Open AccessA hybrid Bacillus thuringiensis delta‐endotoxin gives resistance against a coleopteran and a lepidopteran pest in transgenic potato
Author(s) -
Naimov Samir,
Dukiandjiev Stefan,
De Maagd Ruud A.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
plant biotechnology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.525
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1467-7652
pISSN - 1467-7644
DOI - 10.1046/j.1467-7652.2003.00005.x
Subject(s) - bacillus thuringiensis , biology , pest analysis , transgene , genetically modified crops , colorado potato beetle , resistance (ecology) , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , agronomy , gene , bacteria , genetics
Summary Expression of Bacillus thuringiensis delta‐endotoxins has proven to be a successful strategy for obtaining insect resistance in transgenic plants. Drawbacks of expression of a single resistance gene are the limited target spectrum and the potential for rapid adaptation of the pest. Hybrid toxins with a wider target spectrum in combination with existing toxins may be used as tool to mitigate these problems. In this study, Desiree potato plants were genetically modified to resist attack by insect species belonging to the orders Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, through the insertion of such a hybrid gene, SN19 . Transgenic plants were shown to be resistant against Colorado potato beetle larvae and adults, potato tuber moth larvae, and European corn borer larvae. These are the first transgenic plants resistant to pests belonging to two different insect orders. In addition, the target receptor recognition of this hybrid protein is expected to be different from Cry proteins currently in use for these pests. This makes it a useful tool for resistance management strategies.