ISU Researchers Retarget Bt Toxin Against Hemipteran Insect Pests
May 29, 2013| |
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) genes have been successfully expressed in biotech crops to fight lepidopteran and coleopteran pest species. However, sap-sucking insects (hemipterans) are not susceptible to Bt proteins. To address this concern, Nanasaheb Chougule of Iowa State University and colleagues added a short peptide sequence for Bt protein to bind in the gut of target pest species and increase the efficacy of the protein.
The researchers inserted a 12-amino acid pea aphid gut-binding peptide by adding to or replacing amino acids in one of the three loops of the Bt cytolytic toxin (Cyt2Aa). This led to improved binding and toxicity against hemipterans called pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) and green peach aphid (Myzus persicae).
Based on the results, the technique used in the study may be used to develop transgenic plant-mediated suppression of hemipteran pests, especially those that threaten global agriculture.
Read the research article at http://www.pnas.org/content/110/21/8465.full.
| |
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- CropLife Calls To Enrich Soil in Celebration of the Int'l Day of Biodiversity
- Research Partnership to Address Problems on Dryland Agriculture
- Scientists Note Rapid Spread of CBSD in Africa
- Ghana to Start Multi-loc Field Trials of Bt Cotton
- Orange Maize Improves Yields and Nutrition for Families in Zambia
- Court of Appeals Affirms Deregulation of HT Alfalfa in the U.S.
- U.S. Senate Rejects GM Food Labeling Measure
- Scientists Discover Nematode Resistant Wheat
- Chinese Scientists Study Implications of Low Level Presence of GM Products
- Pakistan and China Sign MOU on Hybrid Seed Production
- Strawberry Fields to be Fungus-Free
- Philippine Court Orders to Stop Bt Eggplant Field Trials
- GM Purple Tomato Better Tasting, Lasts Longer
- Scientists Identify Plants' Signaling Mechanism to Warn Danger
-
Research Highlights
- Scientists Find a Gene for Boosting Plant Pest Resistance
- ISU Researchers Retarget Bt Toxin Against Hemipteran Insect Pests
-
Beyond Crop Biotech
- Scientists Sequence Genome of the Christmas Tree
- EFSA Outlines Procedures for Assessment of GM Animals
-
Announcements
- Agriculture & Food Security Anniversary
- 7th International Rice Genetics Symposium
-
Resources
- ISAAA Brief 44 Infographic
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (April 24, 2024)
- Gene Editing Supplement (April 24, 2024)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet