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Parker MT, Kunjapur AM. Deployment of Engineered Microbes: Contributions to the Bioeconomy and Considerations for Biosecurity. Health Secur 2021; 18:278-296. [PMID: 32816583 DOI: 10.1089/hs.2020.0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineering at microscopic scales has an immense effect on the modern bioeconomy. Microbes contribute to such disparate markets as chemical manufacturing, fuel production, crop optimization, and pharmaceutical synthesis, to name a few. Due to new and emerging synthetic biology technologies, and the sophistication and control afforded by them, we are on the brink of deploying engineered microbes to not only enhance traditional applications but also to introduce these microbes to sectors, contexts, and formats not previously attempted. In microbially managed medicine, microbial engineering holds promise for increasing efficacy, improving tissue penetration, and sustaining treatment. In the environment, the most effective areas for deployment are in the management of crops and protection of ecosystems. However, caution is warranted before introducing engineered organisms to new environments where they may proliferate without control and could cause unforeseen effects. We summarize ideas and data that can inform identification and assessment of the risks that these tools present to ensure that realistic hazards are described and unrealistic ones do not hinder advancement. Further, because modes of containment are crucial complements to deployment, we describe the state of the art in microbial biocontainment strategies, current gaps, and how these gaps might be addressed through technological advances in synthetic engineering. Collectively, this work highlights engineered microbes as a foundational and expanding facet of the bioeconomy, projects their utility in upcoming deployments outside the laboratory, and identifies knowns and unknowns that will be necessary considerations and points of focus in this endeavor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Parker
- Michael T. Parker, PhD, is an Assistant Dean, Office of the Dean, Georgetown University, Washington, DC. Aditya M. Kunjapur, PhD, is an Assistant Professor, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
| | - Aditya M Kunjapur
- Michael T. Parker, PhD, is an Assistant Dean, Office of the Dean, Georgetown University, Washington, DC. Aditya M. Kunjapur, PhD, is an Assistant Professor, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
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Insecticidal Activity of Bacillus thuringiensis Proteins Against Coleopteran Pests. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12070430. [PMID: 32610662 PMCID: PMC7404982 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12070430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis is the most successful microbial insecticide agent and its proteins have been studied for many years due to its toxicity against insects mainly belonging to the orders Lepidoptera, Diptera and Coleoptera, which are pests of agro-forestry and medical-veterinary interest. However, studies on the interactions between this bacterium and the insect species classified in the order Coleoptera are more limited when compared to other insect orders. To date, 45 Cry proteins, 2 Cyt proteins, 11 Vip proteins, and 2 Sip proteins have been reported with activity against coleopteran species. A number of these proteins have been successfully used in some insecticidal formulations and in the construction of transgenic crops to provide protection against main beetle pests. In this review, we provide an update on the activity of Bt toxins against coleopteran insects, as well as specific information about the structure and mode of action of coleopteran Bt proteins.
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Recombinant entomopathogenic agents: a review of biotechnological approaches to pest insect control. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2017; 34:14. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-017-2397-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Construction of an environmental safe Bacillus thuringiensis engineered strain against Coleoptera. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 100:4027-34. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-7250-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Revised: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Mi X, Ji X, Yang J, Liang L, Si H, Wu J, Zhang N, Wang D. Transgenic potato plants expressing cry3A gene confer resistance to Colorado potato beetle. C R Biol 2015; 338:443-50. [PMID: 26025753 DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2015.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Revised: 04/19/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say, CPB) is a fatal pest, which is a quarantine pest in China. The CPB has now invaded the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and is constantly spreading eastward in China. In this study, we developed transgenic potato plants expressing cry3A gene. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that the cry3A gene expressed in leaves, stems and roots of the transgenic plants under the control of CaMV 35S promoter, while they expressed only in leaves and stems under the control of potato leaf and stem-specific promoter ST-LS1. The mortality of the larvae was higher (28% and 36%) on the transgenic plant line 35S1 on the 3rd and 4th days, and on ST3 (48%) on the 5th day after inoculation with instar larvae. Insect biomass accumulation on the foliage of the transgenic plant lines 35S1, 35S2 and ST3 was significantly lower (0.42%, 0.43% and 0.42%). Foliage consumption was lowest on transgenic lines 35S8 and ST2 among all plant foliage (7.47 mg/larvae/day and 12.46 mg/larvae/day). The different transgenic plant foliages had varied inhibition to larval growth. The survivors on the transgenic lines obviously were smaller than their original size and extremely weak. The transgenic potato plants with CPB resistance could be used to develop germplasms or varieties for controlling CPB damage and halting its spread in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Mi
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic and Germplasm Enhancement, Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Xiangzhuo Ji
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic and Germplasm Enhancement, Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Jiangwei Yang
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic and Germplasm Enhancement, Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Lina Liang
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic and Germplasm Enhancement, Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Huaijun Si
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic and Germplasm Enhancement, Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Jiahe Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic and Germplasm Enhancement, Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
| | - Di Wang
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic and Germplasm Enhancement, Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
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Evdokimov AG, Moshiri F, Sturman EJ, Rydel TJ, Zheng M, Seale JW, Franklin S. Structure of the full-length insecticidal protein Cry1Ac reveals intriguing details of toxin packaging into in vivo formed crystals. Protein Sci 2014; 23:1491-7. [PMID: 25139047 PMCID: PMC4241100 DOI: 10.1002/pro.2536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Revised: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
For almost half a century, the structure of the full-length Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal protein Cry1Ac has eluded researchers, since Bt-derived crystals were first characterized in 1965. Having finally solved this structure we report intriguing details of the lattice-based interactions between the toxic core of the protein and the protoxin domains. The structure provides concrete evidence for the function of the protoxin as an enhancer of native crystal packing and stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem G Evdokimov
- *Correspondence to: Artem G. Evdokimov; Monsanto, GG4D 700 Chesterfield Parkway West, Chesterfield, MO 63017. E-mail:
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Receptors and Lethal Effect of Bacillus thuringiensis Insecticidal Crystal Proteins to the Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae). ISRN MICROBIOLOGY 2013; 2013:940284. [PMID: 24195006 PMCID: PMC3806131 DOI: 10.1155/2013/940284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 08/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Bioassays with insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs) from Bacillus thuringiensis have demonstrated that Cry1Aa, Cry1Ac, and Cry1Ba are the most active toxins on larvae of the Anticarsia gemmatalis. The toxins Cry1Da and Cry1Ea are less toxic, and toxins Cry2Aa are not active. Binding of these ICPs to midgut sections of the A. gemmatalis larvae was studied using streptavidin-mediated detection. The observed staining patterns showed that Cry1Aa and Cry1Ac bound to the brush border throughout the whole length of the midgut. However, the binding sites of Cry1Ba were not evenly distributed in the midgut microvilli. The in vivo assays against larvae of 2nd instar A. gemmatalis confirmed the results from the in vitro binding studies. These binding data correspond well with the bioassay results, demonstrating a correlation between receptors binding and toxicity of the tested ICPs in this insect.
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Activity of Bacillus thuringiensis cyt1Ba crystal protein against hymenopteran forest pests. J Invertebr Pathol 2013; 113:160-2. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2013.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2013] [Revised: 03/11/2013] [Accepted: 03/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Liu J, Yan G, Shu C, Zhao C, Liu C, Song F, Zhou L, Ma J, Zhang J, Huang D. Construction of a Bacillus thuringiensis engineered strain with high toxicity and broad pesticidal spectrum against coleopteran insects. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2010; 87:243-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-010-2479-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2009] [Revised: 01/26/2010] [Accepted: 01/28/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Kyei-Poku G, Gauthier D, Pang A, van Frankenhuyzen K. Detection ofBacillus cereusvirulence factors in commercial products ofBacillus thuringiensisand expression of diarrheal enterotoxins in a target insect. Can J Microbiol 2007; 53:1283-90. [DOI: 10.1139/w07-106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We examined isolates from 4 commercial bioinsecticides based on different strains of Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies ( kurstaki , israelensis , aizawai , and tenebrionis ) for the presence of genes encoding proteins with known enterotoxigenicity (nhe, hbl, cytk, ces) and various other putative virulence genes (piplc, sph, bceT, entFM, entS, entT). The piplc and bceT sequences were present in all the isolates; sph was found in aizawai and israelensis; entFM only in israelensis; and entS in kurstaki, israelensis, and tenebrionis. Our results corroborate previous findings that isolates used in commercial products contain all nhe and hbl component genes but not the ces gene. We ascertained that the cytK gene present in the kurstaki-, israelensis-, and aizawai-based products belongs to the cytK-2 type and not the more toxigenic cytK-1 variant originally isolated from enterotoxic Bacillus cereus. We provide the first evidence that hemolytic (hblA) and nonhemolytic (nheA, nheB, nheC) enterotoxin genes are expressed during septicemia in a target insect. This opens the door for their possible participation in pathogenesis in target insects. If enterotoxins do not contribute to bacterial pathogenesis in target insects, their genes could be deleted from commercial production strains to pre-empt perceptions of public health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Kyei-Poku
- Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forestry Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, 1219 Queen Street East, Sault Sainte Marie, ON P6A 2E5, Canada
| | - Debbie Gauthier
- Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forestry Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, 1219 Queen Street East, Sault Sainte Marie, ON P6A 2E5, Canada
| | - A. Pang
- Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forestry Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, 1219 Queen Street East, Sault Sainte Marie, ON P6A 2E5, Canada
| | - K. van Frankenhuyzen
- Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forestry Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, 1219 Queen Street East, Sault Sainte Marie, ON P6A 2E5, Canada
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Molecular approaches for identification and construction of novel insecticidal genes for crop protection. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2005. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-005-9027-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Sanchis V, Gohar M, Chaufaux J, Arantes O, Meier A, Agaisse H, Cayley J, Lereclus D. Development and field performance of a broad-spectrum nonviable asporogenic recombinant strain of Bacillus thuringiensis with greater potency and UV resistance. Appl Environ Microbiol 1999; 65:4032-9. [PMID: 10473413 PMCID: PMC99738 DOI: 10.1128/aem.65.9.4032-4039.1999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The main problems with Bacillus thuringiensis products for pest control are their often narrow activity spectrum, high sensitivity to UV degradation, and low cost effectiveness (high potency required). We constructed a sporulation-deficient SigK(-) B. thuringiensis strain that expressed a chimeric cry1C/Ab gene, the product of which had high activity against various lepidopteran pests, including Spodoptera littoralis (Egyptian cotton leaf worm) and Spodoptera exigua (lesser [beet] armyworm), which are not readily controlled by other Cry delta-endotoxins. The SigK(-) host strain carried the cry1Ac gene, the product of which is highly active against the larvae of the major pests Ostrinia nubilalis (European corn borer) and Heliothis virescens (tobacco budworm). This new strain had greater potency and a broader activity spectrum than the parent strain. The crystals produced by the asporogenic strain remained encapsulated within the cells, which protected them from UV degradation. The cry1C/Ab gene was introduced into the B. thuringiensis host via a site-specific recombination vector so that unwanted DNA was eliminated. Therefore, the final construct contained no sequences of non-B. thuringiensis origin. As the recombinant strain is a mutant blocked at late sporulation, it does not produce viable spores and therefore cannot compete with wild-type B. thuringiensis strains in the environment. It is thus a very safe biopesticide. In field trials, this new recombinant strain protected cabbage and broccoli against a pest complex under natural infestation conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Sanchis
- Unité de Biochimie Microbienne, Institut Pasteur, Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France.
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Schnepf E, Crickmore N, Van Rie J, Lereclus D, Baum J, Feitelson J, Zeigler DR, Dean DH. Bacillus thuringiensis and its pesticidal crystal proteins. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 1998; 62:775-806. [PMID: 9729609 PMCID: PMC98934 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.62.3.775-806.1998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1685] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
During the past decade the pesticidal bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis has been the subject of intensive research. These efforts have yielded considerable data about the complex relationships between the structure, mechanism of action, and genetics of the organism's pesticidal crystal proteins, and a coherent picture of these relationships is beginning to emerge. Other studies have focused on the ecological role of the B. thuringiensis crystal proteins, their performance in agricultural and other natural settings, and the evolution of resistance mechanisms in target pests. Armed with this knowledge base and with the tools of modern biotechnology, researchers are now reporting promising results in engineering more-useful toxins and formulations, in creating transgenic plants that express pesticidal activity, and in constructing integrated management strategies to insure that these products are utilized with maximum efficiency and benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Schnepf
- Mycogen Corp., San Diego, California 92121, USA
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Sanchis V, Chaufaux J, Lereclus D. Amélioration biotechnologique de Bacillus thuringiensis: les enjeux et les risques. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1996. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-4204(97)86395-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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