1
|
De Bortoli CP, Polanczyk RA, Crickmore N. Throwing Brazilian strains into the melting pot of P. xylostella resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis. J Invertebr Pathol 2024; 204:108101. [PMID: 38574951 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2024.108101] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
The resistance of pest insects to biopesticides based on the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is normally associated with changes to the receptors involved in the mechanism of action of the pesticidal proteins produced by Bt. In some strains of Plutella xylostella (the diamondback moth) resistance has evolved through a signalling mechanism in which the genes encoding the receptor proteins are downregulated whereas in others it has been linked to structural changes in the receptors themselves. One such well characterized mutation is in the ABCC2 gene indicating that changes to this protein can result in resistance. However other studies have found that knocking out this protein does not result in a significant level of resistance. In this study we wanted to test the hypothesis that constitutive receptor downregulation is the major cause of Bt resistance in P. xylostella and that mutations in the now poorly expressed receptor genes may not contribute significantly to the phenotype. To that end we investigated the expression of a receptor (ABCC2) and the major regulator of the signalling pathway (MAP4K4) in two resistant and four susceptible strains. No correlation was found between expression levels and susceptibility; however, a frameshift mutation was identified in the ABCC2 receptor in a newly characterized resistant strain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Placidi De Bortoli
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK; Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Paulista State University "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal Campus, SP, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Antonio Polanczyk
- Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Paulista State University "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal Campus, SP, Brazil
| | - Neil Crickmore
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Amezian D, Nauen R, Van Leeuwen T. The role of ATP-binding cassette transporters in arthropod pesticide toxicity and resistance. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 63:101200. [PMID: 38641174 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2024.101200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Pesticide resistance in arthropods threatens agricultural productivity and the control of vector-borne diseases. The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters have emerged as important factors in the toxicity of synthetic pesticides, as well as for Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal Cry protein binding. Depending on the localization of expression, both higher and lower expression of ABCs have been linked with pesticide resistance. The recent development of genetic-based approaches such as RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in nonmodel species, has greatly contributed to unveil their functional importance in pesticide toxicity and resistance. Using these tools, we are now poised to further unravel the molecular genetic mechanisms of gene regulation uncovering more elusive regulatory resistance genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dries Amezian
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ralf Nauen
- Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, R&D, Alfred Nobel-Strasse 50, 40789 Monheim, Germany
| | - Thomas Van Leeuwen
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Niu X, Jiang J, Sun Y, Hull JJ, Ma W, Hua H, Lin Y. Knockdown of MAPK p38-linked genes increases the susceptibility of Chilo suppressalis larvae to various transgenic Bt rice lines. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 266:130815. [PMID: 38537847 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130815] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins have provided exceptional control of agricultural insect pests, however, over reliance on the proteins would potentially contribute to the development of field tolerance. Developing new sustainable insect pest control methods that target the mechanisms underlying Bt tolerance can potentially support the Bt control paradigm while also providing insights into basic insect physiology. The MAPK p38 pathway is strongly associated with Bt tolerance in Chilo suppressalis, a major pest of rice. To gain insights into how this pathway impacts tolerance, high-throughput screening of C. suppressalis larval midguts initially identified eight novel target genes. Increased larval sensitivity to the transgenic cry1Ca rice strain T1C-19 was observed following RNA interference-mediated knockdown of four of the genes, Cscnc, Csgcp, Cszfp26 and CsZMYM1. Similar enhanced sensitivity to the TT51 (expressing Cry1Ab/1Ac) and T2A-1 (expressing Cry2Aa) transgenic rice lines occurred when Cszfp26 and CsZMYM1 were knocked down. All four target genes are downstream of the MAPK p38 pathway but do not participate in negative feedback loop of the pathway. These results implicate Cscnc, Csgcp, Cszfp and CsZMYM1 in the C. suppressalis transgenic cry1Ca rice tolerance mechanism regulated by MAPK p38. These findings further enhance our understanding of the MAPK p38-dependent molecular mechanisms underlying Bt tolerance in C. suppressalis and open new avenues of tolerance management to develop.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xurong Niu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
| | - Jialiang Jiang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
| | - Yajie Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
| | - J Joe Hull
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
| | - Weihua Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
| | - Hongxia Hua
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
| | - Yongjun Lin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu L, He W, Xu P, Wei W, Wang J, Liu K. Contribution of the transcription factor SfGATAe to Bt Cry toxin resistance in Spodoptera frugiperda through reduction of ABCC2 expression. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 267:131459. [PMID: 38593893 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131459] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Insect resistance evolution poses a significant threat to the advantages of biopesticides and transgenic crops utilizing insecticidal Cry-toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). However, there is limited research on the relationship between transcriptional regulation of specific toxin receptors in lepidopteran insects and their resistance to Bt toxins. Here, we report the positive regulatory role of the SfGATAe transcription factor on the expression of the ABCC2 gene in Spodoptera frugiperda. DNA regions in the SfABCC2 promoter that are vital for regulation by SfGATAe, utilizing DAP-seq technology and promoter deletion mapping. Through yeast one-hybrid assays, DNA pull-down experiments, and site-directed mutagenesis, we confirmed that the transcription factor SfGATAe regulates the core control site PBS2 in the ABCC2 target gene. Tissue-specific expression analysis has revealed that SfGATAe is involved in the regulation and expression of midgut cells in the fall armyworm. Silencing SfGATAe in fall armyworm larvae resulted in reduced expression of SfABCC2 and decreased sensitivity to Cry1Ac toxin. Overall, this study elucidated the regulatory mechanism of the transcription factor SfGATAe on the expression of the toxin receptor gene SfABCC2 and this transcriptional control mechanism impacts the resistance of the fall armyworm to Bt toxins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leilei Liu
- Center of Applied Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Wuhan University of Bioengineering, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Wenfeng He
- Center of Applied Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Wuhan University of Bioengineering, Wuhan, Hubei, China; College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Peiwen Xu
- Center of Applied Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Wuhan University of Bioengineering, Wuhan, Hubei, China; College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Center of Applied Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Wuhan University of Bioengineering, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jintao Wang
- Center of Applied Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Wuhan University of Bioengineering, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Kaiyu Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pan X, Cao F, Guo X, Wang Y, Cui Z, Huang T, Hou Y, Guan X. Development of a Safe and Effective Bacillus thuringiensis-Based Nanobiopesticide for Controlling Tea Pests. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:7807-7817. [PMID: 38514390 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c00833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Mg(OH)2 was used as the nanocarrier of the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry1Ac protein, and the synthesized Cry1Ac-Mg(OH)2 composites were regular and uniform nanosheets. Nano-Mg(OH)2 could effectively improve the insecticidal effect of the Cry1Ac protein toward Ectropis obliqua. It could enhance the damage degree of the Cry1Ac protein to intestinal epithelial cells and microvilli, induce and enrich the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the midgut, and enhance the degradation of the Cry1Ac protein into active fragments. Furthermore, an anti-rinsing assay showed that the Cry1Ac-Mg(OH)2 composites were bound to the notch structure of the tea leaf surface. The retention of the Cry1Ac protein increased by 11.45%, and sprayed nano-Mg(OH)2 was rapidly absorbed by different tissues of tea plants. Moreover, nano-Mg(OH)2 and composites did not significantly affect non-target organisms. These results show that nano-Mg(OH)2 can serve as a safe and effective biopesticide carrier, which provides a new approach for stable and efficient Bt preparation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection & Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education & Fujian-Taiwan Joint Center for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection & Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education & Fujian-Taiwan Joint Center for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueping Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection & Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education & Fujian-Taiwan Joint Center for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of China
| | - Yilin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection & Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education & Fujian-Taiwan Joint Center for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziqi Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection & Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education & Fujian-Taiwan Joint Center for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianpei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection & Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education & Fujian-Taiwan Joint Center for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of China
| | - Youming Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection & Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education & Fujian-Taiwan Joint Center for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiong Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection & Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education & Fujian-Taiwan Joint Center for Ecological Control of Crop Pests, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wang Y, Yao Y, Zhang Y, Qian X, Guo D, Coates BS. A chromosome-level genome assembly of the soybean pod borer: insights into larval transcriptional response to transgenic soybean expressing the pesticidal Cry1Ac protein. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:355. [PMID: 38594617 PMCID: PMC11005160 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10216-2] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetically modified (GM) crop plants with transgenic expression of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) pesticidal proteins are used to manage feeding damage by pest insects. The durability of this technology is threatened by the selection for resistance in pest populations. The molecular mechanism(s) involved in insect physiological response or evolution of resistance to Bt is not fully understood. RESULTS To investigate the response of a susceptible target insect to Bt, the soybean pod borer, Leguminivora glycinivorella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), was exposed to soybean, Glycine max, expressing Cry1Ac pesticidal protein or the non-transgenic parental cultivar. Assessment of larval changes in gene expression was facilitated by a third-generation sequenced and scaffolded chromosome-level assembly of the L. glycinivorella genome (657.4 Mb; 27 autosomes + Z chromosome), and subsequent structural annotation of 18,197 RefSeq gene models encoding 23,735 putative mRNA transcripts. Exposure of L. glycinivorella larvae to transgenic Cry1Ac G. max resulted in prediction of significant differential gene expression for 204 gene models (64 up- and 140 down-regulated) and differential splicing among isoforms for 10 genes compared to unexposed cohorts. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) included putative peritrophic membrane constituents, orthologs of Bt receptor-encoding genes previously linked or associated with Bt resistance, and those involved in stress responses. Putative functional Gene Ontology (GO) annotations assigned to DEGs were significantly enriched for 36 categories at GO level 2, respectively. Most significantly enriched cellular component (CC), biological process (BP), and molecular function (MF) categories corresponded to vacuolar and microbody, transport and metabolic processes, and binding and reductase activities. The DEGs in enriched GO categories were biased for those that were down-regulated (≥ 0.783), with only MF categories GTPase and iron binding activities were bias for up-regulation genes. CONCLUSIONS This study provides insights into pathways and processes involved larval response to Bt intoxication, which may inform future unbiased investigations into mechanisms of resistance that show no evidence of alteration in midgut receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yangzhou Wang
- Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Yao Yao
- Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Yunyue Zhang
- Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Xueyan Qian
- Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Dongquan Guo
- Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130033, China.
| | - Brad S Coates
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Corn Insects & Crop Genetics Research Unit, 532 Science II, 2310 Pammel Dr., Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pezzini D, Taylor KL, Reisig DD, Fritz ML. Cross-pollination in seed-blended refuge and selection for Vip3A resistance in a lepidopteran pest as detected by genomic monitoring. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2319838121. [PMID: 38513093 PMCID: PMC10990109 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319838121] [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: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The evolution of pest resistance to management tools reduces productivity and results in economic losses in agricultural systems. To slow its emergence and spread, monitoring and prevention practices are implemented in resistance management programs. Recent work suggests that genomic approaches can identify signs of emerging resistance to aid in resistance management. Here, we empirically examined the sensitivity of genomic monitoring for resistance management in transgenic Bt crops, a globally important agricultural innovation. Whole genome resequencing of wild North American Helicoverpa zea collected from non-expressing refuge and plants expressing Cry1Ab confirmed that resistance-associated signatures of selection were detectable after a single generation of exposure. Upon demonstrating its sensitivity, we applied genomic monitoring to wild H. zea that survived Vip3A exposure resulting from cross-pollination of refuge plants in seed-blended plots. Refuge seed interplanted with transgenic seed exposed H. zea to sublethal doses of Vip3A protein in corn ears and was associated with allele frequency divergence across the genome. Some of the greatest allele frequency divergence occurred in genomic regions adjacent to a previously described candidate gene for Vip3A resistance. Our work highlights the power of genomic monitoring to sensitively detect heritable changes associated with field exposure to Bt toxins and suggests that seed-blended refuge will likely hasten the evolution of resistance to Vip3A in lepidopteran pests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Pezzini
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC27513
| | - Katherine L. Taylor
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC27513
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD20742
| | - Dominic D. Reisig
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC27513
| | - Megan L. Fritz
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC27513
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD20742
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Berini F, Montali A, Liguori R, Venturini G, Bonelli M, Shaltiel-Harpaz L, Reguzzoni M, Siti M, Marinelli F, Casartelli M, Tettamanti G. Production and characterization of Trichoderma asperellum chitinases and their use in synergy with Bacillus thuringiensis for lepidopteran control. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38407453 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite their known negative effects on ecosystems and human health, synthetic pesticides are still largely used to control crop insect pests. Currently, the biopesticide market for insect biocontrol mainly relies on the entomopathogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). New biocontrol tools for crop protection might derive from fungi, in particular from Trichoderma spp., which are known producers of chitinases and other bioactive compounds able to negatively affect insect survival. RESULTS In this study, we first developed an environmentally sustainable production process for obtaining chitinases from Trichoderma asperellum ICC012. Then, we investigated the biological effects of this chitinase preparation - alone or in combination with a Bt-based product - when orally administered to two lepidopteran species. Our results demonstrate that T. asperellum efficiently produces a multi-enzymatic cocktail able to alter the chitin microfibril network of the insect peritrophic matrix, resulting in delayed development and larval death. The co-administration of T. asperellum chitinases and sublethal concentrations of Bt toxins increased larval mortality. This synergistic effect was likely due to the higher amount of Bt toxins that passed the damaged peritrophic matrix and reached the target receptors on the midgut cells of chitinase-treated insects. CONCLUSION Our findings may contribute to the development of an integrated pest management technology based on fungal chitinases that increase the efficacy of Bt-based products, mitigating the risk of Bt-resistance development. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Berini
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- Interuniversity Centre for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology (BAT Centre), University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Aurora Montali
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Riccardo Liguori
- Isagro Research Centre affiliated to Gowan Crop Protection Ltd, Novara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Venturini
- Isagro Research Centre affiliated to Gowan Crop Protection Ltd, Novara, Italy
| | - Marco Bonelli
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Liora Shaltiel-Harpaz
- Integrated Pest Management Laboratory Northern R&D, MIGAL - Galilee Research Institute, Kiryat Shmona, Israel
- Environmental Sciences Department, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Tel Hai College, Kiryat Shmona, Israel
| | - Marcella Reguzzoni
- Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Moran Siti
- Luxembourg Industries Ltd, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Flavia Marinelli
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- Interuniversity Centre for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology (BAT Centre), University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Morena Casartelli
- Interuniversity Centre for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology (BAT Centre), University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca Tettamanti
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- Interuniversity Centre for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology (BAT Centre), University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Miranda MP, Fitches EC, Sukiran NA, Eduardo WI, Garcia RB, Jaciani FJ, Readshaw JJ, Bell J, Peña L. Spider venom neurotoxin based bioinsecticides: A novel bioactive for the control of the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera). Toxicon 2024; 239:107616. [PMID: 38218384 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107616] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is a key vector of the phloem-limited bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) associated with huanglongbing (HLB), the most serious and currently incurable disease of citrus worldwide. Here we report the first investigation into the potential use of a spider venom-derived recombinant neurotoxin, ω/κ-HxTx-Hv1h (hereafter HxTx-Hv1h) when delivered alone or when fused to snowdrop lectin (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin; GNA) to control D. citri. Proteins, including GNA alone, were purified from fermented transformed yeast Pichia pastoris cultures. Recombinant HxTx-Hv1h, HxTx-Hv1h/GNA and GNA were all orally toxic to D. citri, with Day 5 median lethal concentrations (LC50) derived from dose-response artificial diet assays of 27, 20 and 52 μM, respectively. Western analysis of whole insect protein extracts confirmed that psyllid mortality was attributable to protein ingestion and that the fusion protein was stable to cleavage by D. citri proteases. When applied topically (either via droplet or spray) HxTx-Hv1h/GNA was the most effective of the proteins causing >70 % mortality 5 days post treatment, some 2 to 3-fold higher levels of mortality as compared to the toxin alone. By contrast, no significant mortality or phenotypic effects were observed for bumble bees (Bombus terrestris L.) fed on the recombinant proteins in acute toxicity assays. This suggests that HxTx-Hv1h/GNA has potential as a novel bioinsecticide for the management of D. citri offering both enhanced target specificity as compared to chemical pesticides and compatibility with integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo P Miranda
- Fund for Citrus Protection (Fundecitrus), Research and Development, Avenida Dr. Adhemar Pereira de Barros, 201, 14807- 040, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Elaine C Fitches
- School of Biosciences, University of Durham, Durham, DH1 3LE, United Kingdom.
| | - Nur Afiqah Sukiran
- School of Biosciences, University of Durham, Durham, DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Wellington I Eduardo
- Fund for Citrus Protection (Fundecitrus), Research and Development, Avenida Dr. Adhemar Pereira de Barros, 201, 14807- 040, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafael B Garcia
- Fund for Citrus Protection (Fundecitrus), Research and Development, Avenida Dr. Adhemar Pereira de Barros, 201, 14807- 040, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Fabrício J Jaciani
- Fund for Citrus Protection (Fundecitrus), Research and Development, Avenida Dr. Adhemar Pereira de Barros, 201, 14807- 040, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Jennifer J Readshaw
- School of Biosciences, University of Durham, Durham, DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Jack Bell
- School of Biosciences, University of Durham, Durham, DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Leandro Peña
- Instituto de Biologıa Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IBMCP-CSIC), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wang L, Xu M, He L, Wei W, Xu D, Cong S, Liu K, Wan P. Mutation in PgABCC2 confers low-level resistance to Cry1Ac in pink bollworm. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38380740 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the increasing incidence of pest resistance to transgenic crops producing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins in the field, elucidating the molecular basis of resistance is important for monitoring, delaying and countering pest resistance. Previous work revealed that mutation or down-regulated expression of the cadherin gene (PgCad1) is associated with pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) resistance to Cry1Ac, and 20 mutant PgCad1 alleles (r1-r20) were characterized. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the ABC transporter PgABCC2 is a functional receptor for the Bt toxin Cry1Ac and that a mutation is associated with resistance. RESULTS We identified and characterized the first resistance allele (rC2 ) of PgABCC2 in the laboratory-selected Cry1Ac-resistant strain AQ-C2 of pink bollworm. The rC2 allele had a one-base deletion in exon20, resulting in a frameshift and the introduction of a premature stop codon. This resulting PgABCC2 protein had a truncated C-terminus, including the loss of the NBD2 domain. AQ-C2 exhibited 20.2-fold greater resistance to Cry1Ac than the susceptible strain, and its inheritance of Cry1Ac resistance was recessive and genetically linked to PgABCC2. When produced in cultured insect cells, recombinant wild-type and rC2 mutant PgABCC2 proteins localized within the cell plasma membrane, although substantial cytoplasmic retention was also observed for the mutant protein, while the mutant PgABCC2 caused a 13.9-fold decrease in Cry1Ac toxicity versus the wild-type PgABCC2. CONCLUSIONS PgABCC2 is a functional receptor of Cry1Ac and the loss of its carboxyl terminus (including its NBD2 domain) confers low-level resistance to Cry1Ac in both larvae and in cultured cells. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling Wang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Central China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Key Laboratory of Crop Disease, Insect Pests and Weeds Control, Institute of Plant Protection and Soil Science, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lu He
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Applied Biotechnology Center, Wuhan University of Bioengineering, Wuhan, China
| | - Dong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Central China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Key Laboratory of Crop Disease, Insect Pests and Weeds Control, Institute of Plant Protection and Soil Science, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Shengbo Cong
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Central China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Key Laboratory of Crop Disease, Insect Pests and Weeds Control, Institute of Plant Protection and Soil Science, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Kaiyu Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Wan
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Central China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Key Laboratory of Crop Disease, Insect Pests and Weeds Control, Institute of Plant Protection and Soil Science, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Calvin W, Yang F, Kennedy H, Marçon PG, Kerns DL. Susceptibility of Field and Laboratory Bt-Susceptible and Resistant Strains of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) to HearNPV. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:529. [PMID: 38498539 PMCID: PMC10892202 DOI: 10.3390/plants13040529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
During 2021 and 2022, eight field-collected and five laboratory Helicoverpa zea strains with varying susceptibility to different Bt proteins were evaluated for their responses against HearNPV using diet-overlay bioassays. The five laboratory strains included SS (susceptible to all Bt proteins), CRY-RR (resistant to Cry1 and Cry2), VIP-RR-70 (resistant to Vip3Aa), VIP-RR-15 (resistant to Vip3Aa), and TRE-RR (resistant to Cry1, Cry2, and Vip3Aa). Our findings showed that the susceptibility of TRE-RR, VIP-RR-70, and VIP-RR-15 strains to HearNPV was similar to that of the SS strain. However, the field and Cry-RR strains were more resistant to HearNPV compared to the SS strain. Because most feral H. zea strains in the southern U.S. have developed practical resistance to Cry Bt proteins but remain susceptible to Vip3Aa, the results suggest that the reduced susceptibility to HearNPV in H. zea may be associated with the resistance to Cry Bt proteins but not with the resistance to Vip3Aa. Correlation analysis confirmed that there was a significant positive relationship between Cry resistance and HearNPV resistance, but not between the Vip3Aa resistance and HearNPV resistance in H. zea. Our findings provide valuable insights into the relationship between susceptibility to HearNPV and resistance to Bt proteins in H. zea.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wilfrid Calvin
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Fei Yang
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Haley Kennedy
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | | | - David L Kerns
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Alves GB, Lemes TSO, Pereira EJG, Jurat-Fuentes JL, Smagghe G, Santos GR, Haddi K, Corrêa RFT, Melo FL, Jumbo LOV, Oliveira EE, Peron AJ, Ribeiro BM, Aguiar RWS. Draft genome of neotropical Bacillus thuringiensis UFT038 and its potential against lepidopteran soybean pests. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2024; 69:91-99. [PMID: 38017300 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-023-01114-3] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is known for its Cry and Vip3A pesticidal proteins with high selectivity to target pests. Here, we assessed the potential of a novel neotropical Bt strain (UFT038) against six lepidopteran pests, including two Cry-resistant populations of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. We also sequenced and analyzed the genome of Bt UFT038 to identify genes involved in insecticidal activities or encoding other virulence factors. In toxicological bioassays, Bt UFT038 killed and inhibited the neonate growth in a concentration-dependent manner. Bt UFT038 and HD-1 were equally toxic against S. cosmioides, S. frugiperda (S_Bt and R_Cry1 + 2Ab populations), Helicoverpa zea, and H. armigera. However, larval growth inhibition results indicated that Bt UFT038 was more toxic than HD-1 to S. cosmioides, while HD-1 was more active against Chrysodeixis includens. The draft genome of Bt UFT038 showed the cry1Aa8, cry1Ac11, cry1Ia44, cry2Aa9, cry2Ab35, and vip3Af5 genes. Besides this, genes encoding the virulence factors (inhA, plcA, piplC, sph, and chi1-2) and toxins (alo, cytK, hlyIII, hblA-D, and nheA-C) were also identified. Collectively, our findings reveal the potential of the Bt UFT038 strain as a source of insecticidal genes against lepidopteran pests, including S. cosmioides and S. frugiperda.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giselly B Alves
- Departamento de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Tocantins, Gurupi, TO, 77413-070, Brazil
| | - Timóteo S O Lemes
- Departamento de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Tocantins, Gurupi, TO, 77413-070, Brazil
| | - Eliseu J G Pereira
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Juan L Jurat-Fuentes
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gil R Santos
- Departamento de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Tocantins, Gurupi, TO, 77413-070, Brazil
| | - Khalid Haddi
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG, 37200-900, Brazil
| | - Roberto F T Corrêa
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Fernando L Melo
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Luis O Viteri Jumbo
- Departamento de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Tocantins, Gurupi, TO, 77413-070, Brazil
- Carrera de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional de Loja (UNL), Loja, 110103, Ecuador
| | - Eugenio E Oliveira
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Antônio J Peron
- Departamento de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Tocantins, Gurupi, TO, 77413-070, Brazil
| | - Bergmann M Ribeiro
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Raimundo W S Aguiar
- Departamento de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Tocantins, Gurupi, TO, 77413-070, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Chen G, Li Q, Zhang C, Zhao W, Jurat-Fuentes JL, Zhou X, Chen F, Yang X, Han L. Synergism of Cry1Ca toxicity by gut resident Enterococcus spp. in the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 257:128654. [PMID: 38065453 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128654] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is the most economically successful biopesticide to date, and Bt insecticidal proteins are produced in transgenic crops for pest control. However, relevant details in the Bt-mediated killing process remain undefined. In our previous research, we observed reduced larval susceptibility to Bt Cry1Ca in Chilo suppressalis, a major rice pest in China, after gut microbiota elimination. Here, we tested the hypothesis that gut microbiota, particularly abundant Enterococcus spp., influences C. suppressalis susceptibility to Cry1Ca. We isolated and identified four Enterococcus spp. from C. suppressalis gut microbiota and evaluated their impact on Cry1Ca toxicity. Among the four Enterococcus spp. identified, three of them (E. casseliflavus, E. faecalis, and E. mundtii) dramatically increased larval mortality when introduced in axenic C. suppressalis challenged with Cry1Ca. Gut epithelial damage by Cry1Ca promoted the translocation of Enterococcus spp. from the gut lumen into the hemocoel, where they proliferated and induced larval melanization and hemocyte apoptosis. Our combined findings demonstrate that the presence of specific gut microbiota can greatly affect susceptibility to Cry1Ca through melanization and apoptosis of hemocytes. Better understanding of the Bt intoxication process guides the development of bio-enhancers for Bt-based microbial biopesticides and potential improvement of transgenic crops.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geng Chen
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qianwen Li
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wanxuan Zhao
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | | | - Xuguo Zhou
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40546, USA
| | - Fajun Chen
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xiaowei Yang
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Lanzhi Han
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Guo Z, Bai Y, Zhang X, Guo L, Zhu L, Sun D, Sun K, Xu X, Yang X, Xie W, Wang S, Wu Q, Crickmore N, Zhou X, Zhang Y. RNA m 6 A Methylation Suppresses Insect Juvenile Hormone Degradation to Minimize Fitness Costs in Response to A Pathogenic Attack. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2307650. [PMID: 38087901 PMCID: PMC10853702 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202307650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Bioinsecticides and transgenic crops based on the bacterial pathogen Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) can effectively control diverse agricultural insect pests, nevertheless, the evolution of resistance without obvious fitness costs has seriously eroded the sustainable use of these Bt products. Recently, it has been discovered that an increased titer of juvenile hormone (JH) favors an insect host (Plutella xylostella) to enhance fitness whilst resisting the Bt pathogen, however, the underlying regulatory mechanisms of the increased JH titer are obscure. Here, the involvement of N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) RNA modification in modulating the availability of JH in this process is defined. Specifically, it is found that two m6 A methyltransferase subunit genes, PxMettl3 and PxMettl14, repress the expression of a key JH-degrading enzyme JH esterase (JHE) to induce an increased JH titer, mitigating the fitness costs associated with a robust defense against the Bt pathogen. This study identifies an as-yet uncharacterized m6 A-mediated epigenetic regulator of insect hormones for maintaining fitness during pathogen defense and unveils an emerging Bt resistance-related m6 A methylation atlas in insects, which further expands the functional landscape of m6 A modification and showcases the pivotal role of epigenetic regulation in host-pathogen interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhaojiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Yang Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Xinyi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Le Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Liuhong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Dan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Kaiyue Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Xudan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Xin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Wen Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Shaoli Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Qingjun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| | - Neil Crickmore
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of SussexBrightonBN1 9QGUK
| | - Xuguo Zhou
- Department of EntomologyUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKentucky40546‐0091USA
| | - Youjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable BiobreedingDepartment of Plant ProtectionInstitute of Vegetables and FlowersChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing100081China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
He X, Yang Y, Soberón M, Bravo A, Zhang L, Zhang J, Wang Z. Bacillus thuringiensis Cry9Aa Insecticidal Protein Domain I Helices α3 and α4 Are Two Core Regions Involved in Oligomerization and Toxicity. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:1321-1329. [PMID: 38175929 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c08070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis Cry9 proteins show high insecticidal activity against different lepidopteran pests. Cry9 could be a valuable alternative to Cry1 proteins because it showed a synergistic effect with no cross-resistance. However, the pore-formation region of the Cry9 proteins is still unclear. In this study, nine mutations of certain Cry9Aa helices α3 and α4 residues resulted in a complete loss of insecticidal activity against the rice pest Chilo suppressalis; however, the protein stability and receptor binding ability of these mutants were not affected. Among these mutants, Cry9Aa-D121R, Cry9Aa-D125R, Cry9Aa-D163R, Cry9Aa-E165R, and Cry9Aa-D167R are unable to form oligomers in vitro, while the oligomers formed by Cry9Aa-R156D, Cry9Aa-R158D, and Cry9Aa-R160D are unstable and failed to insert into the membrane. These data confirmed that helices α3 and α4 of Cry9Aa are involved in oligomerization, membrane insertion, and toxicity. The knowledge of Cry9 pore-forming action may promote its application as an alternative to Cry1 insecticidal proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang He
- Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui Province 230036, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yanchao Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Mario Soberón
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Morelos 62250, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Bravo
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Morelos 62250, Mexico
| | - Lihong Zhang
- Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui Province 230036, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui Province 230036, China
- 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
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Li S, Xu F, Zhang Y, Gao Z, Han Z, Feng C. Identification and characteristic analysis of an extracellular signal-regulated kinase from Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 115:e22077. [PMID: 38288489 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, a critical genetic determinant, controls diverse physiological functions, including innate immunity, development, and stress response. In the current study, a full-length cDNA (1592bp) encoding the ERK gene (OfERK) was cloned from Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée (GenBank accession number: MF797866). The open reading frame of the OfERK gene encoded 364 amino acids and shared 96.43%-98.08% amino acid identities with other insect mitogen-activated protein kinases. For spatiotemporal analysis of the expression pattern, OfERK exhibited a significant peak expression on the 3rd day of the pupa stage and showed the highest expression in hemocytes specifically. Indirect immunofluorescence assays and immuno-electron microscopy revealed a wide distribution of the OfERK protein in hemocytes and epidermis. Moreover, the results demonstrated that the Bt Cry1Ab-activated toxin significantly induces the expression of OfERK. Other genes related to immune response, development, and stress response exhibited dynamic changes in expression after Cry1Ab oral treatment. The expression of OfERK was downregulated through RNA interference, and the correlation of its expression with other related genes was verified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Our study provides valuable insights into the regulatory mechanism of ERK in insects for future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuzhong Li
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fuqiang Xu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yiqiang Zhang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zupeng Gao
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhaoyang Han
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Congjing Feng
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Rezende TMT, Menezes HSG, Rezende AM, Cavalcanti MP, Silva YMG, de-Melo-Neto OP, Romão TP, Silva-Filha MHNL. Culex quinquefasciatus Resistant to the Binary Toxin from Lysinibacillus sphaericus Displays a Consistent Downregulation of Pantetheinase Transcripts. Biomolecules 2023; 14:33. [PMID: 38254633 PMCID: PMC10813629 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010033] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Culex quinquefasciatus resistance to the binary (Bin) toxin, the major larvicidal component from Lysinibacillus sphaericus, is associated with mutations in the cqm1 gene, encoding the Bin-toxin receptor. Downregulation of the cqm1 transcript was found in the transcriptome of larvae resistant to the L. sphaericus IAB59 strain, which produces both the Bin toxin and a second binary toxin, Cry48Aa/Cry49Aa. Here, we investigated the transcription profiles of two other mosquito colonies having Bin resistance only. These confirmed the cqm1 downregulation and identified transcripts encoding the enzyme pantetheinase as the most downregulated mRNAs in both resistant colonies. Further quantification of these transcripts reinforced their strong downregulation in Bin-resistant larvae. Multiple genes were found encoding this enzyme in Cx. quinquefasciatus and a recombinant pantetheinase was then expressed in Escherichia coli and Sf9 cells, with its presence assessed in the midgut brush border membrane of susceptible larvae. The pantetheinase was expressed as a ~70 kDa protein, potentially membrane-bound, which does not seem to be significantly targeted by glycosylation. This is the first pantetheinase characterization in mosquitoes, and its remarkable downregulation might reflect features impacted by co-selection with the Bin-resistant phenotype or potential roles in the Bin-toxin mode of action that deserve to be investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana M. T. Rezende
- Department of Entomology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil; (T.M.T.R.); (H.S.G.M.); (Y.M.G.S.); (T.P.R.)
| | - Heverly S. G. Menezes
- Department of Entomology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil; (T.M.T.R.); (H.S.G.M.); (Y.M.G.S.); (T.P.R.)
| | - Antonio M. Rezende
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil; (A.M.R.); (M.P.C.); (O.P.d.-M.-N.)
| | - Milena P. Cavalcanti
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil; (A.M.R.); (M.P.C.); (O.P.d.-M.-N.)
| | - Yuri M. G. Silva
- Department of Entomology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil; (T.M.T.R.); (H.S.G.M.); (Y.M.G.S.); (T.P.R.)
| | - Osvaldo P. de-Melo-Neto
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil; (A.M.R.); (M.P.C.); (O.P.d.-M.-N.)
| | - Tatiany P. Romão
- Department of Entomology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil; (T.M.T.R.); (H.S.G.M.); (Y.M.G.S.); (T.P.R.)
| | - Maria Helena N. L. Silva-Filha
- Department of Entomology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil; (T.M.T.R.); (H.S.G.M.); (Y.M.G.S.); (T.P.R.)
- National Institute for Molecular Entomology, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Kerns DD, Yang F, Kerns DL, Stewart SD, Jurat-Fuentes JL. Reduced toxin binding associated with resistance to Vip3Aa in the corn earworm ( Helicoverpa zea). Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0164423. [PMID: 38014960 PMCID: PMC10734485 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01644-23] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Helicoverpa zea is a major crop pest in the United States that is managed with transgenic corn and cotton that produce insecticidal proteins from the bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). However, H. zea has evolved widespread resistance to the Cry proteins produced in Bt corn and cotton, leaving Vip3Aa as the only plant-incorporated protectant in Bt crops that consistently provides excellent control of H. zea. The benefits provided by Bt crops will be substantially reduced if widespread Vip3Aa resistance develops in H. zea field populations. Therefore, it is important to identify resistance alleles and mechanisms that contribute to Vip3Aa resistance to ensure that informed resistance management strategies are implemented. This study is the first report of reduced binding of Vip3Aa to midgut receptors associated with resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dawson D. Kerns
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Fei Yang
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - David L. Kerns
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Scott D. Stewart
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Juan Luis Jurat-Fuentes
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Sauka DH, Peralta C, Pérez MP, Molla A, Fernandez-Göbel T, Ocampo F, Palma L. Bacillus thuringiensis Bt_UNVM-84, a Novel Strain Showing Insecticidal Activity against Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Toxins (Basel) 2023; 16:4. [PMID: 38276528 PMCID: PMC10819922 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16010004] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis is a Gram-positive bacterium known for its insecticidal proteins effective against various insect pests. However, limited strains and proteins target coleopteran pests like Anthonomous grandis Boheman, causing substantial economic losses in the cotton industry. This study focuses on characterizing a Bacillus sp. strain, isolated from Oncativo (Argentina), which exhibits ovoid to amorphous parasporal crystals and was designated Bt_UNVM-84. Its genome encodes genes for the production of two pairs of binary Vpb1/Vpa2 proteins and three Cry-like proteins showing similarity with different Cry8 proteins. Interestingly, this gene content was found to be conserved in a previously characterized Argentine isolate of B. thuringiensis designated INTA Fr7-4. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed a major band of 130 kDa that is proteolytically processed to an approximately 66-kDa protein fragment by trypsin. Bioassays performed with spore-crystal mixtures demonstrated an interesting insecticidal activity against the cotton boll weevil A. grandis neonate larvae, resulting in 91% mortality. Strain Bt_UNVM-84 is, therefore, an interesting candidate for the efficient biological control of this species, causing significant economic losses in the cotton industry in the Americas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego Herman Sauka
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina; (D.H.S.); (C.P.)
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola (IMYZA), Hurlingham, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires 1686, Argentina;
| | - Cecilia Peralta
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina; (D.H.S.); (C.P.)
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigación y Transferencia Agroalimentaria y Biotecnológica (IMITAB), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Villa María (UNVM), Villa María 1555, Argentina;
- Laboratorio de Control Biotecnológico de Plagas, Instituto BIOTECMED, Departamento de Genética, Universitat de València, 46100 València, Spain
| | - Melisa Paula Pérez
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola (IMYZA), Hurlingham, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires 1686, Argentina;
| | - Antonella Molla
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigación y Transferencia Agroalimentaria y Biotecnológica (IMITAB), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Villa María (UNVM), Villa María 1555, Argentina;
| | - Tadeo Fernandez-Göbel
- Elytron Biotech S.A., 275 Ing. Enrique Butty Street, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1001, Argentina; (T.F.-G.); (F.O.)
| | - Federico Ocampo
- Elytron Biotech S.A., 275 Ing. Enrique Butty Street, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1001, Argentina; (T.F.-G.); (F.O.)
| | - Leopoldo Palma
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina; (D.H.S.); (C.P.)
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigación y Transferencia Agroalimentaria y Biotecnológica (IMITAB), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Villa María (UNVM), Villa María 1555, Argentina;
- Laboratorio de Control Biotecnológico de Plagas, Instituto BIOTECMED, Departamento de Genética, Universitat de València, 46100 València, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Gan C, Zhang Z, Jin Z, Wang F, Fabrick JA, Wu Y. Helicoverpa armigera ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCA2 is a functional receptor of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry2Ab toxin. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 197:105658. [PMID: 38072533 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105658] [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: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Crystalline (Cry) proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely used in transgenic crops to control important insect pests. Bt crops have many benefits compared with traditional broad-spectrum insecticides, including improved pest control with reduced negative impacts on off-target organisms and fewer environmental consequences. Transgenic corn and cotton producing Cry2Ab Bt toxin are used globally to control several major lepidopteran pests, including the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera. Resistance to the Cry2Ab toxin and to Bt crops producing Cry2Ab is associated with mutations in the midgut ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCA2 gene in several lepidopterans. Gene-editing knockout has further shown that ABCA2 plays an important functional role in Cry2Ab intoxication. However, the precise role of ABCA2 in the mode of action of Cry2Ab has yet to be reported. Here, we used two in vitro expression systems to study the roles of the H. armigera ABCA2 (HaABCA2) protein in Cry2Ab intoxication. Cry2Ab bound to cultured Sf9 insect cells producing HaABCA2, resulting in specific and dose-dependent susceptibility to Cry2Ab. In contrast, Sf9 cells expressing recombinant mutant proteins missing at least one of the extracellular loop regions 1, 3, 4, and 6 or the intracellular loop containing nucleotide-binding domain 1 lost susceptibility to Cry2Ab, indicating these regions are important for receptor function. Consistent with these results, Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing recombinant HaABCA2 showed strong ion membrane flux in the presence of Cry2Ab, suggesting that HaABCA2 is involved in promoting pore formation during Cry2Ab intoxication. Together with previously published data, our results support HaABCA2 being an important receptor of Cry2Ab where it functions to promote intoxication in H. armigera.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunxia Gan
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zeng Jin
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Falong Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jeffrey A Fabrick
- USDA ARS, U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, Maricopa, AZ, USA
| | - Yidong Wu
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Courtier-Orgogozo V. The loci of insect phenotypic evolution. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 60:101134. [PMID: 37858791 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Insects are important elements of terrestrial ecosystems because they pollinate plants, destroy crops, transmit diseases to livestock and humans, and are important components of food chains. Here, I used Gephebase, a manually curated database of genetic variants associated with natural and domesticated trait variation, to explore current knowledge about the genes and the mutations known to contribute to natural phenotypic variation in insects. Analysis of over 600 mutations reveals that data are concentrated toward certain species and traits and that experimental approaches have changed over time. The distribution of coding and cis-regulatory changes varies with traits, experimental approaches, and identified gene loci. Recent studies highlight the important role of standing variation, repeated mutations in hotspot genes, recombination, inversions, and introgression.
Collapse
|
22
|
Chen Z, Shi Y, Wang D, Liu X, Jiao X, Gao X, Jiang K. Structural insight into Bacillus thuringiensis Sip1Ab reveals its similarity to ETX_MTX2 family beta-pore-forming toxin. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:4264-4273. [PMID: 37341620 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microbially derived, protein-based biopesticides are an important approach for sustainable pest management. The secreted insecticidal proteins (Sips) produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis exhibit potent insecticidal activity against coleopteran pests and are, therefore, attractive as candidate biopesticides. However, the modes-of-action of Sips are unclear as comprehensive structural information for these proteins is lacking. RESULTS Using X-ray crystallography, we elucidated the structure of monomeric Sip1Ab at 2.28 Å resolution. Structural analyses revealed that Sip1Ab has the three domains and conserved fold characteristic of other aerolysin-like beta-pore-forming toxins (β-PFTs). Based on the sequence and structural similarities between Sip1Ab and other ETX_MTX2 subfamily toxins, we suggested the mechanism of these proteins and proposed that it is common to them all. CONCLUSION The atomic-level structural data for Sip1Ab generated by the present study could facilitate future structural and mechanistic research on Sips as well as their application in sustainable insect pest management. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yiting Shi
- Taishan College, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dongdong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuyao Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Kun Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Wei JZ, Lum A, Schepers E, Liu L, Weston RT, McGinness BS, Heckert MJ, Xie W, Kassa A, Bruck D, Rauscher G, Kapka-Kitzman D, Mathis JP, Zhao JZ, Sethi A, Barry J, Lu AL, Brugliera F, Lee EL, van derWeerden NL, Eswar N, Maher MJ, Anderson MA. Novel insecticidal proteins from ferns resemble insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2306177120. [PMID: 37871210 PMCID: PMC10622923 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306177120] [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: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Lepidopterans affect crop production worldwide. The use of transgenes encoding insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in crop plants is a well-established technology that enhances protection against lepidopteran larvae. Concern about widespread field-evolved resistance to Bt proteins has highlighted an urgent need for new insecticidal proteins with different modes or sites of action. We discovered a new family of insecticidal proteins from ferns. The prototype protein from Pteris species (Order Polypodiales) and variants from two other orders of ferns, Schizaeales and Ophioglossales, were effective against important lepidopteran pests of maize and soybean in diet-based assays. Transgenic maize and soybean plants producing these proteins were more resistant to insect damage than controls. We report here the crystal structure of a variant of the prototype protein to 1.98 Å resolution. Remarkably, despite being derived from plants, the structure resembles the 3-domain Cry proteins from Bt but has only two out of three of their characteristic domains, lacking the C-terminal domain which is typically required for their activities. Two of the fern proteins were effective against strains of fall armyworm that were resistant to Bt 3-domain Cry proteins Cry1Fa or Cry2A.127. This therefore represents a novel family of insecticidal proteins that have the potential to provide future tools for pest control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Amy Lum
- Corteva Agriscience, Johnston, IA50131
| | | | - Lu Liu
- Corteva Agriscience, Johnston, IA50131
| | - Ross T. Weston
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC3086, Australia
| | - Bruce S. McGinness
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC3086, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Filippa Brugliera
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC3086, Australia
| | - Eunice L. Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC3086, Australia
| | - Nicole L. van derWeerden
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC3086, Australia
| | | | - Megan J. Maher
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC3086, Australia
- School of Chemistry and The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC3052, Australia
| | - Marilyn A. Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC3086, Australia
- Hexima Ltd., La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC3086, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Jin M, Shan Y, Peng Y, Wang W, Zhang H, Liu K, Heckel DG, Wu K, Tabashnik BE, Xiao Y. Downregulation of a transcription factor associated with resistance to Bt toxin Vip3Aa in the invasive fall armyworm. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2306932120. [PMID: 37874855 PMCID: PMC10622909 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306932120] [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: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Transgenic crops producing insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have revolutionized control of some major pests. However, more than 25 cases of field-evolved practical resistance have reduced the efficacy of transgenic crops producing crystalline (Cry) Bt proteins, spurring adoption of alternatives including crops producing the Bt vegetative insecticidal protein Vip3Aa. Although practical resistance to Vip3Aa has not been reported yet, better understanding of the genetic basis of resistance to Vip3Aa is urgently needed to proactively monitor, delay, and counter pest resistance. This is especially important for fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), which has evolved practical resistance to Cry proteins and is one of the world's most damaging pests. Here, we report the identification of an association between downregulation of the transcription factor gene SfMyb and resistance to Vip3Aa in S. frugiperda. Results from a genome-wide association study, fine-scale mapping, and RNA-Seq identified this gene as a compelling candidate for contributing to the 206-fold resistance to Vip3Aa in a laboratory-selected strain. Experimental reduction of SfMyb expression in a susceptible strain using RNA interference (RNAi) or CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing decreased susceptibility to Vip3Aa, confirming that reduced expression of this gene can cause resistance to Vip3Aa. Relative to the wild-type promoter for SfMyb, the promoter in the resistant strain has deletions and lower activity. Data from yeast one-hybrid assays, genomics, RNA-Seq, RNAi, and proteomics identified genes that are strong candidates for mediating the effects of SfMyb on Vip3Aa resistance. The results reported here may facilitate progress in understanding and managing pest resistance to Vip3Aa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Jin
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen518116, China
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing100193, China
| | - Yinxue Shan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen518116, China
| | - Yan Peng
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen518116, China
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, China
| | - Wenhui Wang
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing100193, China
| | - Huihui Zhang
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan430079, China
| | - Kaiyu Liu
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan430079, China
| | - David G. Heckel
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, JenaD-07745, Germany
| | - Kongming Wu
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing100193, China
| | | | - Yutao Xiao
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen518116, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Zhang Y, Zhang S, Xu L. The pivotal roles of gut microbiota in insect plant interactions for sustainable pest management. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2023; 9:66. [PMID: 37735530 PMCID: PMC10514296 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-023-00435-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota serves as a critical "organ" in the life cycle of animals, particularly in the intricate interplay between herbivorous pests and plants. This review summarizes the pivotal functions of the gut microbiota in mediating the insect-plant interactions, encompassing their influence on host insects, modulation of plant physiology, and regulation of the third trophic level species within the ecological network. Given these significant functions, it is plausible to harness these interactions and their underlying mechanisms to develop novel eco-friendly pest control strategies. In this context, we also outline some emerging pest control methods based on the intestinal microbiota or bacteria-mediated interactions, such as symbiont-mediated RNAi and paratransgenesis, albeit these are still in their nascent stages and confront numerous challenges. Overall, both opportunities and challenges coexist in the exploration of the intestinal microbiota-mediated interactions between insect pests and plants, which will not only enrich the fundamental knowledge of plant-insect interactions but also facilitate the development of sustainable pest control strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062, Wuhan, China
| | - Shouke Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A & F University, 311300, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Letian Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062, Wuhan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Velásquez C. LF, Cantón PE, Sanchez-Flores A, Soberón M, Bravo A, Cerón S. JA. Identification of Cry toxin receptor genes homologs in a de novo transcriptome of Premnotrypes vorax (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291546. [PMID: 37708134 PMCID: PMC10501650 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The white potato worm Premnotrypes vorax (Hustache) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the most destructive insect pests of potato crops in South America. Like many coleopteran insects, P. vorax shows low susceptibility to Cry insecticidal proteins produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). However, the presence of Cry toxin receptors in the midgut of this this insect has never been studied. The main Cry-binding proteins described in other insect species are cadherin (CAD), aminopeptidase N (APN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. In this study, we analyzed and validated a de novo assembled transcriptome of Illumina sequencing data to identify and to characterize homologs of Cry toxin receptors. We identified the protein sequences in P. vorax that show high identity with their orthologous sequences of the Cry toxin binding proteins in other coleopteran larvae such as APN, ALP, CAD and ABC transporter. This study provides preliminary identification of putative receptor genes of Cry proteins that would be useful for future studies involving biocontrol of this important potato crop pest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Pablo Emiliano Cantón
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Alejandro Sanchez-Flores
- Unidad Universitaria de Secuenciación Masiva y Bioinformática, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Mario Soberón
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Alejandra Bravo
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Jairo A. Cerón S.
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Li K, Yu S, Yang Y, He YZ, Wu Y. Mechanisms of feeding cessation in Helicoverpa armigera larvae exposed to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac toxin. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 195:105565. [PMID: 37666620 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105565] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have been applied in sprayable formulations and expressed in transgenic crops for the control of pests in the field. When exposed to Bt proteins insect larvae display feeding cessation, yet the mechanism for this phenomenon remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the feeding behavior and underlying mechanisms of cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) larvae after exposure to the Cry1Ac protein from Bt. Three H. armigera strains were studied: the susceptible SCD strain, the C2/3-KO strain with HaABCC2 and HaABCC3 knocked out and high-level resistance to Cry1Ac (>15,000-fold), and the SCD-KI strain with a T92C point mutation in tetraspanin (HaTSPAN1) and medium-level resistance to Cry1Ac (125-fold). When determining the percentage of insects that continued feeding after various exposure times to Cry1Ac, we observed quick cessation of feeding in larvae from the susceptible SCD strain, whereas larvae from the C2/3-KO strain did not display feeding cessation. In contrast, larvae from the SCD-KI strain rapidly recovered from the initial feeding cessation. Histopathological analyses and qRT-PCR in midguts of SCD larvae after Cry1Ac exposure detected serious epithelial damage and significantly reduced expression of the neuropeptide F gene (NPF) and its potential receptor gene NPFR, which are reported to promote insect feeding. Neither epithelial damage nor altered NPF and NPFR expression appeared in midguts of C2/3-KO larvae after Cry1Ac treatment. The same treatment in SCD-KI larvae resulted in milder epithelial damage and subsequent repair, and a decrease followed by an initial increase in NPF and NPFR expression. These results demonstrate that the feeding cessation response to Cry1Ac in cotton bollworm larvae is closely associated with midgut epithelial damage and downregulation of NPF and NPFR expression. This information provides clues to the mechanism of feeding cessation in response to Bt intoxication and contributes to the mode of action of the Cry1Ac toxin in target pests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaixia Li
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Shan Yu
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yihua Yang
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Ya-Zhou He
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Yidong Wu
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Wu Y, Weng Z, Yan H, Yao Z, Li Z, Sun Y, Ma K, Hull JJ, Zhang D, Ma W, Hua H, Lin Y. The microRNA-7322-5p/p38/Hsp19 axis modulates Chilo suppressalis cell-defences against Cry1Ca: an effective target for a stacked transgenic rice approach. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:1827-1838. [PMID: 37353991 PMCID: PMC10440986 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-secreted crystal (Cry) toxins form oligomeric pores in host cell membranes and are a common element in generating insect-resistant transgenic crops. Although Cry toxin function has been well documented, cellular defences against pore-formation have not been as well developed. Elucidation of the processes underlying this defence, however, could contribute to the development of enhanced Bt crops. Here, we demonstrate that Cry1Ca-mediated downregulation of microRNA-7322-5p (miR-7322-5p), which binds to the 3' untranslated region of p38, negatively regulates the susceptibility of Chilo suppressalis to Cry1Ca. Moreover, Cry1Ca exposure enhanced phosphorylation of Hsp19, and hsp19 downregulation increased susceptibility to Cry1Ca. Further, Hsp19 phosphorylation occurs downstream of p38, and pull-down assays confirmed the interactions between Hsp19 and Cry1Ca, suggesting that activation of Hsp19 by the miR-7322-5p/p38/Hsp19 pathway promotes Cry1Ca sequestration. To assess the efficacy of targeting this pathway in planta, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) targeting C. suppressalis p38 (dsp38) was introduced into a previously generated cry1Ca-expressing rice line (1CH1-2) to yield a single-copy cry1Ca/dsp38 rice line (p38-rice). Feeding on this rice line triggered a significant reduction in C. suppressalis p38 expression and the line was more resistant to C. suppressalis than 1CH1-2 in both short term (7-day) and continuous feeding bioassays as well as field trials. These findings provide new insights into invertebrate epithelium cellular defences and demonstrate a potential new pyramiding strategy for Bt crops.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Zijin Weng
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Haixia Yan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Zhuotian Yao
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Zhenzhen Li
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Yajie Sun
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Kangsheng Ma
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - J. Joe Hull
- U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, Department of AgricultureU.S. Agricultural Research ServiceMaricopaArizonaUSA
| | - Delin Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Weihua Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Hongxia Hua
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Yongjun Lin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Wei W, Wang L, Pan S, Wang H, Xia Z, Liu L, Xiao Y, Bravo A, Soberón M, Yang Y, Liu K. Helicoverpa armigera GATAe transcriptional factor regulates the expression of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac receptor gene ABCC2 by its interplay with additional transcription factors. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 194:105516. [PMID: 37532331 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Helicoverpa armigera is a worldwide pest that has been efficiently controlled by transgenic plants expressing Bt Cry toxins. To exert toxicity, Cry toxins bind to different receptors located in larval midgut cells. Previously, we reported that GATA transcription factor GATAe activates the expression of multiple H. armigera Cry1Ac receptors in different insect cell lines. Here, the mechanism involved in GATAe regulation of HaABCC2 gene expression, a key receptor of Cry1Ac, was analyzed. HaGATAe gene silencing by RNAi in H. armigera larvae confirmed the activation role of HaGATAe on the expression of HaABCC2 in the midgut. The contribution of all potential GATAe-binding sites was analyzed by site-directed mutagenesis using Hi5 cells expressing a reporter gene under regulation of different modified HaABCC2 promoters. DNA pull-down assays revealed that GATAe bound to different predicted GATA-binding sites and mutations of the different GATAe-binding sites identified two binding sites responsible for the promoter activity. The binding site B9, which is located near the transcription initiator site, has a major contribution on HaABCC2 expression. Also, DNA pull-down assays revealed that all other members of GATA TF family in H. armigera, besides GATAe, HaGATAa, HaGATAb, HaGATAc and HaGATAd also bound to the HaABCC2 promoter and decreased the GATAe dependent promoter activity. Finally, the potential participation in the regulation of HaABCC2 promoter of several TFs other than GATA TFs expressed in the midgut cells was analyzed. HaHR3 inhibited the GATAe dependent activity of the HaABCC2 promoter, while two other midgut-related TFs, HaCDX and HaSox21, also bound to the HaABCC2 promoter region and increased the GATAe dependent promoter activity. All these data showed that GATAe induces HaABCC2 expression by binding to HaGATAe binding sites in the promoter region and that additional TFs participate in modulating the HaGATAe-driven expression of HaABCC2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wei
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430070, China; Applied Biotechnology Center, Wuhan University of Bioengineering, Wuhan 430415, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Institute of Hubei Agriculture Academy, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Shuang Pan
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Haixia Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Zhichao Xia
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Leilei Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430070, China; Applied Biotechnology Center, Wuhan University of Bioengineering, Wuhan 430415, China
| | - Yutao Xiao
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Alejandra Bravo
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Mario Soberón
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Yongbo Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Kaiyu Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Chen W, Amir MB, Liao Y, Yu H, He W, Lu Z. New Insights into the Plutella xylostella Detoxifying Enzymes: Sequence Evolution, Structural Similarity, Functional Diversity, and Application Prospects of Glucosinolate Sulfatases. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:10952-10969. [PMID: 37462091 PMCID: PMC10375594 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c03246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Brassica plants have glucosinolate (GLs)-myrosinase defense mechanisms to deter herbivores. However, Plutella xylostella specifically feeds on Brassica vegetables. The larvae possess three glucosinolate sulfatases (PxGSS1-3) that compete with plant myrosinase for shared GLs substrates and produce nontoxic desulfo-GLs (deGLs). Although PxGSSs are considered potential targets for pest control, the lack of a comprehensive review has hindered the development of PxGSSs-targeted pest control methods. Recent advances in integrative multi-omics analysis, substrate-enzyme kinetics, and molecular biological techniques have elucidated the evolutionary origin and functional diversity of these three PxGSSs. This review summarizes research progress on PxGSSs over the past 20 years, covering sequence properties, evolution, protein modification, enzyme activity, structural variation, substrate specificity, and interaction scenarios based on functional diversity. Finally, we discussed the potential applications of PxGSSs-targeted pest control technologies driven by artificial intelligence, including CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene drive, transgenic plant-mediated RNAi, small-molecule inhibitors, and peptide inhibitors. These technologies have the potential to overcome current management challenges and promote the development and field application of PxGSSs-targeted pest control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chen
- Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Greenhouse Vegetable, School of Life Sciences, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Muhammad Bilal Amir
- Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Greenhouse Vegetable, School of Life Sciences, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou 341000, China
- South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Yuan Liao
- Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Greenhouse Vegetable, School of Life Sciences, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Haizhong Yu
- Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Greenhouse Vegetable, School of Life Sciences, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Weiyi He
- State Key Laboratory for Ecological Pest Control of Fujian and Taiwan Crops, International Joint Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Zhanjun Lu
- Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Greenhouse Vegetable, School of Life Sciences, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou 341000, China
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Morwool P, Dimitriu T, Crickmore N, Raymond B. Group Selection as a Basis for Screening Mutagenized Libraries of Public Goods (Bacillus thuringiensis Cry Toxins). Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0051223. [PMID: 37358425 PMCID: PMC10370297 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00512-23] [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: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The pesticidal toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) supply the active proteins for genetically modified insect-resistant crops. There is therefore keen interest in finding new toxins, or improving known toxins, in order to increase the mortality of various targets. The production and screening of large libraries of mutagenized toxins are among the means of identifying improved toxins. Since Cry toxins are public goods, and do not confer advantages to producers in competition, conventional directed evolution approaches cannot be used here. Instead, thousands of individual mutants have to be sequenced and assayed individually, a costly and time-consuming process. In this study, we tested a group selection-based approach that could be used to screen an uncharacterized pool of Cry toxin mutants. This involved selecting for infectivity between subpopulations of Bt clones within metapopulations of infected insects in three rounds of passage. We also tested whether additional mutagenesis from exposure to ethyl methanesulfonate could increase infectivity or supply additional Cry toxin diversity during passage. Sequencing of pools of mutants at the end of selection showed that we could effectively screen out Cry toxin variants that had reduced toxicity with our group selection approach. The addition of extra mutagenesis during passage decreased the efficiency of selection for infectivity and did not produce any additional novel toxin diversity. Toxins with loss-of-function mutations tend to dominate mutagenized libraries, and so a process for screening out these mutants without time-consuming sequencing and characterization steps could be beneficial when applied to larger libraries. IMPORTANCE Insecticidal toxins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis are widely exploited in genetically modified plants. This application creates a demand for novel insecticidal toxins that can be used to better manage resistant pests or control new or recalcitrant target species. An important means of producing novel toxins is via high-throughput mutagenesis and screening of existing toxins, a lengthy and resource-intensive process. This study describes the development and testing of an efficient means of screening a test library of mutagenized insecticidal toxins. Here, we showed that it is possible to screen out loss-of-function mutations with low infectivity within a pool without the need to characterize and sequence each mutant individually. This has the potential to improve the efficiency of processes used to identify novel proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Neil Crickmore
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Raymond
- University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Naing ZL, Soe ET, Zhang C, Niu L, Tang J, Ding Z, Yu S, Lu J, Fang F, Liang G. Cadherin Is a Binding Protein but Not a Functional Receptor of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry2Ab in Helicoverpa armigera. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0062523. [PMID: 37378519 PMCID: PMC10370303 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00625-23] [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: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Midgut receptors play a critical role in the specificity of Cry toxins for individual insect species. Cadherin proteins are essential putative receptors of Cry1A toxins in lepidopteran larvae. Cry2A family members share common binding sites in Helicoverpa armigera, and one of them, Cry2Aa, has been widely reported to interact with midgut cadherin. Here, we studied the binding interaction and functional role of H. armigera cadherin in the mechanism of Cry2Ab toxicity. A region spanning from cadherin repeat 6 (CR6) to the membrane-proximal region (MPR) of cadherin protein was produced as six overlapping peptides to identify the specific binding regions of Cry2Ab. Binding assays showed that Cry2Ab binds nonspecifically to peptides containing CR7 and CR11 regions in a denatured state but binds specifically only to CR7-containing peptides in the native state. The peptides CR6-11 and CR6-8 were transiently expressed in Sf9 cells to assess the functional role of cadherin. Cytotoxicity assays showed that Cry2Ab is not toxic to the cells expressing any of the cadherin peptides. However, ABCA2-expressing cells showed high sensitivity to Cry2Ab toxin. Neither increased nor decreased sensitivity to Cry2Ab was observed when the peptide CR6-11 was coexpressed with the ABCA2 gene in Sf9 cells. Instead, treating ABCA2-expressing cells with a mixture of Cry2Ab and CR6-8 peptides resulted in significantly reduced cell death compared with treatment with Cry2Ab alone. Moreover, silencing of the cadherin gene in H. armigera larvae showed no significant effect on Cry2Ab toxicity, in contrast to the reduced mortality in ABCA2-silenced larvae. IMPORTANCE To improve the efficiency of production of a single toxin in crops and to delay the evolution of insect resistance to the toxin, the second generation of Bt cotton, expressing Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab, was introduced. Understanding the mode action of the Cry proteins in the insect midgut and the mechanisms insects use to overcome these toxins plays a crucial role in developing measures to counter them. Extensive studies have been conducted on the receptors of Cry1A toxins, but relatively little has been done about those of Cry2Ab. By showing the nonfunctional binding of cadherin protein with Cry2Ab, we have furthered the understanding of Cry2Ab receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zaw Lin Naing
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ei Thinzar Soe
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Caihong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Linlin Niu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinrong Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhongwei Ding
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Siqi Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fengyun Fang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gemei Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Dively GP, Kuhar TP, Taylor SV, Doughty H, Holmstrom K, Gilrein DO, Nault BA, Ingerson-Mahar J, Huseth A, Reisig D, Fleischer S, Owens D, Tilmon K, Reay-Jones F, Porter P, Smith J, Saguez J, Wells J, Congdon C, Byker H, Jensen B, DiFonzo C, Hutchison WD, Burkness E, Wright R, Crossley M, Darby H, Bilbo T, Seiter N, Krupke C, Abel C, Coates BS, McManus B, Fuller B, Bradshaw J, Peterson JA, Buntin D, Paula-Moraes S, Kesheimer K, Crow W, Gore J, Huang F, Ludwick DC, Raudenbush A, Jimenez S, Carrière Y, Elkner T, Hamby K. Extended Sentinel Monitoring of Helicoverpa zea Resistance to Cry and Vip3Aa Toxins in Bt Sweet Corn: Assessing Changes in Phenotypic and Allele Frequencies of Resistance. INSECTS 2023; 14:577. [PMID: 37504584 PMCID: PMC10380249 DOI: 10.3390/insects14070577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic corn and cotton that produce Cry and Vip3Aa toxins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely planted in the United States to control lepidopteran pests. The sustainability of these Bt crops is threatened because the corn earworm/bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), is evolving a resistance to these toxins. Using Bt sweet corn as a sentinel plant to monitor the evolution of resistance, collaborators established 146 trials in twenty-five states and five Canadian provinces during 2020-2022. The study evaluated overall changes in the phenotypic frequency of resistance (the ratio of larval densities in Bt ears relative to densities in non-Bt ears) in H. zea populations and the range of resistance allele frequencies for Cry1Ab and Vip3Aa. The results revealed a widespread resistance to Cry1Ab, Cry2Ab2, and Cry1A.105 Cry toxins, with higher numbers of larvae surviving in Bt ears than in non-Bt ears at many trial locations. Depending on assumptions about the inheritance of resistance, allele frequencies for Cry1Ab ranged from 0.465 (dominant resistance) to 0.995 (recessive resistance). Although Vip3Aa provided high control efficacy against H. zea, the results show a notable increase in ear damage and a number of surviving older larvae, particularly at southern locations. Assuming recessive resistance, the estimated resistance allele frequencies for Vip3Aa ranged from 0.115 in the Gulf states to 0.032 at more northern locations. These findings indicate that better resistance management practices are urgently needed to sustain efficacy the of corn and cotton that produce Vip3Aa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Galen P Dively
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Tom P Kuhar
- Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Sally V Taylor
- Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech, Suffolk, VA 23434, USA
| | | | - Kristian Holmstrom
- Pest Management Office, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | | | - Brian A Nault
- Department of Entomology, Cornell AgriTech, Geneva, NY 14456, USA
| | - Joseph Ingerson-Mahar
- Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Rutgers University, Bridgeton, NJ 08302, USA
| | - Anders Huseth
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA
| | - Dominic Reisig
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, NC State University, Plymouth, NC 27962, USA
| | - Shelby Fleischer
- Department of Entomology, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - David Owens
- Cooperative Extension, Carvel REC, University of Delaware, Georgetown, DE 19947, USA
| | - Kelley Tilmon
- Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
| | - Francis Reay-Jones
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University, Florence, SC 29501, USA
| | - Pat Porter
- Department of Entomology, AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Texas A&M University, Lubbock, TX 79401, USA
| | - Jocelyn Smith
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Julien Saguez
- CEROM, 740 Chemin Trudeau, Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, QC J3G 0E2, Canada
| | - Jason Wells
- New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Sussex, NB E4E 5L8, Canada
| | - Caitlin Congdon
- Perennia Food and Agriculture, Kentville, NS B4N 1J5, Canada
| | - Holly Byker
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Winchester, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Bryan Jensen
- Arlington Agricultural Research Station, University of Wisconsin, WI 53706, USA
| | - Chris DiFonzo
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | | | - Eric Burkness
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55455, USA
| | - Robert Wright
- Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Michael Crossley
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19711, USA
| | - Heather Darby
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Tom Bilbo
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University, Charleston, SC 29414, USA
| | - Nicholas Seiter
- Illinois Extension, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61820, USA
| | - Christian Krupke
- Department of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
| | - Craig Abel
- USDA-ARS Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Brad S Coates
- USDA-ARS Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | | | | | - Jeffrey Bradshaw
- Panhandle Research and Extension Center, Scottsbluff, NE 69361, USA
| | - Julie A Peterson
- West Central Research and Extension Center, University of Nebraska, North Platte, NE 69101, USA
| | - David Buntin
- Griffin Campus, University of Georgia, Griffin, GA 30223, USA
| | | | - Katelyn Kesheimer
- Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Whitney Crow
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Delta Research and Extension Center, Mississippi State University, Stoneville, MS 39762, USA
| | - Jeffrey Gore
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Delta Research and Extension Center, Mississippi State University, Stoneville, MS 39762, USA
| | - Fangneng Huang
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Dalton C Ludwick
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Corpus Christi, TX 78404, USA
| | - Amy Raudenbush
- Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
| | - Sebastian Jimenez
- PEI Department of Agriculture and Land, Charlotte, PE C1A 7N8, Canada
| | - Yves Carrière
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Timothy Elkner
- Southeast Research and Extension Center, Landisville, PA 17538, USA
| | - Kelly Hamby
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Jin M, Shan Y, Li Q, Peng Y, Xiao Y. A novel Cry1A resistance allele of fall armyworm in the new invaded region. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 244:125392. [PMID: 37321433 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a devastating pest in its native range Western Hemisphere and has become a major invasive pest around the globe. Transgenic crops producing Bt toxins have been widely used to control S. frugiperda. However, the evolution of resistance threatens the sustainability of Bt crops. Field-evolved S. frugiperda resistance to Bt crops was observed in America, whereas, no case of field-resistance was reported in its newly invaded East Hemisphere. Here we investigated the molecular mechanism of a Cry1Ab-resistant LZ-R strain of S. frugiperda, which selected 27-generations using Cry1Ab after being collected in corn fields from China. Complementation tests between LZ-R strain and SfABCC2-KO strain, which have been knockout SfABCC2 gene and confer 174-fold resistance to Cry1Ab, showed a similar level of resistance in the F1-progeny as their parent stains, indicating that a common locus of SfABCC2 mutation in LZ-R stain. Sequencing of the full length of SfABCC2 cDNA from LZ-R strain, we characterize a novel mutation allele of SfABCC2. Cross-resistance results showed that Cry1Ab-resistance strain also confers >260-fold resistance to Cry1F, with no cross-resistance to Vip3A. These results provided evidence of a novel SfABCC2 mutation allele in the newly invaded East Hemisphere of S. frugiperda.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Jin
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yinxue Shan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qi Li
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan Peng
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yutao Xiao
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Panteleri R, Anthousi A, Denecke S, Boaventura D, Nauen R, Vontas J. Transgenic Drosophila to Functionally Validate Fall Armyworm ABCC2 Mutations Conferring Bt Resistance. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:386. [PMID: 37368687 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15060386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith; Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an invasive agricultural pest with a global distribution, causing major crop losses annually. Its control strategies largely rely on chemical insecticides and transgenic crops expressing Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal proteins (Cry and Vip toxins); however, the development of high resistance poses a significant issue. The ATP-binding cassette transporter C2 (ABCC2) has been linked to Cry toxin pore formation, acting as a receptor of some Cry toxins. Recently detected mutations in the SfABCC2 gene in extracellular loop 4 (ECL4) have been associated with Bt toxin resistance in FAW. In the present study, we expressed the SfABCC2 gene in Drosophila melanogaster, a species normally unaffected by the Bt toxins. We demonstrate that susceptibility can be introduced by the ectopic and tissue-specific expression of wildtype SfABCC2. Next, we introduced mutations into ECL4-both individually and in combination-that have been recently described in Brazilian FAW and functionally validated by toxicity bioassays against the foliar Bt product Xentari. Our results provide an efficient demonstration of the suitability of transgenic Drosophila for validating FAW ABCC2 resistance mutations in ECL4 against Bt toxins, and potential cross-resistance issues between closely related proteins that use ABCC2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela Panteleri
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Vassilika Vouton, 71409 Heraklion, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 71409 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Amalia Anthousi
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Vassilika Vouton, 71409 Heraklion, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 71409 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Shane Denecke
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 71409 Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Debora Boaventura
- Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, R&D, Pest Control, 40789 Monheim, Germany
| | - Ralf Nauen
- Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, R&D, Pest Control, 40789 Monheim, Germany
| | - John Vontas
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 71409 Heraklion, Greece
- Pesticide Science Laboratory, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Farhan Y, Smith JL, Sovic MG, Michel AP. Genetic mutations linked to field-evolved Cry1Fa-resistance in the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8081. [PMID: 37202428 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35252-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Transgenic corn, Zea mays (L.), expressing insecticidal toxins such as Cry1Fa, from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt corn) targeting Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) resulted in over 20 years of management success. The first case of practical field-evolved resistance by O. nubilalis to a Bt corn toxin, Cry1Fa, was discovered in Nova Scotia, Canada, in 2018. Laboratory-derived Cry1Fa-resistance by O. nubilalis was linked to a genome region encoding the ATP Binding Cassette subfamily C2 (ABCC2) gene; however, the involvement of ABCC2 and specific mutations in the gene leading to resistance remain unknown. Using a classical candidate gene approach, we report on O. nubilalis ABCC2 gene mutations linked to laboratory-derived and field-evolved Cry1Fa-resistance. Using these mutations, a DNA-based genotyping assay was developed to test for the presence of the Cry1Fa-resistance alleles in O. nubilalis strains collected in Canada. Screening data provide strong evidence that field-evolved Cry1Fa-resistance in O. nubilalis maps to the ABCC2 gene and demonstrates the utility of this assay for detecting the Cry1Fa resistance allele in O. nubilalis. This study is the first to describe mutations linked to Bt resistance in O. nubilalis and provides a DNA-based detection method that can be used for monitoring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasmine Farhan
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, Ridgetown, ON, Canada.
| | - Jocelyn L Smith
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, Ridgetown, ON, Canada
| | - Michael G Sovic
- Infectious Diseases Institute, The Ohio State University, Pickerington, OH, USA
| | - Andrew P Michel
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Hwang HS, Acharya R, Lucas MDC, Sharma SR, Lee YS, Lee KY. Effects of Lymantria dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus and Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki on different larval instars of Lymantria dispar asiatica. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 113:e22002. [PMID: 36662511 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22002] [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: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Outbreaks of Lymantria dispar asiatica (the Asian spongy moth; Lepidoptera: Erebidae) occur sporadically, causing widespread damage to forest and fruit trees. Owing to the development of pesticide resistance and environmental contamination, biopesticides, including L. dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV) and Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), can significantly contribute to controlling overall larval stage of this species. Although both pathogens are highly effective at the larval stage, their effects on different instar stages have not been investigated. In this study, we analyzed the mortality and lethality in different L. dispar asiatica instars exposed to single or combined pathogen treatments. Treatments with low or medium LdMNPV concentrations induced lower mortality and had higher LT50 values at the 4th and 5th instars compared with other instars, whereas high LdMNPV treatments induced high mortality in all instars, with higher LT50 values at later instars. Treatment with Btk induced a rapid 100% mortality in all instars, with higher LT50 values for the later instars. The combination of LdMNPV and Btk delayed the killing time compared with the effects of single treatments, with the effect being more pronounced in the 1st and 5th instar stage than at other stages at low Btk concentrations. Our findings indicate that the pathogenic effects of LdMNPV and Btk on L. dispar asiatica differ according to larval stage, thereby providing novel insights into enhancing the biological control efficacy of these agents against L. dispar asiatica in the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hwal-Su Hwang
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Rajendra Acharya
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Sushant Raj Sharma
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Su Lee
- Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services, Hwaseong, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong-Yeoll Lee
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Guan F, Dai X, Yang Y, Tabashnik BE, Wu Y. Population Genomics of Nonrecessive Resistance to Bt Toxin Cry1Ac in Helicoverpa armigera From Northern China. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 116:310-320. [PMID: 36610305 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toac182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic crops that produce insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have provided control of some key pests since 1996. However, the evolution of resistance by pests reduces the benefits of Bt crops. Resistance to Bt crops that is not recessively inherited is especially challenging to manage. Here we analyzed nonrecessive resistance to Bt toxin Cry1Ac in eight field populations of Helicoverpa armigera sampled in 2018 from northern China, where this global pest has been exposed to Cry1Ac in Bt cotton since 1997. Bioassays revealed 7.5% of field-derived larvae were resistant to Cry1Ac of which 87% had at least one allele conferring nonrecessive resistance. To analyze this nonrecessive resistance, we developed and applied a variant of a genomic mapping approach called quantitative trait locus (QTL)-seq. This analysis identified a region on chromosome 10 associated with nonrecessive resistance to Cry1Ac in all 21 backcross families derived from field-collected moths. Individual sequencing revealed that all 21 field-collected resistant grandparents of the backcross families had a previously identified dominant point mutation in the tetraspanin gene HaTSPAN1 that occurs in the region of chromosome 10 identified by QTL-seq. QTL-seq also revealed a region on chromosome 26 associated with nonrecessive resistance in at most 14% of the backcross families. Overall, the results imply the point mutation in HaTSPAN1 is the primary genetic basis of nonrecessive resistance to Cry1Ac in field populations of H. armigera from northern China. Moreover, because nonrecessive resistance is predominant, tracking the frequency of this point mutation could facilitate resistance monitoring in the region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Guan
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xiaoguang Dai
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yihua Yang
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Bruce E Tabashnik
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Yidong Wu
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Yang Y, Wu Z, He X, Xu H, Lu Z. Processing Properties and Potency of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry Toxins in the Rice Leaffolder Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée). Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15040275. [PMID: 37104213 PMCID: PMC10143973 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15040275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Different Cry toxins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) possess different insecticidal spectra, whereas insects show variations in their susceptibilities to different Cry toxins. Degradation of Cry toxins by insect midgut extracts was involved in the action of toxins. In this study, we explored the processing patterns of different Cry toxins in Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) midgut extracts and evaluated the impact of Cry toxins degradation on their potency against C. medinalis to better understand the function of midgut extracts in the action of different Cry toxins. The results indicated that Cry1Ac, Cry1Aa, and Cry1C toxins could be degraded by C. medinalis midgut extracts, and degradation of Cry toxins by midgut extracts differed among time or concentration effects. Bioassays demonstrated that the toxicity of Cry1Ac, Cry1Aa, and Cry1C toxins decreased after digestion by midgut extracts of C. medinalis. Our findings in this study suggested that midgut extracts play an important role in the action of Cry toxins against C. medinalis, and the degradation of Cry toxins by C. medinalis midgut extracts could reduce their toxicities to C. medinalis. They will provide insights into the action of Cry toxins and the application of Cry toxins in C. medinalis management in paddy fields.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Zhihong Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Xiaochan He
- Jinhua Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinhua 321000, China
| | - Hongxing Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Zhongxian Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Guo Z, Guo L, Bai Y, Kang S, Sun D, Qin J, Ye F, Wang S, Wu Q, Xie W, Yang X, Crickmore N, Zhou X, Zhang Y. Retrotransposon-mediated evolutionary rewiring of a pathogen response orchestrates a resistance phenotype in an insect host. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2300439120. [PMID: 36996102 PMCID: PMC10083559 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2300439120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Ongoing host-pathogen interactions can trigger a coevolutionary arms race, while genetic diversity within the host can facilitate its adaptation to pathogens. Here, we used the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) and its pathogen Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) as a model for exploring an adaptive evolutionary mechanism. We found that insect host adaptation to the primary Bt virulence factors was tightly associated with a short interspersed nuclear element (SINE - named SE2) insertion into the promoter of the transcriptionally activated MAP4K4 gene. This retrotransposon insertion coopts and potentiates the effect of the transcription factor forkhead box O (FOXO) in inducing a hormone-modulated Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade, leading to an enhancement of a host defense mechanism against the pathogen. This work demonstrates that reconstructing a cis-trans interaction can escalate a host response mechanism into a more stringent resistance phenotype to resist pathogen infection, providing a new insight into the coevolutionary mechanism of host organisms and their microbial pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhaojiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing100081, China
| | - Le Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing100081, China
| | - Yang Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing100081, China
| | - Shi Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing100081, China
| | - Dan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing100081, China
| | - Jianying Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing100081, China
| | - Fan Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing100081, China
| | - Shaoli Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing100081, China
| | - Qingjun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing100081, China
| | - Wen Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing100081, China
| | - Xin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing100081, China
| | - Neil Crickmore
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, BrightonBN1 9QG, UK
| | - Xuguo Zhou
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY40546-0091
| | - Youjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing100081, China
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Sarkhandia S, Devi M, Sharma G, Mahajan R, Chadha P, Saini HS, Kaur S. Larvicidal, growth inhibitory and biochemical effects of soil bacterium, Pseudomonas sp. EN4 against Spodoptera litura (Fab.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:95. [PMID: 37013477 PMCID: PMC10069027 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-02841-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) also known as tobacco caterpillar, is one of the most serious polyphagous pests that cause economic losses to a variety of commercially important agricultural crops. Over the past few years, many conventional insecticides have been used to control this pest. However, the indiscriminate use of these chemicals has led to development of insecticide resistant populations of S. litura in addition to harmful effects on environment. Due to these ill effects, the emphasis is being laid on alternative eco-friendly control measures. Microbial control is one of the important components of integrated pest management. Thus, in search for novel biocontrol agents, the current work was carried out with the aim to evaluate the insecticidal potential of soil bacteria against S. litura. RESULTS Among the tested soil bacterial isolates (EN1, EN2, AA5, EN4 and R1), maximum mortality (74%) was exhibited by Pseudomonas sp. (EN4). The larval mortality rate increased in a dose-dependent manner. Bacterial infection also significantly delayed the larval development, reduced adult emergence, and induced morphological deformities in adults of S. litura. Adverse effects were also detected on various nutritional parameters. The infected larvae showed a significant decrease in relative growth and consumption rate as well as efficiency of conversion of ingested and digested food to biomass. Histopathological studies indicated damage to the midgut epithelial layer of larvae due to the consumption of bacteria treated diet. The infected larvae also showed a significantly decreased level of various digestive enzymes. Furthermore, exposure to Pseudomonas sp. also caused DNA damage in the hemocytes of S. litura larvae. CONCLUSION Adverse effects of Pseudomonas sp. EN4 on various biological parameters of S. litura indicate that this soil bacterial strain may be used as an effective biocontrol agent against insect pests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sunaina Sarkhandia
- Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Punjab, Amritsar, 143005, India
| | - Meena Devi
- Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Punjab, Amritsar, 143005, India
| | - Geetika Sharma
- Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Punjab, Amritsar, 143005, India
| | - Rohit Mahajan
- Department of Microbiology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Punjab, Amritsar, 143005, India
| | - Pooja Chadha
- Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Punjab, Amritsar, 143005, India
| | - Harvinder Singh Saini
- Department of Microbiology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Punjab, Amritsar, 143005, India
| | - Sanehdeep Kaur
- Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Punjab, Amritsar, 143005, India.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Wen D, Li M, Dong X, Han K, Yu J, Cai Y, Hua H. Monitoring reduced accumulation and risk evaluation of Cry1Ca during food chain transfer from genetically engineered plant to endoparasitoid. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023. [PMID: 36947641 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The potential risk of insecticidal proteins produced by genetically engineered (GE) plants to nontarget organisms have long been an ecotoxicological concern. Apanteles chilonis, an important endoparasitoid of rice pest Chilo suppressalis, potentially is exposed to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) endotoxins through a food chain of transgenic Bt rice - C. suppressalis - A. chilonis, and thus, a rigorous risk assessment is urgently needed. Here, we combined a tri-trophic bioassay system with high-dose exposure approach using C. suppressalis hemolymph as the carrier of insecticidal protein to evaluate the biosafety of Cry1Ca to A. chilonis. RESULTS Cry1Ca protein could be transmitted and retained along the food chain and remains bioactive in the hemolymph of C. suppressalis during the pre-adult duration of A. chilonis. No significant differences in pre-adult period, male and female longevity, adult fecundity and weight, emergence rate nor sex ratio were observed when A. chilonis parasitized C. suppressalis feeding on cry1Ca rice compared with control treatment. However, the pupal period and weight were significantly prolonged and decreased. When A. chilonis parasitized C. suppressalis injected with a high dosage of Cry1Ca protein, no adverse effects on the life-history parameters, peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) or glutathione reductase (GR) of A. chilonis were observed, demonstrating that the host quality mediates adverse effects during the food chain. CONCLUSIONS We confirmed that Cry1Ca posed no ecological risk to the nontarget endoparasitoid A. chilonis. This study may serve as an example for future risk assessment of transgenic crops to nontarget endoparasitoids. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dong Wen
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengyu Li
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinxin Dong
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kehong Han
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiukun Yu
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yujuan Cai
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongxia Hua
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Fatima N, Bibi Z, Rehman A, Ara Abbas Bukhari D. Biotoxicity comparison of Bacillus thuringiensis to control vector borne diseases against mosquito fauna. Saudi J Biol Sci 2023; 30:103610. [PMID: 37008283 PMCID: PMC10060249 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The current study was designed to evaluate the biotoxicity of screened echo-friendly Bacillus thuringiensis strains from different areas of Pakistan. Out of 50 samples, 36% Bt. isolates were quarantined from soil containing cattle waste after morphological, biochemical, and molecular characterization. The toxicity bioassays with Bt. spores and protein diet proved that 11 Bt. isolates were utmost noxious to 3rd instar larvae of mosquitoes Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi, and Culex pipiens. The entopathogenic activity of first 4 Bt. toxins against A. aegypti was highly lethal as compared to the other dipteran larvae. The toxicity (LC50) of spore diet of Bt. strains GCU-DAB-NF4 (442.730 ± 0.38 μg/ml), NF6 (460.845 ± 0.29 μg/ml), NF3 (470.129 ± 0.28 μg/ml), and NF7 (493.637 ± 0.70 μg/ml) was quite high against A. aegypti as compared to the C. pipiens after 24 h of incubation. The highest toxicity of total cell protein was shown by GCU-DAB-NF4 (LC50 = 84.10 ± 50 μg/ml), NF6 (95.122 ± 0.40 μg/ml), NF3 (100.715 ± 06 μg/ml), and NF5 (103.40 ± 07 μg/ml) against A. aegypti after 24 h. So, these strains a have great potential to be used as biological control especially against A. aegypti as compared to the C. pipiens.
Collapse
|
44
|
Mangan R, Bussière LF, Polanczyk RA, Tinsley MC. Increasing ecological heterogeneity can constrain biopesticide resistance evolution. Trends Ecol Evol 2023:S0169-5347(23)00016-2. [PMID: 36906434 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Microbial biopesticides containing living parasites are valuable emerging crop protection technologies against insect pests, but they are vulnerable to resistance evolution. Fortunately, the fitness of alleles that provide resistance, including to parasites used in biopesticides, frequently depends on parasite identity and environmental conditions. This context-specificity suggests a sustainable approach to biopesticide resistance management through landscape diversification. To mitigate resistance risks, we advocate increasing the range of biopesticides available to farmers, whilst simultaneously encouraging other aspects of landscape-wide crop heterogeneity that can generate variable selection on resistance alleles. This approach requires agricultural stakeholders to prioritize diversity as well as efficiency, both within agricultural landscapes and the biocontrol marketplace.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosie Mangan
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK.
| | - Luc F Bussière
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, The University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ricardo Antônio Polanczyk
- Júlio de Mesquita Filho State University of São Paulo, Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences of Jaboticabal, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Matthew C Tinsley
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Carrière Y, Tabashnik BE. Fitness Costs and Incomplete Resistance Associated with Delayed Evolution of Practical Resistance to Bt Crops. INSECTS 2023; 14:214. [PMID: 36975899 PMCID: PMC10051223 DOI: 10.3390/insects14030214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Insect pests are increasingly evolving practical resistance to insecticidal transgenic crops that produce Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins. Here, we analyzed data from the literature to evaluate the association between practical resistance to Bt crops and two pest traits: fitness costs and incomplete resistance. Fitness costs are negative effects of resistance alleles on fitness in the absence of Bt toxins. Incomplete resistance entails a lower fitness of resistant individuals on a Bt crop relative to a comparable non-Bt crop. In 66 studies evaluating strains of nine pest species from six countries, costs in resistant strains were lower in cases with practical resistance (14%) than without practical resistance (30%). Costs in F1 progeny from crosses between resistant and susceptible strains did not differ between cases with and without practical resistance. In 24 studies examining seven pest species from four countries, survival on the Bt crop relative to its non-Bt crop counterpart was higher in cases with practical resistance (0.76) than without practical resistance (0.43). Together with previous findings showing that the nonrecessive inheritance of resistance is associated with practical resistance, these results identify a syndrome associated with practical resistance to Bt crops. Further research on this resistance syndrome could help sustain the efficacy of Bt crops.
Collapse
|
46
|
Wang C, Deng Z, Yuan J, Xu K, Sha L, Guan X, Huang Z, Shao E. Removal of an Aminopeptidase N From Midgut Brush Border Does Not Affect Susceptibility of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae to Four Insecticidal Proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bacillales: Bacillaceae). JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 116:223-232. [PMID: 36421056 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toac184] [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: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Spodoptera litura is one of the most destructive lepidopteran insects of cabbages and cauliflowers in the world. Cry1 and Vip3 toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis have been reported to show toxicity in multiple lepidopteran insects. Binding of toxic molecules to specific receptors on the midgut epithelial cells is known to be a key step in the action mode of Bt toxins. Aminopeptidase N (APN) -like proteins have been reported to be binding sites of multiple Cry toxins in the midgut of Cry susceptible insects. In the present study, we identified six midgut APNs by analysis of the genome and midgut transcriptome of S. litura. CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene-knockout system was utilized to mutate the GPI-anchor signal peptide at the C terminus of SlAPN1. SlAPN1 was verified to be removed from the midgut brush border membrane vesicles of a homozygous knockout strain of S. litura (SlAPN1-KO). Bioassay results indicated that susceptibility of the SlAPN1-KO strain to Cry1Aa, Cry1Ac, Cry1Ca, and Vip3Aa toxins was close to that of the wild-type strain of S. litura. RT-qPCR results showed that the transcriptional level of SlAPN2-6 was not up-regulated after knockout of the SlAPN1. Results in this study indicated that the SlAPN1 did not play a critical role in the pathway of toxicity of Cry1Aa, Cry1Ac, Cry1Ca, and Vip3Aa toxins in S. litura.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Can Wang
- National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops & Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education & Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
| | - Zhimin Deng
- National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops & Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education & Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
| | - Jin Yuan
- National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops & Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education & Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
| | - Kexin Xu
- National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops & Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education & Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
| | - Li Sha
- National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops & Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education & Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
| | - Xiong Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops & Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education & Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
| | - Zhipeng Huang
- National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops & Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education & Ministerial and Provincial Joint Innovation Centre for Safety Production of Cross-Strait Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
| | - Ensi Shao
- National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Quan Y, Wu K. Managing Practical Resistance of Lepidopteran Pests to Bt Cotton in China. INSECTS 2023; 14:179. [PMID: 36835748 PMCID: PMC9965927 DOI: 10.3390/insects14020179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
China is one of the major cotton producers globally with small farmers. Lepidopteran pests have always been the main factor affecting cotton production. To reduce the occurrence of and damage caused by lepidopteran pests, China has employed a pest control method focused on planting Bt (Cry1Ac) cotton since 1997. Chinese resistance management tactics for the main target pests, the cotton bollworm and pink bollworm, were also implemented. For polyphagous (multiple hosts) and migratory pests such as the cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), the "natural refuge" strategy, consisting of non-Bt crops such as corn, soybean, vegetables, peanuts, and other host crops, was adopted in the Yellow River Region (YRR) and Northwest Region (NR). For a single host and weak migration ability pest, such as the pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), the seed mix refuge strategy yields a random mixture within fields of 25% non-Bt cotton by sowing second-generation (F2) seeds. According to field monitoring results for more than 20 years in China, practical resistance (Bt cotton failure) of target pests was avoided, and there were no cases of Bt (Cry1Ac) failure of pest control in cotton production. This indicated that this Chinese resistance management strategy was very successful. The Chinese government has decided to commercialize Bt corn, which will inevitably reduce the role of natural refuges; therefore, this paper also discusses adjustments and future directions of cotton pest resistance management strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yudong Quan
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510641, China
| | - Kongming Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Paddock KJ, Dellamano K, Hibbard BE, Shelby KS. eCry3.1Ab-resistant Western Corn Rootworm Larval Midgut Epithelia Respond Minimally to Bt Intoxication. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 116:263-267. [PMID: 36539338 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toac191] [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: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Insect resistance to toxins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a major issue in agriculture. Resistance to Bt has been linked to the loss of toxin binding sites within the insect, changes within the gut microbiota, and midgut tissue regeneration. Histopathological documentation of intoxication and resistance to Bt is lacking for rootworms in the genus Diabrotica (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a major target of Bt corn. Here, we document the morphological response of both Bt-resistant and Bt-susceptible larval western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, to intoxication with eCry3.1Ab. Gut lumen structural differences are subtle between the two colonies when feeding on non-Bt corn. However, upon ingestion of Bt-corn roots, susceptible larvae develop symptoms indicative of gut disruption by Bt, whereas resistant larvae incur milder effects. Mild disruption of the peritrophic matrix and gut lumen is accompanied by stem cell proliferation that may lead to midgut tissue regeneration. These results help contextualize the multifaceted nature of Bt-resistance in western corn rootworm for the first time from a histopathological perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bruce E Hibbard
- Plant Genetics Research Group, USDA-ARS, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Kent S Shelby
- Biocontrol of Insect Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Jiang K, Chen Z, Zang Y, Shi Y, Shang C, Jiao X, Cai J, Gao X. Functional characterization of Vip3Aa from Bacillus thuringiensis reveals the contributions of specific domains to its insecticidal activity. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:103000. [PMID: 36764522 PMCID: PMC10017365 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.103000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbially derived, protein-based biopesticides offer a more sustainable pest management alternative to synthetic pesticides. Vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vip3), multidomain proteins secreted by Bacillus thuringiensis, represent a second-generation insecticidal toxin that has been preliminarily used in transgenic crops. However, the molecular mechanism underlying Vip3's toxicity is poorly understood. Here, we determine the distinct functions and contributions of the domains of the Vip3Aa protein to its toxicity against Spodoptera frugiperda larvae. We demonstrate that Vip3Aa domains II and III (DII-DIII) bind the midgut epithelium, while DI is essential for Vip3Aa's stability and toxicity inside the protease-enriched host insect midgut. DI-DIII can be activated by midgut proteases and exhibits cytotoxicity similar to full-length Vip3Aa. In addition, we determine that DV can bind the peritrophic matrix via its glycan-binding activity, which contributes to Vip3Aa insecticidal activity. In summary, this study provides multiple insights into Vip3Aa's mode-of-action which should significantly facilitate the clarification of its insecticidal mechanism and its further rational development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kun Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuanrong Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yiting Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, China; Taishan College, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chengbin Shang
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xuyao Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jun Cai
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Soe ET, Naing ZL, Zhang C, Niu LL, Tang J, Yu S, Ding Z, Liang G. Cry51Aa Proteins Are Active against Apolygus lucorum and Show a Mechanism Similar to Pore Formation Model. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:2279-2289. [PMID: 36710440 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c07244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Reduced insecticide spray in crop fields due to the widespread adoption of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crops has favored the population increases of mirid bugs. Cry51Aa proteins are new types of Bt proteins that belong to aerolysin-like β pore-forming proteins with insecticidal activity against hemipteran and coleopteran pests. Here, we studied the activity of Bt Cry51Aa1 and Cry51Aa2 against Apolygus lucorum, an emerging pest in cotton, and their mechanism of action. Cry51Aa1 exhibited almost 5-fold higher toxicity than Cry51Aa2 with LC50 of 11.87 and 61.34 μg/mL, respectively. Protoxins could be activated both in vitro, by trypsin and midgut contents, and in vivo, by A. lucorum midgut. Both Cry51Aa protoxins were processed in two steps, producing pre-activated (∼30 kDa) and final activated (∼25-28 kDa) proteins. Cry51Aa proteins bound to a 25 kDa midgut protein, and Cry51Aa2 showed 2 times higher binding affinity than Cry51Aa1. Incubating Cry51Aa proteins with midgut homogenate resulted in toxin oligomers of 150-200 kDa. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for using Cry51Aa proteins to control A. lucorum and a better understanding of their mode of action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ei Thinzar Soe
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, People Republic of China
| | - Zaw Lin Naing
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, People Republic of China
| | - Caihong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, People Republic of China
| | - Lin Lin Niu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, People Republic of China
| | - Jinrong Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, People Republic of China
| | - Siqi Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, People Republic of China
| | - Zhongwei Ding
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, People Republic of China
| | - Gemei Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, People Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|