Characterization of a novel vip3-type gene from Bacillus thuringiensis and evidence of its presence on a large plasmid

Lobna Abdelkefi Mesrati; Slim Tounsi; Samir Jaoua

doi:10.1016/j.femsle.2005.02.007

Characterization of a novel vip3-type gene from Bacillus thuringiensis and evidence of its presence on a large plasmid

FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2005 Mar 15;244(2):353-8. doi: 10.1016/j.femsle.2005.02.007.

Authors

Lobna Abdelkefi Mesrati¹, Slim Tounsi, Samir Jaoua

Affiliation

¹ Laboratory of Biopesticides, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, P.O. Box K, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia.

PMID: 15766790
DOI: 10.1016/j.femsle.2005.02.007

Abstract

A novel vip3-type gene named vip3LB has been isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis strain BUPM95. The corresponding secreted vegetative insecticidal protein was active against the lepidopteran insect Ephestia kuehniella. The vip3LB gene was shown, for the first time, to be carried by the large plasmid containing the cry1Ia genes of B. thuringiensis. The nucleotide sequence predicted a protein of 789 amino acids residues with a calculated molecular mass of 88.5kDa. Both nucleotide and amino acid sequences similarity analysis revealed that vip3LB is a new vip3-type gene, presenting several differences with the other vip3-type genes. Heterologous expression of the vip3LB under the control of the strong promoter P(BAD) was performed in Escherichia coli and the produced protein conferred insecticidal activity against Ephestia kuehniella. This novel vegetative insecticidal protein Vip3LB could be a very useful biological control agent.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Bacillus thuringiensis / genetics*
Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
Escherichia coli / genetics
Gene Expression
Lepidoptera
Pest Control, Biological
Plasmids / genetics*

Substances

Bacterial Proteins
Vip3A protein, Bacillus thuringiensis