Glycolipids as receptors for Bacillus thuringiensis crystal toxin

Science. 2005 Feb 11;307(5711):922-5. doi: 10.1126/science.1104444.

Abstract

The development of pest resistance threatens the effectiveness of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins used in transgenic and organic farming. Here, we demonstrate that (i) the major mechanism for Bt toxin resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans entails a loss of glycolipid carbohydrates; (ii) Bt toxin directly and specifically binds glycolipids; and (iii) this binding is carbohydrate-dependent and relevant for toxin action in vivo. These carbohydrates contain the arthroseries core conserved in insects and nematodes but lacking in vertebrates. We present evidence that insect glycolipids are also receptors for Bt toxin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Proteins / toxicity
  • Bacterial Toxins / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Toxins / toxicity
  • Binding Sites
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / drug effects
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism
  • Endotoxins / metabolism*
  • Endotoxins / toxicity
  • Galactose / pharmacology
  • Glycolipids / chemistry
  • Glycolipids / isolation & purification
  • Glycolipids / metabolism
  • Glycosphingolipids / chemistry
  • Glycosphingolipids / isolation & purification
  • Glycosphingolipids / metabolism*
  • Glycosyltransferases / genetics
  • Glycosyltransferases / metabolism
  • Hemolysin Proteins
  • Insecticide Resistance
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Methylgalactosides / metabolism
  • Methylgalactosides / pharmacology
  • Methylglucosides / metabolism
  • Methylglucosides / pharmacology
  • Monosaccharides / analysis
  • Mutation

Substances

  • Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Endotoxins
  • Glycolipids
  • Glycosphingolipids
  • Hemolysin Proteins
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Methylgalactosides
  • Methylglucosides
  • Monosaccharides
  • insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis
  • methyl beta-galactoside
  • methylglucoside
  • Bre-2 protein, C elegans
  • Glycosyltransferases
  • Galactose