avenida de Portugal 41, León 24071, Spain.
| | - Alejandra J Porteous-Álvarez
- Grupo Universitario de Investigación en Ingeniería y Agricultura Sostenible (GUIIAS). Instituto de Medio Ambiente Recursos Naturales y Biodiversidad. Universidad de León, Avenida de Portugal 41, León 24071, Spain
| | - Mario Del Val
- Grupo Universitario de Investigación en Ingeniería y Agricultura Sostenible (GUIIAS). Instituto de Medio Ambiente Recursos Naturales y Biodiversidad. Universidad de León, Avenida de Portugal 41, León 24071, Spain
| | - Pedro A Casquero
- Grupo Universitario de Investigación en Ingeniería y Agricultura Sostenible (GUIIAS). Instituto de Medio Ambiente Recursos Naturales y Biodiversidad. Universidad de León, Avenida de Portugal 41, León 24071, Spain
| | - Baltasar Escriche
- ERI de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Departamento de Genética, Universitat de València, Burjassot 46100, Spain
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17
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Zhang J, Li H, Tan J, Wei P, Yu S, Liu R, Gao J. Transcriptome profiling analysis of the intoxication response in midgut tissue of Agrotis ipsilon larvae to Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3Aa protoxin. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 160:20-29. [PMID: 31519254 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Vip insecticidal proteins are produced by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) during its vegetative growth phase. In the present study, Vip3Aa11 and Vip3Aa39 proteins were investigated. These two proteins present 39 amino acid differential sites and they shared 95.06% amino acid sequence similarity. They are effective against some Lepidoptera insect larvae. In a previous study, using artificial diet bioassays, we estimated the LC50 of Vip3Aa11 and Vip3Aa39 strains against Agrotis ipsilon larvae were 73.41 μg/mL (with 95% confidence interval of 2.34-11.19) and 5.43 μg/mL (with 95% confidence interval of 43.20-115.03), respectively. To investigate the response of Agrotis ipsilon transcriptome in defending against Vip3Aa11 and Vip3Aa39 toxins, we performed high-throughput RNA-sequencing on cDNA generated from the midguts of Agrotis ipsilon larvae that consumed a control diet (CK-M-A), Vip3Aa11 (Vip3Aa11-M-A) and Vip3Aa39 (Vip3Aa39-M-A) proteins. We generated about 98.87 Gb bases in total on BGISEQ-500 sequencing platform. After assembling all samples together and filtering the abundance, we got 51,887 unigenes, the total length, average length, N50 and GC content of unigenes are 64,523,651 bp, 1243 bp, 2330 bp and 41.81% respectively. We revealed 558 midgut genes differential expressed in Vip3Aa11-M-A and 65 midgut genes differentially expressed in Vip3Aa39-M-A. The differentially expressed genes were enriched for serine proteases and potential Bt Vip toxin midgut receptor genes. Eleven serine proteases related genes and 13 Bt toxin potential receptor genes with differential expression were found. Based on transcriptome profiling, we focused on validation the sensitivity of these two Vip3Aa proteins to trypsin and their binding properties to Agrotis ipsilon midgut BBMV (Brush Border Membrane Vesicles). The results show that the sensitivity of the two proteins to trypsin is similar. Binding experiments revealed that both proteins can bind to Agrotis ipsilon midgut BBMV, and there is a competitive binding between them. This transcriptome dataset provided a comprehensive sequence resource of Agrotis ipsilon and provides a foundation for comparative studies with other species of insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbo Zhang
- Northeast Agricultural University, HarBin 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Haitao Li
- Northeast Agricultural University, HarBin 150030, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jiali Tan
- Northeast Agricultural University, HarBin 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Panpan Wei
- Northeast Agricultural University, HarBin 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang Yu
- Northeast Agricultural University, HarBin 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Rongmei Liu
- Northeast Agricultural University, HarBin 150030, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jiguo Gao
- Northeast Agricultural University, HarBin 150030, People's Republic of China.
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Rauf I, Javaid S, Naqvi RZ, Mustafa T, Amin I, Mukhtar Z, Jander G, Mansoor S. In-planta expression of insecticidal proteins provides protection against lepidopteran insects. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6745. [PMID: 31043622 PMCID: PMC6494996 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41833-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of advanced biotechnological control strategies opens a new era of environment friendly pest management. The current study is part of such an effort, in which we developed a control strategy based on gene pyramiding that confers broad-spectrum resistance against lepidopteran (Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera litura) and hemipteran (Myzus persicae, Phenacoccus solenopsis, and Bemisia tabaci) insect pests. Previously, we reported a double gene construct expressing Hvt and lectin in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants under phloem specific promoters which confers resistance against hemipteran insects. Here we extended our studies by evaluating the advanced generation of these tobacco plants expressing hvt-lectin against lepidopteran insects. Tobacco plants expressing both toxins were tested against H. armigera and S. litura. Insect bioassay results showed 100% mortality of H. armigera within 48-72 hours and 100% mortality of S. litura within 72-96 hours. Our results suggest that the use of both toxins as a gene pyramiding strategy to control both lepidopteran and hemipterans insects on commercial basis to reduce the use of chemical pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Rauf
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
- Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shaista Javaid
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
- Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Lahore Main Campus, Defense Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Rubab Zahra Naqvi
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Tanveer Mustafa
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Imran Amin
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Zahid Mukhtar
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Georg Jander
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Shahid Mansoor
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
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Yang J, Quan Y, Sivaprasath P, Shabbir MZ, Wang Z, Ferré J, He K. Insecticidal Activity and Synergistic Combinations of Ten Different Bt Toxins against Mythimna separata (Walker). Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:E454. [PMID: 30400341 PMCID: PMC6266902 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10110454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The oriental armyworm (OAW), Mythimna separata (Walker), is a destructive pest of agricultural crops in Asia and Australia. Commercialized Bt crops have performed very well against their target pests; however, very few studies have been done on the susceptibility of OAW to Bt toxins in either sprays or expressed in Bt crops. In this work, we evaluated the toxicities of Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1Ah, Cry1Fa, Cry2Aa, Cry2Ab, Cry1Ie, Vip3Aa19, Vip3Aa16, and Vip3Ca against OAW neonate larvae, as well as the interaction between Cry and Vip toxins. The results from bioassays revealed that LC50 (lethal concentration for 50% mortality) values ranged from 1.6 to 78.6 μg/g (toxin/diet) for those toxins. Among them, Vip3 proteins, along with Cry1A proteins and Cry2Aa, were the ones with the highest potency, with LC50 values ranging from 1.6 to 7.4 μg/g. Synergism between Cry and Vip toxins was observed, being high in the combination of Vip3Aa16 with Cry1 toxins, with synergetic factors ranging from 2.2 to 9.2. The Vip3Ca toxin did not show any synergistic effect with any of the toxins tested. These results can help in designing new combinations of pyramiding genes in Bt crops, as well as in recombinant bacteria, for the control of OAW as well as for resistance management programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Yudong Quan
- ERI de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.
| | - Prabu Sivaprasath
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Muhammad Zeeshan Shabbir
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Zhenying Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Juan Ferré
- ERI de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.
| | - Kanglai He
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China.
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Kahn TW, Chakroun M, Williams J, Walsh T, James B, Monserrate J, Ferré J. Efficacy and Resistance Management Potential of a Modified Vip3C Protein for Control of Spodoptera frugiperda in Maize. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16204. [PMID: 30385802 PMCID: PMC6212501 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34214-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
A modified Vip3C protein has been developed that has a spectrum of activity that has the potential to be commercially useful for pest control, and shows good efficacy against Spodoptera frugiperda in insect bioassays and field trials. For the first time Vip3A and Vip3C proteins have been compared to Cry1 and Cry2 proteins in a complete set of experiments from insect bioassays to competition binding assays to field trials, and the results of these complementary experiments are in agreement with each other. Binding assays with radiolabelled toxins and brush border membrane vesicles from S. frugiperda and Helicoverpa armigera show that the modified Vip3C protein shares binding sites with Vip3A, and does not share sites with Cry1F or Cry2A. In agreement with the resulting binding site model, Vip3A-resistant insects were also cross-resistant to the modified Vip3C protein. Furthermore, maize plants expressing the modified Vip3C protein, but not those expressing Cry1F protein, were protected against Cry1F-resistant S. frugiperda in field trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore W Kahn
- BASF Agricultural Solutions Seed US LLC, 3500 Paramount Parkway, Morrisville, NC, 27560, USA
| | - Maissa Chakroun
- ERI de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
- Centre de Biotechnologie de Sfax (CBS), Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Jayme Williams
- BASF Agricultural Solutions Seed US LLC, 3500 Paramount Parkway, Morrisville, NC, 27560, USA
| | - Tom Walsh
- CSIRO, Black Mountain, Clunies Ross St., Acton, 2601, ACT, Australia
| | - Bill James
- CSIRO, Black Mountain, Clunies Ross St., Acton, 2601, ACT, Australia
| | - Jessica Monserrate
- BASF Agricultural Solutions Seed US LLC, 3500 Paramount Parkway, Morrisville, NC, 27560, USA
| | - Juan Ferré
- ERI de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, 46100, Burjassot, Spain.
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Banyuls N, Hernández-Martínez P, Quan Y, Ferré J. Artefactual band patterns by SDS-PAGE of the Vip3Af protein in the presence of proteases mask the extremely high stability of this protein. Int J Biol Macromol 2018; 120:59-65. [PMID: 30120972 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.08.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Vip3 proteins are secretable proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis with important characteristics for the microbiological control of agricultural pests. The exact details of their mode of action are yet to be disclosed and the crystallographic structure is still unknown. Vip3 proteins are expressed as protoxins that have to be activated by the insect gut proteases. A previous study on the peptidase processing of Vip3Aa revealed that the protoxin produced artefactual band patterns by SDS-PAGE due to the differential stability of this protein and the peptidases to SDS and heating (Bel et al., 2017 Toxins 9:131). To determine whether this phenomenon also applies to other Vip3A proteins, here we chose a different Vip3A protein (Vip3Af) and subjected it to commercial trypsin and midgut juice from a target insect species (Spodoptera frugiperda). The misleading degradation patterns were also observed with Vip3Af, both with trypsin and midgut juice. However, gel filtration chromatography showed that, under native conditions, Vip3Af is found as a tetramer and that peptidases only act upon primary cleavage sites. The proteolytic cleavage renders two fragments of approximately 20 kDa and 65 kDa which remain together in the tretameric structure and that are no further processed even at high peptidase concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Núria Banyuls
- ERI BIOTECMED, and Department of Genetics, Universitat de València. Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Patricia Hernández-Martínez
- ERI BIOTECMED, and Department of Genetics, Universitat de València. Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Yudong Quan
- ERI BIOTECMED, and Department of Genetics, Universitat de València. Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan Ferré
- ERI BIOTECMED, and Department of Genetics, Universitat de València. Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain.
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Banyuls N, Hernández-Rodríguez CS, Van Rie J, Ferré J. Critical amino acids for the insecticidal activity of Vip3Af from Bacillus thuringiensis: Inference on structural aspects. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7539. [PMID: 29765057 PMCID: PMC5953952 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25346-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vip3 vegetative insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis are an important tool for crop protection against caterpillar pests in IPM strategies. While there is wide consensus on their general mode of action, the details of their mode of action are not completely elucidated and their structure remains unknown. In this work the alanine scanning technique was performed on 558 out of the total of 788 amino acids of the Vip3Af1 protein. From the 558 residue substitutions, 19 impaired protein expression and other 19 substitutions severely compromised the insecticidal activity against Spodoptera frugiperda. The latter 19 substitutions mainly clustered in two regions of the protein sequence (amino acids 167-272 and amino acids 689-741). Most of these substitutions also decreased the activity to Agrotis segetum. The characterisation of the sensitivity to proteases of the mutant proteins displaying decreased insecticidal activity revealed 6 different band patterns as evaluated by SDS-PAGE. The study of the intrinsic fluorescence of most selected mutants revealed only slight shifts in the emission peak, likely indicating only minor changes in the tertiary structure. An in silico modelled 3D structure of Vip3Af1 is proposed for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Banyuls
- ERI de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Departamento de Genética, Universitat de València, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
| | - C S Hernández-Rodríguez
- ERI de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Departamento de Genética, Universitat de València, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
| | - J Van Rie
- Bayer CropScience N.V., Ghent, Belgium
| | - J Ferré
- ERI de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Departamento de Genética, Universitat de València, 46100, Burjassot, Spain.
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Comparative analysis of the susceptibility/tolerance of Spodoptera littoralis to Vip3Aa, Vip3Ae, Vip3Ad and Vip3Af toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis. J Invertebr Pathol 2018; 152:30-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2018.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2017] [Revised: 01/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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pH regulates pore formation of a protease activated Vip3Aa from Bacillus thuringiensis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1859:2234-2241. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Proteolytic activation of Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3Aa protein by Spodoptera exigua midgut protease. Int J Biol Macromol 2017; 107:1220-1226. [PMID: 28970168 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.09.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Proteolysis of Vip3Aa by insect midgut proteases is essential for their toxicity against target insects. In the present study, proteolysis of Vip3Aa was evaluated by Spodoptera exigua midgut proteases (MJ). Trypsin was verified involved in the activation of Vip3Aa and three potential cleavage sites (Lys195, Lys197 and Lys198) were identified. Four Vip3Aa mutants (KKK195197198AAA, KK197198AA, KK195198AA and KK195197AA) were designed and constructed by replacing residues Lys195,197,198, Lys197,198, Lys195,198 and Lys195,197 with Ala, respectively. Proteolytic processing assays revealed that mutants KK197198AA, KK195198AA and KK195197AA could be processed into 66kDa activated toxins by trypsin or MJ while mutant KKK195197198AAA was not cleaved by trypsin and less susceptible to MJ. Bioassays demonstrated that mutants KK197198AA, KK195198AA and KK195197AA were toxic against S. exigua resembled that of wild-type Vip3Aa, however, the LC50 of mutant KKK195197198AAA against S. exigua was higher than wild-type. Those results suggested that proteolysis by MJ was associated with the insecticidal toxicity of Vip3Aa against S. exigua. It also revealed that trypsin played an important role in the formation of Vip3Aa activated toxin. Our studies characterized the proteolytic processing of Vip3Aa and provided new insight into the activation of this novel Bt toxin.
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Functional characterization of Vip3Ab1 and Vip3Bc1: Two novel insecticidal proteins with differential activity against lepidopteran pests. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11112. [PMID: 28894249 PMCID: PMC5593919 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11702-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, we characterized 2 novel insecticidal proteins; Vip3Ab1 and Vip3Bc1. These proteins display unique insecticidal spectra and have differential rates of processing by lepidopteran digestive enzymes. Furthermore, we have found that both proteins exist as tetramers in their native state before and after proteolysis. In addition, we expressed truncated forms and protein chimeras to gain a deeper understanding of toxin specificity and stability. Our study confirms a role for the C-terminal 65 kDa domain in directing insect specificity. Importantly, these data also indicate a specific interaction between the 20 kDa amino terminus and 65 kDa carboxy terminus, after proteolytic processing. We demonstrate the C-terminal 65 kDa to be labile in native proteolytic conditions in absence of the 20 kDa N-terminus. Thus, the 20 kDa fragment functions to provide stability to the C-terminal domain, which is necessary for lethal toxicity against lepidopteran insects.
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Chen WB, Lu GQ, Cheng HM, Liu CX, Xiao YT, Xu C, Shen ZC, Wu KM. Transgenic cotton coexpressing Vip3A and Cry1Ac has a broad insecticidal spectrum against lepidopteran pests. J Invertebr Pathol 2017; 149:59-65. [PMID: 28782511 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 06/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Although farmers in China have grown transgenic Bt-Cry1Ac cotton to resist the major pest Helicoverpa armigera since 1997 with great success, many secondary lepidopteran pests that are tolerant to Cry1Ac are now reported to cause considerable economic damage. Vip3AcAa, a chimeric protein with the N-terminal part of Vip3Ac and the C-terminal part of Vip3Aa, has a broad insecticidal spectrum against lepidopteran pests and has no cross resistance to Cry1Ac. In the present study, we tested insecticidal activities of Vip3AcAa against Spodoptera litura, Spodoptera exigua, and Agrotis ipsilon, which are relatively tolerant to Cry1Ac proteins. The bioassay results showed that insecticidal activities of Vip3AcAa against these three pests are superior to Cry1Ac, and after an activation pretreatment, Vip3AcAa retained insecticidal activity against S. litura, S. exigua and A. ipsilon that was similar to the unprocessed protein. The putative receptor for this chimeric protein in the brush border membrane vesicle (BBMV) in the three pests was also identified using biotinylated Vip3AcAa toxin. To broaden Bt cotton activity against a wider spectrum of pests, we introduced the vip3AcAa and cry1Ac genes into cotton. Larval mortality rates for S. litura, A. ipsilon and S. exigua that had fed on this new cotton increased significantly compared with larvae fed on non-Bt cotton and Bt-Cry1Ac cotton in a laboratory experiment. These results suggested that the Vip3AcAa protein is an excellent option for a "pyramid" strategy for integrated pest management in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Bo Chen
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China; The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Guo-Qing Lu
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Hong-Mei Cheng
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Chen-Xi Liu
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Yu-Tao Xiao
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Chao Xu
- Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Zhi-Cheng Shen
- Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Kong-Ming Wu
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
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Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3Aa Toxin Resistance in Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Appl Environ Microbiol 2017; 83:AEM.03506-16. [PMID: 28213547 DOI: 10.1128/aem.03506-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Laboratory selection with Vip3Aa of a field-derived population of Heliothis virescens produced >2,040-fold resistance in 12 generations of selection. The Vip3Aa-selected (Vip-Sel)-resistant population showed little cross-resistance to Cry1Ab and no cross-resistance to Cry1Ac. Resistance was unstable after 15 generations without exposure to the toxin. F1 reciprocal crosses between Vip3Aa-unselected (Vip-Unsel) and Vip-Sel insects indicated a strong paternal influence on the inheritance of resistance. Resistance ranged from almost completely recessive (mean degree of dominance [h] = 0.04 if the resistant parent was female) to incompletely dominant (mean h = 0.53 if the resistant parent was male). Results from bioassays on the offspring from backcrosses of the F1 progeny with Vip-Sel insects indicated that resistance was due to more than one locus. The results described in this article provide useful information for the insecticide resistance management strategies designed to overcome the evolution of resistance to Vip3Aa in insect pests.IMPORTANCEHeliothis virescens is an important pest that has the ability to feed on many plant species. The extensive use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crops or spray has already led to the evolution of insect resistance in the field for some species of Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. The development of resistance in insect pests is the main threat to Bt crops. The effective resistance management strategies are very important to prolong the life of Bt plants. Lab selection is the key step to test the assumption and predictions of management strategies prior to field evaluation. Resistant insects offer useful information to determine the inheritance of resistance and the frequency of resistance alleles and to study the mechanism of resistance to insecticides.
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Djenane Z, Nateche F, Amziane M, Gomis-Cebolla J, El-Aichar F, Khorf H, Ferré J. Assessment of the Antimicrobial Activity and the Entomocidal Potential of Bacillus thuringiensis Isolates from Algeria. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:E139. [PMID: 28406460 PMCID: PMC5408213 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9040139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This work represents the first initiative to analyze the distribution of B. thuringiensis in Algeria and to evaluate the biological potential of the isolates. A total of 157 isolates were recovered, with at least one isolate in 94.4% of the samples. The highest Bt index was found in samples from rhizospheric soil (0.48) and from the Mediterranean area (0.44). Most isolates showed antifungal activity (98.5%), in contrast to the few that had antibacterial activity (29.9%). A high genetic diversity was made evident by the finding of many different crystal shapes and various combinations of shapes within a single isolate (in 58.4% of the isolates). Also, over 50% of the isolates harbored cry1, cry2, or cry9 genes, and 69.3% contained a vip3 gene. A good correlation between the presence of chitinase genes and antifungal activity was observed. More than half of the isolates with a broad spectrum of antifungal activity harbored both endochitinase and exochitinase genes. Interestingly, 15 isolates contained the two chitinase genes and all of the above cry family genes, with some of them harboring a vip3 gene as well. The combination of this large number of genes coding for entomopathogenic proteins suggests a putative wide range of entomotoxic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahia Djenane
- Microbiology Group, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), BP 32, EL ALIA, Bab Ezzouar, 16111 Algiers, Algeria.
- ERI BIOTECMED and Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner, 50, BURJASSOT, 46100 Valencia, Spain.
- Department of Science and Technology, Faculty of Science, University Dr Yahia Frès, 26000 Médéa, Algeria.
| | - Farida Nateche
- Microbiology Group, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), BP 32, EL ALIA, Bab Ezzouar, 16111 Algiers, Algeria.
| | - Meriam Amziane
- Microbiology Group, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), BP 32, EL ALIA, Bab Ezzouar, 16111 Algiers, Algeria.
| | - Joaquín Gomis-Cebolla
- ERI BIOTECMED and Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner, 50, BURJASSOT, 46100 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Fairouz El-Aichar
- Microbiology Group, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), BP 32, EL ALIA, Bab Ezzouar, 16111 Algiers, Algeria.
| | - Hassiba Khorf
- Microbiology Group, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), BP 32, EL ALIA, Bab Ezzouar, 16111 Algiers, Algeria.
| | - Juan Ferré
- ERI BIOTECMED and Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner, 50, BURJASSOT, 46100 Valencia, Spain.
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Bel Y, Banyuls N, Chakroun M, Escriche B, Ferré J. Insights into the Structure of the Vip3Aa Insecticidal Protein by Protease Digestion Analysis. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9040131. [PMID: 28387713 PMCID: PMC5408205 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9040131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Vip3 proteins are secretable proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis whose mode of action is still poorly understood. In this study, the activation process for Vip3 proteins was closely examined in order to better understand the Vip3Aa protein stability and to shed light on its structure. The Vip3Aa protoxin (of 89 kDa) was treated with trypsin at concentrations from 1:100 to 120:100 (trypsin:Vip3A, w:w). If the action of trypsin was not properly neutralized, the results of SDS-PAGE analysis (as well as those with Agrotis ipsilon midgut juice) equivocally indicated that the protoxin could be completely processed. However, when the proteolytic reaction was efficiently stopped, it was revealed that the protoxin was only cleaved at a primary cleavage site, regardless of the amount of trypsin used. The 66 kDa and the 19 kDa peptides generated by the proteases co-eluted after gel filtration chromatography, indicating that they remain together after cleavage. The 66 kDa fragment was found to be extremely resistant to proteases. The trypsin treatment of the protoxin in the presence of SDS revealed the presence of secondary cleavage sites at S-509, and presumably at T-466 and V-372, rendering C-terminal fragments of approximately 29, 32, and 42 kDa, respectively. The fact that the predicted secondary structure of the Vip3Aa protein shows a cluster of beta sheets in the C-terminal region of the protein might be the reason behind the higher stability to proteases compared to the rest of the protein, which is mainly composed of alpha helices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Bel
- ERI BIOTECMED and Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner, 50, BURJASSOT, 46100 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Núria Banyuls
- ERI BIOTECMED and Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner, 50, BURJASSOT, 46100 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Maissa Chakroun
- ERI BIOTECMED and Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner, 50, BURJASSOT, 46100 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Baltasar Escriche
- ERI BIOTECMED and Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner, 50, BURJASSOT, 46100 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Juan Ferré
- ERI BIOTECMED and Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner, 50, BURJASSOT, 46100 Valencia, Spain.
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Ricietto APS, Gomis-Cebolla J, Vilas-Bôas GT, Ferré J. Susceptibility of Grapholita molesta (Busck, 1916) to formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis, individual toxins and their mixtures. J Invertebr Pathol 2016; 141:1-5. [PMID: 27686262 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2016.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The Oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a major pest of fruit trees worldwide, such as peach and apple. Bacillus thuringiensis has been shown to be an efficient alternative to synthetic insecticides in the control of many agricultural pests. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of B. thuringiensis individual toxins and their mixtures for the control of G. molesta. Bioassays were performed with Cry1Aa, Cry1Ac, Cry1Ca, Vip3Aa, Vip3Af and Vip3Ca, as well as with the commercial products DiPel® and XenTari®. The most active proteins were Vip3Aa and Cry1Aa, with LC50 values of 1.8 and 7.5ng/cm2, respectively. Vip3Ca was nontoxic to this insect species. Among the commercial products, DiPel® was slightly, but significantly, more toxic than XenTari®, with LC50 values of 13 and 33ng commercial product/cm2, respectively. Since Vip3A and Cry1 proteins are expressed together in some insect-resistant crops, we evaluated possible synergistic or antagonistic interactions among them. The results showed moderate to high antagonism in the combinations of Vip3Aa with Cry1Aa and Cry1Ca.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Scaramal Ricietto
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil; ERI de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Joaquín Gomis-Cebolla
- ERI de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | | | - Juan Ferré
- ERI de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.
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Herrero S, Bel Y, Hernández-Martínez P, Ferré J. Susceptibility, mechanisms of response and resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxins in Spodoptera spp. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2016; 15:89-96. [PMID: 27436737 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2016.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Bioinsecticides based on Bacillus thuringiensis have long been used as an alternative to synthetic insecticides to control insect pests. In this review, we focus on insects of the genus Spodoptera, including relevant polyphagous species that are primary and secondary pests of many crops, and how B. thuringiensis toxins can be used for Spodoptera spp. pest management. We summarize the main findings related to susceptibility, midgut binding specificity, mechanisms of response and resistance of this insect genus to B. thuringiensis toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Herrero
- Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED) and Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Dr Moliner 50, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Yolanda Bel
- Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED) and Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Dr Moliner 50, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Patricia Hernández-Martínez
- Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED) and Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Dr Moliner 50, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Juan Ferré
- Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED) and Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Dr Moliner 50, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.
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Chakroun M, Banyuls N, Bel Y, Escriche B, Ferré J. Bacterial Vegetative Insecticidal Proteins (Vip) from Entomopathogenic Bacteria. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2016; 80:329-350. [PMID: 26935135 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00060-15.address] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Entomopathogenic bacteria produce insecticidal proteins that accumulate in inclusion bodies or parasporal crystals (such as the Cry and Cyt proteins) as well as insecticidal proteins that are secreted into the culture medium. Among the latter are the Vip proteins, which are divided into four families according to their amino acid identity. The Vip1 and Vip2 proteins act as binary toxins and are toxic to some members of the Coleoptera and Hemiptera. The Vip1 component is thought to bind to receptors in the membrane of the insect midgut, and the Vip2 component enters the cell, where it displays its ADP-ribosyltransferase activity against actin, preventing microfilament formation. Vip3 has no sequence similarity to Vip1 or Vip2 and is toxic to a wide variety of members of the Lepidoptera. Its mode of action has been shown to resemble that of the Cry proteins in terms of proteolytic activation, binding to the midgut epithelial membrane, and pore formation, although Vip3A proteins do not share binding sites with Cry proteins. The latter property makes them good candidates to be combined with Cry proteins in transgenic plants (Bacillus thuringiensis-treated crops [Bt crops]) to prevent or delay insect resistance and to broaden the insecticidal spectrum. There are commercially grown varieties of Bt cotton and Bt maize that express the Vip3Aa protein in combination with Cry proteins. For the most recently reported Vip4 family, no target insects have been found yet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maissa Chakroun
- ERI de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (Biotecmed),Department of Genetics, Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Núria Banyuls
- ERI de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (Biotecmed),Department of Genetics, Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Yolanda Bel
- ERI de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (Biotecmed),Department of Genetics, Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Baltasar Escriche
- ERI de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (Biotecmed),Department of Genetics, Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Juan Ferré
- ERI de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (Biotecmed),Department of Genetics, Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
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Transcriptional profiling analysis of Spodoptera litura larvae challenged with Vip3Aa toxin and possible involvement of trypsin in the toxin activation. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23861. [PMID: 27025647 PMCID: PMC4812304 DOI: 10.1038/srep23861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Vip proteins, a new group of insecticidal toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis, are effective against specific pests including Spodoptera litura. Here, we report construction of a transcriptome database of S. litura by de novo assembly along with detection of the transcriptional response of S. litura larvae to Vip3Aa toxin. In total, 56,498 unigenes with an N50 value of 1,853 bp were obtained. Results of transcriptome abundance showed that Vip3Aa toxin provoked a wide transcriptional response of the S. litura midgut. The differentially expressed genes were enriched for immunity-related, metabolic-related and Bt-related genes. Twenty-nine immunity-related genes, 102 metabolic-related genes and 62 Bt-related genes with differential expression were found. On the basis of transcriptional profiling analysis, we focus on the functional validation of trypsin which potentially participated in the activation of Vip3Aa protoxin. Zymogram analysis indicated that the presence of many proteases, including trypsin, in S. litura larvae midgut. Results of enzymolysis in vitro of Vip3Aa by trypsin, and bioassay and histopathology of the trypsin-digested Vip3Aa toxin showed that trypsin was possibly involved in the Vip3Aa activation. This study provides a transcriptome foundation for the identification and functional validation of the differentially expressed genes in an agricultural important pest, S. litura.
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Bacterial Vegetative Insecticidal Proteins (Vip) from Entomopathogenic Bacteria. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2016; 80:329-50. [PMID: 26935135 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00060-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Entomopathogenic bacteria produce insecticidal proteins that accumulate in inclusion bodies or parasporal crystals (such as the Cry and Cyt proteins) as well as insecticidal proteins that are secreted into the culture medium. Among the latter are the Vip proteins, which are divided into four families according to their amino acid identity. The Vip1 and Vip2 proteins act as binary toxins and are toxic to some members of the Coleoptera and Hemiptera. The Vip1 component is thought to bind to receptors in the membrane of the insect midgut, and the Vip2 component enters the cell, where it displays its ADP-ribosyltransferase activity against actin, preventing microfilament formation. Vip3 has no sequence similarity to Vip1 or Vip2 and is toxic to a wide variety of members of the Lepidoptera. Its mode of action has been shown to resemble that of the Cry proteins in terms of proteolytic activation, binding to the midgut epithelial membrane, and pore formation, although Vip3A proteins do not share binding sites with Cry proteins. The latter property makes them good candidates to be combined with Cry proteins in transgenic plants (Bacillus thuringiensis-treated crops [Bt crops]) to prevent or delay insect resistance and to broaden the insecticidal spectrum. There are commercially grown varieties of Bt cotton and Bt maize that express the Vip3Aa protein in combination with Cry proteins. For the most recently reported Vip4 family, no target insects have been found yet.
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Gulzar A, Wright DJ. Sub-lethal effects of Vip3A toxin on survival, development and fecundity of Heliothis virescens and Plutella xylostella. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2015; 24:1815-1822. [PMID: 26162322 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-015-1517-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of sub-lethal effects is important to interpret the overall insecticide efficacy in controlling insect pest populations. In addition to the lethal effect, sub-lethal effects may also occur in exposed insects. Vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vips) have shown a broad spectrum of insecticidal activity against many insect pest species. In this study the sub-lethal effects of the Bacillus thuringiensis vegetative insecticidal toxin Vip3A on the development and reproduction of Heliothis virescens F. and Plutella xylostella L. were evaluated in the laboratory. The results indicated that the sub-lethal concentration of Vip3A increased the duration of the larval and pupal stages as compared with the control treatment for both species. The percent pupation and percent adult emergence were significantly lower for Vip3A-treated insects. The proportion of pairs that produced eggs and the longevity of adults were not significantly different between treatments. H. virescens and P. xylostella treated with Vip3A showed an 11 and 17 % decrease in their intrinsic rate of increase (rm) respectively compared with untreated insects. The results from this study will be helpful to develop the strategy to incorporate Vip 3A containing crops in an integrated pest management programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asim Gulzar
- Department of Entomology, PMAS-AAU Rawalpindi, Muree Road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park campus, Ascot, Berks, SL5 7PY, UK.
| | - Denis J Wright
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park campus, Ascot, Berks, SL5 7PY, UK
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Baranek J, Kaznowski A, Konecka E, Naimov S. Activity of vegetative insecticidal proteins Vip3Aa58 and Vip3Aa59 of Bacillus thuringiensis against lepidopteran pests. J Invertebr Pathol 2015; 130:72-81. [PMID: 26146224 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2015.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Revised: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vips) secreted by some isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis show activity against insects and are regarded as insecticides against pests. A number of B. thuringiensis strains harbouring vip3A genes were isolated from different sources and identified by using a PCR based approach. The isolates with the highest insecticidal activity were indicated in screening tests, and their vip genes were cloned and sequenced. The analysis revealed two polymorphic Vip protein forms, which were classified as Vip3Aa58 and Vip3Aa59. After expression of the vip genes, the proteins were isolated and characterized. The activity of both toxins was estimated against economically important lepidopteran pests of woodlands (Dendrolimus pini), orchards (Cydia pomonella) and field crops (Spodoptera exigua). Vip3Aa58 and Vip3Aa59 were highly toxic and their potency surpassed those of many Cry proteins used in commercial bioinsecticides. Vip3Aa59 revealed similar larvicidal activity as Vip3Aa58 against S. exigua and C. pomonella. Despite 98% similarity of amino acid sequences of both proteins, Vip3Aa59 was significantly more active against D. pini. Additionally the effect of proteolytic activation of Vip58Aa and Vip3Aa59 on toxicity of D. pini and S. exigua was studied. Both Vip3Aa proteins did not show any activity against Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera) larvae. The results suggest that the Vip3Aa58 and Vip3Aa59 toxins might be useful for controlling populations of insect pests of crops and forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Baranek
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Adam Kaznowski
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Edyta Konecka
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Samir Naimov
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, Plovdiv University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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Lemes ARN, Davolos CC, Legori PCBC, Fernandes OA, Ferré J, Lemos MVF, Desiderio JA. Synergism and antagonism between Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3A and Cry1 proteins in Heliothis virescens, Diatraea saccharalis and Spodoptera frugiperda. PLoS One 2014; 9:e107196. [PMID: 25275646 PMCID: PMC4183464 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Accepted: 08/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Second generation Bt crops (insect resistant crops carrying Bacillus thuringiensis genes) combine more than one gene that codes for insecticidal proteins in the same plant to provide better control of agricultural pests. Some of the new combinations involve co-expression of cry and vip genes. Because Cry and Vip proteins have different midgut targets and possibly different mechanisms of toxicity, it is important to evaluate possible synergistic or antagonistic interactions between these two classes of toxins. Three members of the Cry1 class of proteins and three from the Vip3A class were tested against Heliothis virescens for possible interactions. At the level of LC50, Cry1Ac was the most active protein, whereas the rest of proteins tested were similarly active. However, at the level of LC90, Cry1Aa and Cry1Ca were the least active proteins, and Cry1Ac and Vip3A proteins were not significantly different. Under the experimental conditions used in this study, we found an antagonistic effect of Cry1Ca with the three Vip3A proteins. The interaction between Cry1Ca and Vip3Aa was also tested on two other species of Lepidoptera. Whereas antagonism was observed in Spodoptera frugiperda, synergism was found in Diatraea saccharalis. In all cases, the interaction between Vip3A and Cry1 proteins was more evident at the LC90 level than at the LC50 level. The fact that the same combination of proteins may result in a synergistic or an antagonistic interaction may be an indication that there are different types of interactions within the host, depending on the insect species tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Nunes Lemes
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, UNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Biologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Chiaradia Davolos
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, UNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Biologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paula Cristina Brunini Crialesi Legori
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, UNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Biologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Juan Ferré
- Department of Genetics, University of Valencia, Burjassot (Valencia), Spain
| | - Manoel Victor Franco Lemos
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, UNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Biologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Janete Apparecida Desiderio
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, UNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Biologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
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In vivo and in vitro binding of Vip3Aa to Spodoptera frugiperda midgut and characterization of binding sites by (125)I radiolabeling. Appl Environ Microbiol 2014; 80:6258-65. [PMID: 25002420 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01521-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vip3A) have been recently introduced in important crops as a strategy to delay the emerging resistance to the existing Cry toxins. The mode of action of Vip3A proteins has been studied in Spodoptera frugiperda with the aim of characterizing their binding to the insect midgut. Immunofluorescence histological localization of Vip3Aa in the midgut of intoxicated larvae showed that Vip3Aa bound to the brush border membrane along the entire apical surface. The presence of fluorescence in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells seems to suggest internalization of Vip3Aa or a fragment of it. Successful radiolabeling and optimization of the binding protocol for the (125)I-Vip3Aa to S. frugiperda brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) allowed the determination of binding parameters of Vip3A proteins for the first time. Heterologous competition using Vip3Ad, Vip3Ae, and Vip3Af as competitor proteins showed that they share the same binding site with Vip3Aa. In contrast, when using Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac as competitors, no competitive binding was observed, which makes them appropriate candidates to be used in combination with Vip3A proteins in transgenic crops.
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Ruiz de Escudero I, Banyuls N, Bel Y, Maeztu M, Escriche B, Muñoz D, Caballero P, Ferré J. A screening of five Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3A proteins for their activity against lepidopteran pests. J Invertebr Pathol 2014; 117:51-5. [PMID: 24508583 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2014.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2013] [Revised: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Five Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3A proteins (Vip3Aa, Vip3Ab, Vip3Ad, Vip3Ae and Vip3Af) and their corresponding trypsin-activated toxins were tested for their toxicity against eight lepidopteran pests: Agrotis ipsilon, Helicoverpa armigera, Mamestra brassicae, Spodoptera exigua, Spodoptera frugiperda, Spodoptera littoralis, Ostrinia nubilalis and Lobesia botrana. Toxicity was first tested at a high dose at 7 and 10 days. No major differences were found when comparing protoxins vs. trypsin-activated toxins. The proteins that were active against most of the insect species were Vip3Aa, Vip3Ae and Vip3Af, followed by Vip3Ab. Vip3Ad was non-toxic to any of the species tested. Considering the results by insect species, A. ipsilon, S. frugiperda and S. littoralis were susceptible to Vip3Aa, Vip3Ab, Vip3Ae and Vip3Af; S. exigua was susceptible to Vip3Aa and Vip3Ae, and moderately susceptible to Vip3Ab; M. brassicae and L. botrana were susceptible to Vip3Aa, Vip3Ae and Vip3Af; H. armigera was moderately susceptible to Vip3Aa, Vip3Ae and Vip3Af, and O. nubilalis was tolerant to all Vip3 proteins tested, although it showed some susceptibility to Vip3Af. The results obtained will help to design new combinations of insecticidal protein genes in transgenic crops or in recombinant bacteria for the control of insect pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñigo Ruiz de Escudero
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología, CSIC-UPNA, Gobierno de Navarra, Campus Arrosadía, 31192 Mutilva, Navarra, Spain; Laboratorio de Entomología Agrícola y Patología de Insectos, Departamento de Producción Agraria, Universidad Pública de Navarra, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Núria Banyuls
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de CC. Biológicas, Universitat de València, 46100 Valencia, Spain
| | - Yolanda Bel
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de CC. Biológicas, Universitat de València, 46100 Valencia, Spain
| | - Mireya Maeztu
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología, CSIC-UPNA, Gobierno de Navarra, Campus Arrosadía, 31192 Mutilva, Navarra, Spain
| | - Baltasar Escriche
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de CC. Biológicas, Universitat de València, 46100 Valencia, Spain
| | - Delia Muñoz
- Laboratorio de Entomología Agrícola y Patología de Insectos, Departamento de Producción Agraria, Universidad Pública de Navarra, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Primitivo Caballero
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología, CSIC-UPNA, Gobierno de Navarra, Campus Arrosadía, 31192 Mutilva, Navarra, Spain; Laboratorio de Entomología Agrícola y Patología de Insectos, Departamento de Producción Agraria, Universidad Pública de Navarra, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Juan Ferré
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de CC. Biológicas, Universitat de València, 46100 Valencia, Spain.
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Bel Y, Jakubowska AK, Costa J, Herrero S, Escriche B. Comprehensive analysis of gene expression profiles of the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua larvae challenged with Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3Aa toxin. PLoS One 2013; 8:e81927. [PMID: 24312604 PMCID: PMC3846680 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Accepted: 10/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Host-pathogen interactions result in complex relationship, many aspects of which are not completely understood. Vip proteins, which are Bacillus thuringensis (Bt) insecticidal toxins produced during the vegetative stage, are selectively effective against specific insect pests. This new group of Bt proteins represents an interesting alternative to the classical Bt Cry toxins because current data suggests that they do not share the same mode of action. We have designed and developed a genome-wide microarray for the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua, a serious lepidopteran pest of many agricultural crops, and used it to better understand how lepidopteran larvae respond to the treatment with the insecticidal protein Vip3Aa. With this approach, the goal of our study was to evaluate the changes in gene expression levels caused by treatment with sublethal doses of Vip3Aa (causing 99% growth inhibition) at 8 and 24 h after feeding. Results indicated that the toxin provoked a wide transcriptional response, with 19% of the microarray unigenes responding significantly to treatment. The number of up- and down-regulated unigenes was very similar. The number of genes whose expression was regulated at 8 h was similar to the number of genes whose expression was regulated after 24 h of treatment. The up-regulated sequences were enriched for genes involved in innate immune response and in pathogen response such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and repat genes. The down-regulated sequences were mainly unigenes with homology to genes involved in metabolism. Genes related to the mode of action of Bt Cry proteins were found, in general, to be slightly overexpressed. The present study is the first genome-wide analysis of the response of lepidopteran insects to Vip3Aa intoxication. An insight into the molecular mechanisms and components related to Vip intoxication will allow designing of more effective management strategies for pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Bel
- Department of Genetics, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Juliana Costa
- Department of Applied Biology, UNESP, Jaboticabal, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Salvador Herrero
- Department of Genetics, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Baltasar Escriche
- Department of Genetics, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
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