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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Sunflower and Plant Biology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #123510
Title: CHARACTERIZATION OF A NEW BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS ISOLATE HIGHLY ACTIVE AGAINST COCHYLIS HOSPES

Author
item BAI, CHENG - USDA-ARS
item Vick, Brady
item Yi, Shuxia

Submitted to: Current Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/8/2001
Publication Date: 4/1/2002
Citation: Bai, C., Vick, B.A., Yi, S.-X. Characterization of a new Bacillus thuringiensis isolate highly active against Cochylis hospes. Current Microbiology. 44:280-285. 2002.

Interpretive Summary: A new Bacterium commonly known as "Bt" was isolated and identified. This Bt is very toxic to a species of sunflower pests. Biochemical characterization revealed that this Bt contains multiple genes producing toxins including a novel gene producing a protease. Presently, Bt is used in commercial formulations as the main factor in bio-pesticide to kill pests. In the future, our new Bt can be considered as an excellent candidate for making bio-pesticide for controlling moth pests in cultivated sunflower plants.

Technical Abstract: A new bacterial isolate, 00-50-5, from sunflower head extracts was identified as Bacillus thuringiensis. Bt isolate 00-50-5 was highly active against the banded sunflower moth (BSM), Cochylis hospes Walsingham. An SDS-PAGE 4-15% gradient gel of whole strain protein of 00-50-5 revealed six proteins with molecular masses (Mr) of 133, 80, 60, 27, 15, and 14 kDa. SDS-PAGE of pH 4.2-precipitated proteins (PP) or activated proteins formed by adding the BSM larval gut protease at 1:50 w/w, protease/PP) showed five bands, including two major proteins of Mr 60 kDa and 27 kDa. The 60 kDa protein is N-terminal blocked protein and the 27-kDa protein may be a camelysin and a novel active protein against BSM.