Abstract
Domain III of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry δ-endotoxins are considered to be related to the stability of the structure and avoidance of overdigestion by proteases. In this study, some residues of potential chymotrypsin and trypsin sites in Domain III of B. thuringiensis Cry1Aa were replaced individually with alanine by site-directed mutagenesis, in order to investigate their functional roles. Except F574A, all mutants F536A, R543A, F550A, F565A, R566A, F570A, F576A, F583A, and F590A were highly expressed the 130 kD protoxins at levels comparable to the wild-type tested by SDS-PAGE. In bioassays, F536A, R566A, and F590A increased toxicity against Spodoptera exigua Hüner larve by 20, 40, and 40%, respectively, as compared to the wild-type. F536A and F565A showed an increase of 6 and 10% in toxicity against Heliothis armigera Hubner than the wild-type. Toxicities of some mutants were altered greatly, and the same mutants were shown to have different toxicities against those two insects. Structural analyses showed that mutants R543A, F574A, F576A-affecting insecticidal activity might be relational to structural stability of toxin or decreased affinity for receptor binding. These results indicated that those residues were involved in the larvicidal activity of the Cry1Aa toxin.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
