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Deng SQ, Li N, Yang XK, Lu HZ, Liu JH, Peng ZY, Wang LM, Zhang M, Zhang C, Chen C. Recombinant Beauveria bassiana expressing Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cyt1Aa: a promising approach for enhancing Aedes mosquito control. Microbiol Spectr 2024:e0379223. [PMID: 38809029 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03792-23] [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: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana provides an eco-friendly substitute to chemical insecticides for mosquito control. Nevertheless, its widespread application has been hindered by its comparatively slow efficacy in eliminating mosquitoes. To augment the potency of B. bassiana against Aedes mosquitoes, a novel recombinant strain, Bb-Cyt1Aa, was developed by incorporating the Bacillus thuringiensis toxin gene Cyt1Aa into B. bassiana. The virulence of Bb-Cyt1Aa was evaluated against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus using insect bioassays. Compared to the wild-type (WT) strain, the median lethal time (LT50) for A. aegypti larvae infected with Bb-Cyt1Aa decreased by 33.3% at a concentration of 1 × 108 conidia/mL and by 22.2% at 1 × 107 conidia/mL. The LT50 for A. aegypti adults infected with Bb-Cyt1Aa through conidia ingestion was reduced by 37.5% at 1 × 108 conidia/mL and by 33.3% at 1 × 107 conidia/mL. Likewise, the LT50 for A. aegypti adults infected with Bb-Cyt1Aa through cuticle contact decreased by 33.3% and 30.8% at the same concentrations, respectively. Furthermore, the Bb-Cyt1Aa strain also demonstrated increased toxicity against both larval and adult A. albopictus, when compared to the WT strain. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that the expression of B. thuringiensis toxin Cyt1Aa in B. bassiana enhanced its virulence against Aedes mosquitoes. This suggests that B. bassiana expressing Cyt1Aa has potential value for use in mosquito control. IMPORTANCE Beauveria bassiana is a naturally occurring fungus that can be utilized as a bioinsecticide against mosquitoes. Cyt1Aa is a delta-endotoxin protein produced by Bacillus thuringiensis that exhibits specific and potent insecticidal activity against mosquitoes. In our study, the expression of this toxin Cyt1Aa in B. bassiana enhances the virulence of B. bassiana against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, thereby increasing their effectiveness in killing mosquitoes. This novel strain can be used alongside chemical insecticides to reduce dependence on harmful chemicals, thereby minimizing negative impacts on the environment and human health. Additionally, the potential resistance of B. bassiana against mosquitoes in the future could be overcome by acquiring novel combinations of exogenous toxin genes. The presence of B. bassiana that expresses Cyt1Aa is of significant importance in mosquito control as it enhances genetic diversity, creates novel virulent strains, and contributes to the development of safer and more sustainable methods of mosquito control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Qun Deng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ni Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xu-Ke Yang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Hong-Zheng Lu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jia-Hua Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhe-Yu Peng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lin-Min Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Mao Zhang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Schwartz HT, Tan CH, Peraza J, Raymundo KLT, Sternberg PW. Molecular identification of a peroxidase gene controlling body size in the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema hermaphroditum. Genetics 2024; 226:iyad209. [PMID: 38078889 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad209] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema hermaphroditum was recently rediscovered and is being developed as a genetically tractable experimental system for the study of previously unexplored biology, including parasitism of its insect hosts and mutualism with its bacterial endosymbiont Xenorhabdus griffiniae. Through whole-genome re-sequencing and genetic mapping we have for the first time molecularly identified the gene responsible for a mutationally defined phenotypic locus in an entomopathogenic nematode. In the process we observed an unexpected mutational spectrum following ethyl methansulfonate mutagenesis in this species. We find that the ortholog of the essential Caenorhabditis elegans peroxidase gene skpo-2 controls body size and shape in S. hermaphroditum. We confirmed this identification by generating additional loss-of-function mutations in the gene using CRISPR-Cas9. We propose that the identification of skpo-2 will accelerate gene targeting in other Steinernema entomopathogenic nematodes used commercially in pest control, as skpo-2 is X-linked and males hemizygous for loss of its function can mate, making skpo-2 an easily recognized and maintained marker for use in co-CRISPR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hillel T Schwartz
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Chieh-Hsiang Tan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Jackeline Peraza
- Department of Biology, Barnard College of Columbia University, NewYork, NY 10027, USA
| | | | - Paul W Sternberg
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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Chen S, Wang W, Kang G, Yang X, Wu K. Toxic Effects of Bt-(Cry1Ab+Vip3Aa) Maize on Storage Pest Paralipsa gularis (Zeller). Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:92. [PMID: 38393170 PMCID: PMC10892971 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16020092] [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: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Paralipsa gularis (Zeller) is a storage pest; however, in recent years it has evolved into a considerable maize pest during the late growth stage in the border region between China and other Southeast Asian countries. Bt transgenic insect-resistant maize is an effective measure in controlling a wide range of lepidopteran pests, but there is a lack of research on the toxic effects of storage pests. We tested the toxicity of Bt-Cry1Ab, Vip3Aa, and their complex proteins against P. gularis via bioassay and investigated the efficiency of Bt-(Cry1Ab+Vip3Aa) maize in controlling P. gularis during the late growth stage of maize in the period 2022-2023. The bioassay results show that the susceptibilities of P. gularis to the two Bt proteins and their complex proteins were significantly different. The LC50 values of DBNCry1Ab ("DBN9936" event), DBNVip3Aa ("DBN9501" event), DBN Cry1Ab+Vip3Aa ("DBN3601T" event), and Syngenta Cry1Ab+Vip3Aa ("Bt11" event × "MIR162" event) were 0.038 μg/g, 0.114 μg/g, 0.110 μg/g, and 0.147 μg/g, and the GIC50 values were 0.014 μg/g, 0.073 μg/g, 0.027 μg/g, and 0.026 μg/g, respectively. Determination of the expression content of the insecticidal protein in different tissues of Bt-(Cry1Ab+Vip3Aa) maize shows that the total Bt protein content in different tissues was in the following order: stalk > bract > cob > kernel. However, the bioassay results show that the mortalities of P. gularis feeding on Bt-(Cry1Ab+Vip3Aa) maize in different tissues at different growth stages were all above 93.00%. The field trial indicates that the occurrence density of larvae and plant damage rate for conventional maize were 422.10 individuals/100 plants and 94.40%, respectively, whereas no larvae were found on Bt-(Cry1Ab+Vip3Aa) maize. In summary, this study implies that Bt-(Cry1Ab+Vip3Aa) maize has a high potential for control of P. gularis, providing a new technical measure for the management of the pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Chen
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China;
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (G.K.); (X.Y.)
| | - Wenhui Wang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China;
| | - Guodong Kang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (G.K.); (X.Y.)
| | - Xianming Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (G.K.); (X.Y.)
| | - 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; (G.K.); (X.Y.)
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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.
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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.
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Xiao Z, Yao X, Bai S, Wei J, An S. Involvement of an Enhanced Immunity Mechanism in the Resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis in Lepidopteran Pests. INSECTS 2023; 14:151. [PMID: 36835720 PMCID: PMC9965922 DOI: 10.3390/insects14020151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is the safest, economically successful entomopathogen to date. It is extensively produced in transgenic crops or used in spray formulations to control Lepidopteran pests. The most serious threat to the sustainable usage of Bt is insect resistance. The resistance mechanisms to Bt toxins depend not only on alterations in insect receptors, but also on the enhancement of insect immune responses. In this work, we review the current knowledge of the immune response and resistance of insects to Bt formulations and Bt proteins, mainly in Lepidopteran pests. We discuss the pattern recognition proteins for recognizing Bt, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and their synthetic signaling pathways, the prophenoloxidase system, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, nodulation, encapsulation, phagocytosis, and cell-free aggregates, which are involved in immune response reactions or resistance to Bt. This review also analyzes immune priming, which contributes to the evolution of insect resistance to Bt, and puts forward strategies to improve the insecticidal activity of Bt formulations and manage insect resistance, targeting the insect immune responses and resistance.
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Mateos Fernández R, Petek M, Gerasymenko I, Juteršek M, Baebler Š, Kallam K, Moreno Giménez E, Gondolf J, Nordmann A, Gruden K, Orzaez D, Patron NJ. Insect pest management in the age of synthetic biology. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:25-36. [PMID: 34416790 PMCID: PMC8710903 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Arthropod crop pests are responsible for 20% of global annual crop losses, a figure predicted to increase in a changing climate where the ranges of numerous species are projected to expand. At the same time, many insect species are beneficial, acting as pollinators and predators of pest species. For thousands of years, humans have used increasingly sophisticated chemical formulations to control insect pests but, as the scale of agriculture expanded to meet the needs of the global population, concerns about the negative impacts of agricultural practices on biodiversity have grown. While biological solutions, such as biological control agents and pheromones, have previously had relatively minor roles in pest management, biotechnology has opened the door to numerous new approaches for controlling insect pests. In this review, we look at how advances in synthetic biology and biotechnology are providing new options for pest control. We discuss emerging technologies for engineering resistant crops and insect populations and examine advances in biomanufacturing that are enabling the production of new products for pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marko Petek
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems BiologyNational Institute of BiologyLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Iryna Gerasymenko
- Plant Biotechnology and Metabolic EngineeringTechnische Universität DarmstadtDarmstadtGermany
| | - Mojca Juteršek
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems BiologyNational Institute of BiologyLjubljanaSlovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate SchoolLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Špela Baebler
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems BiologyNational Institute of BiologyLjubljanaSlovenia
| | | | | | - Janine Gondolf
- Institut für PhilosophieTechnische Universität DarmstadtDarmstadtGermany
| | - Alfred Nordmann
- Institut für PhilosophieTechnische Universität DarmstadtDarmstadtGermany
| | - Kristina Gruden
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems BiologyNational Institute of BiologyLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Diego Orzaez
- Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP)UPV‐CSICValenciaSpain
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Sureshan SC, Tanavade RV, Ghosh S, Ghosh S, Sella RN, Mohideen HS. Complete mitochondrial genome sequencing of Oxycarenus laetus (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) from two geographically distinct regions of India. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23738. [PMID: 34887433 PMCID: PMC8660866 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02881-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxycarenus laetus is a seed-sap sucking pest affecting a variety of crops, including cotton plants. Rising incidence and pesticide resistance by O. laetus have been reported from India and neighbouring countries. In this study, O. laetus samples were collected from Bhatinda and Coimbatore (India). Pure mtDNA was isolated and sequenced using Illumina MiSeq. Both the samples were found to be identical species (99.9%), and the complete genome was circular (15,672 bp), consisting of 13 PCGs, 2 rRNA, 23 tRNA genes, and a 962 bp control region. The mitogenome is 74.1% AT-rich, 0.11 AT, and - 0.19 GC skewed. All the genes had ATN as the start codon except cox1 (TTG), and an additional trnT was predicted. Nearly all tRNAs folded into the clover-leaf structure, except trnS1 and trnV. The intergenic space between trnH and nad4, considered as a synapomorphy of Lygaeoidea, was displaced. Two 5 bp motifs AATGA and ACCTA, two tandem repeats, and a few microsatellite sequences, were also found. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using 36 mitogenomes from 7 super-families of Hemiptera by employing rigorous bootstrapping and ML. Ours is the first study to sequence the complete mitogenome of O. laetus or any Oxycarenus species. The findings from this study would further help in the evolutionary studies of Lygaeidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruthi Chalil Sureshan
- grid.412742.60000 0004 0635 5080Bioinformatics and Entomoinformatics Lab, Department of Genetic Engineering, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203 Tamil Nadu India
| | - Ruchi Vivekanand Tanavade
- grid.412742.60000 0004 0635 5080Bioinformatics and Entomoinformatics Lab, Department of Genetic Engineering, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203 Tamil Nadu India
| | - Sewali Ghosh
- Department of Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology, Guru Nanak College, Chennai, 600042 Tamil Nadu India
| | - Saswati Ghosh
- grid.506009.aDepartment of Virology, King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research, Chennai, 600032 Tamil Nadu India
| | - Raja Natesan Sella
- grid.412742.60000 0004 0635 5080Membrane Protein Lab, Department of Genetic Engineering, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203 Tamil Nadu India
| | - Habeeb Shaik Mohideen
- Bioinformatics and Entomoinformatics Lab, Department of Genetic Engineering, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Kraševec N, Panevska A, Lemež Š, Razinger J, Sepčić K, Anderluh G, Podobnik M. Lipid-Binding Aegerolysin from Biocontrol Fungus Beauveria bassiana. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:820. [PMID: 34822604 PMCID: PMC8624791 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13110820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi are the most common pathogens of insects and thus important regulators of their populations. Lipid-binding aegerolysin proteins, which are commonly found in the fungal kingdom, may be involved in several biologically relevant processes including attack and defense against other organisms. Aegerolysins act alone or together with membrane-attack-complex/perforin (MACPF)-like proteins to form transmembrane pores that lead to cell lysis. We performed an in-depth bioinformatics analysis of aegerolysins in entomopathogenic fungi and selected a candidate aegerolysin, beauveriolysin A (BlyA) from Beauveria bassiana. BlyA was expressed as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli, and purified to further determine its functional and structural properties, including lipid-binding ability. Aegerolysins were found to be encoded in genomes of entomopathogenic fungi, such as Beauveria, Cordyceps, Metarhizium and Ophiocordyceps. Detailed bioinformatics analysis revealed that they are linked to MACPF-like genes in most genomes. We also show that BlyA interacts with an insect-specific membrane lipid. These results were placed in the context of other fungal and bacterial aegerolysins and their partner proteins. We believe that aegerolysins play a role in promoting the entomopathogenic and antagonistic activity of B. bassiana, which is an active ingredient of bioinsecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Kraševec
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (Š.L.); (G.A.); (M.P.)
| | - Anastasija Panevska
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.P.); (K.S.)
| | - Špela Lemež
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (Š.L.); (G.A.); (M.P.)
- Biotechnology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jaka Razinger
- Plant Protection Department, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova 17, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.P.); (K.S.)
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (Š.L.); (G.A.); (M.P.)
| | - Marjetka Podobnik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (Š.L.); (G.A.); (M.P.)
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Kaczmarek A, Boguś MI. Fungi of entomopathogenic potential in Chytridiomycota and Blastocladiomycota, and in fungal allies of the Oomycota and Microsporidia. IMA Fungus 2021; 12:29. [PMID: 34635188 PMCID: PMC8504053 DOI: 10.1186/s43008-021-00074-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between entomopathogenic fungi and their insect hosts is a classic example of the co-evolutionary arms race between pathogen and target host. The present review describes the entomopathogenic potential of Chytridiomycota and Blastocladiomycota fungi, and two groups of fungal allies: Oomycota and Microsporidia. The Oomycota (water moulds) are considered as a model biological control agent of mosquito larvae. Due to their shared ecological and morphological similarities, they had long been considered a part of the fungal kingdom; however, phylogenetic studies have since placed this group within the Straminipila. The Microsporidia are parasites of economically-important insects, including grasshoppers, lady beetles, bumblebees, colorado potato beetles and honeybees. They have been found to display some fungal characteristics, and phylogenetic studies suggest that they are related to fungi, either as a basal branch or sister group. The Blastocladiomycota and Chytridiomycota, named the lower fungi, historically were described together; however, molecular phylogenetic and ultrastructural research has classified them in their own phylum. They are considered parasites of ants, and of the larval stages of black flies, mosquitoes and scale insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Kaczmarek
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Mieczysława I Boguś
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818, Warsaw, Poland
- Biomibo, Strzygłowska 15, 04-872, Warsaw, Poland
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Critical domains in the specific binding of radiolabelled Vip3Af insecticidal protein to brush border membrane vesicles from Spodoptera spp. and cultured insect cells. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:e0178721. [PMID: 34586902 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01787-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vip3) from Bacillus thuringiensis have been used, in combination with Cry proteins, to better control insect pests and as a strategy to delay the evolution of resistance to Cry proteins in Bt crops (crops protected from insect attack by the expression of proteins from B. thuringiensis). In this study, we have set up the conditions to analyze the specific binding of 125I-Vip3Af to Spodoptera frugiperda and Spodoptera exigua brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV). Heterologous competition binding experiments revealed that Vip3Aa shares the same binding sites with Vip3Af, but that Vip3Ca does not recognize all of them. As expected, Cry1Ac and Cry1F did not compete for Vip3Af binding sites. By trypsin treatment of selected alanine-mutants, we were able to generate truncated versions of Vip3Af. Their use as competitors with 125I-Vip3Af indicated that only those molecules containing domains I to III (DI-III and DI-IV) were able to compete with the trypsin-activated Vip3Af protein for binding, and that molecules only containing either domain IV or domains IV and V (DIV and DIV-V) were unable to compete with Vip3Af. These results were further confirmed with competition binding experiments using 125I-DI-III. In addition, the truncated protein 125I-DI-III also bound specifically to Sf21 cells. Cell viability assays showed that the truncated proteins DI-III and DI-IV were as toxic to Sf21 cells as the activated Vip3Af, suggesting that domains IV and V are not necessary for the toxicity to Sf21 cells, in contrast to their requirement in vivo. IMPORTANCE This study shows that Vip3Af binding sites are fully shared with Vip3Aa, only partially shared with Vip3Ca, and not shared with Cry1Ac and Cry1F in two Spodoptera spp. Truncated versions of Vip3Af revealed that only domains I to III were necessary for the specific binding, most likely because they can form the functional tetrameric oligomer and because domain III is supposed to contain the binding epitopes. In contrast to results obtained in vivo (bioassays against larvae), domains IV and V are not necessary for the ex vivo toxicity to Sf21 cells.
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White RL, Geden CJ, Kaufman PE, Johnson D. Comparative Virulence of Metarhizium anisopliae and Four Strains of Beauveria bassiana Against House Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Adults With Attempted Selection for Faster Mortality. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:1771-1778. [PMID: 33704481 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin and Metarhizium anisopliae/brunneum (Metchnikoff)/Petch have shown promising results for managing the house fly, Musca domestica L. A primary challenge of using these biological control agents (BCAs) in field situations is the time required to induce high adult house fly mortality, typically 6-7 d post-exposure. In this study, virulence of M. anisopliae (strain F52) and four B. bassiana strains were compared. The B. bassiana strains GHA and HF23 are used in commercial products and those were compared with two strains that were isolated from house flies on dairy farms (NFH10 and L90). Assays were conducted by exposing adult house flies to fungal-treated filter paper disks for 2 h. The lethal time to 50% mortality (LT50) at the high concentration of 1 × 109 conidia ranged from 3.8 to 5.2 d for all five strains. GHA, NFH10, and L90 killed flies faster than M. anisopliae strain F52; HF23 did not differ from either the M. anisopliae or the other B. bassiana strains. Attempts with the NFH10 strain to induce faster fly mortality through selection across 10 fungal to fly passages did not result in shorter time to fly death of the selected strain compared with the unselected strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxie L White
- USDA-ARS, Center for Medical, Agriculture, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Christopher J Geden
- USDA-ARS, Center for Medical, Agriculture, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Phillip E Kaufman
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, TAMU, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Dana Johnson
- USDA-ARS, Center for Medical, Agriculture, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, USA
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12
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Molecular characterization of the chitinase genes of native Bacillus thuringiensis isolates and their antagonistic activity against three important phytopathogenic fungi. Biologia (Bratisl) 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-021-00802-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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13
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Jurat-Fuentes JL, Heckel DG, Ferré J. Mechanisms of Resistance to Insecticidal Proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 66:121-140. [PMID: 33417820 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-052620-073348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are used in sprayable formulations or produced in transgenic crops as the most successful alternatives to synthetic pesticides. The most relevant threat to sustainability of Bt insecticidal proteins (toxins) is the evolution of resistance in target pests. To date, high-level resistance to Bt sprays has been limited to one species in the field and another in commercial greenhouses. In contrast, there are currently seven lepidopteran and one coleopteran species that have evolved practical resistance to transgenic plants producing insecticidal Bt proteins. In this article, we present a review of the current knowledge on mechanisms of resistance to Bt toxins, with emphasis on key resistance genes and field-evolved resistance, to support improvement of Bt technology and its sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Luis Jurat-Fuentes
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA;
| | - David G Heckel
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena 07745, Germany;
| | - Juan Ferré
- ERI of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, Burjassot 46100, Spain;
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KARABÖRKLÜ S, ALTIN N. Yerel Beauveria bassiana ve Metarhizium anisopliae İzolatlarının Myzocallis coryli ve Corylobium avellanae Üzerindeki Etkinliği. ULUSLARARASI TARIM VE YABAN HAYATI BILIMLERI DERGISI 2020. [DOI: 10.24180/ijaws.773200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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15
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Rocha EM, Katak RDM, Campos de Oliveira J, Araujo MDS, Carlos BC, Galizi R, Tripet F, Marinotti O, Souza-Neto JA. Vector-Focused Approaches to Curb Malaria Transmission in the Brazilian Amazon: An Overview of Current and Future Challenges and Strategies. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:E161. [PMID: 33092228 PMCID: PMC7709627 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5040161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In Brazil, malaria transmission is mostly confined to the Amazon, where substantial progress has been made towards disease control in the past decade. Vector control has been historically considered a fundamental part of the main malaria control programs implemented in Brazil. However, the conventional vector-control tools have been insufficient to control or eliminate local vector populations due to the complexity of the Amazonian rainforest environment and ecological features of malaria vector species in the Amazon, especially Anopheles darlingi. Malaria elimination in Brazil and worldwide eradication will require a combination of conventional and new approaches that takes into account the regional specificities of vector populations and malaria transmission dynamics. Here we present an overview on both conventional and novel promising vector-focused tools to curb malaria transmission in the Brazilian Amazon. If well designed and employed, vector-based approaches may improve the implementation of malaria-control programs, particularly in remote or difficult-to-access areas and in regions where existing interventions have been unable to eliminate disease transmission. However, much effort still has to be put into research expanding the knowledge of neotropical malaria vectors to set the steppingstones for the optimization of conventional and development of innovative vector-control tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elerson Matos Rocha
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas—PPGBIOTEC/UFAM, Manaus 69067-005, Brazil; (E.M.R.); (R.d.M.K.); (J.C.d.O.)
| | - Ricardo de Melo Katak
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas—PPGBIOTEC/UFAM, Manaus 69067-005, Brazil; (E.M.R.); (R.d.M.K.); (J.C.d.O.)
| | - Juan Campos de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas—PPGBIOTEC/UFAM, Manaus 69067-005, Brazil; (E.M.R.); (R.d.M.K.); (J.C.d.O.)
| | - Maisa da Silva Araujo
- Laboratory of Medical Entomology, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ RONDONIA, Porto Velho, RO 76812-245, Brazil;
| | - Bianca Cechetto Carlos
- Department of Bioprocesses and Biotechnology, School of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, Brazil;
- Central Multiuser Laboratory, School of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, Brazil
| | - Roberto Galizi
- Centre of Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5GB, UK; (R.G.); (F.T.)
| | - Frederic Tripet
- Centre of Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5GB, UK; (R.G.); (F.T.)
| | | | - Jayme A. Souza-Neto
- Department of Bioprocesses and Biotechnology, School of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, Brazil;
- Central Multiuser Laboratory, School of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, Brazil
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16
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Valizadeh B, Samarfard S, Sendi JJ, Karbanowicz TP. Developing an Ephestia kuehniella Hemocyte Cell Line to Assess the Bio-Insecticidal Potential of Microencapsulated Helicoverpa armigera Nucleopolyhedrovirus Against Cotton Bollworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larva. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 113:2086-2095. [PMID: 32719845 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaa148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Helicoverpa armigera Nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV) (genus: Alphabaculovirus, incertae sedis: Baculoviridae) has been used to control Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner). A reproducible and susceptible cell line was prepared from the hemocytes of Ephestia kuehniella in Grace and Ex-Cell 420 media. The population doubling time of these cloned cell cultures during the logarithmic phase were about 2.3 and 3.7 d for Ex-Cell 420 and Grace's media, respectively. When 60% confluence occurred, cells were infected by viral inoculums. All biochemical compounds were significantly changed relevant to cellular metabolism due to HearNPV infection. In order to improve its stability, two polymer formulations were used, i.e., formulation A (sodium alginate, gelatin, starch, and molasses) and formulation B (cottonseed kernel extract, Bran, glycerol, boric acid, egg white, and sugar). Formulant A provided high photostability by exhibiting 83.2 ± 3% efficacy and 88.66 ± 2.1% original activities remaining after 72 h UV exposure. Percentage original activity remaining of unformulated HearNPV and formulated mixture of B was 38.66 ± 2.6% and 9.33 ± 1.3%, respectively, after 72 h UV-irradiation. The virulence of the HearNPV proliferated from the Ex-Cell medium was similar to the virulence of wild-type HearNPV with LC50 of 7.7×105 OBs/ml. Formulant A, revealed only 20.0 ± 1% reduction in efficacy while the unformulated virus and formulant B faced a reduction of 90.0 ± 3% and 64.0 ± 2% after 72 h of UVA irradiation. Formulant A thus showed a high potential to protect HearNPVs microparticles against UV-inactivation suggesting a new platform for more efficient biological-management of cotton bollworm (specific name Helicoverpa armigera, genus: Helicoverpa, Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bita Valizadeh
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
| | - Samira Samarfard
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jalal Jalali Sendi
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
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17
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Azizoglu U, Jouzani GS, Yilmaz N, Baz E, Ozkok D. Genetically modified entomopathogenic bacteria, recent developments, benefits and impacts: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 734:139169. [PMID: 32460068 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic bacteria (EPBs), insect pathogens that produce pest-specific toxins, are environmentally-friendly alternatives to chemical insecticides. However, the most important problem with EPBs application is their limited field stability. Moreover, environmental factors such as solar radiation, leaf temperature, and vapor pressure can affect the pathogenicity of these pathogens and their toxins. Scientists have conducted intensive research to overcome such problems. Genetic engineering has great potential for the development of new engineered entomopathogens with more resistance to adverse environmental factors. Genetically modified entomopathogenic bacteria (GM-EPBs) have many advantages over wild EPBs, such as higher pathogenicity, lower spraying requirements and longer-term persistence. Genetic manipulations have been mostly applied to members of the bacterial genera Bacillus, Lysinibacillus, Pseudomonas, Serratia, Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus. Although many researchers have found that GM-EPBs can be used safely as plant protection bioproducts, limited attention has been paid to their potential ecological impacts. The main concerns about GM-EPBs and their products are their potential unintended effects on beneficial insects (predators, parasitoids, pollinators, etc.) and rhizospheric bacteria. This review address recent update on the significant role of GM-EPBs in biological control, examining them through different perspectives in an attempt to generate critical discussion and aid in the understanding of their potential ecological impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugur Azizoglu
- Department of Crop and Animal Production, Safiye Cikrikcioglu Vocational College, Kayseri University, Kayseri, Turkey.
| | - Gholamreza Salehi Jouzani
- Microbial Biotechnology Department, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - Nihat Yilmaz
- Department of Crop and Animal Production, Safiye Cikrikcioglu Vocational College, Kayseri University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Ethem Baz
- Laboratory and Veterinary Health Department, Safiye Cikrikcioglu Vocational College, Kayseri University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Duran Ozkok
- Department of Crop and Animal Production, Safiye Cikrikcioglu Vocational College, Kayseri University, Kayseri, Turkey
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18
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Shen D, Nyawira KT, Xia A. New discoveries and applications of mosquito fungal pathogens. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2020; 40:111-116. [PMID: 32781416 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2020.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mosquitoes are a major threat to human health globally because they transmit infectious diseases, such as malaria, lymphatic filariasis, and arboviruses. The conventional mosquito control efforts, based on synthetic insecticides, have been compromised owing to the eventual development of insecticide resistance and the adverse environmental impacts of insecticides. Alternative eco-friendly approaches using entomopathogenic fungi to alleviate vector-borne disease burden have gained an increasing interest because of their selective specificity and environmental safety. Existing literature revealed an enormous potential of microbial agents for the biocontrol of mosquitoes. With the advances in genetic recombination and transformation techniques, genetically engineered fungal biopesticides showed promising efficacy against insecticide-resistant mosquitoes. In this article, we elaborate on the important mosquito fungal and oomycota pathogens as potential biocontrol agents and infection mechanism through oral ingestion. Recent advances on the secreted effectors for suppression of host immunity and progress on the development of transgenic mosquito-killing fungi were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyu Shen
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Karani T Nyawira
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ai Xia
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
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19
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Wang ZL, Pan HB, Huang J, Yu XP. The zinc finger transcription factors Bbctf1α and Bbctf1β regulate the expression of genes involved in lipid degradation and contribute to stress tolerance and virulence in a fungal insect pathogen. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2020; 76:2589-2600. [PMID: 32077581 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To initiate insect infection, entomopathogenic fungi produce diverse cuticle-degrading enzymes. Of those, lipolytic enzymes participate in epicuticular lipid hydrolysis and thus facilitate fungal penetration through the outermost cuticular barrier of the insect host. The Far/CTF1-type zinc finger transcription factors play an important role in the regulation of lipolytic activity and fungal pathogenicity in plant pathogens but remain functionally unknown in fungal insect pathogens. RESULTS Two Far/CTF1-type transcription factor Bbctf1α and Bbctf1β, which are essential for differential expression of genes involved in the fungal lipid degradation, were identified and functionally characterized in a fungal entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana. Disruption of each gene led to drastic losses of extracellular lipolytic activities under lipidic substrate-inducing conditions, followed by remarkable phenotypic defects associated with the fungal biocontrol potential. These defects mainly included severe impairments of mycelial growth and conidium formation, and drastic losses of tolerance to the stresses of oxidation and cell wall perturbation during colony growth under either normal or induction conditions. Bioassays showed that the virulence of each disruption mutant on the greater wax moth was remarkably attenuated in topical immersion. However, there was no significant difference in intrahemolymph injection when the cuticle penetration process was bypassed. CONCLUSIONS Bbctf1α and Bbctf1β are multifunctional transcription factors that play vital roles in the regulation of fungal lipid utilization and contribute to the vegetative growth, sporulation capacity, environmental fitness and pest control potential in B. bassiana. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Liang Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection and Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Hai-Bo Pan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection and Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Jue Huang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection and Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Ping Yu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection and Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou Zhejiang, P. R. China
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20
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Ruiz-Vega J, Cortés-Martínez CI, Aquino-Bolaños T, Matadamas-Ortíz PT, García-Gutiérrez C, Navarro-Antonio J. Mortality of Phyllophaga vetula larvae by the separate and combined application of Metarhizium anisopliae, Steinernema carpocapsae and Steinernema glaseri. J Nematol 2020; 52:1-8. [PMID: 32726069 PMCID: PMC8015341 DOI: 10.21307/jofnem-2020-068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Phyllophaga spp. are a complex of edaphic insect pests that are present in the corn crops (Zea mays) in México, which are usually controlled with increasing dosages of broad-spectrum chemical insecticides. Several entomopathogenic nematode species can produce acceptable control levels of these larvae. However, the synergistic interaction between fungi and entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) could improve the control of this insect. This study investigates the mortality of larvae of Phyllophaga vetula by the effect of the separate or combined application of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae M1cog strain (Ma) and the nematodes Steinernema carpocapsae All strain (Sc) or Steinernema glaseri NJ-43 strain (Sg). In laboratory, dosages of 1 × 106 or 1 × 108 spores/larva and 250 infective juveniles were applied on medium or large size P. vetula larvae contained in vials with sterilized agricultural soil as the assay arena. The separate application of Ma did not kill any larvae, but Sg and Sc killed 40 and 80% of the larvae, respectively. However, the Ma and Sc combination had an important antagonistic interaction that decreased the mortality to 40%, but the combination Ma and Sg had a slight additive interaction that increased the mortality to 47%. The most determining factor in larvae mortality was the nematode used, with Sg as the species with best performance in 6 of the 12 treatments evaluated and with a maximum effectivity of 80% on medium-size larvae if combined with a low dosage of Ma. The combined application of an entomopathogenic fungus and EPN showed no consistent effects on the mortality percentage of P. vetula, mostly because the fungus was not isolated from Phyllophaga larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Ruiz-Vega
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CIIDIR U. Oaxaca, Protección y Producción Vegetal, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán , Oaxaca 71230 , Oaxaca México
| | - Carlos I. Cortés-Martínez
- Cuerpo Académico de Biotecnología Agroalimentaria, Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Tulancingo de Bravo , Hidalgo 43600 , Hidalgo México
| | - Teodulfo Aquino-Bolaños
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CIIDIR U. Oaxaca, Protección y Producción Vegetal, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán , Oaxaca 71230 , Oaxaca México
| | - Pastor T. Matadamas-Ortíz
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CIIDIR U. Oaxaca, Protección y Producción Vegetal, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán , Oaxaca 71230 , Oaxaca México
| | - Cipriano García-Gutiérrez
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CIIDIR U. Sinaloa, Bulevard Juan de Dios Bátiz Paredes 250, Colonia San Joachin , Guasave, Sinaloa, CP 81101 , Guasave México
| | - José Navarro-Antonio
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CIIDIR U. Oaxaca, Protección y Producción Vegetal, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán , Oaxaca 71230 , Oaxaca México
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21
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You L, Bi HL, Wang YH, Li XW, Chen XE, Li ZQ. CRISPR/Cas9-based mutation reveals Argonaute 1 is essential for pigmentation in Ostrinia furnacalis. INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 26:1020-1028. [PMID: 29938905 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 05/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is one of the most destructive agricultural pests in Asia. Traditional pest-management methods include sex pheromone capture, transgenic crops that produce Bacillus thuringiensis toxin, and pesticides. Although these strategies control pest populations effectively, they also cause negative side effects, including dramatically increased pesticide resistance, severe pollution, and hazards for human health. Recently developed genome editing tools provide new prospects for pest management and have been successfully used in several species. However, few examples have been reported in the agricultural pest O. furnacalis due to a lack in genomic information. In this report, we identified only one transcript of O. furnacalis Argonaute 1 (OfAgo1) gene from the genome and cloned the open reading frame. OfAgo1 presented the maximum expression at the embryo stage or in the fat body during the larval stages. To understand its function, an OfAgo1 mutant was constructed using the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat/RNA-guided Cas9 nuclease (CRISPR/Cas9). Mutagenesis of OfAgo1 disrupted cuticle pigmentation by down-regulating micro RNAs and pigmentation-related genes. This is the first report for the cloning and functional analysis of OfAgo1, revealing a role of OfAgo1 in cuticle pigmentation. The current report also established a CRISPR/Cas9 system in O. furnacalis, providing a new insight for pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lang You
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong-Lun Bi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao-Hui Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Wei Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi-En Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Qian Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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22
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Sbaraini N, Bellini R, Penteriche AB, Guedes RLM, Garcia AWA, Gerber AL, Vainstein MH, de Vasconcelos ATR, Schrank A, Staats CC. Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of Metarhizium anisopliae during tick mimicked infection condition. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:836. [PMID: 31711419 PMCID: PMC6849299 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6220-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Metarhizium genus harbors important entomopathogenic fungi. These species have been widely explored as biological control agents, and strategies to improve the fungal virulence are under investigation. Thus, the interaction between Metarhizium species and susceptible hosts have been explored employing different methods in order to characterize putative virulence determinants. However, the impact of epigenetic modulation on the infection cycle of Metarhizium is still an open topic. Among the different epigenetic modifications, DNA methylation of cytosine bases is an important mechanism to control gene expression in several organisms. To better understand if DNA methylation can govern Metarhizium-host interactions, the genome-wide DNA methylation profile of Metarhizium anisopliae was explored in two conditions: tick mimicked infection and a saprophytic-like control. RESULTS Using a genome wide DNA methylation profile based on bisulfite sequencing (BS-Seq), approximately 0.60% of the total cytosines were methylated in saprophytic-like condition, which was lower than the DNA methylation level (0.89%) in tick mimicked infection condition. A total of 670 mRNA genes were found to be putatively methylated, with 390 mRNA genes uniquely methylated in the tick mimicked infection condition. GO terms linked to response to stimuli, cell wall morphogenesis, cytoskeleton morphogenesis and secondary metabolism biosynthesis were over-represented in the tick mimicked infection condition, suggesting that energy metabolism is directed towards the regulation of genes associated with infection. However, recognized virulence determinants known to be expressed at distinct infection steps, such as the destruxin backbone gene and the collagen-like protein gene Mcl1, were found methylated, suggesting that a dynamic pattern of methylation could be found during the infectious process. These results were further endorsed employing RT-qPCR from cultures treated or not with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-Azacytidine. CONCLUSIONS The set of genes here analyzed focused on secondary metabolites associated genes, known to be involved in several processes, including virulence. The BS-Seq pipeline and RT-qPCR analysis employing 5-Azacytidine led to identification of methylated virulence genes in M. anisopliae. The results provided evidences that DNA methylation in M. anisopliae comprises another layer of gene expression regulation, suggesting a main role of DNA methylation regulating putative virulence determinants during M. anisopliae infection cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolau Sbaraini
- Centro de Biotecnologia, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Rede Avançada em Biologia Computacional, RABICÓ, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil
| | - Reinaldo Bellini
- Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, LNCC, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil.,Rede Avançada em Biologia Computacional, RABICÓ, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Rafael Lucas Muniz Guedes
- Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, LNCC, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil.,Rede Avançada em Biologia Computacional, RABICÓ, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marilene Henning Vainstein
- Centro de Biotecnologia, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Rede Avançada em Biologia Computacional, RABICÓ, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ana Tereza Ribeiro de Vasconcelos
- Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, LNCC, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil.,Rede Avançada em Biologia Computacional, RABICÓ, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil
| | - Augusto Schrank
- Centro de Biotecnologia, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Rede Avançada em Biologia Computacional, RABICÓ, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil
| | - Charley Christian Staats
- Centro de Biotecnologia, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. .,Rede Avançada em Biologia Computacional, RABICÓ, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil.
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23
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Liu X, Cooper AMW, Yu Z, Silver K, Zhang J, Zhu KY. Progress and prospects of arthropod chitin pathways and structures as targets for pest management. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 161:33-46. [PMID: 31685194 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Chitin is a structural component of the arthropod cuticular exoskeleton and the peritrophic matrix of the gut, which play crucial roles in growth and development. In the past few decades, our understanding of the composition, biosynthesis, assembly, degradation, and regulation of chitinous structures has increased. Many chemicals have been developed that target chitin biosynthesis (benzoyphenyl ureas, etoxazole), chitin degradation (allosamidin, psammaplin), and chitin regulation (benzoyl hydrazines), thus resulting in molting deformities and lethality. In addition, proteins that disrupt chitin structures, such as lectins, proteases, and chitinases have been utilized to halt feeding and induce mortality. Chitin-degrading enzymes, such as chitinases are also useful for improving the efficacy of bio-insecticides. Transgenic plants, baculoviruses, fungi, and bacteria have been engineered to express chitinases from a variety of organisms for control of arthropod pests. In addition, RNA interference targeting genes involved in chitin pathways and structures are now being investigated for the development of environmentally friendly pest management strategies. This review describes the chemicals and proteins used to target chitin structures and enzymes for arthropod pest management, as well as pest management strategies based upon these compounds, such as plant-incorporated-protectants and recombinant entomopathogens. Recent advances in RNA interference-based pest management, and how this technology can be used to target chitin pathways and structures are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojian Liu
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
| | | | - Zhitao Yu
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Kristopher Silver
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Jianzhen Zhang
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China.
| | - Kun Yan Zhu
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
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24
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Swale DR. Perspectives on new strategies for the identification and development of insecticide targets. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 161:23-32. [PMID: 31685193 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The discovery and development of new active ingredients to control arthropod populations and circumvent the inevitable evolution of insecticide resistance has been of consistent interest to the field of insecticide science. This interest has resulted in a slow, but steady increase in the diversity of chemical scaffolds and biochemical target sites within the insecticide arsenal over the past 70 years with growth from three biochemical target sites in the 1950s to 22 distinct biochemical targets in 2018. Despite this growth, the number of biochemical target sites for insecticides remains relatively limited when compared to human pharmaceuticals, which has approximately 700 distinct biochemical targets that are targeted by FDA approved drugs. Potential reasons for this large discrepancy between two closely related fields and putative mechanisms to enhance the identification of tractable biochemical targets for insecticides are discussed. Next, this perspective discusses the movement of insecticide science into the "genomic era" and for comparative purposes, I provide a retrospective analysis of the impact the release of the human genome had to human pharmaceutical development. Based on this analysis and because the fields of insecticide science and human pharmaceuticals mirror each other, researchers in the field of insecticide science would do well to heed the lessons learned by the human pharmaceutical industry and to carefully consider the challenges that arise from genomic approaches for chemical development. Lastly, I pose the question if the field of insecticide science would benefit from adapting an industry-academia model through the generation of industry-sponsored centers of excellence. The goal of this article is not to definitively describe strategies to enhance insecticide development, but rather present different thoughts on agrochemical development that will foster discussions among academic, government, and industry scientists to address current and future problems in the field of insecticide science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Swale
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States of America.
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25
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Luz C, Rocha LFN, Montalva C, Souza DA, Botelho ABRZ, Lopes RB, Faria M, Delalibera I. Metarhizium humberi sp. nov. (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae), a new member of the PARB clade in the Metarhizium anisopliae complex from Latin America. J Invertebr Pathol 2019; 166:107216. [PMID: 31299226 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2019.107216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
A new species, Metarhizium humberi, from the M. anisopliae complex and sister lineage of the M. anisopliae s.str. in the PARB clade, including M. pingshaense, M. anisopliae, M. robertsii and M. brunneum, is described based on phylogenetic analyses [translation elongation factor 1-alpha (5'TEF and 3'TEF), RNA polymerase II largest subunit (RPB1a), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2a) and β-tubulin (BTUB)]. Metarhizium humberi was first collected in 2001 in the Central Brazilian state of Goiás, later found to be a common fungus in soils in Brazil, and since then has also been isolated from coleopteran, hemipteran and lepidopteran insects in Brazil and Mexico. This new species, named in honor of Richard A. Humber, a well-known insect pathologist and taxonomist of entomopathogenic fungi, is characterized by a high insecticidal activity against different developmental stages of arthropod pests with importance in agriculture and vectors of diseases to human and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Luz
- Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO 74690-900, Brazil.
| | - Luiz F N Rocha
- Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO 74690-900, Brazil; Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Goiás, Aparecida de Goiânia, GO 74968-755, Brazil.
| | - Cristian Montalva
- Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO 74690-900, Brazil; Instituto de Conservación, Biodiversidad y Territorio, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Austral de Chile, Chile.
| | - Daniela A Souza
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil.
| | - Ana Beatriz R Z Botelho
- ESALQ, Department of Entomology and Acarology, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP 13418-900, Brazil.
| | - Rogerio B Lopes
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil.
| | - Marcos Faria
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF 70770-917, Brazil.
| | - Italo Delalibera
- ESALQ, Department of Entomology and Acarology, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP 13418-900, Brazil.
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26
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Shen SS, Qu XY, Zhang WZ, Li J, Lv ZY. Infection against infection: parasite antagonism against parasites, viruses and bacteria. Infect Dis Poverty 2019; 8:49. [PMID: 31200765 PMCID: PMC6570864 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-019-0560-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Infectious diseases encompass a large spectrum of diseases that threaten human health, and coinfection is of particular importance because pathogen species can interact within the host. Currently, the antagonistic relationship between different pathogens during concurrent coinfections is defined as one in which one pathogen either manages to inhibit the invasion, development and reproduction of the other pathogen or biologically modulates the vector density. In this review, we provide an overview of the phenomenon and mechanisms of antagonism of coinfecting pathogens involving parasites. Main body This review summarizes the antagonistic interaction between parasites and parasites, parasites and viruses, and parasites and bacteria. At present, relatively clear mechanisms explaining polyparasitism include apparent competition, exploitation competition, interference competition, biological control of intermediate hosts or vectors and suppressive effect on transmission. In particular, immunomodulation, including the suppression of dendritic cell (DC) responses, activation of basophils and mononuclear macrophages and adjuvant effects of the complement system, is described in detail. Conclusions In this review, we summarize antagonistic concurrent infections involving parasites and provide a functional framework for in-depth studies of the underlying mechanisms of coinfection with different microorganisms, which will hasten the development of promising antimicrobial alternatives, such as novel antibacterial vaccines or biological methods of controlling infectious diseases, thus relieving the overwhelming burden of ever-increasing antimicrobial resistance. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40249-019-0560-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Shi Shen
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Qu
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei-Zhe Zhang
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Li
- Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, ZhuHai, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhi-Yue Lv
- Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, ZhuHai, Guangdong, China. .,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. .,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China.
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27
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Azizoglu U. Bacillus thuringiensis as a Biofertilizer and Biostimulator: a Mini-Review of the Little-Known Plant Growth-Promoting Properties of Bt. Curr Microbiol 2019; 76:1379-1385. [PMID: 31101973 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-019-01705-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a gram-positive spore-forming soil microorganism. Because the insecticidal activities of Bt are well known, it has been used as a tool for insect pest control worldwide. The beneficial features of Bt are not limited to its role as an insecticide; it is also used to control phytopathogenic fungi via chitinolytic activity. Bt-related studies are mostly focused on its biocontrol properties. However, studies focusing on the biostimulation and biofertilizer features of Bt, including its interactions with plants, are limited. Bt is a successful endophyte in many plants and can directly promote their development or indirectly induce plant growth by suppressing diseases. Although there are various commercial biopesticide Bt-based products, there are no commercial Bt-based plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria products on the biofertilizer market. As novel Bt strain exploration increases, there will likely be new Bt-based products with powerful biofertilizer activities in the future. The objective of this paper is to review, discuss, and evaluate the exceptional features of Bt as a plant growth promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugur Azizoglu
- Department of Crop and Animal Production, Safiye Cikrikcioglu Vocational School, Kayseri University, Kayseri, Turkey.
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