Jiamin Wang , Jin Zhang

Hainan Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
Bt Research, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 3   doi: 10.5376/bt.2024.15.0015
Received: 09 May, 2024    Accepted: 10 Jun., 2024    Published: 25 Jun., 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 J.M., and Zhang J., 2024, Genomic architecture of Bacillus thuringiensis: insights into functional elements, Bt Research, 15(3): 154-163 (doi: 10.5376/bt.2024.15.0015)

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a Gram-positive bacterium renowned for its insecticidal properties, primarily due to the production of Cry and Cyt toxins. This systematic review delves into the genomic architecture of Bt, highlighting the functional elements that contribute to its efficacy as a biopesticide. The study synthesizes findings from various studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of the structural and functional aspects of Bt toxins, including the novel Vpb4Da2 protein with its unique six-domain architecture and receptor-binding regions, the broad-spectrum insecticidal activity of multiple Cry proteins, and the innovative use of chimeric proteins to enhance pest control. Additionally, the study explores the potential of Bt as a biofertilizer and its role in promoting plant growth while controlling phytopathogens. The insights gained from this study could pave the way for the development of more effective and sustainable pest management strategies.

Bacillus thuringiensis; Cry toxins; Vpb4Da2 protein; Bioinsecticide; Genomic architecture