Bt Research 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 232-239 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/bt 232 Research Insight Open Access Synergistic Effects of Bt Toxins with other Insecticidal Proteins Hongpeng Wang, Minghua Li Biotechnology Research Center of Zhuji Cuixi Academy of Biotechology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: minghua.li@cuixi.org Bt Research, 2024, Vol.15, No.5 doi: 10.5376/bt.2024.15.0023 Received: 10 Aug., 2024 Accepted: 22 Sep., 2024 Published: 09 Oct., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Wang and Li, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Wang H.P., and Li M.H., 2024, Synergistic effects of Bt toxins with other insecticidal proteins, Bt Research, 15(5): 232-239 (doi: 10.5376/bt.2024.15.0023) Abstract This study provides an overview of Bt toxins and their mechanisms of action, analyzes the mechanisms of synergistic interactions, particularly between Bt and non-Bt proteins, and discusses the importance of synergistic effects in resistance management. It also examines their effectiveness in delaying resistance development and improving control of resistant insect strains. Through a systematic analysis, it was found that the synergistic interactions between Bt toxins (such as the Cry, Cyt, and Vip families) and non-Bt insecticidal proteins significantly enhance insecticidal efficacy and show promising potential in delaying pest resistance. The results indicate that synergistic combinations of proteins in Bt genetically modified crops and Bt bioinsecticides effectively increase pest mortality rates, particularly in resistant insect populations. Case studies further demonstrate the successful application of these synergistic combinations in real-world agricultural practices, including in Bt cotton and Bt corn. This study explores the synergistic effects between Bt toxins and other insecticidal proteins, and their potential applications in pest control, aiming to provide new solutions for sustainable pest management. Keywords Bt toxins; Synergistic pffect; Insecticidal protein; Resistance panagement; Sustainable pest control 1 Introduction Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a bacterium known for its insecticidal properties, primarily due to the production of crystalline (Cry) and vegetative (Vip) proteins during different growth phases. These proteins exhibit highly specific insecticidal activities by binding to receptors in the midgut cells of susceptible insects, leading to cell lysis and death (Gupta et al., 2021; Liao et al., 2022). Cry proteins, such as Cry1, Cry2, and Cry3, are well-documented for their effectiveness against various insect orders, including Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Diptera. Vip proteins, particularly Vip3, have shown toxicity against pests that are resistant to Cry proteins, making them valuable in integrated pest management strategies. The extensive use of chemical insecticides has led to significant environmental pollution, adverse effects on non-target organisms, and the development of resistance in pest populations. As a result, there is a growing need for sustainable and effective pest control methods. Bt-based bioinsecticides and transgenic crops expressing Bt proteins offer a promising alternative due to their specificity, reduced environmental impact, and safety for non-target species (Li et al., 2022). However, the evolution of resistance in target pests remains a significant challenge, necessitating the development of new strategies to enhance the efficacy and durability of Bt-based products (Jurat-Fuentes et al., 2021; Oliveira et al., 2023). This research perspective aims to explore the synergistic effects of combining Bt toxins with other insecticidal proteins to enhance their insecticidal activity and delay resistance development. By investigating the interactions between different Bt proteins, such as Cry and Vip, and their combined effects on target pests, this study seeks to identify potent combinations that can be used to develop new bioinsecticides and transgenic crops with improved effectiveness. The scope of this research includes assessing the insecticidal efficacy of various Bt protein combinations, understanding their mechanisms of action, and evaluating their potential for sustainable pest management. 2 Bt Toxins and Other Insecticidal Proteins 2.1 Bt toxins: Cry, Cyt, and Vip families Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) produces a variety of insecticidal proteins, primarily categorized into Cry, Cyt, and Vip
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