[The functions of yhcZ gene during Bacillus thuringiensis growth].

yhcZ and yhcY genes constitute a two-component system in Bacillus subtilis and B. cereus that regulates bacterial growth. However, the exact biological function of yhcZ gene in B.

In vivo fluorescence observation of parasporal inclusion formation in Bacillus thuringiensis.

A recombinant gene expressing a Cry1Ac-GFP fusion protein with a molecular mass of approximately 160 kD was constructed to investigate the expression of cry1Ac, the localization of its gene product Cry1Ac, and its role in crystal development in Bacillus thuringiensis. The cry1Ac-gfp fusion gene under the control of the cry1Ac promoter was cloned into the plasmid pHT304, and this construct was designated pHTcry1Ac-gfp. pHTcry1Ac-gfp was transformed into the crystal-negative strain, HD-73 cry(-), and the resulting strain was named HD-73(-)(pHTcry1Ac-gfp).

[Deletion of spoIVF operon affects the sporulation and the production of crystal in Bacillus thuringiensis G03].

The spoIVF operon exists in Bacillus universally. Two proteins encoded by the spoIVF operon are essential for the sporulation of Bacillus subtilis. In this study, a spoIVF operon disruption mutant G03 (spoIVF-), in which the spoIVF operon was deleted, was constructed by homologous recombination.

[Expression and insecticidal activity of a novel gene cry2ab4 from Bacillus thuringiensis strain B-Pr-88].

The full length cry2Ab gene was cloned by PCR-RFLP method from Bt strain B-Pr-88, which was isolated in China with high toxicity to the Lepidopteran insect pests. Nucleic acid sequence analysis showed that this gene was 1902 base pairs encoding 633 amino acids. This cry gene was named cry2Ab4 as a novel gene by Bacillus thuringiensis Delta Endotoxin Nomenclature Committee.

Microbial control and biotechnology research on Bacillus thuringiensis in China.

The current status of production and application of biopesticides for pest control in China is briefly reviewed, with a focus on research advances in microbial control with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). These have led to improvements in Bt production, exploitation of Bt gene resources, and development of engineered Bt insecticides and transgenic Bt crops that have expanded host ranges and increased efficacy against target pests. Both conventional and biotechnology approaches need to be employed to achieve further progress in discovery, production technology, formulation processing, development of quality standards and recommended use patterns.

Expression of a modified Cry1Ie gene in E. coli and in transgenic tobacco confers resistance to corn borer.

The wild-type Cry1Ie gene from Bacillus thuringiensis was modified for its efficient expression in transgenic plants. Modified Cry1Ie gene (designated as Cry1Iem) was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET28b and its expression in E. coli was confirmed by SDS-PAGE analysis.