The Classification of Bacillus thuringiensis

Abstract

Summary. Forty‐six isolates of protein crystal‐forming bacteria pathogenic for insects were studied in an attempt to correlate classifications based on biochemical reactions, flagellar antigens, and esterase patterns obtained when cell extracts were analysed by electrophoresis in starch gel. Nine serotypes were represented, one being subdivided into two subtypes on the basis of secondary H antigens. There was a close correlation between the serological classification and that based on esterase analysis. The relationships between the three types of classification are described and the significance of esterase analysis in this context is discussed.

Characterization and Biological Activity of Bacillus thuringiensis Isolates that Are Potentially Useful in Insect Pest Control

“…Bt LQ showed a unique band/enzyme of 40 kDa as well as Bt LSM, but of about 60 kDa while Bt RT presented two bands of 95 and 60 kDa. Our results are in accordance with those by Norris [53], since it was possible to differentiate Bt strains by comparing the electrophoretic migration profiles of esterase produced during the vegetative growth phase ( Figure 12) [13]. …”

Characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis and related bacteria by ribosomal RNA gene restriction fragment length polymorphisms

“…This may be a reflection of the narrow catchment area from which the strains were isolated and if we were to examine strain,$ from a wider geographical spread more variation may have been observed. However, the inclusion of thc reference strain suggests that this taxon is homogeneouQ; and this is supported by virtually identical whole-cell protein electrophoresis profiles (Kaji e t al., 1994 (Norris, 1964) and in a small study using multilocus enzyme electrophoresis two strains of serovar israelensis produced identical zymograms and of three strains of serovar kwstaki, two were identical and the third highly related (Zahner et al, 1989). Although most serovars were assigned to individual zymovars, strains of serovars finitimzls, entomocidzas and gallerim produced identical zymogram patterns, suggesting that they belong to the same clone.…”

Examination of Brevibacterium linens by an Electrophoretic Zymogram Technique

“…The establishment of a third biotype would be justified if this particular type could be detected again when testing a greater number of strains. This division corresponds exactly with that according to esterase profiles alone and it is interesting that Norris (1964) demonstrated good correlations between esterase patterns and serological relationships in the genus Bacillus.…”