Fangfang Wang

Biotechnology Research Center of Zhuji Cuixi Academy of Biotechology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Bt Research, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 1   doi: 10.5376/bt.2024.15.0001
Received: 05 Nov., 2023    Accepted: 18 Dec., 2023    Published: 01 Jan., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Wang F.F., 2024 , Exploring the evolutionary history of different strains of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) in combating the Phenacoccus solenopsis, Bt Research, 15(1): 1-9 (doi: 10.5376/bt.2024.15.0001)

This study aims to investigate the gene evolution process of different strains of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) in combating Phenacoccus solenopsis, commonly known as Phenacoccus solenopsis. The research findings highlight that B.t. strains undergo genetic changes through selective pressure and gene mutations during their long-term interaction with cotton mealybugs. By collecting B.t. strains from different geographic regions and conducting morphological and physiological characterization, significant differences in their resistance performances were observed. Further experimental research reveals the functionality of these candidate genes and their association with resistance. Gene knockout and functional analysis demonstrate that some of these genes play a critical role within the mealybug, significantly correlating with the virulence of B.t. strains. This suggests that these genes are closely linked to the development of resistance in B.t. strains and may be one of the key factors in resistance evolution. Through selective pressure and gene mutations, B.t. strains gradually adapt to the resistance of Phenacoccus solenopsis, leading to the development of novel resistance-related gene variations. These research findings are crucial for understanding the adaptive evolution of B.t. strains, resistance development, and the formulation of pest control strategies. Future studies can further explore the mechanisms of action of these resistance-related genes to enhance the efficacy of insecticides and minimize resistance development.

(B.t.) strains; Phenacoccus solenopsis; Gene evolution; Esistance; Toxin