A novel insecticidal GroEL protein from Xenorhabdus nematophila confers insect resistance in tobacco.

Xenorhabdus nematophila is an entomopathogenic bacteria. It secretes a GroEL homolog, XnGroEL protein, toxic to its larval prey. GroEL belongs to the family of molecular chaperones and is required for proper folding of cellular proteins.