Inhibition of protein degradation increases the Bt protein concentration in Bt cotton

Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)cotton production is challenged by two main problems,i.e.,the low concentration of Bt protein at the boll setting stage and the lowest insect resistance in bolls among all the cotton plant’s organs.Therefore,increasing the Bt protein concentration at the boll stage,especially in bolls,has become the main goal for increasing insect resistance in cotton.In this study,two protein degradation inhibitors(ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid(EDTA)and leupeptin)were sprayed on the bolls,subtending leaves,and whole cotton plants at the peak flowering stage of two Bt cultivars(medium maturation Sikang 1(SK1))and early maturation Zhongmian 425(ZM425)in 2019 and 2020.The Bt protein content and protein degradation metabolism were assessed.The results showed that the Bt protein concentrations were enhanced by 21.3 to 38.8%and 25.0 to 38.6%in the treated bolls of SK1 and ZM425 respectively,while they were decreased in the subtending leaves of these treated bolls.In the treated leaves,the Bt protein concentrations increased by 7.6 to 23.5%and 11.2 to 14.9%in SK1 and ZM425,respectively.The combined application of EDTA and leupeptin to the whole cotton plant increased the Bt protein concentrations in both bolls and subtending leaves.The Bt protein concentrations in bolls were higher,increasing by 22.5 to 31.0%and 19.6 to 32.5%for SK1 and ZM425,respectively.The organs treated with EDTA or/and leupeptin showed reduced free amino acid contents,protease and peptidase activities and significant enhancements in soluble protein contents.These results indicated that inhibiting protein degradation could improve the protein content,thus increasing the Bt protein concentrations in the bolls or/and leaves of cotton plants.Therefore,the increase in the Bt protein concentration without yield reduction suggested that these two protein degradation inhibitors may be applicable for improving insect resistance in cotton production.

Optimizing the Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)protein concentration in cotton:Coordinated application of exogenous amino acids and EDTA to reduce spatiotemporal variability in boll and leaf toxins

During the boll formation stage,cotton bolls exhibit the lowest expression of Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)insecticidal proteins.Resistance to insects varies notably among different organs,which poses challenges for controlling cotton bollworms.Consequently,an experimental strategy was designed in the 2020-2021 cotton growing season to coordinate the enhancement of protein synthesis and the attenuation of degradation.Two Bt cultivars of Gossypium hirsutum,namely the hybrid Sikang 3 and the conventional Sikang 1,were used as test materials.Three treatments were applied at the peak flowering period:CK(the control),T1(amino acids),and T2(amino acids and EDTA).The results show that,in comparison to the CK group,the Bt protein contents were significantly increased in both cotton bolls and their subtending leaves under the T1 and T2 treatments.The maximum levels of increase observed were 67.5%in cotton bolls and 21.7%in leaves.Moreover,the disparity in Bt protein content between cotton bolls and their subtending leaves notably decreased by 31.2%.Correlation analysis suggested that the primary physiological mechanisms for augmenting Bt protein content involve increased protein synthesis and reduced protein catabolism,which are independent of Bt gene expression levels.Stepwise regression and path analysis revealed that elevating the soluble protein content and transaminase activity,while reducing the catabolic enzyme activities,are instrumental in enhancing the Bt protein content.Consequently,the coordinated application of amino acids and EDTA emerges as a strategy that can improve the overall resistance of Bt cotton and mitigate the spatiotemporal variations in Bt toxin concentrations in both cotton bolls and leaves.

Mepiquat chloride increases the Cry1Ac protein content of Bt cotton under high temperature and drought stress by regulating carbon and amino acid metabolism

The effects of mepiquat chloride(DPC)on the Cry1Ac protein content in Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)cotton boll shells under high temperature and drought stress were investigated to provide a theoretical reference for Bt cotton breeding and high-yield and-efficiency cotton cultivation.This study was conducted using Bt cotton cultivar‘Sikang 3'during the 2020 and 2021 growing seasons at Yangzhou University Farm,Yangzhou,Jiangsu Province,China.Potted cotton plants were exposed to high temperature and drought stress,and sprayed with either 20 mg L^(-1)DPC or water(CK).Seven days after treatment,the Cry1Ac protein content,α-ketoglutarate content,pyruvic acid content,glutamate synthase activity,glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activity,soluble protein content,and amino acid content were measured,and transcriptome sequencing was performed.DESeq was used for differential gene analysis.Under the DPC treatment,the Cry1Ac protein content increased by 4.7-11.9% compared to CK.Theα-ketoglutarate content,pyruvic acid content,glutamate synthase activity,glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activity,soluble protein content,and amino acid content all increased.Transcriptome analysis revealed 7,542 upregulated genes and 10,449 downregulated genes for DPC vs.CK.Gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes(KEGG)analyses showed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in biological processes,such as carbon and amino acid metabolism.For example,genes encoding 6-phosphofructokinase,pyruvate kinase,glutamic pyruvate transaminase,pyruvate dehydrogenase,citrate synthase,isocitrate dehydrogenase,2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase,glutamate synthase,1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase,glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase,amino-acid N-acetyltransferase,and acetylornithine deacetylase were all significantly upregulated.The DPC treatment increased pyruvate,α-ketoglutarate,and oxaloacetate by increasing the operational rate of the glycolytic pathway of the citric acid cycle.It also significantly upregulated the genes encoding glutamate synthase,pyrrolidine-5-carboxylic acid dehydrogenase,glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase,and N-acetylglutamate synthetase,while it downregulated the genes encoding glutamine synthetase.Therefore,the synthesis of aspartic acid,glutamic acid,pyruvate,and arginine increased after treatment with DPC,and the Cry1Ac protein content was increased by regulating carbon and amino acid metabolism.

Animal Safety Test of Bacillus thuringiensis BT Protein

[Objectives]To determine the biological safety of BT protein from Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)fermentation broth to mammals at high doses.[Methods]Healthy mice were randomly divided into 4 groups with 10 mice in each group.The experimental groups were fed with Bt fermentation supernatant at 0.2,0.6 and 1.0 mL/kg,respectively,once a day for 7 consecutive days.The blank control group was fed normally without intragastric administration.[Results]There was no significant difference in blood routine and blood biochemical analysis between the experimental group and the control group.After intragastric administration,the mice were dissected,and no obvious pathological changes were found;the heart,liver,spleen,lung and kidney were taken to make tissue sections,and no pathological changes were found by microscopic observation.[Conclusions]Mice can tolerate high doses of BT protein from B.thuringiensis fermentation broth.

Study on Spatial-temporal Dynamics of Bt Toxic Protein Expression in Insect-resistant Transgenic Cotton and Its Degradation in Soil

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the spatial-temporal dynamics of Bt toxic protein expression in insect-resistant transgenic cotton and its degradation in soil. [Method] Btcry1Ac toxic protein expression in roots, stems and leaves of transgenic cotton Guoshen GK45 at different developmental stages and the annual average content of BtCry1Ac toxin protein in the topsoil, rhizosphere soil and following cotton-growing area were explored and analyzed by using enzyme linked immuno sorbed assay (ELISA). [Result] The content of exogenous BtCry1Ac toxin protein decreased during the growth process of insect-resistant transgenic cotton; to be specific, the content of BtCry1Ac toxin protein in cotton stems and leaves decreased more slowly and always maintained a high level, while that in roots decreased rapidly and reached a minimum level to the following plant growth and development stage. BtCry1Ac toxin protein was detected in topsoil of both non-transgenic and transgenic cotton-growing areas, and the content of BtCry1Ac toxin protein increased in topsoil of following cotton-growing area, which was very low in rhizosphere soil. [Conclusion] Determination of Btcry1Ac toxic protein provides scientific basis for the risk assessment of the cultivation of genetically modified crops and the safety evaluation of soil ecosystem.

Expression of Bt Protein in Transgenic Pest-resistant Rice

[Objective] The aim of this study was to study on expression of Bt protein in transgenic pest-resistant rice. [Method] Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure Bt protein expression in different tissues of transgenic pest-resistant rice at same growth stage. [Result] Absolute content of Bt protein from high to low was as follows： leaves 〉 immature seeds and glumes 〉 roots 〉 stems in different tissues of transgenic rice in grain-filling stage; Bt protein content of trans- genic rice changed a little in different growth stages （including tillering stage, booting stage, and grain-filling stage）; in general, its level declined a little in later growth stage, but the resistibility would not be influenced significantly. [Conclusion] The ex- periment is significant for pest prevention and transgenic rice breeding.

基于Bt毒素的杀虫蛋白理性设计与创新应用策略

Bt毒素是源于苏云金芽孢杆菌(Bacillusthuringiensis)的具有特殊杀虫功能的大分子蛋白,其制剂和转基因作物已广泛用于害虫防治,产生了巨大的经济和社会生态效益。围绕Bt毒素挖掘和提升其应用价值是持续研究的热点,特别是随着Bt毒素结构功能和作用机制日趋明晰,为其功能修饰和创新应用创造了条件,相关研究蓬勃发展,成效显著。大量研究表明,采用定点突变、结构域替换或融合以及抗独特型抗体模拟等策略,是理性设计活性更高、稳定性更强、杀虫谱更广、非靶标生物安全性更高甚至是可用于害虫抗药性治理的有别于母体Bt毒素的突变体、结构杂合体乃至功能效应物抗体等新型杀虫蛋白的有效手段;此外,采用催化毒素活化、驱动毒素靶向受体结合、促进毒素表达以及同源或异源杀虫材料复配或共表达的协同促效等创新增效策略,也是助推Bt毒素应用价值的重要手段。本文总结了Bt毒素结构功能和作用机制,梳理了基于Bt毒素功能修饰的突变体、结构杂合体以及功能效应物抗体等新型杀虫蛋白理性设计和基于Bt毒素功能增效的创新应用策略等相关研究进展,并结合作者团队在模拟Bt毒素杀虫功能效应物抗体靶向设计研发方面的最新成果,探讨了基于Bt毒素的杀虫蛋白理性设计与创新应用策略未来发展动向及潜在可行捷径,为相关研究提供较为全面的最新有价值的文献资料和启发思路。

基于转录组分析的低铁胁迫下Bt棉苗杀虫蛋白表达量下降机制

研究低铁对Bt棉杀虫蛋白含量的影响及其生理和分子机制,可为Bt棉抗虫性安全表达提供理论参考。本文以转基因抗虫棉品种中棉50为试验材料,设置正常铁(CK,20.0µmol L^(–1))和低铁(LI,0.1µmol L^(–1))2个铁水平处理,采用水培法研究了低铁胁迫下Bt棉苗期Bt杀虫蛋白含量变化及氮代谢生理特征,通过转录组测序挖掘差异表达基因及其相关代谢途径,并采用qRT-PCR方法对测序结果进行验证。结果表明,与对照处理相比,低铁胁迫下Bt棉根和叶片中杀虫蛋白含量显著下降,且根中杀虫蛋白含量下降幅度更大。低铁胁迫降低了叶片中NH_(4)^(+)-N和NO_(3)^(–)-N含量,降低根和叶片中可溶性蛋白含量和全氮含量。根和叶片中硝酸还原酶、亚硝酸还原酶和谷氨酸合成酶活性的变化趋势与Bt杀虫蛋白含量表现一致。转录组结果表明,根和叶片中分别鉴定出11,661个和8972个差异表达基因,其中有1652个差异表达基因在根和叶片中均下调表达。GO注释表明,低铁处理根和叶片中差异基因的功能都主要富集于刺激反应、细胞壁、质膜、结合、氧化还原活性等。KEGG富集分析显示,苯丙烷类物质生物合成、苯丙氨酸代谢、半胱氨酸和蛋氨酸代谢、激素信号转导、玉米素生物合成、氮代谢、淀粉和蔗糖代谢、丙氨酸、天冬氨酸和谷氨酸代谢和酪氨酸代谢等途径在根和叶片中均发生显著变化。低铁胁迫下与氮素还原、同化途径相关的NR、NiR1和GLT1基因表达显著下调。以上结果表明,低铁胁迫会抑制Bt棉氮代谢相关基因的转录水平,减弱氮代谢的生理活性,抑制Bt杀虫蛋白的合成。

Relationship Between Leaf C/N Ratio and Insecticidal Protein Expression in Bt Cotton as Affected by High Temperature and N Rate

Expression of insecticidal protein for transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis （Bt） cotton is unstable and related to nitrogen metabolism. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between leaf carbon nitrogen ratio （C/N） and insecticidal efficacy of two Bt cotton cultivars. C/N ratio and Bt protein content were both measured at peak square period and peak boll period respectively under 5-7 d high temperature and different nitrogen fertilizer rates on the Yangzhou University Farm and the Ludong Cotton Farm, China. All plants were grown in field. The results showed that the C/N ratio enhanced slightly and the Bt protein content remained stable at peak square period, but significant increases for the C/N ratio and decreases markedly for the leaf Bt protein concentration were detected at the peak boll period. The similar patterns at the two growth periods were found for the leaf C/N ratio and Bt protein content by different N fertilizer treatments. When nitrogen rate was from 0 to 600 kg ha-l, the C/N ratio was reduced by 0.017 and 0.006 for Sikang 1 and Sikang 3 at peak square period, compared to the 1.350 to 1.143 reduction for Sikang 1 and Sikang 3 at peak boll period, respectively. Correspondingly, the leaf Bt protein contents were bolstered by 2.6-11.8 and 26.9-36.9% at the two different growth periods, respectively. The results suggested that enhanced C/N ratio by high temperature and nitrogen application may result in the reduction of inseetiocidal efficacy in Bt cotton, especially in peak boll period.

The effects of high temperature level on square Bt protein concen-tration of Bt cotton

Higher boll worm survival rates were detected after high temperature presented during square period in Bt cotton. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of high temperature level on the Bt efficacy of two different types of Bt cotton cultivars at squaring stage. During the 2011 to 2013 cotton growth seasons, high temperature treatments ranged from 34 to 44°C in climate chambers, and field experiments under high temperature weather with various temperature levels were conducted to investigate the effects of the high temperature level on square Bt protein concentration and nitrogen metabolism. The climate chamber experiments showed that the square insecticidal protein contents reduced after 24 h elevated temperature treatments for both cultivars, whereas significant declines of the square insecticidal protein contents were detected at temperature 〉38°C, and only slightly numerical reductions were observed when temperature below 38°C. Similar high temperature responses were also observed at the two field experimental sites in 2013. Correspondingly, high temperature below 38°C seems have little effect on the square amino acid concentrations, soluble protein contents, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase（GPT） and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase（GOT） activities as well as protease and peptidase activities; however, when the temperature was above 38°C, reduced soluble protein contents, enhanced amino acid concentrations, decreased GPT and GOT activities, bolstered protease and peptidase activities in square were detected. In general, the higher the temperature is（〉38°C）, the larger the changes for the above compound contents and key enzymes activities of the square protein cycle. The findings indicated that the unstable insect resistance of the square was related to high temperature level during square stage.

Impacts of Environmental Factors on Degradation of CrylAb Insecticidal Protein in Leaf-Blade Powders of Transgenic Bt Rice

The determination of the environmental fate of Bt insecticidal protein released by Bt rice plants in paddy soils is a key issue in its ecological risk assessment. In this study, the impacts of soil water content, pH, and temperature on the degradation of CrylAb protein expressed in the leaves of Bt rice KMD2 were studied in the laboratory. Three types of paddy soils were used, i.e., blue clayey paddy soil, pale paddy soil on quaternary red soil, and marine-fluvigenic yellow loamy paddy soil. Ground powders of KMD2 leaf blades were mixed with each type of soil, and degradation dynamics of Cry lAb were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The degradation rate of CrylAb was high at the early experimental stage, but slowed down steadily at middle and later stages, which could be described by exponential equations, with the half-life period of degradation determined as 1.8-4.0 d. The soil water content, pH, and temperature could affect the degradation of CrylAb, but the effects of soil pH and temperature were relatively greater. In general, CrylAb degradations were slower under lower soil pH and temperature conditions, especially for marine-fluvigenic yellow loamy paddy soil.

Dynamics of Bt cotton Cry1Ac protein content under an alternating high temperature regime and effects on nitrogen metabolism

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of alternating high temperature on CrylAc protein content on Bt cotton cultivars Sikang 1 （SK-1, a conventional cultivar） and Sikang 3 （SK-3, a hybrid cultivar）. In 2011 and 2012, cotton plants were subjected to high temperature treatments ranging from 32 to 40℃ in climate chambers to investigate the effects of high temperature on boll shell insecticidal protein expression. The experiments showed that significant decline of the boll shell insecticidal protein was detected at temperatures higher than 38℃ after 24 h. Based on the results, the cotton plants were treated with the threshold temperature of 38℃ from 6：00 a.m. to 6：00 p.m. followed by a normal temperature of 27℃ during the remaining night hours （DH/NN） in 2012 and 2013. These treatments were conducted at peak boll growth stage for both cultivars in study periods of 0, 4, 7, and 10 d. Temperature treatment of 32℃ from 6：00 a.m. to 6：00 p.m. and 27℃ in the remaining hours was set as control. The results showed that, compared with the control, after the DH/NN stress treatment applied for 7 d, the boll shell CrylAc protein content level was significantly decreased by 19.1 and 17.5% for SK-1 and by 15.3 and 13.7% for SK-3 in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Further analysis of nitrogen metabolic physiology under DH/NN showed that the soluble protein content and the glutamic pyruvic transaminase （GPT） activities decreased slightly after 4 d, and then decreased sharply after 7 d. The free amino acid content and the protease content increased sharply after 7 d. The changes in SK-1 were greater than those in SK-3. These results suggest that under DH/NN stress, boll shell CrylAc protein content decline was delayed. Reduced protein synthesis and increased protein degradation in the boll shell decreased protein content, including Bt protein, which may reduce resistance to the cotton bollworm.

低温胁迫对Bt棉纤维中杀虫蛋白含量及氮代谢的影响

本研究以常规种泗抗1号(Sikang 1,SK1)和杂交种泗抗3号(Sikang 3,SK3)为材料进行盆栽试验,研究了不同低温水平及其处理持续时间对Bt棉盛铃期纤维中杀虫蛋白含量变化及氮代谢生理特征。结果表明,纤维中的杀虫蛋白含量随着温度的降低总体呈下降趋势,同时低温处理持续期显著影响杀虫蛋白含量。与对照相比,纤维中杀虫蛋白含量的降低幅度随低温胁迫时间的延长而增大。此外,随着处理温度的降低,可溶性蛋白含量、谷丙转氨酶活性、谷草转氨酶活性呈下降趋势,游离氨基酸含量、肽酶活性、蛋白酶活性呈上升趋势,且在低温处理48 h后,均与杀虫蛋白含量呈极显著相关。因此,低温胁迫促使了蛋白质的合成功能下降,分解能力增强,导致可溶性蛋白含量下降,游离氨基酸含量升高,最终导致杀虫蛋白含量下降,且其受低温胁迫持续期显著影响。

Amino acids application enhances flowers insecticidal protein content in Bt cotton

Background:Low insecticidal protein expression at reproductive organs affect insect resistance in Bt transgenic cotton.In order to enhance flower insecticidal protein expression,the conventional cultivar Sikang1(S1)and the hybrid cultivar Sikang3(S3)were used as experimental materials;the applications of selected 5 types of amino acids and 21 types of amino acids were sprayed on the flowers in 2016 and 2017 cotton growing seasons.Results:The flower Bt protein contents increased significantly under the two amino acid treatments in both cultivars,the Bt protein concentration increased by 15.2 to 25.8%compared with the control.However,no significant differences were detected between the two treatments of amino acid application.Increased amino acid and soluble protein contents,enhanced GPT,GOT,protease,and peptidase activities were observed under the amino acid application at the flowering stage.Conclusions:These results suggest that exterior application of the amino acids treatments could bolster the flower insecticidal protein expression.

Enhancing boll protein synthesis and carbohydrate conversion by the application of exogenous amino acids at the peak flowering stage increased the boll Bt toxin concentration and lint yield in cotton

In Bacillus thuringenesis(Bt) transgenic cotton, the cotton boll has the lowest insecticidal protein content when compared to the other organs. The present study investigated the effects of amino acid spray application at the peak flowering stage on the cotton boll Bt toxin concentration and yield formation. Boll protein synthesis and carbohydrate conversion were also studied to reveal the fundamental mechanism. Three treatments(i.e., CK, the untreated control;LA1, five amino acids;LA2, 21 amino acids) were applied to two Bt cultivars of G. hirsutum(i.e., the hybrid Sikang 3 and the conventional Sikang 1) in the cotton-growing seasons during 2017 and 2018. Amino acid spray application at the peak flowering stage resulted in an increase of 5.2–16.4% in the boll Bt protein concentration and an increase of 5.5–11.3%in the seed cotton yield, but there was no difference between the two amino acid treatments. In addition, amino acid applications led to increases in the amino acid content, soluble protein content, glutamate pyruvate transaminase(GPT)activity, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase(GOT) activity, glucose content, fructose content and soluble acid invertase(SAI) activity. This study also found that Bt protein content, enhanced boll number and the weight of opened bolls were closely related to carbon and nitrogen metabolism. The Bt protein content had significant linear positive correlations with amino acid and soluble protein contents. Enhanced boll number had significant linear positive correlations with the GPT and GOT activities from 15–25 days after flowering(DAF). The weight of opened bolls from 55–65 DAF had a significant linear positive correlation with the SAI activity. These results indicate that the enhancement of boll protein synthesis and carbohydrate conversion by amino acid application resulted in a simultaneous increase in the boll Bt protein concentration and cotton lint yield.

Bt毒素表达应用及其残留风险与免疫检测研究进展

Bt毒素是苏云金芽孢杆菌产生的一类生物大分子蛋白质,对多种常见的农林害虫甚至卫生媒介蚊虫都有特异性毒杀活性,是具备重大经济价值和生态环境效益的绿色抗虫材料。然而,随着Bt毒素制剂和转基因抗虫作物长期应用,致使靶标害虫抗药性进化加快,并对非靶标生物的交互毒性等潜在风险加大,因此对其残留监测成了农业食品和环境安全风险评估的重要内容。本研究梳理了Bt毒素传统的依托微生物表达体系的制剂和植物表达体系的转基因抗虫作物应用及其对靶标害虫抗药性和非靶标生物交互毒性潜在风险的研究现状,概述了针对Bt毒素残留分析的免疫检测研究进展;并结合本研究团队近年来依托热门的噬菌体展示抗体库技术,在Bt毒素特异性基因工程抗体创制以及Bt毒素抗虫模拟物靶向设计等方面的最新研究成果,探讨了基于Bt毒素的新型安全杀虫蛋白质创新研发与应用策略及其毒素蛋白质残留检测技术创新等未来潜在发展动向和可行捷径,为进一步围绕Bt毒素的相关研究提供有价值的文献资料和新的思路。

Degradation of Cry1Ab Protein Within Transgenic Bt Maize Tissue by Composite Microbial System of MC1

Environmental safety issues involved in transgenic plants have become the concern of researchers, practitioners and policy makers in recent years. Potential differences between Bt maize（ND1324 and ND2353 expressing the insecticidal Cry1Ab protein） and near-isogenic non-Bt varieties（ND1392 and ND223） in their influence on the composite microbial system of MC1 during the fermentation process were studied during 2011-2012. Cry1Ab protein in Bt maize residues didn＇t affect characteristics of lignocellulose degradation by MC1, pH of fermentation broth decreasing at initial stage and increasing at later stage of degradation. The quality of various volatile products in fermentation broth showed that no signifi cant difference of residues fermentation existed between Bt maize and non-Bt maize. During the fermentation MC1 efficiently degraded maize residues by 83%-88%, and cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin content decreased by 70%-72%, 72%-75% and 30%-37%, respectively. Besides that, no consistent difference was found between Bt and non-Bt maize residues lignocellulose degradation by MC1 during the fermentation process. MC1 degraded 88%-89% Cry1Ab protein in Bt maize residues, and in the fermentation broth of MC1 and bacteria of MC1 Cry1Ab protein was not detected. DGGE profi le analyses revealed that the microbial community drastically changed during 1-3 days and became stable until the 9th day. Though the dominant strains at different fermentation stages had signifi cantly changed, no difference on the dominant strains was observed between Bt and non-Bt maize at different stages. Our study indicated that Cry1Ab protein did not infl uence the growth characteristic of MC1.

Differential Expression of Bt Protein in Transgenic Bt Cotton

[Objective] The paper was to study the temporal and spatial dynamics of Bt protein expression in transgenic Bt cotton and to determine the inner relationship of Bt protein expression and transgenic Bt cotton. [Method] With transgenic cotton cultivar（ GK19） as the test material,Bt protein contents in different organs,main stem functional leaves at different growth stages and different positions of main stem leaves at different growth stages were studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. [Result] There were differences in Bt protein content among different organs of transgenic Bt cotton; the Bt protein content of leaves at seedling stage was the highest,followed by flowers,bubs and bolls,and those of roots and stems were relatively low. The Bt protein content of main stem function leaves gradually decreased with the progressing development. There were great differences in Bt protein content among different positions of main stem leaves at different growth stages; the Bt protein content of the 1^（st）-7^（th） top leaves at seedling stage and full budding stage gradually decreased,while those at full flowering stage and full bolling stage first slowly increased then gradually stabilized. [Conclusion] Bt protein expression was found in all organs of transgenic cotton at all growth stages,and the expression level presented temporal and spatial dynamics.

Emerging technological developments to address pest resistance in Bt cotton

Cotton plays a crucial role in shaping Indian economy and rural livelihoods.The cotton crop is prone to numerous insect pests,necessitating insecticidal application,which increases production costs.The advent of the expression of Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)insecticidal protein in cotton has significantly reduced the burden of pest without compromising environmental or human health.After the introduction of transgenic cotton,the cultivated area expanded to 22 million hectares,with a 64% increase in adoption by farmers worldwide.Currently,Bt cotton accounts for 93% of the cultivated cotton area in India.However,extensive use of Bt cotton has accelerated resistance development in pests like the pink bollworm.Furthermore,the overreliance on Bt cotton has reduced the use of broad-spectrum pesticides,favouring the emergence of secondary pests with significant challenges.This emphasizes the urgent necessity for developing novel pest management strategies.The high-dose and refuge strategy was initially effective for managing pest resistance in Bt cotton,but its implementation in India faced challenges due to misunderstandings about the use of non-Bt refuge crops.Although gene pyramiding was introduced as a solution,combining mono toxin also led to instances of cross-resistance.Therefore,there is a need for further exploration of biotechnological approaches to manage insect resistance in Bt cotton.Advanced biotechnological strategies,such as sterile insect release,RNA interference(RNAi)-mediated gene silencing,stacking Bt with RNAi,and genome editing using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein(CRISPR-Cas),offer promising tools for identifying and managing resistance genes in insects.Additionally,CRISPR-mediated gene drives and the development of novel biopesticides present potential avenues for effective pest management in cotton cultivation.These innovative approaches could significantly enhance the sustainability and efficacy of pest resistance management in Bt cotton.

渍涝与干旱对不同转Bt基因抗虫棉的影响

对 3个转 Bt基因棉花品种的研究表明 ,花铃期田间渍涝显著降低皮棉产量和棉株内的 Bt蛋白含量。积水后棉花主茎功能叶和幼蕾的 Bt蛋白含量平均分别比对照降低 2 7.7%和 2 9.9% ,主茎下部老叶的 Bt蛋白含量仅降低 6 .6 % ,说明渍涝对生长旺盛器官 Bt蛋白合成的影响远远大于衰老器官。干旱对棉株内 Bt蛋白合成的抑制更强 ,当花铃期干旱使棉叶致萎时 ,主茎下部老叶、幼蕾和主茎功能叶的 Bt蛋白含量分别降低了52 .9%、3 7.0 %和 3 0 .0 %。为充分发挥和利用转Bt基因棉花品种的产量与抗虫潜力 ,棉花生长发育的关键时期应尽量避免缺水干旱 ,及时排除田间积水 。