Isolation and characterization of a Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki strain toxic to Spodoptera exigua and Culex pipiens

Curr Microbiol. 2001 Oct;43(4):284-7. doi: 10.1007/s002840010302.

Abstract

A strain of Bacillus thuringiensis with dual toxicity was isolated from Korean soil samples and named K2. K2 was determined as ssp. kurstaki (H3a3b3c) by serological test and produced bipyramidal-shaped parasporal inclusions. The plasmid and protein profiles of B. thuringiensis K2 were different from those of the reference strain, ssp. kurstaki HD-1. To verify gene type of B. thuringiensis K2, PCR analysis with specific cry gene primers was performed. The result showed that B. thuringiensis K2 had cry1Aa, cry1Ab, cry1C, and cry1D type genes, whereas ssp. kurstaki HD-1 had cry1Aa, cry1Ab, cry1Ac, and cry2 type genes. In addition, B. thuringiensis K2 had high toxicity against Spodoptera exigua and Culex pipiens, whereas B. thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki HD-1 does not have high toxicity against these two insect species.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / genetics
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / growth & development
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / isolation & purification*
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / metabolism
  • Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Bacterial Proteins / toxicity*
  • Bacterial Toxins*
  • Biological Assay
  • Culex / drug effects*
  • Endotoxins / chemistry
  • Endotoxins / genetics
  • Endotoxins / metabolism
  • Endotoxins / toxicity*
  • Hemolysin Proteins
  • Pest Control, Biological*
  • Soil Microbiology*
  • Spodoptera / drug effects*

Substances

  • Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Endotoxins
  • Hemolysin Proteins
  • insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis