The β18-β19 loop in domain III of Cry1Ac toxin is unique among Bacillus thuringiensis Cry proteins. In this study, the role of the loop structure in insecticidal activity of Cry1Ac toxin was investigated. Alanine sc...The β18-β19 loop in domain III of Cry1Ac toxin is unique among Bacillus thuringiensis Cry proteins. In this study, the role of the loop structure in insecticidal activity of Cry1Ac toxin was investigated. Alanine scanning mutations within the loop were initially generated and most mutants were over-expressed and reduced toxicity at different degrees, except mutant N546A that showed almost 2 times enhanced toxicity against Helicoverpa armigera larvae. Further mutagenic analysis of N546 revealed that a charged amino acid in this position would cause very unfavorable influence on insecticidal activity. In addition, the deletion of N546 led to protein instability because of destruction of the loop integrity. Besides, mutant W544F was much more toxic than W544Y, indicating that hydrophobic nature of the position was important for maintaining the stability and activity of Cry1Ac protein. These findings are the first biological evidence for a structural function of β18-β19 loop in insecticidal activity of the Cry1Ac toxin.展开更多
基金the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2006AA02Z187, 2006AA10A212)National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 30670052)Ph.D. Programs Foundation of Ministry of Education of China (Grant No. 20060452006)
文摘The β18-β19 loop in domain III of Cry1Ac toxin is unique among Bacillus thuringiensis Cry proteins. In this study, the role of the loop structure in insecticidal activity of Cry1Ac toxin was investigated. Alanine scanning mutations within the loop were initially generated and most mutants were over-expressed and reduced toxicity at different degrees, except mutant N546A that showed almost 2 times enhanced toxicity against Helicoverpa armigera larvae. Further mutagenic analysis of N546 revealed that a charged amino acid in this position would cause very unfavorable influence on insecticidal activity. In addition, the deletion of N546 led to protein instability because of destruction of the loop integrity. Besides, mutant W544F was much more toxic than W544Y, indicating that hydrophobic nature of the position was important for maintaining the stability and activity of Cry1Ac protein. These findings are the first biological evidence for a structural function of β18-β19 loop in insecticidal activity of the Cry1Ac toxin.
