Ziyi Dong , Zhongqi Wu

Institute of Life Sciences, Jiyang College, Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Bt Research, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 2   doi: 10.5376/bt.2024.15.0008
Received: 05 Feb., 2024    Accepted: 18 Mar., 2024    Published: 06 Apr., 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.

Dong Z.Y., and Wu Z.Q., 2024, Characterization of Plasmid-encoded Toxins in Bacillus thuringiensis, Bt Research, 15(2): 76-86 (doi: 10.5376/bt.2024.15.0008)

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a bacterium widely used in pest management due to its production of plasmid-encoded toxins. These toxins play a crucial role in Bt’s insecticidal properties. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of plasmid-encoded toxins in Bt, their genetic and molecular mechanisms, functional analyses, methods of characterization, ecological implications, and applications in pest management. The study begins by exploring the types and characteristics of plasmids in Bt, highlighting their role in Bt genetics and their diversity among different Bt strains. It then delves into the various plasmid-encoded toxins, including Cry, Cyt, Vip, and other toxins, explaining their gene structure, regulation, and mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer. The functional analysis section examines the insecticidal activity, specificity, and mechanisms of toxicity of these toxins. Methods for characterizing these toxins, such as genomic sequencing, proteomic analysis, functional assays, and bioinformatics approaches, are also discussed. The ecological and evolutionary implications of plasmid-encoded toxins, including their role in Bt evolution, impact on host range and virulence, and environmental persistence, are considered. Finally, the study discusses the applications of Bt toxins in pest management, focusing on Bt-based biopesticides, transgenic crops expressing Bt toxins, and strategies to combat resistance. This study underscores the importance of plasmid-encoded toxins in Bt, summarizing key findings and highlighting their significance in pest management. Future research should focus on advancing our understanding of these toxins to enhance their efficacy and sustainability in agricultural practices.

Bacillus thuringiensis; Plasmid-encoded toxins; Cry toxins; Pest management; Horizontal gene transfer