Bt Research 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 215-222 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/bt 215 Review Article Open Access Functional Genomics of Bt: Unveiling Key Genes for Insecticidal Activity Xiaoqing Tang Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570206, Hainan, China Corresponding email: xiaoqing.tang@hitar.org Bt Research, 2024, Vol.15, No.5 doi: 10.5376/bt.2024.15.0021 Received: 15 Jul., 2024 Accepted: 26 Aug., 2024 Published: 08 Sep., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Tang, 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: Tang X.Q., 2024, Functional genomics of Bt: unveiling key genes for insecticidal activity, Bt Research, 15(5): 215-222 (doi: 10.5376/bt.2024.15.0021) Abstract This study reviewed and analyzed the functional genomics of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), focusing on identifying and describing the key genes responsible for its insect virulence. Given the use of Bt products in providing eco-friendly pest management solutions, it is important to have a deep understanding of these genes. Through the latest advances in proteomics, genomics, and bioengineering, we explore the specificity of Bt toxin and its effective mechanism against various pests, and also evaluate the behavior of Bt protein in the environment and its potential impact on microbial ecology, providing new insights into the biosafety and sustainability of biosecurity-based pest control strategies. The research method combined gene expression analysis in the laboratory and data from field experiments to evaluate the function and regulatory network of toxin genes in Bt strains using comparative genomics and multi-omics methods. Studies have shown that environmental factors and the microbial composition of the pest gut can significantly affect the potency of these toxins. Keywords Functional genomics; Bacillus pasteurus; Insect toxicity; Proteomics; Environmental biosecurity 1 Introduction Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium that has garnered significant attention in agricultural biotechnology due to its potent insecticidal properties. Bt produces parasporal crystals during sporulation, which contain δ-endotoxins (Cry and Cyt proteins) that are toxic to a wide range of insect pests, including those from the orders Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Diptera (Caballero et al., 2020; Hang et al., 2021). These proteins are highly specific to their target pests, making Bt-based products an environmentally friendly alternative to broad-spectrum synthetic insecticides. The specificity and biosafety of Bt have led to its extensive use in both Bt transgenic crops and Bt biopesticides, contributing to sustainable pest management practices (Gupta et al., 2021; Li et al., 2022). The use of Bt as a biological insecticide dates back to the early 20th century when it was first discovered and identified for its insecticidal properties. Over the decades, Bt has been developed into various commercial formulations, including sprays and dusts, and more recently, genetically engineered crops expressing Bt toxins. These advancements have significantly reduced the reliance on chemical pesticides, thereby mitigating environmental pollution and the development of pest resistance (Cao et al., 2020). The historical success of Bt-based products is attributed to their ability to target specific pests without harming non-target organisms, including beneficial insects and humans (Kouadio et al., 2021). This study focuses on the identification and characterization of key genes responsible for its insecticidal activity. By studying the latest advances in proteomics, genomics, and bioengineering, the molecular mechanisms underlying the specificity and effectiveness of Bt against various pests are elucidated. In addition, the environmental behavior of Bt protein and its impact on microbial ecology will also be explored, providing insights into the biosafety and sustainability of Bt based pest control strategies, with the hope of strengthening their future research directions in agriculture. 2 Bt Toxins and Insecticidal Genes 2.1 Classification and structure of Bt toxins Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) produces a variety of Cry and Cyt toxins, which are classified based on their amino acid sequences and insecticidal activity. Cry toxins, such as Cry1, Cry2, Cry4, and Cry9, are known for their
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