Open AccessThe role of DNA binding with the Cry8Ea1 toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis
Author(s) -
Guo Shuyuan,
Li Jie,
Liu Yanfeng,
Song Fuping,
Zhang Jie
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2011.02230.x
Subject(s) - toxin , phospholipid , dna , bacillus thuringiensis , monolayer , lipid bilayer , chemistry , biochemistry , biophysics , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , membrane , genetics
The Cry8Ea1 protoxin is a DNA–protein complex. Both forms of the Cry8Ea1 toxin (with or without DNA binding) were obtained separately, and their stability and ability to insert into a phospholipid monolayer in vitro were compared. The presence of DNA can prevent the toxin from aggregation. Data regarding the penetration of the Cry8Ea1 toxin and Cry8Ea1 toxin–DNA complex into the air/water interface without a phospholipid monolayer show that the Cry8Ea1 toxin–DNA complex is more likely to move towards the air/water interface and is more hydrophobic. Experiments examining the protein interaction with the phospholipid monolayer show that the ability of the Cry8Ea1 toxin–DNA complex to insert into the lipid bilayer is much greater than that of the Cry8Ea1 toxin without DNA.