Proposing interaction model between Cry1, CRY2 and Vip3 of Bacillus thuringiensis in the control of Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller, 1848) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

• Grant number: 18/22847-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2019
• End date: January 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Janete Apparecida Desidério
• Grantee: Maria Helena Zanetti
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The gram-positive bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis is found in soil and produces proteins considered insecticides. The biotechnological potential of the Cry and Vip proteins produced by this bacterium is known, but insect resistance to its action puts the control of insect pests by plants genetically modified with these genes at risk. Studies and situations already found in the field demonstrate the need to delay the advance of resistance, including to ensure the survival of this technology and its benefits, and in this context one of the alternatives is the use of more than one gene in the construction of transgenic plants. Thus, the knowledge and the search for new genes, with different modes of action, is very relevant for the efficient control of insect pests with this tool, especially in the sugar cane crop, which is of great value in the framework and is attacked by many insect pests, among them the caterpillar Elasmopalpus lignosellus. For this, Cry1, Cry2 and Vip3 proteins will be expressed in Escherichia coli and the toxicity will be verified by means of bioassays with neonate caterpillars of the target insect. The proteins will be purified, solubilized, trypsin-activated and biotinylated. BBMVs will be prepared from the intestines of the caterpillars for heterologous and homologous competition assays. Considering the LC50 and CL90 will be verified which proteins will be the most effective in the control of E. lignosellus. The results obtained could help in the proposal of an interaction model between the Cry1, Cry2 and Vip3 proteins in the control of the insect-plague target of the study.