Binary insecticidal crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis, strain PS149B1: effects of individual protein components and mixtures in laboratory bioassays.

A family of novel binary insecticidal crystal proteins, with activity against western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, was identified from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner. A binary insecticidal crystal protein (bICP) from B. thuringiensis strain PS149B1 is composed of a 14-kDa protein (Cry34Abl) and a 44-kDaprotein (Cry35Ab1).

Lack of rapid monoterpene turnover in rooted plants: implications for theories of plant chemical defense.

Evidence for the rapid metabolic turnover of leaf monoterpenes is a significant component of theories regarding the evolution and metabolic cost of plant chemical defenses. We re-examined whether monoterpenes are continuously synthesized and lost in intact peppermint plants, and demonstrate that the rapid monoterpene turnover previously observed using detached stems does not occur in intact plants. The apparent artifactual nature of rapid monoterpene turnover in peppermint suggests that a re-evaluation of the rates of metabolic turnover of plant defenses is needed before accurate hypotheses regarding the cost of plant chemical defense can be proposed.

Growth pattern and carbon allocation to volatile leaf terpenes under nitrogen-limiting conditions in Heterotheca subaxillaris (Asteraceae).

Rosettes of Heterotheca subaxillaris were grown at four levels of nitrate. Individual leaf volatile mono- and sesquiterpene content, leaf nitrogen content, and root and shoot dry weight were measured on individual leaves every two weeks for 18 weeks. Rosettes with the highest nitrate availability had 2.