Mechanism of action of Bacillus thuringiensis toxins

Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Sarjeet S Gill¹ 

[1] ,University of California Department of Entomology Riverside,USA

关键词: Bacillus thuringiensis;    receptors;    pore formation;    synergism;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0074-02761995000100016

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

The selectivity of Bacillus thuringiensis toxins is determined both by the toxin structure and by factors inherent to the insect. These toxins contain distinct domains that appear to be functionally important in toxin binding to protein receptors in the midgut of susceptible insects, and the subsequent formation of a pore in the insect midgut epithelium. In this article features necessary for the insecticidal activity of these toxins are discussed. These include toxin structure, toxin processing in the insect midgut, the identification of toxin receptors in susceptible insects, and toxin pore formation in midgut cells. In addition a number of B. thuringiensis toxins act synergistically to exert their full insecticidal activity. This synergistic action is critical not only for expressing the insecticidal activity of these toxins, but could also play a role in delaying the onset of insect resistance.

【 授权许可】

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