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Jiang K, Gao X. Current advances on Vip3 highlight the promising potential of bacterial insecticidal proteins. Trends Microbiol 2024; 32:732-735. [PMID: 38902178 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2024.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Biological control, based on microbial insecticidal proteins, has become an important strategy for sustainable pest management. This forum discusses recent advancements and research strategies of the bacterial insecticidal protein vegetative insecticidal protein 3 (Vip3), aiming to provide valuable insights for future investigations on Vip3 and other insecticidal proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
| | - Xiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
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Liu Z, Liao C, Zou L, Jin M, Shan Y, Quan Y, Yao H, Zhang L, Wang P, Liu Z, Wang N, Li A, Liu K, Tabashnik BE, Heckel DG, Wu K, Xiao Y. Retrotransposon-mediated disruption of a chitin synthase gene confers insect resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3Aa toxin. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002704. [PMID: 38954724 PMCID: PMC11249258 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The vegetative insecticidal protein Vip3Aa from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been produced by transgenic crops to counter pest resistance to the widely used crystalline (Cry) insecticidal proteins from Bt. To proactively manage pest resistance, there is an urgent need to better understand the genetic basis of resistance to Vip3Aa, which has been largely unknown. We discovered that retrotransposon-mediated alternative splicing of a midgut-specific chitin synthase gene was associated with 5,560-fold resistance to Vip3Aa in a laboratory-selected strain of the fall armyworm, a globally important crop pest. The same mutation in this gene was also detected in a field population. Knockout of this gene via CRISPR/Cas9 caused high levels of resistance to Vip3Aa in fall armyworm and 2 other lepidopteran pests. The insights provided by these results could help to advance monitoring and management of pest resistance to Vip3Aa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenxing Liu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chongyu Liao
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Luming Zou
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Minghui Jin
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yinxue Shan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yudong Quan
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Yao
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhuangzhuang Liu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Na Wang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Anjing Li
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kaiyu Liu
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bruce E. Tabashnik
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - David G. Heckel
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Kongming Wu
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing, China
| | - Yutao Xiao
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
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3
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Wang C, Li M, Chen X, Fan S, Lan J. Binding Analysis of Sf-SR-C MAM Domain and Sf-FGFR Ectodomain to Vip3Aa. INSECTS 2024; 15:428. [PMID: 38921143 PMCID: PMC11203654 DOI: 10.3390/insects15060428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3Aa has been widely used in transgenic crops to resist the erosion of insects. The Scavenger Receptor-C (SR-C) and Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor (FGFR) of Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf-SR-C and Sf-FGFR) have formerly been identified as the cell receptors of Vip3Aa. However, the interaction mechanism of Vip3Aa binding to Sf-SR-C or Sf-FGFR is still unknown. Here, we purified the MAM domain of Sf-SR-C (Sf-MAM) and the Sf-FGFR ectodomain expressed extracellularly by Sf9 cells. We then solved the crystal structure of the Sf-MAM domain. Structure docking analysis of the Sf-MAM and Vip3Aa C-terminal domain (CTD) excluded the possibility of the two proteins binding. A further surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay also revealed that the Sf-MAM and Sf-FGFR ectodomain could not bind to the Vip3Aa protein. Our results have raised the urgency of determining the authentic cell receptor for Vip3Aa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenghai Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China;
| | - Min Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; (M.L.); (X.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Xiling Chen
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; (M.L.); (X.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Shilong Fan
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; (M.L.); (X.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Jun Lan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China;
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Ma T, Huang J, Xu P, Shu C, Wang Z, Geng L, Zhang J. In Vivo and In Vitro Interactions between Exopolysaccharides from Bacillus thuringensis HD270 and Vip3Aa11 Protein. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:215. [PMID: 38787067 PMCID: PMC11125869 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16050215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) secretes the nutritional insecticidal protein Vip3Aa11, which exhibits high toxicity against the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). The Bt HD270 extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) enhances the toxicity of Vip3Aa11 protoxin against S. frugiperda by enhancing the attachment of brush border membrane vesicles (BBMVs). However, how EPS-HD270 interacts with Vip3Aa11 protoxin in vivo and the effect of EPS-HD270 on the toxicity of activated Vip3Aa11 toxin are not yet clear. Our results indicated that there is an interaction between mannose, a monosaccharide that composes EPS-HD270, and Vip3Aa11 protoxin, with a dissociation constant of Kd = 16.75 ± 0.95 mmol/L. When EPS-HD270 and Vip3Aa11 protoxin were simultaneously fed to third-instar larvae, laser confocal microscopy observations revealed the co-localization of the two compounds near the midgut wall, which aggravated the damage to BBMVs. EPS-HD270 did not have a synergistic insecticidal effect on the activated Vip3Aa11 protein against S. frugiperda. The activated Vip3Aa11 toxin demonstrated a significantly reduced binding capacity (548.73 ± 82.87 nmol/L) towards EPS-HD270 in comparison to the protoxin (34.96 ± 9.00 nmol/L). Furthermore, this activation diminished the affinity of EPS-HD270 for BBMVs. This study provides important evidence for further elucidating the synergistic insecticidal mechanism between extracellular polysaccharides and Vip3Aa11 protein both in vivo and in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianjiao Ma
- College of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (T.M.); (J.H.)
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jinqiu Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (T.M.); (J.H.)
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Pengdan Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- College of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Changlong Shu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zeyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lili Geng
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (T.M.); (J.H.)
- 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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Pezzini D, Taylor KL, Reisig DD, Fritz ML. Cross-pollination in seed-blended refuge and selection for Vip3A resistance in a lepidopteran pest as detected by genomic monitoring. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2319838121. [PMID: 38513093 PMCID: PMC10990109 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319838121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The evolution of pest resistance to management tools reduces productivity and results in economic losses in agricultural systems. To slow its emergence and spread, monitoring and prevention practices are implemented in resistance management programs. Recent work suggests that genomic approaches can identify signs of emerging resistance to aid in resistance management. Here, we empirically examined the sensitivity of genomic monitoring for resistance management in transgenic Bt crops, a globally important agricultural innovation. Whole genome resequencing of wild North American Helicoverpa zea collected from non-expressing refuge and plants expressing Cry1Ab confirmed that resistance-associated signatures of selection were detectable after a single generation of exposure. Upon demonstrating its sensitivity, we applied genomic monitoring to wild H. zea that survived Vip3A exposure resulting from cross-pollination of refuge plants in seed-blended plots. Refuge seed interplanted with transgenic seed exposed H. zea to sublethal doses of Vip3A protein in corn ears and was associated with allele frequency divergence across the genome. Some of the greatest allele frequency divergence occurred in genomic regions adjacent to a previously described candidate gene for Vip3A resistance. Our work highlights the power of genomic monitoring to sensitively detect heritable changes associated with field exposure to Bt toxins and suggests that seed-blended refuge will likely hasten the evolution of resistance to Vip3A in lepidopteran pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Pezzini
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC27513
| | - Katherine L. Taylor
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC27513
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD20742
| | - Dominic D. Reisig
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC27513
| | - Megan L. Fritz
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC27513
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD20742
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Hou X, Li M, Mao C, Jiang L, Zhang W, Li M, Geng X, Li X, Liu S, Yang G, Zhou J, Fang Y, Cai J. Domain III β4- β5 Loop and β14- β15 Loop of Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3Aa Are Involved in Receptor Binding and Toxicity. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:23. [PMID: 38251240 PMCID: PMC10820090 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Vip3Aa, secreted by Bacillus thuringiensis, is effective at controlling major agricultural pests such as Spodoptera frugiperda. However, to control Vip3Aa resistance evolved in the field by different lepidoptera species, an in-depth study of sequence--structure--activity relationships is necessary to design new Vip3Aa variants. In this study, the four specific loops (β4-β5 loop, β9-β10 loop, β12-β13 loop, and β14-β15 loop) in domain III were selected and four loop mutants were constructed by replacing all residues in each specific loop with alanine. We obtained soluble proteins for three of the loop mutants, excluding the β9-β10 loop. These loop mutants have been characterized by toxicity bioassays against S. frugiperda, proteolytic processing, and receptor binding. These results indicate that the β4-β5 loop and β14-β15 loop are involved in receptor binding and Vip3Aa toxicity. Based on this, we constructed numerous mutants and obtained three single mutants (Vip3Aa-S366T, Vip3Aa-S366L, and Vip3Aa-R501A) that exhibited significantly increased toxicity of 2.61-fold, 3.39-fold, and 2.51-fold, respectively. Compared to Vip3Aa, the receptor affinity of Vip3Aa-S366T and Vip3Aa-S366L was significantly enhanced. Furthermore, we also analyzed and aligned the three-dimensional structures of the mutants and Vip3Aa. In summary, these results indicate that the loops in domain III have the potential to be targeted to enhance the insecticidal toxicity of the Vip3Aa protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyue Hou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (X.H.); (S.L.); (G.Y.)
- Co–Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio–Industry Technology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
- Jiangsu Marine Resources Development Research Institute, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
- College of Marine Food and Bioengineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (M.L.); (C.M.); (L.J.); (W.Z.); (M.L.); (X.G.); (X.L.)
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Mengjiao Li
- College of Marine Food and Bioengineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (M.L.); (C.M.); (L.J.); (W.Z.); (M.L.); (X.G.); (X.L.)
| | - Chengjuan Mao
- College of Marine Food and Bioengineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (M.L.); (C.M.); (L.J.); (W.Z.); (M.L.); (X.G.); (X.L.)
| | - Lei Jiang
- College of Marine Food and Bioengineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (M.L.); (C.M.); (L.J.); (W.Z.); (M.L.); (X.G.); (X.L.)
| | - Wen Zhang
- College of Marine Food and Bioengineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (M.L.); (C.M.); (L.J.); (W.Z.); (M.L.); (X.G.); (X.L.)
| | - Mengying Li
- College of Marine Food and Bioengineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (M.L.); (C.M.); (L.J.); (W.Z.); (M.L.); (X.G.); (X.L.)
| | - Xiaomeng Geng
- College of Marine Food and Bioengineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (M.L.); (C.M.); (L.J.); (W.Z.); (M.L.); (X.G.); (X.L.)
| | - Xin Li
- College of Marine Food and Bioengineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (M.L.); (C.M.); (L.J.); (W.Z.); (M.L.); (X.G.); (X.L.)
| | - Shu Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (X.H.); (S.L.); (G.Y.)
- Co–Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio–Industry Technology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
- Jiangsu Marine Resources Development Research Institute, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
- College of Marine Food and Bioengineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (M.L.); (C.M.); (L.J.); (W.Z.); (M.L.); (X.G.); (X.L.)
| | - Guang Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (X.H.); (S.L.); (G.Y.)
- Co–Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio–Industry Technology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
- Jiangsu Marine Resources Development Research Institute, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
- College of Marine Food and Bioengineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (M.L.); (C.M.); (L.J.); (W.Z.); (M.L.); (X.G.); (X.L.)
| | - Jing Zhou
- Lianyungang City Quality Technology Comprehensive Inspection and Quality Inspection Center, Lianyungang 222346, China;
| | - Yaowei Fang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (X.H.); (S.L.); (G.Y.)
- Co–Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio–Industry Technology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
- Jiangsu Marine Resources Development Research Institute, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
- College of Marine Food and Bioengineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; (M.L.); (C.M.); (L.J.); (W.Z.); (M.L.); (X.G.); (X.L.)
| | - Jun Cai
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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Kerns DD, Yang F, Kerns DL, Stewart SD, Jurat-Fuentes JL. Reduced toxin binding associated with resistance to Vip3Aa in the corn earworm ( Helicoverpa zea). Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0164423. [PMID: 38014960 PMCID: PMC10734485 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01644-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Helicoverpa zea is a major crop pest in the United States that is managed with transgenic corn and cotton that produce insecticidal proteins from the bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). However, H. zea has evolved widespread resistance to the Cry proteins produced in Bt corn and cotton, leaving Vip3Aa as the only plant-incorporated protectant in Bt crops that consistently provides excellent control of H. zea. The benefits provided by Bt crops will be substantially reduced if widespread Vip3Aa resistance develops in H. zea field populations. Therefore, it is important to identify resistance alleles and mechanisms that contribute to Vip3Aa resistance to ensure that informed resistance management strategies are implemented. This study is the first report of reduced binding of Vip3Aa to midgut receptors associated with resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawson D. Kerns
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Fei Yang
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - David L. Kerns
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Scott D. Stewart
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Juan Luis Jurat-Fuentes
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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Chen Z, Shi Y, Wang D, Liu X, Jiao X, Gao X, Jiang K. Structural insight into Bacillus thuringiensis Sip1Ab reveals its similarity to ETX_MTX2 family beta-pore-forming toxin. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:4264-4273. [PMID: 37341620 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microbially derived, protein-based biopesticides are an important approach for sustainable pest management. The secreted insecticidal proteins (Sips) produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis exhibit potent insecticidal activity against coleopteran pests and are, therefore, attractive as candidate biopesticides. However, the modes-of-action of Sips are unclear as comprehensive structural information for these proteins is lacking. RESULTS Using X-ray crystallography, we elucidated the structure of monomeric Sip1Ab at 2.28 Å resolution. Structural analyses revealed that Sip1Ab has the three domains and conserved fold characteristic of other aerolysin-like beta-pore-forming toxins (β-PFTs). Based on the sequence and structural similarities between Sip1Ab and other ETX_MTX2 subfamily toxins, we suggested the mechanism of these proteins and proposed that it is common to them all. CONCLUSION The atomic-level structural data for Sip1Ab generated by the present study could facilitate future structural and mechanistic research on Sips as well as their application in sustainable insect pest management. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yiting Shi
- Taishan College, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dongdong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuyao Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Kun Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
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9
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Jin M, Shan Y, Peng Y, Wang W, Zhang H, Liu K, Heckel DG, Wu K, Tabashnik BE, Xiao Y. Downregulation of a transcription factor associated with resistance to Bt toxin Vip3Aa in the invasive fall armyworm. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2306932120. [PMID: 37874855 PMCID: PMC10622909 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306932120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Transgenic crops producing insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have revolutionized control of some major pests. However, more than 25 cases of field-evolved practical resistance have reduced the efficacy of transgenic crops producing crystalline (Cry) Bt proteins, spurring adoption of alternatives including crops producing the Bt vegetative insecticidal protein Vip3Aa. Although practical resistance to Vip3Aa has not been reported yet, better understanding of the genetic basis of resistance to Vip3Aa is urgently needed to proactively monitor, delay, and counter pest resistance. This is especially important for fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), which has evolved practical resistance to Cry proteins and is one of the world's most damaging pests. Here, we report the identification of an association between downregulation of the transcription factor gene SfMyb and resistance to Vip3Aa in S. frugiperda. Results from a genome-wide association study, fine-scale mapping, and RNA-Seq identified this gene as a compelling candidate for contributing to the 206-fold resistance to Vip3Aa in a laboratory-selected strain. Experimental reduction of SfMyb expression in a susceptible strain using RNA interference (RNAi) or CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing decreased susceptibility to Vip3Aa, confirming that reduced expression of this gene can cause resistance to Vip3Aa. Relative to the wild-type promoter for SfMyb, the promoter in the resistant strain has deletions and lower activity. Data from yeast one-hybrid assays, genomics, RNA-Seq, RNAi, and proteomics identified genes that are strong candidates for mediating the effects of SfMyb on Vip3Aa resistance. The results reported here may facilitate progress in understanding and managing pest resistance to Vip3Aa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Jin
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen518116, China
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing100193, China
| | - Yinxue Shan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen518116, China
| | - Yan Peng
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen518116, China
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan430070, China
| | - Wenhui Wang
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing100193, China
| | - Huihui Zhang
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan430079, China
| | - Kaiyu Liu
- Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan430079, China
| | - David G. Heckel
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, JenaD-07745, Germany
| | - Kongming Wu
- The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing100193, China
| | | | - Yutao Xiao
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Gene Editing Technologies (Hainan), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen518116, China
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10
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Wen Z, Conville J, Matthews P, Hootman T, Himes J, Wong S, Huang F, Ni X, Chen JS, Bramlett M. More than 10 years after commercialization, Vip3A-expressing MIR162 remains highly efficacious in controlling major Lepidopteran maize pests: laboratory resistance selection versus field reality. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 192:105385. [PMID: 37105627 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
MIR162, a maize event that expresses Vip3Aa20 (Vip3A) approved for commercial cultivation around 2010, has been excellent for control of major Lepidopteran pests. However, development of fall armyworm (FAW) resistance to Vip3A is a serious concern. Resistant colonies selected in the laboratory can serve as valuable tools not only for better understanding of Vip3A's mode of action (MOA) and mechanism of resistance (MOR) but also for screening novel leads of new MOA that will help control FAW in case resistance to Vip3A in the field becomes a reality. We selected a Vip3A-resistant FAW strain, FAWVip3AR, by subjecting a FAW founder population containing field genetics to Vip3A exposure. FAWVip3AR had >9800-fold resistance to Vip3A by diet surface overlay bioassays and resistance was stable. Feeding bioassays using detached leaf tissues or whole plants indicated that FAWVip3AR larvae readily fed and completed the full life cycle on Vip3A-expressing MIR162 maize plants and leaf tissues that killed 100% of susceptible larvae. Yet, FAWVip3AR faced at least two challenges. First, FAWVip3AR suffered an apparent disadvantage (incomplete resistance) when feeding on MIR162 in comparison to FAWVip3AR feeding on Vip3A-free isoline AX5707 maize; and second, FAWVip3AR showed a fitness costs in comparison to a Vip3A-susceptible strain when both fed on AX5707. We also demonstrated that, >10 years after commercialization, MIR162 and Vip3A remain highly efficacious against field populations of three major Lepidopteran pests from different geographic locations and FAW strains resistant to other Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins that are currently on the market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimou Wen
- Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, 9 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Jared Conville
- Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, 9 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Phillip Matthews
- Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, 9 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Travis Hootman
- Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, 9 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Jo Himes
- Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, 9 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Sarah Wong
- Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, 9 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Fangneng Huang
- Department of Entomology, Louisianan State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Xinzhi Ni
- Crop Genetics and Breeding Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Tifton, GA 31793, USA
| | - Jeng Shong Chen
- Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, 9 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Matthew Bramlett
- Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, 9 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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11
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Pacheco S, Gómez I, Peláez-Aguilar AE, Verduzco-Rosas LA, García-Suárez R, do Nascimento NA, Rivera-Nájera LY, Cantón PE, Soberón M, Bravo A. Structural changes upon membrane insertion of the insecticidal pore-forming toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 3:1188891. [PMID: 38469496 PMCID: PMC10926538 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1188891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Different Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains produce a broad variety of pore-forming toxins (PFTs) that show toxicity against insects and other invertebrates. Some of these insecticidal PFT proteins have been used successfully worldwide to control diverse insect crop pests. There are several studies focused on describing the mechanism of action of these toxins that have helped to improve their performance and to cope with the resistance evolved by different insects against some of these proteins. However, crucial information that is still missing is the structure of pores formed by some of these PFTs, such as the three-domain crystal (Cry) proteins, which are the most commercially used Bt toxins in the biological control of insect pests. In recent years, progress has been made on the identification of the structural changes that certain Bt insecticidal PFT proteins undergo upon membrane insertion. In this review, we describe the models that have been proposed for the membrane insertion of Cry toxins. We also review the recently published structures of the vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vips; e.g. Vip3) and the insecticidal toxin complex (Tc) in the membrane-inserted state. Although different Bt PFTs show different primary sequences, there are some similarities in the three-dimensional structures of Vips and Cry proteins. In addition, all PFTs described here must undergo major structural rearrangements to pass from a soluble form to a membrane-inserted state. It is proposed that, despite their structural differences, all PFTs undergo major structural rearrangements producing an extended α-helix, which plays a fundamental role in perforating their target membrane, resulting in the formation of the membrane pore required for their insecticidal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Alejandra Bravo
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
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12
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An B, Zhang Y, Yan B, Cai J. RNA interference of PHB1 enhances virulence of Vip3Aa to Sf9 cells and Spodoptera frugiperda larvae. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023. [PMID: 36964944 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In our previous work, we demonstrated that prohibitin 2 (PHB2) on the membrane of Sf9 cells was a receptor for Vip3Aa, and PHB2 in mitochondria contributed to the mitochondrial stability to reduce Vip3Aa toxicity. Prohibitin 1 (PHB1), another prohibitin family member, forms heterodimers with PHB2 to maintain the structure and stability of mitochondria. To explore whether PHB1 impacts the action process of Vip3Aa, we examined the correlation between PHB1 and Vip3Aa virulence. RESULTS We revealed that PHB1 did not colocalize with Vip3Aa in Sf9 cells. The pulldown and CoIP experiments confirmed that PHB1 interacted with neither Vip3Aa nor scavenger receptor-C (another Vip3Aa receptor). Downregulating phb1 expression in Sf9 cells did not affect the internalization of Vip3Aa but increased Vip3Aa toxicity. Further exploration revealed that the decrease of phb1 expression affected mitochondrial function, leading to increased ROS levels and mitochondrial membrane permeability and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. The increase of mitochondrial cytochrome c release, caspase-3 activity and genomic DNA fragmentation implied that the apoptotic process was also affected. Finally, we applied RNAi to inhibit phb1 expression in Spodoptera frugiperda larvae. As a result, it significantly increased Vip3Aa virulence. CONCLUSION We found that PHB1 was not a receptor for Vip3Aa but played an essential role in mitochondria. The downregulation of phb1 expression in Sf9 cells caused instability of mitochondria, and the cells were more prone to apoptosis when challenged with Vip3Aa. The combined use of Vip3Aa and phb1 RNAi showed a synergistic effect against S. frugiperda larvae. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoju An
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yizhuo Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Bing Yan
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jun Cai
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
- Colllege of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Microbial Functional Genomics, Tianjin, China
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13
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Jiang K, Chen Z, Zang Y, Shi Y, Shang C, Jiao X, Cai J, Gao X. Functional characterization of Vip3Aa from Bacillus thuringiensis reveals the contributions of specific domains to its insecticidal activity. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:103000. [PMID: 36764522 PMCID: PMC10017365 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.103000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbially derived, protein-based biopesticides offer a more sustainable pest management alternative to synthetic pesticides. Vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vip3), multidomain proteins secreted by Bacillus thuringiensis, represent a second-generation insecticidal toxin that has been preliminarily used in transgenic crops. However, the molecular mechanism underlying Vip3's toxicity is poorly understood. Here, we determine the distinct functions and contributions of the domains of the Vip3Aa protein to its toxicity against Spodoptera frugiperda larvae. We demonstrate that Vip3Aa domains II and III (DII-DIII) bind the midgut epithelium, while DI is essential for Vip3Aa's stability and toxicity inside the protease-enriched host insect midgut. DI-DIII can be activated by midgut proteases and exhibits cytotoxicity similar to full-length Vip3Aa. In addition, we determine that DV can bind the peritrophic matrix via its glycan-binding activity, which contributes to Vip3Aa insecticidal activity. In summary, this study provides multiple insights into Vip3Aa's mode-of-action which should significantly facilitate the clarification of its insecticidal mechanism and its further rational development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuanrong Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yiting Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, China; Taishan College, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chengbin Shang
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xuyao Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jun Cai
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.
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14
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Pinto CPG, Walker AA, King GF, Rossi GD. Immunosuppressive, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities of inhibitor cystine knot peptides produced by teratocytes of the endoparasitoid wasp Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). INSECT SCIENCE 2022. [PMID: 36434808 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Teratocytes are specialized cells released by parasitoid wasps into their hosts. They are known for producing regulatory molecules that aid the development of immature parasitoids. We have recently reported the primary structures of cystine-rich peptides, including some containing inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) motifs, produced by teratocytes of the parasitoid Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). ICKs are known for their stability and diverse biological functions. In this study, we produced four putative ICK peptides from the teratocytes of C. flavipes using solid-phase peptide synthesis or recombinant expression in E. coli, and investigated their functions on host immune modulation as well their potential to impair the development of two lepidopterans after ingestion of the peptides. In addition, the peptides were assayed against pathogens and human cells. The peptides did not influence total hemocyte count but suppressed cellular immunity, detectable as a reduction of hemocyte encapsulation (CftICK-I, CftICK-II, CftICK-III) and spread indexes (CftICK-IV) in the host. None of the peptides influenced the activities of prophenoloxidase and phenoloxidase in the hemolymph of larval Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). CftICK-I and CftICK-II with previously unknown function showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans but were non-toxic to human cells. CftICK-I, CftICK-II, and CftICK-III increased larval mortality and reduced leaf consumption of D. saccharalis, a permissive host for C. flavipes. The CftICK-III also increased larval mortality and reduced leaf consumption of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a non-permissive host for C. flavipes. This study highlights biological functions and biotechnological potential of ICK peptides from the teratocytes of C. flavipes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciro P G Pinto
- School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Guilherme D Rossi
- School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
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15
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Shwe SM, Prabu S, Jing D, He K, Wang Z. Synergistic interaction of Cry1Ah and Vip3Aa19 proteins combination with midgut ATP-binding cassette subfamily C receptors of Conogethes punctiferalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 213:871-879. [PMID: 35690160 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.06.019] [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: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis Cry and Vip proteins are highly effective at controlling agricultural pests and could be used in pyramided transgenic crops. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the Cry1Ah and Vip3Aa19 synergistic interaction has never been investigated at the molecular level in Yellow peach moth (YPM) Conogethes punctiferalis. Binding affinity and synergism of Cry1Ah and Vip3Aa19 proteins with ABC transporter subfamily C receptors ABCC1, ABCC2 and ABCC3 proteins from the midgut of YPM larva by using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and pull-down assays. Both assays revealed that Cry1Ah could interact with ABCC1, ABCC2, and ABCC3, whereas Vip3Aa19 only interacts with ABCC1 and ABCC3, but not with ABCC2. Hence, when compared to the Vip3Aa19 protein, Cry1Ah had a higher binding affinity for ABCC1, ABCC2, and ABCC3. Furthermore, competitive binding assay between Cry1Ah and Vip3Aa19 protein with ABC transporter subfamily C receptors resulted in the final eluted protein samples displaying vibrant blue bands of Cry1Ah and very faint bands of Vip3Aa19. Suggesting that Cry and Vip proteins could deliver a synergistic effect after cleaving the midgut proteases. Therefore, this finding indicated that the Cry1Ah and Vip3Aa19 do not compete for interacting with midgut receptors and thus provide strong synergism against YPM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Mon Shwe
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Sivaprasath Prabu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Dapeng Jing
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Kanglai He
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhenying Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China.
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16
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Cai X, Li X, Qin J, Zhang Y, Yan B, Cai J. Gene rppA co-regulated by LRR, SigA, and CcpA mediates antibiotic resistance in Bacillus thuringiensis. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:5687-5699. [PMID: 35906441 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12090-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance genes are usually tightly controlled by transcription factors and RNA regulatory elements including sRNAs, riboswitches, and attenuators, and their expression is activated to respond to antibiotic exposure. In previous work, we revealed that the rppA gene is regulated by attenuator LRR and two mistranslation products in Bacillus thuringiensis BMB171. However, its function and promoter regulation is still not precise. In this study, we demonstrated that the encoding product of the rppA gene acts as an ARE1 ABC-F protein and confers resistance to antibiotics virginiamycin M1 and lincomycin when overexpressed. Besides the reported attenuator LRR, the expression of the rppA gene is controlled by the sigma factor SigA and a global transcription factor CcpA. Consequently, its promoter activity is mainly maintained at the stationary phase of cell growth and inhibited in the presence of glucose. Our study revealed the function and regulation of the rppA gene in detail. KEY POINTS: • The RppA protein acts as an ARE1 ABC-F protein • The rppA gene confers resistance to antibiotics virginiamycin M1 and lincomycin when overexpressed • The expression of the rppA gene is regulated by the sigma factor SigA and the pleiotropic regulator CcpA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Cai
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Xuelian Li
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Jiaxin Qin
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Yizhuo Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Bing Yan
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Jun Cai
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300071, China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Microbial Functional Genomics, Tianjin, 300071, China.
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17
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Zhang Y, Li X, Tian H, An B, Yan B, Cai J. Vegetative Insecticidal Protein Vip3Aa Is Transported via Membrane Vesicles in Bacillus thuringiensis BMB171. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14070480. [PMID: 35878218 PMCID: PMC9319297 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14070480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vegetative insecticidal protein Vip3Aa, secreted by many Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains during the vegetative growth stage, represents the second-generation insecticidal toxin. In recent years, significant progress has been made on its structure and action mechanism. However, how it is translocated across the cytoplasmic membrane into the environment remains a mystery. This work demonstrates that Vip3Aa is not secreted by the General Secretion (Sec) System. To reveal the secretory pathway of Vip3A, we purified the membrane vesicles (MVs) of B. thuringiensis BMB171 and observed by TEM. The size of MVs was determined by the dynamic light scattering method, and their diameter was approximately 40–200 nm, which is consistent with the vesicles in Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, Vip3A could be detected in the purified MVs by Western blot, and immunoelectron microscopy reveals Vip3A antibody-coated gold particles located in the MVs. After deleting its signal peptide, chitinase B (ChiB) failed to be secreted. However, the recombinant ChiB, whose signal peptide was substituted with the N-terminal 39 amino acids from Vip3A, was secreted successfully through MVs. Thus, this sequence is proposed as the signal region responsible for vesicle transport. Together, our results revealed for the first time that Vip3Aa is transported to the medium via MVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhuo Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (H.T.); (B.A.); (B.Y.)
| | - Xuelian Li
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (H.T.); (B.A.); (B.Y.)
| | - Hongwei Tian
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (H.T.); (B.A.); (B.Y.)
| | - Baoju An
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (H.T.); (B.A.); (B.Y.)
| | - Bing Yan
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (H.T.); (B.A.); (B.Y.)
| | - Jun Cai
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (H.T.); (B.A.); (B.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin 300071, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Microbial Functional Genomics, Tianjin 300071, China
- Correspondence:
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18
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Singh P, G. K. S, Thakur S, Rathore M, Verma OP, Singh NP, Das A. Evaluation of transgenic chickpea harboring codon-modified Vip3Aa against gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera H.). PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270011. [PMID: 35749522 PMCID: PMC9231776 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The gram pod borer is a major pest of chickpea, accounting for average annual yield losses to the tune of 40-50%. VIP3Aa, a class of insecticidal protein with different receptor binding site in the insect's midgut compared to Bt-crystal protein, offers an alternative protection strategy against Lepidopteran insects. Here, we report evaluation of genetically engineered chickpea lines harboring codon modified Vip3Aa (cmVip3Aa) against the Lepidopteran insect pest, gram pod borer. The synthetic codon modified, cmVip3Aa gene of 2,370 bp was sub-cloned in modified plant expression vector and used for direct transformation of embryonic axis explants of chickpea (cv. DCP 92-3), with transformation efficiency of 4.30%. Presence and transmission of transgene across two generations were confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analyses in the five selected transgenic chickpea lines. Real Time PCR analyses indicated variable levels of cmVip3Aa expression in the transgenic chickpea lines (average Cq values 15.01±0.86 to 19.32±0.10), which were absent in the non-transgenic counterpart. Detached leaf insect bioassay indicate larval mortality (up to 39.75%), reduced larval feeding (up to 82.91%) and reduced larval weight gain (up to 68.23%), compared to control lines. Evaluation of gene offers a platform to identify efficacious insecticidal gene that can be used for insect resistance management in chickpea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prateek Singh
- Division of Plant Biotechnology, ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Engineering, Jacob Institute of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, SHUATS, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sujayanand G. K.
- Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shallu Thakur
- Division of Plant Biotechnology, ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Meenal Rathore
- Division of Plant Biotechnology, ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Om Prakash Verma
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Engineering, Jacob Institute of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, SHUATS, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Narendra Pratap Singh
- Division of Plant Biotechnology, ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Alok Das
- Division of Plant Biotechnology, ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Sf-FGFR and Sf-SR-C Are Not the Receptors for Vip3Aa to Exert Insecticidal Toxicity in Spodoptera frugiperda. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13060547. [PMID: 35735884 PMCID: PMC9224979 DOI: 10.3390/insects13060547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and biochemical analysis show that knocking out the Sf-FGFR or Sf-SR-C gene will not change the sensitivity of Spodoptera frugiperda to Vip3Aa. Abstract Vip3Aa is a novel insecticidal protein secreted by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) during its vegetative growth stages. It has high insecticidal activity against lepidopteran pests such as Spodoptera frugiperda, and has no cross-resistance with Cry insecticidal proteins. As a new type of insecticide, it plays an important role in controlling agricultural pests. However, the insecticidal mechanism of the Vip3Aa toxin, especially its definite receptors, have not been fully revealed. In this study, the previously reported Vip3Aa receptor genes Sf-FGFR and Sf-SR-C were knocked out separately using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Bioassay results showed that the sensitivity of these two knockout strains to Vip3Aa were not significantly changed compared to that of the normal strain. The current results are not consistent with the previously reports that Sf-SR-C and Sf-FGFR were the receptors of Vip3Aa in vitro. This suggests that the Sf-SR-C and Sf-FGFR genes we tested may not be critical in the mode of action of Vip3Aa in vivo in Spodoptera frugiperda.
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An B, Zhang Y, Li X, Hou X, Yan B, Cai J. PHB2 affects the virulence of Vip3Aa to Sf9 cells through internalization and mitochondrial stability. Virulence 2022; 13:684-697. [PMID: 35400294 PMCID: PMC9037526 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2064596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vip3A) secreted by some Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains during vegetative growth are regarded as a new generation of insecticidal toxins. Like insecticidal crystal proteins, they are also used in transgenic crops to control pests. However, their insecticidal mechanisms are far less defined than those of insecticidal crystal protein. Prohibitin 2 (PHB2) is a potential Vip3Aa binding receptor identified from the membrane of Sf9 cells in our previous work. In this paper, we demonstrated the interaction between Vip3Aa and PHB2 using pull-down, dot blotting, microscale thermophoresis, and co-immunoprecipitation assays. PHB2 is distributed on the cell membrane and in the cytoplasm, and the co-localization of PHB2 and Vip3Aa was observed in Sf9 cells using a confocal laser scanning microscope. Moreover, PHB2 could interact with scavenger receptor-C via its SPFH (stomatin, prohibitin, flotillin, and HflK/C) domain. Downregulation of phb2 expression reduced the degree of internalization of Vip3Aa, exacerbated Vip3Aa-mediated mitochondrial damage, and increased Vip3Aa toxicity to Sf9 cells. This suggested that PHB2 performs two different functions: Acting as an interacting partner to facilitate the internalization of Vip3Aa into Sf9 cells and maintaining the stability of mitochondria. The latter has a more important influence on the virulence of Vip3Aa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoju An
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yizhuo Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuelian Li
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoyue Hou
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Jiangsu Institute of Marine Bioresources development, Lianyungang, China
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Bing Yan
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jun Cai
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Microbial Functional Genomics, Tianjin, China
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21
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Lázaro-Berenguer M, Quan Y, Hernández-Martínez P, Ferré J. In vivo competition assays between Vip3 proteins confirm the occurrence of shared binding sites in Spodoptera littoralis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4578. [PMID: 35301405 PMCID: PMC8931066 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08633-y] [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: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to their different specificity, the use of Vip3 proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis in combination with the conventionally used Cry proteins in crop protection is being essential to counteract the appearance of insect resistance. Therefore, understanding the mode of action of Vip3 proteins is crucial for their better application, with special interest on the binding to membrane receptors as the main step for specificity. Derived from in vitro heterologous competition binding assays using 125I-Vip3A and other Vip3 proteins as competitors, it has been shown that Vip3 proteins share receptors in Spodoptera frugiperda and Spodoptera exigua brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV). In this study, using 125I-Vip3Aa, we have first extended the in vitro competition binding site model of Vip3 proteins to Spodoptera littoralis. With the aim to understand the relevance (in terms of toxicity) of the binding to the midgut sites observed in vitro on the insecticidal activity of these proteins, we have performed in vivo competition assays with S. littoralis larvae, using disabled mutant (non-toxic) Vip3 proteins as competitors for blocking the toxicity of Vip3Aa and Vip3Af. The results of the in vivo competition assays confirm the occurrence of shared binding sites among Vip3 proteins and help understand the functional role of the shared binding sites as revealed in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Lázaro-Berenguer
- Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Yudong Quan
- Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Patricia Hernández-Martínez
- Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Juan Ferré
- Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, 46100, Burjassot, Spain.
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22
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An Integrative Analysis of Transcriptomics and Proteomics Reveals Novel Insights into the Response in the Midgut of Spodoptera frugiperda Larvae to Vip3Aa. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14010055. [PMID: 35051032 PMCID: PMC8781260 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14010055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The insecticidal Vip3 proteins, secreted by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) during its vegetative growth phase, are currently used in Bt crops to control insect pests, and are genetically distinct from known insecticidal Cry proteins. Compared with Cry toxins, the mechanisms of Vip3 toxins are still poorly understood. Here, the responses of Spodoptera frugiperda larvae after Vip3Aa challenge are characterized. Using an integrative analysis of transcriptomics and proteomics, we found that Vip3Aa has enormous implications for various pathways. The downregulated genes and proteins were mainly enriched in metabolic pathways, including the insect hormone synthesis pathway, whereas the upregulated genes and proteins were mainly involved in the caspase-mediated apoptosis pathway, along with the MAPK signaling and endocytosis pathways. Moreover, we also identified some important candidate genes involved in apoptosis and MAPKs. The present study shows that exposure of S. frugiperda larvae to Vip3Aa activates apoptosis pathways, leading to cell death. The results will promote our understanding of the host response process to the Vip3Aa, and help us to better understand the mode of action of Vip3A toxins.
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23
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Zhang K, Shen L, Wang X, Yang H, Zhang X, Pan G, Li C, Ji H, Abbas MN, Li C, Cui H. Scavenger receptor C regulates antimicrobial peptide expression by activating toll signaling in silkworm, Bombyx mori. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 191:396-404. [PMID: 34547317 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.09.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Scavenger receptor is pattern-recognition receptor (PRR) that plays a crucial function in host defense against pathogens. Scavenger receptor C (SR-C) is present only in invertebrates and its function has not been studied in detail. In this study, an SR-C homologous gene from the silkworm, Bombyx mori, was identified and characterized. SR-C was largely expressed in hemocytes and Malpighian tubules, with continuous expression in hemocytes. The peak expression was observed in hemocytes during molting and wandering stages both at mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, immunofluorescence demonstrated it to be mainly distributed in the cell membranes of hemocytes, including oenocytoids and granulocytes. The recombinant SR-C protein (rSR-C) could bind to different types of bacteria and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), with strong binding to gram-positive bacteria and Lys-type peptidoglycans. The overexpression of SR-C induced the expression of genes related to the Toll pathway and antibacterial peptides. While the knockdown of SR-C reduced the expression of AMPs and inhibited the Toll pathway, it impaired the bacterial clearance ability of silkworm larvae, thus decreasing silkworm larvae's survival rate. Altogether, SR-C is a PRR that protect silkworms against bacterial pathogens by enhancing the expression of AMPs expression via the Toll pathway in hemocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, China
| | - Li Shen
- Department of Pathology, Chongqing General Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Xue Wang
- Department of Pathology, Chongqing General Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - He Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, China
| | - Xiaolin Zhang
- Cancer Center, Reproductive Medicine Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Guangzhao Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, China
| | - Chongyang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, China
| | - Haoyan Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, China
| | - Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, China
| | - Cong Li
- School of River and Ocean, Chongqing Jiaotong University, 400074, China.
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, China; Cancer Center, Reproductive Medicine Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China.
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24
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Cai X, Wang Q, Fang Y, Yao D, Zhan Y, An B, Yan B, Cai J. Attenuator LRR - a regulatory tool for modulating gene expression in Gram-positive bacteria. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 14:2538-2551. [PMID: 33720523 PMCID: PMC8601186 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
With the rapid development of synthetic biology in recent years, particular attention has been paid to RNA devices, especially riboswitches, because of their significant and diverse regulatory roles in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Due to the limited performance and context-dependence of riboswitches, only a few of them (such as theophylline, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin riboswitches) have been utilized as regulatory tools in biotechnology. In the present study, we demonstrated that a ribosome-dependent ribo-regulator, LRR, discovered in our previous work, exhibits an attractive regulatory performance. Specifically, it offers a 60-fold change in expression in the presence of retapamulin and a low level of leaky expression of about 1-2% without antibiotics. Moreover, LRR can be combined with different promoters and performs well in Bacillus thuringiensis, B. cereus, B. amyloliquefaciens, and B. subtilis. Additionally, LRR also functions in the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli. Furthermore, we demonstrate its ability to control melanin metabolism in B. thuringiensis BMB171. Our results show that LRR can be applied to regulate gene expression, construct genetic circuits and tune metabolic pathways, and has great potential for many applications in synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Cai
- Department of MicrobiologyCollege of Life SciencesNankai UniversityTianjin300071China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of MicrobiologyCollege of Life SciencesNankai UniversityTianjin300071China
| | - Yu Fang
- Department of MicrobiologyCollege of Life SciencesNankai UniversityTianjin300071China
| | - Die Yao
- Department of MicrobiologyCollege of Life SciencesNankai UniversityTianjin300071China
| | - Yunda Zhan
- Department of MicrobiologyCollege of Life SciencesNankai UniversityTianjin300071China
| | - Baoju An
- Department of MicrobiologyCollege of Life SciencesNankai UniversityTianjin300071China
| | - Bing Yan
- Department of MicrobiologyCollege of Life SciencesNankai UniversityTianjin300071China
| | - Jun Cai
- Department of MicrobiologyCollege of Life SciencesNankai UniversityTianjin300071China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and TechnologyMinistry of EducationTianjin300071China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Microbial Functional GenomicsTianjin300071China
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25
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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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26
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Gupta M, Kumar H, Kaur S. Vegetative Insecticidal Protein (Vip): A Potential Contender From Bacillus thuringiensis for Efficient Management of Various Detrimental Agricultural Pests. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:659736. [PMID: 34054756 PMCID: PMC8158940 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.659736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacterium is found in various ecological habitats, and has natural entomo-pesticidal properties, due to the production of crystalline and soluble proteins during different growth phases. In addition to Cry and Cyt proteins, this bacterium also produces Vegetative insecticidal protein (Vip) during its vegetative growth phase, which is considered an excellent toxic candidate because of the difference in sequence homology and receptor sites from Cry proteins. Vip proteins are referred as second-generation insecticidal proteins, which can be used either alone or in complementarity with Cry proteins for the management of various detrimental pests. Among these Vip proteins, Vip1 and Vip2 act as binary toxins and have toxicity toward pests belonging to Hemiptera and Coleoptera orders, whereas the most important Vip3 proteins have insecticidal activity against Lepidopteran pests. These Vip3 proteins are similar to Cry proteins in terms of toxicity potential against susceptible insects. They are reported to be toxic toward pests, which can’t be controlled with Cry proteins. The Vip3 proteins have been successfully pyramided along with Cry proteins in transgenic rice, corn, and cotton to combat resistant pest populations. This review provides detailed information about the history and importance of Vip proteins, their types, structure, newly identified specific receptors, and action mechanism of this specific class of proteins. Various studies conducted on Vip proteins all over the world and the current status have been discussed. This review will give insights into the significance of Vip proteins as alternative promising candidate toxic proteins from Bt for the management of pests in most sustainable manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamta Gupta
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, India.,ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana, India
| | - Harish Kumar
- Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Faridkot, India
| | - Sarvjeet Kaur
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
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27
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Quan Y, Yang J, Wang Y, Hernández-Martínez P, Ferré J, He K. The Rapid Evolution of Resistance to Vip3Aa Insecticidal Protein in Mythimna separata (Walker) Is Not Related to Altered Binding to Midgut Receptors. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13050364. [PMID: 34065247 PMCID: PMC8190635 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13050364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Laboratory selection for resistance of field populations is a well-known and useful tool to understand the potential of insect populations to evolve resistance to insecticides. It provides us with estimates of the frequency of resistance alleles and allows us to study the mechanisms by which insects developed resistance to shed light on the mode of action and optimize resistance management strategies. Here, a field population of Mythimna separata was subjected to laboratory selection with either Vip3Aa, Cry1Ab, or Cry1F insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis. The population rapidly evolved resistance to Vip3Aa reaching, after eight generations, a level of >3061-fold resistance, compared with the unselected insects. In contrast, the same population did not respond to selection with Cry1Ab or Cry1F. The Vip3Aa resistant population did not show cross resistance to either Cry1Ab or Cry1F. Radiolabeled Vip3Aa was tested for binding to brush border membrane vesicles from larvae from the susceptible and resistant insects. The results did not show any qualitative or quantitative difference between both insect samples. Our data, along with previous results obtained with other Vip3Aa-resistant populations from other insect species, suggest that altered binding to midgut membrane receptors is not the main mechanism of resistance to Vip3Aa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudong Quan
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (Y.Q.); (P.H.-M.)
| | - Jing Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China; (J.Y.); (Y.W.)
| | - Yueqin Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China; (J.Y.); (Y.W.)
| | - Patricia Hernández-Martínez
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (Y.Q.); (P.H.-M.)
| | - Juan Ferré
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (Y.Q.); (P.H.-M.)
- Correspondence: (J.F.); (K.H.)
| | - Kanglai He
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China; (J.Y.); (Y.W.)
- Correspondence: (J.F.); (K.H.)
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28
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Byrne MJ, Iadanza MG, Perez MA, Maskell DP, George RM, Hesketh EL, Beales PA, Zack MD, Berry C, Thompson RF. Cryo-EM structures of an insecticidal Bt toxin reveal its mechanism of action on the membrane. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2791. [PMID: 33990582 PMCID: PMC8121907 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23146-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect pests are a major cause of crop losses worldwide, with an estimated economic cost of $470 billion annually. Biotechnological tools have been introduced to control such insects without the need for chemical pesticides; for instance, the development of transgenic plants harbouring genes encoding insecticidal proteins. The Vip3 (vegetative insecticidal protein 3) family proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis convey toxicity to species within the Lepidoptera, and have wide potential applications in commercial agriculture. Vip3 proteins are proposed to exert their insecticidal activity through pore formation, though to date there is no mechanistic description of how this occurs on the membrane. Here we present cryo-EM structures of a Vip3 family toxin in both inactive and activated forms in conjunction with structural and functional data on toxin-membrane interactions. Together these data demonstrate that activated Vip3Bc1 complex is able to insert into membranes in a highly efficient manner, indicating that receptor binding is the likely driver of Vip3 specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Byrne
- Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Matthew G Iadanza
- Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Scientific Computing Department, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Research Complex at Harwell, Didcot, UK
| | - Marcos Arribas Perez
- Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences & Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Daniel P Maskell
- Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Rachel M George
- Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Emma L Hesketh
- Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Paul A Beales
- Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences & Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Colin Berry
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
| | - Rebecca F Thompson
- Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
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29
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Boonyos P, Trakulnalueamsai C, Rungrod A, Chongthammakun S, Promdonkoy B. Antagonistic Effect of Truncated Fragments of Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3Aa on the Larvicidal Activity of its Full-length Protein. Protein Pept Lett 2021; 28:131-139. [PMID: 32586243 DOI: 10.2174/0929866527666200625205846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vip3Aa is a vegetative insecticidal protein produced by Bacillus thuringiensis. The protein is produced as an 88-kDa protoxin that could be processed by insect gut proteases into a 22-kDa N-terminal and a 66-kDa C-terminal fragments. The C-terminal part could bind to a specific receptor while the N-terminal part is required for toxicity and structural stability. OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the antagonistic effect of truncated fragments on the insecticidal activity of the full-length Vip3Aa. METHODS The full-length protein (Vip3Aa), a 66-kDa C-terminal fragment (Vip3Aa-D199) and a predicted carbohydrate binding module (CBM) were produced in Escherichia coli. Purified proteins were mixed at different ratios and fed to Spodoptera litura and Spodoptera exigua larvae. Mortality was recorded and compared between larvae fed with individual toxin and mixtures of the full-length and truncated toxins. RESULTS Production level of the Vip3Aa-D199 was significantly decreased comparing to that of the full-length protein. Vip3Aa-D199 and CBM fragment were not toxic to insect larvae whereas Vip3Aa showed high toxicity with LC50 about 200 ng/cm2. Feeding the larvae with mixtures of the Vip3Aa and Vip3Aa-D199 at different ratios revealed antagonistic effect of the Vip3Aa-D199 on the toxicity of Vip3Aa. Results showed that the lethal time (LT 50 and LT 95) of larvae fed the mixture toxins was longer than those fed the Vip3Aa alone. In addition, a CBM fragment could inhibit toxicity of the full-length Vip3Aa. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that the Vip3Aa-D199 and a CBM fragment could complete for the membrane binding thus rendering activity of the full-length Vip3Aa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patcharaporn Boonyos
- Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Chutchanun Trakulnalueamsai
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Amporn Rungrod
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Sukumal Chongthammakun
- Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Boonhiang Promdonkoy
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
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30
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Hou X, Han L, An B, Cai J. Autophagy induced by Vip3Aa has a pro-survival role in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cells. Virulence 2021; 12:509-519. [PMID: 33509041 PMCID: PMC7849784 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.1878747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Vip3Aa is an insecticidal protein that can effectively control certain lepidopteran pests and has been used widely in biological control. However, the mechanism of action of Vip3Aa is unclear. In the present study, we showed that Vip3Aa could cause autophagy in Sf9 cells, which was confirmed by the increased numbers of GFP-Atg8 puncta, the appearance of autophagic vacuoles, and an elevated Atg8-II protein level. Moreover, we found that the AMPK-mTOR-ULK1 pathway is involved in Vip3Aa-induced autophagy, which might be associated with the destruction of ATP homeostasis in Vip3Aa-treated cells. Both the elevated p62 level and the increased numbers of GFP-RFP-Atg8 yellow fluorescent spots demonstrated that autophagy in Sf9 cells was inhibited at 24 h after Vip3Aa treatment. With the prolongation of Vip3Aa treatment time, this inhibition became more serious and led to autophagosome accumulation. Genetic knockdown of ATG5 or the use of the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA further increased the sensitivity of Sf9 cells to Vip3Aa. Overexpression of ATG5 reduced the cell mortality of Vip3Aa-treated cells. In summary, the results revealed that autophagy induced by Vip3Aa has a pro-survival role, which might be related to the development of insect resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyue Hou
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University , Tianjin, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University , Lianyungang, China.,College of Food Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Ocean University , Lianyungang, China
| | - Lu Han
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University , Tianjin, China
| | - Baoju An
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University , Tianjin, China
| | - Jun Cai
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University , Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education , Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Microbial Functional Genomics , Tianjin, China
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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: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.7] [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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Current Insights on Vegetative Insecticidal Proteins (Vip) as Next Generation Pest Killers. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12080522. [PMID: 32823872 PMCID: PMC7472478 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12080522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a Gram negative soil bacterium. This bacterium secretes various proteins during different growth phases with an insecticidal potential against many economically important crop pests. One of the important families of Bt proteins is vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vip), which are secreted into the growth medium during vegetative growth. There are three subfamilies of Vip proteins. Vip1 and Vip2 heterodimer toxins have an insecticidal activity against many Coleopteran and Hemipteran pests. Vip3, the most extensively studied family of Vip toxins, is effective against Lepidopteron. Vip proteins do not share homology in sequence and binding sites with Cry proteins, but share similarities at some points in their mechanism of action. Vip3 proteins are expressed as pyramids alongside Cry proteins in crops like maize and cotton, so as to control resistant pests and delay the evolution of resistance. Biotechnological- and in silico-based analyses are promising for the generation of mutant Vip proteins with an enhanced insecticidal activity and broader spectrum of target insects.
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Núñez-Ramírez R, Huesa J, Bel Y, Ferré J, Casino P, Arias-Palomo E. Molecular architecture and activation of the insecticidal protein Vip3Aa from Bacillus thuringiensis. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3974. [PMID: 32769995 PMCID: PMC7414852 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17758-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3 (Vegetative Insecticidal Protein 3) toxins are widely used in biotech crops to control Lepidopteran pests. These proteins are produced as inactive protoxins that need to be activated by midgut proteases to trigger cell death. However, little is known about their three-dimensional organization and activation mechanism at the molecular level. Here, we have determined the structures of the protoxin and the protease-activated state of Vip3Aa at 2.9 Å using cryo-electron microscopy. The reconstructions show that the protoxin assembles into a pyramid-shaped tetramer with the C-terminal domains exposed to the solvent and the N-terminal region folded into a spring-loaded apex that, after protease activation, drastically remodels into an extended needle by a mechanism akin to that of influenza haemagglutinin. These results provide the molecular basis for Vip3 activation and function, and serves as a strong foundation for the development of more efficient insecticidal proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Núñez-Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, CSIC, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juanjo Huesa
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
- Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Yolanda Bel
- Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
- Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Juan Ferré
- Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
- Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Patricia Casino
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Spain.
- Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Spain.
- CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ernesto Arias-Palomo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, CSIC, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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Structural and Functional Insights into the C-terminal Fragment of Insecticidal Vip3A Toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12070438. [PMID: 32635593 PMCID: PMC7404976 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12070438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vips) secreted by Bacillus thuringiensis are regarded as the new generation of insecticidal toxins because they have different insecticidal properties compared with commonly applied insecticidal crystal proteins (Cry toxins). Vip3A toxin, representing the vast majority of Vips, has been used commercially in transgenic crops and bio-insecticides. However, the lack of both structural information on Vip3A and a clear understanding of its insecticidal mechanism at the molecular level limits its further development and broader application. Here we present the first crystal structure of the C-terminal fragment of Vip3A toxin (Vip3Aa11200–789). Since all members of this insecticidal protein family are highly conserved, the structure of Vip3A provides unique insight into the general domain architecture and protein fold of the Vip3A family of insecticidal toxins. Our structural analysis reveals a four-domain organization, featuring a potential membrane insertion region, a receptor binding domain, and two potential glycan binding domains of Vip3A. In addition, cytotoxicity assays and insect bioassays show that the purified C-terminal fragment of Vip3Aa toxin alone have no insecticidal activity. Taken together, these findings provide insights into the mode of action of the Vip3A family of insecticidal toxins and will boost the development of Vip3A into more efficient bio-insecticides.
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Lin Z, Wang JL, Cheng Y, Wang JX, Zou Z. Pattern recognition receptors from lepidopteran insects and their biological functions. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 108:103688. [PMID: 32222357 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Lepidopteran insects have potent innate immunity to fight against the invading pathogens. As the initiation step, pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) recognize and bind microbial surface configurations known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Aftermath, they initiate both cellular and humoral immune responses, including phagocytosis, agglutination, nodulation, encapsulation, prophenoloxidase activation, and synthesis of antimicrobial peptides. In this review, we summarize the recent findings concerning PRRs in lepidoptaeran insects, mostly agriculture pests including Helicoverpa armigera, Plutella xylostella, and Spodoptera exigua. We mainly focus on the function and phylogeny of C-type lectins (CTLs), peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs), β-1,3-glucan recognition proteins (βGRPs), and galectins (GALEs). It enriches our understanding of the immune system of lepidopteran insects and provides directions in the future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jia-Lin Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, College of Life Science, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Yang Cheng
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Jin-Xing Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, China
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Key Laboratory of Vector Biology and Pathogen Control of Zhejiang Province, Huzhou University, Huzhou, 311300, China.
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Pinos D, Chakroun M, Millán-Leiva A, Jurat-Fuentes JL, Wright DJ, Hernández-Martínez P, Ferré J. Reduced Membrane-Bound Alkaline Phosphatase Does Not Affect Binding of Vip3Aa in a Heliothis virescens Resistant Colony. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12060409. [PMID: 32575644 PMCID: PMC7354626 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12060409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Vip3Aa insecticidal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is produced by specific transgenic corn and cotton varieties for efficient control of target lepidopteran pests. The main threat to this technology is the evolution of resistance in targeted insect pests and understanding the mechanistic basis of resistance is crucial to deploy the most appropriate strategies for resistance management. In this work, we tested whether alteration of membrane receptors in the insect midgut might explain the >2000-fold Vip3Aa resistance phenotype in a laboratory-selected colony of Heliothis virescens (Vip-Sel). Binding of 125I-labeled Vip3Aa to brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) from 3rd instar larvae from Vip-Sel was not significantly different from binding in the reference susceptible colony. Interestingly, BBMV from Vip-Sel larvae showed dramatically reduced levels of membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase (mALP) activity, which was further confirmed by a strong downregulation of the membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase 1 (HvmALP1) gene. However, the involvement of HvmALP1 as a receptor for the Vip3Aa protein was not supported by results from ligand blotting and viability assays with insect cells expressing HvmALP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pinos
- Department of Genetics, Instituto de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (D.P.); (M.C.); (A.M.-L.); (P.H.-M.)
| | - Maissa Chakroun
- Department of Genetics, Instituto de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (D.P.); (M.C.); (A.M.-L.); (P.H.-M.)
| | - Anabel Millán-Leiva
- Department of Genetics, Instituto de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (D.P.); (M.C.); (A.M.-L.); (P.H.-M.)
| | - Juan Luis Jurat-Fuentes
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA;
| | - Denis J. Wright
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berks SL5 7PY, UK;
| | - Patricia Hernández-Martínez
- Department of Genetics, Instituto de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (D.P.); (M.C.); (A.M.-L.); (P.H.-M.)
| | - Juan Ferré
- Department of Genetics, Instituto de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; (D.P.); (M.C.); (A.M.-L.); (P.H.-M.)
- Correspondence:
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The Cadherin Protein Is Not Involved in Susceptibility to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab or Cry1Fa Toxins in Spodoptera frugiperda. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12060375. [PMID: 32517191 PMCID: PMC7354596 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12060375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well known that insect larval midgut cadherin protein serves as a receptor of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crystal Cry1Ac or Cry1Ab toxins, since structural mutations and downregulation of cad gene expression are linked with resistance to Cry1Ac toxin in several lepidopteran insects. However, the role of Spodoptera frugiperda cadherin protein (SfCad) in the mode of action of Bt toxins remains elusive. Here, we investigated whether SfCad is involved in susceptibility to Cry1Ab or Cry1Fa toxins. In vivo, knockout of the SfCad gene by CRISPR/Cas 9 did not increase tolerance to either of these toxins in S. frugiperda larvae. In vitro cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that cultured insect TnHi5 cells expressing GFP-tagged SfCad did not increase susceptibility to activated Cry1Ab or Cry1Fa toxins. In contrast, expression of another well recognized Cry1A receptor in this cell line, the ABCC2 transporter, increased the toxicity of both Cry1Ab and Cry1Fa toxins, suggesting that SfABCC2 functions as a receptor of these toxins. Finally, we showed that the toxin-binding region of SfCad did not bind to activated Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, nor Cry1Fa. All these results support that SfCad is not involved in the mode of action of Cry1Ab or Cry1Fa toxins in S. frugiperda.
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Qi L, Qiu X, Yang S, Li R, Wu B, Cao X, He T, Ding X, Xia L, Sun Y. Cry1Ac Protoxin and Its Activated Toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis Act Differentially during the Pathogenic Process. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2020; 68:5816-5824. [PMID: 32379448 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c01172] [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] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Although the new dual model of the Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal mechamism indicated that both Cry1A protoxin and activated toxin have the potency to kill insects, the difference in the toxic pathways elicited by the protoxin and activated toxin was less understood at the molecular level. Through utilizing the CF-203 cell line derived from the midgut of Choristoneura fumiferana, we found that there existed obvious differences in the binding sites and endocytosis pathways for the two forms of Cry1Ac. In addition, it was revealed that Cry1Ac protoxin existed predominantly in the midgut of Plutella xylostella at the early stage after ingesting Cry1Ac crystals, which brought about obvious damage to the midgut epithelium and exhibited different binding sites on the brush border membrane vesicle compared to the toxin. These findings supported the dual mode of action of B. thuringiensis Cry1A proteins and improved our understanding of the molecular features that contribute to the protoxin toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Qi
- College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianfeng Qiu
- College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, People's Republic of China
| | - Sisi Yang
- College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, People's Republic of China
| | - Ran Li
- College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, People's Republic of China
| | - Binbin Wu
- College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaomei Cao
- College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting He
- College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuezhi Ding
- College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, People's Republic of China
| | - Liqiu Xia
- College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunjun Sun
- College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, People's Republic of China
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Chakrabarty S, Jin M, Wu C, Chakraborty P, Xiao Y. Bacillus thuringiensis vegetative insecticidal protein family Vip3A and mode of action against pest Lepidoptera. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2020; 76:1612-1617. [PMID: 32103608 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Vip3A proteins are widely used for controlling pest Lepidoptera. Different binding sites with different receptors in the insect midgut membrane and lack of cross-resistance with crystal (Cry) proteins enhance their applicability, as both single proteins and proteins pyramided with Cry proteins in transgenic Bt crops. Vip3A proteins are effective but there is relatively little information about their structure, function, activation, specificity, and mode of action. In addition, the mechanism of insect resistance to these proteins is unknown. Phylogenetic analysis and multiple sequence alignment showed that Vip3A proteins are genetically distant from Cry proteins. The mode of action and insecticidal activity of Vip3A proteins are discussed in this review. This review also provides detailed information about the Vip3A protein family that may aid in the design of more efficient pest management strategies in response to insect resistance to insecticidal proteins. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swapan Chakrabarty
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Minghui Jin
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao Wu
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Panchali Chakraborty
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yutao Xiao
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
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Intracellular localization and cytotoxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3Aa against Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells. J Invertebr Pathol 2020; 171:107340. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2020.107340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Mitochondria and Lysosomes Participate in Vip3Aa-Induced Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 Cell Apoptosis. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12020116. [PMID: 32069858 PMCID: PMC7076775 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12020116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Vip3Aa, a soluble protein produced by certain Bacillus thuringiensis strains, is capable of inducing apoptosis in Sf9 cells. However, the apoptosis mechanism triggered by Vip3Aa is unclear. In this study, we found that Vip3Aa induces mitochondrial dysfunction, as evidenced by signs of collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, accumulation of reactive oxygen species, release of cytochrome c, and caspase-9 and -3 activation. Meanwhile, our results indicated that Vip3Aa reduces the ability of lysosomes in Sf9 cells to retain acridine orange. Moreover, pretreatment with Z-Phe-Tyr-CHO (a cathepsin L inhibitor) or pepstatin (a cathepsin D inhibitor) increased Sf9 cell viability, reduced cytochrome c release, and decreased caspase-9 and -3 activity. In conclusion, our findings suggested that Vip3Aa promotes Sf9 cell apoptosis by mitochondrial dysfunction, and lysosomes also play a vital role in the action of Vip3Aa.
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Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Da_7 and Cry1B.868 Protein Interactions with Novel Receptors Allow Control of Resistant Fall Armyworms, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith). Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:AEM.00579-19. [PMID: 31175187 PMCID: PMC6677855 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00579-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Two new modified Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins, Cry1Da_7 and Cry1B.868, with activity against fall armyworms (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), were evaluated for their potential to bind new insect receptors compared to proteins currently deployed as plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs) in row crops. Results from resistant insect bioassays, disabled insecticidal protein (DIP) bioassays, and cell-based assays using insect cells expressing individual receptors demonstrate that receptor utilizations of the newly modified Cry1Da_7 and Cry1B.868 proteins are distinct from each other and from those of commercially available Bt proteins such as Cry1F, Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab, and Vip3A. Accordingly, these two proteins target different insect proteins in FAW midgut cells and when pyramided together should provide durability in the field against this economically important pest.IMPORTANCE There is increased concern with the development of resistance to insecticidal proteins currently expressed in crop plants, especially against high-resistance-risk pests such as fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, a maize pest that already has developed resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins such as Cry1F. Lepidopteran-specific proteins that bind new insect receptors will be critical in managing current Cry1F-resistant FAW and delaying future resistance development. Results from resistant insect assays, disabled insecticidal protein (DIP) bioassays, and cell-based assays using insect cells expressing individual receptors demonstrate that target receptors of the Cry1Da_7 and Cry1B.868 proteins are different from each other and from those of commercially available Bt proteins such as Cry1F, Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab, and Vip3A. Therefore, pyramiding these two new proteins in maize will provide durable control of this economically important pest in production agriculture.
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de Bortoli CP, Jurat-Fuentes JL. Mechanisms of resistance to commercially relevant entomopathogenic bacteria. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 33:56-62. [PMID: 31358196 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2019.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria represent the most commercially successful entomopathogenic microbial group, with most commercialized insecticides containing gram-positive bacteria in the Bacillaceae family. Resistance to entomopathogenic bacteria threatens sustainable agriculture, and information on the mechanisms and genes involved is vital to develop management practices aimed at reducing this risk. We provide an integrative summary on mechanisms responsible for resistance to commercialized entomopathogenic bacteria, including information on resistance to transgenic crops producing insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt crops). The available experimental evidence identifies alterations in binding of insecticidal proteins to receptors in the host as the main mechanism for high levels of resistance to entomopathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan Luis Jurat-Fuentes
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States.
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Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor, a Novel Receptor for Vegetative Insecticidal Protein Vip3Aa. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10120546. [PMID: 30567360 PMCID: PMC6315849 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10120546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vips), which are secreted by some Bacillus thuringiensis strains during vegetative growth, exhibit high virulence to many pests. Vip3A proteins have been used commercially both in some bio-insecticides and in transgenic crops; however, compared with insecticidal crystal proteins, the mechanism of action of Vip3A is still unclear. In this work, we indicated that the fibroblast growth factor receptor-like protein (Sf-FGFR) from the membrane of Sf9 cells could bind to Vip3Aa. The interaction between Vip3Aa and Sf-FGFR was confirmed by pull-down assays and dot blotting experiment in vitro. The binding affinity between Vip3Aa and extracellular regions of Sf-FGFR (GST-FGFR-N) was determined by microscale thermophoresis assay (MST). Moreover, Vip3Aa-Flag could be co-immunoprecipitated with Sf-FGFR-V5 ex vivo. Furthermore, knockdown of Sf-FGFR gene in Sf9 cells resulted in reducing the mortality of those cells to Vip3Aa. In summary, our data indicated that Sf-FGFR is a novel receptor for Vip3Aa.
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Denecke S, Swevers L, Douris V, Vontas J. How do oral insecticidal compounds cross the insect midgut epithelium? INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 103:22-35. [PMID: 30366055 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The use of oral insecticidal molecules (small molecules, peptides, dsRNA) via spray or plant mediated applications represents an efficient way to manage damaging insect species. With the exception of Bt toxins that target the midgut epithelium itself, most of these compounds have targets that lie within the hemocoel (body) of the insect. Because of this, one of the greatest factors in determining the effectiveness of an oral insecticidal compound is its ability to traverse the gut epithelium and enter the hemolymph. However, for many types of insecticidal compounds, neither the pathway taken across the gut nor the specific genes which influence uptake are fully characterized. Here, we review how different types of insecticidal compounds enter or cross the midgut epithelium through passive (diffusion) or active (transporter based, endocytosis) routes. A deeper understanding of how insecticidal molecules cross the gut will help to best utilize current insecticides and also provide for more rational design of future ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Denecke
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 73100, Heraklion, Greece.
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Research Group, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, NCSR "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
| | - Vassilis Douris
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 73100, Heraklion, Greece
| | - John Vontas
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 73100, Heraklion, Greece; Department of Crop Science, Pesticide Science Lab, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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