Insecticidal Activity of Bacillus thuringiensis Proteins Against Coleopteran Pests

Toxins (Basel). 2020 Jun 29;12(7):430. doi: 10.3390/toxins12070430.

Abstract

Bacillus thuringiensis is the most successful microbial insecticide agent and its proteins have been studied for many years due to its toxicity against insects mainly belonging to the orders Lepidoptera, Diptera and Coleoptera, which are pests of agro-forestry and medical-veterinary interest. However, studies on the interactions between this bacterium and the insect species classified in the order Coleoptera are more limited when compared to other insect orders. To date, 45 Cry proteins, 2 Cyt proteins, 11 Vip proteins, and 2 Sip proteins have been reported with activity against coleopteran species. A number of these proteins have been successfully used in some insecticidal formulations and in the construction of transgenic crops to provide protection against main beetle pests. In this review, we provide an update on the activity of Bt toxins against coleopteran insects, as well as specific information about the structure and mode of action of coleopteran Bt proteins.

Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis proteins; coleopteran pests; insecticidal activity; mode of action; structure.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / genetics
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / metabolism*
  • Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins / genetics
  • Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins / metabolism*
  • Biological Control Agents*
  • Coleoptera / growth & development*
  • Crops, Agricultural / genetics
  • Crops, Agricultural / metabolism
  • Crops, Agricultural / parasitology*
  • Endotoxins / genetics
  • Endotoxins / metabolism*
  • Hemolysin Proteins / genetics
  • Hemolysin Proteins / metabolism*
  • Pest Control, Biological*
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / metabolism
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / parasitology*

Substances

  • Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins
  • Biological Control Agents
  • Endotoxins
  • Hemolysin Proteins
  • insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis