Functional expression of an alpha anti-insect scorpion neurotoxin in insect cells and lepidopterous larvae

FEBS Lett. 1995 Dec 4;376(3):181-4. doi: 10.1016/0014-5793(95)01263-4.

Abstract

The Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus alpha anti-insect toxin (Lqh alpha IT) cDNA was engineered into the Autographa californica Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (AcNPV) genome. Insect cells infected with the recombinant virus secreted a functional Lqh alpha IT polypeptide. Spodoptera littoralis and Heliothis armigera larvae injected with recombinant budded virus, showed typical intoxication symptoms. This recombinant virus showed enhanced insecticidal potency against H. armigera larvae compared with wild type AcNPV. The present expression system will facilitate: (1) the future elucidation of structural elements involved in its prominent anti-insect toxicity; and (2) the future design of genetically modified alpha toxins with improved anti-insect selectivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA Primers / chemistry
  • Diptera / drug effects
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Larva
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Moths / drug effects
  • Neurotoxins / genetics*
  • Neurotoxins / toxicity
  • Nucleopolyhedroviruses / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Scorpion Venoms / genetics*
  • Scorpion Venoms / toxicity
  • Spodoptera / drug effects

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Neurotoxins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Scorpion Venoms