Characterization and selection of Bacillus thuringiensis isolates effective against Sitophilus oryzae

A bactéria entomopatogênica Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) é um agente de controle com características tóxicas e ambientais que permitem o controle de insetos-praga de acordo com as premissas do Manejo integrado de pragas (MIP). Com o objetivo de buscar novas linhagens potencialmente tóxicas para Sitophilus oryzae L. 1763 (Coleoptera: Curculinidae), caracterizaram-se molecularmente 1,073 isolados de B. thuringiensis de regiões do Brasil. O material genético foi extraído através do kit InstaGene Matrix, utilizado para a amplificação das seqüências através da técnica de Polymerase chain reaction PCR, sendo os resultados visualizados em gel de agarose 1,5%. A classe do gene cry35Ba foi representada por 60 isolados (5,6%) de Bt, os quais foram submetidos a bioensaio com larvas de S. oryzae. Quatro causaram mortalidade acima de 50% nos testes de patogenicidade e os isolados 544 e 622 foram os mais virulentos, conforme determinado pela estimativa da CL50. Nos quatro isolados que demonstraram toxicidade, foram detectados cristais esféricos, bipiramidais e cubóides, além de proteínas com 44 kDa, referentes aos genes cry35Ba por Sodium dodecil sulphate - polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Estes dados demonstram o potencial de Bt no manejo de S. oryzae.The entomopathogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis is a control agent with toxic and environmental characteristics that allows the control of pest insects according to the Integrate Pest Management (IPM) precepts. In order to find new strains, potentially toxic to Sitophilus oryzae L. 1763 (Coleoptera: Curculinidae), 1.073 strains of B. thuringiensis from parts of Brazil were used. Genetic material was extracted with InstaGene Matrix kit, used for the amplification of sequences in Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and viewed in 1.5% agarose gel. The gene cry35Ba class was represented by 60 B. thuringiensis isolates (5.6%), which were then subjected to bioassays with S. oryzae larvae. Among the isolates studied, four caused more than 50% mortality in pathogenicity tests, and the isolates 544 and 622 were the most virulent, as determined by CL50 estimates. The four toxic isolates had spherical, bi-pyramidal and cuboid crystals, and a 44-kDa protein was found in sodium dodecyl sulphate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), which coded for the product of cry35Ba genes. These data demonstrate the potential of B. thuringiensis for the management of S. oryzae larvae

Interação de proteínas Cry1 e Vip3A de Bacillus thuringiensis para controle de lepidópteros‑praga

The objective of this work was to evaluate the susceptibility of Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) and Chrysodeixis includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) caterpillars to Cry1 and Vip3A proteins, as well as to determine if there is any interaction between these proteins on the control of the two species. Bioassays with both isolated and combined proteins were carried out, and lethal concentrations LC50 and LC90 were estimated for each condition. Cry1Aa, Cry1Ac, and Vip3Af were the more effective proteins for the control of A. gemmatalis, while Cry1Ac, Vip3Aa, and Vip3Af were more effective for the control of C. includens. Cry1Ac and Cry1Ca proteins caused the highest inhibition to the development of larvae that survived the LC50 dose in both species. Different combinations of Vip3A and Cry1 have synergistic effect in the control of both species, and the combination Vip3Aa + Cry1Ea showed an outstanding control of A. gemmatalis and C. includens. These proteins are promising for building pyramided plants for the simultaneous control of the pests.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a suscetibilidade das lagartas Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) e Chrysodeixis includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) às proteínas Cry1 e Vip3A, bem como determinar se há a interação entre essas proteínas no controle das duas espécies. Bioensaios com as proteínas isoladas e em combinações foram realizados, e as concentrações letais CL50 e CL90 foram estimadas para cada condição. As proteínas Cry1Aa, Cry1Ac e Vip3Af foram as mais efetivas no controle de A. gemmatalis, enquanto Cry1Ac, Vip3Aa e Vip3Af foram mais efetivas no de C. includens. As proteínas Cry1Ac e Cry1Ca causaram maior inibição do desenvolvimento das larvas sobreviventes à CL50, em ambas as espécies. Combinações entre Vip3A e Cry1 apresentam efeito sinérgico no controle das espécies e a combinação Vip3Aa+Cry1Ea destaca-se no controle de A. gemmatalis e C. includens. Essas proteínas combinadas são promissoras na construção de plantas piramidadas, para o controle simultâneo das pragas

Análise da expressão gênica em isolados de Bacillus thuringiensis por PCR tempo real visando o controle de Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) de diferentes populações brasileiras

Bacillus thuringiensis é entomopatogênica muito utilizada no controle de insetos-praga e a predição de sua atividade tóxica é realizada por PCR na identificação de genes cry. Assim sendo, este trabalho objetivou elaborar novos oligonucleotídeos iniciadores para a detecção das subclasses cry1Ab, cry1Ac, cry1Ca, cry1Ea e cry1Fa, estudar o potencial de controle de 31 isolados de B. thuringiensis à duas populações de Spodoptera frugiperda por meio de bioensaios e analisar a taxa de expressão dos genes presentes nos isolados por qPCR em tempo real. Um par de oligonucleotídeo iniciador foi elaborado para cada subclasse e dentre os isolados testados 6,5% e 48,5% apresentaram os genes cry1Ab e cry1Ac, respectivamente, nenhum dos isolados apresentou os genes cry1Ca, cry1Ea e cry1Fa. Dentre os 31 isolados, 13 apresentaram mortalidade acima de 75% para as larvas da população de campo e apenas nove para a população de laboratório, mostrando que os isolados controlaram com maior eficiência as larvas da população de campo. A presença dos genes cry1Ab e cry1Ac conjuntamente foi associada à elevado potencial de controle às larvas da população de campo e baixo às larvas da população de laboratório. A expressão do gene cry1Ab, não foi constatada em nenhum dos isolados nas condições analisadas e, para o gene cry1Ac, todos os isolados apresentaram taxa de expressão. Os resultados de expressão foram associados ao potencial de controle das larvas de S. frugiperda das populações testadas, sendo que os elevados níveis de expressão do gene cry1Ac foram associados diretamente a elevado potencial de controle da população de laboratório.Bacillus thuringiensis is entomopathogenic used for insect control and the prediction of the toxic activity is performed by PCR on the identification of cry genes. Thus, the aim of this research was develop news primers for detection the subclasses cry1Ab, cry1Ac, cry1Ca, cry1Ea and cry1Fa, study the potential control of 31 isolates of B. thuringiensis against two Spodoptera frugiperda populations by bioassays and analyze the rate of gene expression present on the isolates by real-time qPCR. A pair of primer was prepared for each subclass, the genes cry1Ab and cry1Ac were found in 6.5% and 48.5% of the isolates, respectively, and the genes cry1Ca, cry1Ea and cry1Fa were not detected on the isolates. Among the 31 isolates, 13 showed over 75% mortality for the larvae of field population and only nine isolates to the laboratory population, showing that the isolates controlled more efficiently the larvae of the field population. The presence of cry1Ab and cry1Ac genes were correlated to high levels of insecticidal activity for the larvae of field population and low levels control to the laboratory population. The expression of cry1Ab was not found in any of the isolates analyzed and the rates expression of cry1Ac gene was detected in all isolates. The results of gene expression were associated with the potential control to S. frugiperda, and the high levels of cry1Ac gene expression were linked directly to high levels of insecticidal activity for the laboratory population.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Efeitos da interação e toxicidade das proteínas Cry1 e Vip3A de Bacillus thuringiensis em Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr., 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

The aim of this research was to evaluate the toxicity of different Cry1 and Vip3A proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis to Diatraea saccharalis, verify the proteins binding to receptors of the target insect and to analyze the protein interactions in larval control, seeking information to support safe and sustainable the use of transgenic Bt plants. The most toxic protein assayed was Cry1Ab followed by Cry1Ac, Vip3Aa, Cry1Ca and Cry1Fa. The population tested was not susceptible to Cry1Ea protein. Cry1Aa showed very low toxicity. Biotinylated Cry1 proteins showed specific binding to the midgut brush border membrane vesicles of the larvae. Heterologous competitive binding assays suggested a model of three receptors, a common receptor for Cry1Aa and Cry1Ab another one for Cry1Fa and Cry1Ab. Vip3Aa did not compete for binding with any of the Cry proteins tested. Among interactions bioassays, the combinations between Cry1Ab:Cry1Ca and Cry1Fa:Cry1Ca showed synergistic effect, whereas the other combinations showed antagonistic effectsO presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a toxicidade de diferentes proteínas Cry1 e Vip3Aa de Bacillus thuringiensis em larvas de Diatraea saccharalis, verificar o modo de união dessas proteínas aos receptores do inseto alvo e analisar a interação dessas proteínas no controle larval, buscando informações para subsidiar o uso de plantas geneticamente modificadas com genes cry1 e vip3Aa de forma segura e duradoura. A análise de suscetibilidade larval revelou a proteína Cry1Ab como mais efetiva no controle, seguida das proteínas Cry1Ac, Vip3Aa, Cry1Ca e Cry1Fa. A população testada não foi suscetível à proteína Cry1Ea. A proteína Cry1Aa apresentou baixa toxicidade. Nos ensaios de união específica, as proteínas Cry1 ligaram-se a receptores presentes no intestino médio de D. saccharalis e um modelo com três diferentes receptores foi proposto com base nos ensaios de competição heteróloga. Um receptor comum para Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab e Cry1Ac, outro para Cry1Fa e Cry1Ab e um receptor diferente para a proteína Vip3Aa. Dentre as interações avaliadas por bioensaios, as combinações proteicas: Cry1Ab:Cry1Ca e Cry1Fa:Cry1Ca apresentaram efeito sinérgico; as demais combinações revelaram efeitos antagônico

Characterization and selection of Bacillus thuringiensis isolates effective against Sitophilus oryzae Caracterização e seleção de isolados de Bacillus thuringiensis efetivos contra Sitophilus oryzae

The entomopathogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis is a control agent with toxic and environmental characteristics that allows the control of pest insects according to the Integrate Pest Management (IPM) precepts. In order to find new strains, potentially toxic to Sitophilus oryzae L. 1763 (Coleoptera: Curculinidae), 1.073 strains of B. thuringiensis from parts of Brazil were used. Genetic material was extracted with InstaGene Matrix kit, used for the amplification of sequences in Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and viewed in 1.5% agarose gel. The gene cry35Ba class was represented by 60 B. thuringiensis isolates (5.6%), which were then subjected to bioassays with S. oryzae larvae. Among the isolates studied, four caused more than 50% mortality in pathogenicity tests, and the isolates 544 and 622 were the most virulent, as determined by CL50 estimates. The four toxic isolates had spherical, bi-pyramidal and cuboid crystals, and a 44-kDa protein was found in sodium dodecyl sulphate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), which coded for the product of cry35Ba genes. These data demonstrate the potential of B. thuringiensis for the management of S. oryzae larvae.<br>A bactéria entomopatogênica Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) é um agente de controle com características tóxicas e ambientais que permitem o controle de insetos-praga de acordo com as premissas do Manejo integrado de pragas (MIP). Com o objetivo de buscar novas linhagens potencialmente tóxicas para Sitophilus oryzae L. 1763 (Coleoptera: Curculinidae), caracterizaram-se molecularmente 1,073 isolados de B. thuringiensis de regiões do Brasil. O material genético foi extraído através do kit InstaGene Matrix, utilizado para a amplificação das seqüências através da técnica de Polymerase chain reaction PCR, sendo os resultados visualizados em gel de agarose 1,5%. A classe do gene cry35Ba foi representada por 60 isolados (5,6%) de Bt, os quais foram submetidos a bioensaio com larvas de S. oryzae. Quatro causaram mortalidade acima de 50% nos testes de patogenicidade e os isolados 544 e 622 foram os mais virulentos, conforme determinado pela estimativa da CL50. Nos quatro isolados que demonstraram toxicidade, foram detectados cristais esféricos, bipiramidais e cubóides, além de proteínas com 44 kDa, referentes aos genes cry35Ba por Sodium dodecil sulphate - polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Estes dados demonstram o potencial de Bt no manejo de S. oryzae

Interaction of Cry1 and Vip3A proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis for the control of lepidopteran insect pests

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a suscetibilidade das lagartas Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) e Chrysodeixis includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) às proteínas Cry1 e Vip3A, bem como determinar se há a interação entre essas proteínas no controle das duas espécies. Bioensaios com as proteínas isoladas e em combinações foram realizados, e as concentrações letais CL50 e CL90 foram estimadas para cada condição. As proteínas Cry1Aa, Cry1Ac e Vip3Af foram as mais efetivas no controle de A. gemmatalis, enquanto Cry1Ac, Vip3Aa e Vip3Af foram mais efetivas no de C. includens. As proteínas Cry1Ac e Cry1Ca causaram maior inibição do desenvolvimento das larvas sobreviventes à CL50, em ambas as espécies. Combinações entre Vip3A e Cry1 apresentam efeito sinérgico no controle das espécies e a combinação Vip3Aa+Cry1Ea destaca-se no controle de A. gemmatalis e C. includens. Essas proteínas combinadas são promissoras na construção de plantas piramidadas, para o controle simultâneo das pragas.The objective of this work was to evaluate the susceptibility of Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) and Chrysodeixis includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) caterpillars to Cry1 and Vip3A proteins, as well as to determine if there is any interaction between these proteins on the control of the two species. Bioassays with both isolated and combined proteins were carried out, and lethal concentrations LC50 and LC90 were estimated for each condition. Cry1Aa, Cry1Ac, and Vip3Af were the more effective proteins for the control of A. gemmatalis, while Cry1Ac, Vip3Aa, and Vip3Af were more effective for the control of C. includens. Cry1Ac and Cry1Ca proteins caused the highest inhibition to the development of larvae that survived the LC50 dose in both species. Different combinations of Vip3A and Cry1 have synergistic effect in the control of both species, and the combination Vip3Aa + Cry1Ea showed an outstanding control of A. gemmatalis and C. includens. These proteins are promising for building pyramided plants for the simultaneous control of the pests

Synergism and Antagonism between Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3A and Cry1 Proteins in Heliothis virescens, Diatraea saccharalis and Spodoptera frugiperda

Second generation Bt crops (insect resistant crops carrying Bacillus thuringiensis genes) combine more than one gene that codes for insecticidal proteins in the same plant to provide better control of agricultural pests. Some of the new combinations involve co-expression of cry and vip genes. Because Cry and Vip proteins have different midgut targets and possibly different mechanisms of toxicity, it is important to evaluate possible synergistic or antagonistic interactions between these two classes of toxins. Three members of the Cry1 class of proteins and three from the Vip3A class were tested against Heliothis virescens for possible interactions. At the level of LC50, Cry1Ac was the most active protein, whereas the rest of proteins tested were similarly active. However, at the level of LC90, Cry1Aa and Cry1Ca were the least active proteins, and Cry1Ac and Vip3A proteins were not significantly different. Under the experimental conditions used in this study, we found an antagonistic effect of Cry1Ca with the three Vip3A proteins. The interaction between Cry1Ca and Vip3Aa was also tested on two other species of Lepidoptera. Whereas antagonism was observed in Spodoptera frugiperda, synergism was found in Diatraea saccharalis. In all cases, the interaction between Vip3A and Cry1 proteins was more evident at the LC90 level than at the LC50 level. The fact that the same combination of proteins may result in a synergistic or an antagonistic interaction may be an indication that there are different types of interactions within the host, depending on the insect species tested.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Evaluation of antagonism, at the LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ level, of combinations of Vip3A and Cry1 protoxins to <i>H. virescens</i> neonate larvae.

a<p>Each data point was obtained from three replicates of 16 larvae per replicate (n = 48).</p>b<p>Proportions of proteins were chosen approximately to match those of <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0107196#pone-0107196-t002" target="_blank">Table 2</a>.</p>c<p>Slope ± standard error.</p>d<p>FL₉₅: 95% fiducial limits.</p>e<p>Expected mortality considering simple similar action.</p>f<p>AF: Antagonism factor, calculated as the ratio of the observed LC₅₀ over the expected LC₅₀. NS = not significant.</p><p>Evaluation of antagonism, at the LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ level, of combinations of Vip3A and Cry1 protoxins to <i>H. virescens</i> neonate larvae.</p

Susceptibility of <i>H. virescens</i> neonate larvae to combinations of Vip3A and Cry1 protoxins.

a<p>Concentrations of proteins were chosen such as to equal their respective LC₅₀ values. Values are expressed as µg/cm².</p>b<p>Each value represents the mean from three replicates of 16 larvae per replicate (n = 48).</p>c<p>Expected mortality considering simple independent action.</p>d<p>Asterisks indicate significant differences at P<0.05, and two asterisks at P<0.001.</p>e<p>Chi-square and P values.</p><p>Susceptibility of <i>H. virescens</i> neonate larvae to combinations of Vip3A and Cry1 protoxins.</p

Susceptibility of <i>H. virescens</i> neonate larvae to Cry1 and Vip3A protoxins.^a

a<p>Values represent the mean from three replicates of 16 larvae per replicate (n = 48).</p>b<p>Slope ± standard error.</p>c<p>Values are expressed as µg/cm² with 95% fiducial limits (at 5 days).</p><p>Susceptibility of <i>H. virescens</i> neonate larvae to Cry1 and Vip3A protoxins.^{<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0107196#nt101" target="_blank">a</a>}</p