Properties of Bacillus thuringiensis isolated from bank voles

Abstract

Aims: To assess the properties of B. thuringiensis naturally occurring in the intestines of bank voles. Methods and Results: Seventeen Bacillus thuringiensis strains, exhibiting typical growth on selective medium for the B. cereus group and characterized by the ability to produce parasporal crystals, were isolated from bank voles trapped in the Łom_ z za Landscape Park of the Narew River Valley (north-east Poland). All isolates were characterized by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of chromosomal DNA and SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of whole-cell proteins. Six pulsotypes were found with PFGE typing, using SmaI or NotI as restriction enzymes. Significant differences in chromosome size, ranging from 2AE4 to 4AE2 Mb for the B. thuringiensis strains studied, were noted. Strain heterogeneity in pulsotypes was also reflected by the similarity of whole-cell protein profiles of the strains. Environmental isolates and reference strains grouped at 71% similarity according to SDS-PAGE data and at 84% on the basis of biochemical tests. Conclusions: B. thuringiensis from intestines of bank voles demonstrated an important level of heterogeneity. The comparison of PFGE profiles and SDS-PAGE of whole-cell protein patterns may be useful to evaluate the relationship between B. thuringiensis isolates. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results presented in this paper may help to explain the diversity of B. thuringiensis.

Molecular and phenotypic characterisation of Bacillus thuringiensis isolated during epizootics in Cydia pomonella L.

“…The literature data report the possibility of using the protein proWle analysis in the determination of similarity between bacterial strains (Costas, 1990;Costas, 1992;Jwidcicka et al, 2002;Jwidcicka and De Vos, 2003). In our study, the comparison of B. thuringiensis protein proWles showed the presence of two clusters of strains identical to those obtained by using RAPD method.…”

“…Usually, phenotypic similarity of bacteria belonging to the same species evaluated using simple matching coeYcient (S SM ) is equal to 80-85% (Carnahan and Altwegg, 1996). However, some authors suggest that numerical analysis of phenotypical properties does not allow distinguishing strains at a species level but provides information useful for typing and comparative studies (Lecadet et al, 1999;Jwidcicka et al, 2002;Jwidcicka and De Vos, 2003).…”

Molecular characterization of indigenous Bacillus thuringiensis strains isolated from Kashmir valley

“…Isolation of Bt strains B. thuringiensis strains have been found worldwide from diverse habitats, including the micro flora of soil and aquatic habitats (Martin and Travers 1989;Martinez and Caballero 2002;Uribe et al 2003, Unalmis et al 2015, phylloplane (Mizuki et al 1999), freshwater (Ichimatsu et al 2000), marine sediments (Maeda et al 2000), freeliving animals (Swiecicka et al 2002), bank voles (Swiecicka and De Vos 2003) and other environment (Meadows et al 1992). This bacterium is widely distributed in five continents (Bernhard et al 1997), ranging from tropics (Hastowo et al 1992) to the high altitude (Landen et al 1994).…”

Novel Isolate of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. thuringiensis That Produces a Quasicuboidal Crystal of Cry1Ab21 Toxic to Larvae of Trichoplusia ni

“…For decades, isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis have been obtained worldwide from various sources, including soil, the phylloplane, aquatic habitats, grain, and the feces of insects and other animals (10,19,29,30). Most of these isolates are toxic to pests that have agricultural importance (22), specifically either larvae of lepidopteran pests, such as bollworms and loopers (Heliothis, Helicoverpa, and Trichoplusia species), stem borers (Chilo species), and leafworms (certain Spodoptera species), or larvae and adults of important coleopteran pests, such as the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata).…”