Bt Toxin Modification for Enhanced Efficacy

Toxins

Benjamin R. Deist¹  Michael A. Rausch¹  Maria Teresa Fernandez-Luna¹  Michael J. Adang²  Bryony C. Bonning¹ 

[1] Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA; E-Mails:;Departments of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; E-Mail:

关键词: Bacillus thuringiensis;    Bt;    toxins;    genetic modification;    crop protection;    pest management;    truncation;    phage display;    site-directed mutagenesis;   

DOI  :  10.3390/toxins6103005

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Insect-specific toxins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) provide a valuable resource for pest suppression. Here we review the different strategies that have been employed to enhance toxicity against specific target species including those that have evolved resistance to Bt, or to modify the host range of Bt crystal (Cry) and cytolytic (Cyt) toxins. These strategies include toxin truncation, modification of protease cleavage sites, domain swapping, site-directed mutagenesis, peptide addition, and phage display screens for mutated toxins with enhanced activity. Toxin optimization provides a useful approach to extend the utility of these proteins for suppression of pests that exhibit low susceptibility to native Bt toxins, and to overcome field resistance.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.