Bt Research 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 194-203 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/bt 194 Research Article Open Access Bt Gene Regulatory Network: A Comprehensive Genomic Approach Zhongqi Wu , Hui Xiang Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: zhongqi.wu@jicat.org Bt Research, 2025, Vol.16, No.5 doi: 10.5376/bt.2025.16.0022 Received: 16 Jul., 2025 Accepted: 02 Sep., 2025 Published: 22 Sep., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Wu and Xiang, 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: Wu Z.Q., and Xiang H., 2025, Bt gene regulatory network: a comprehensive genomic approach, Bt Research, 16(5): 194-203 (doi: 10.5376/bt.2025.16.0022) Abstract Bacillus thuringiensis is the most widely used bioinsecticide, and its insecticidal genes and toxins are of great value in agricultural prevention and control. However, the expression of Bt insecticidal traits is controlled by a complex gene regulation network. In-depth analysis of the Bt gene regulatory network is crucial to understand its functional mechanism and improve application effect. This study first introduces the discovery and application value of Bt insecticide genes, emphasizes the importance of gene regulation networks in Bt function analysis; elaborates on the composition of Bt gene regulation networks, reviews the application results of omics technology in Bt research; analyzes the typical regulatory pathways and environmental signal response mechanisms of Bt toxin genes, as well as network changes in mutation and adaptive evolution; finally introduces the latest progress in gene editing and synthetic biology in analyzing and transforming Bt regulatory networks, and looks forward to the opportunities and challenges of integrating omics data, artificial intelligence, etc. in future Bt research. Through a review of the research at home and abroad in the past five years, we hope to provide valuable reference for in-depth research on the Bt gene regulation network and the application of biological control. Keywords Bacillus thuringiensis; Gene regulation network; Insecticidal toxins; Gene editing; Biological control 1 Introduction Bacillus thuringiensis, was found to produce crystal toxin proteins that have a lethal effect on insect larvae in the early 20th century. Its insecticidal gene has great application value in agriculture. After years of research, scientists have isolated and identified many cry and cyt toxin genes from Bt. The toxins encoded by these genes have highly selective insecticidal activity against many types of pests such as Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera (Pardo-López et al., 2013). Bt preparations have been widely used in the biological control of agricultural and forestry pests, and genetically modified Bt crops have been cultivated, which significantly reduces the use of chemical pesticides. In the process of Bt exercising an insecticidal effect, the synthesis and secretion of its toxin proteins are controlled by a sophisticated gene regulation network. Bt forms spore cell and companion crystals in the late stage of growth, involving a series of spatiotemporal and spatially specific gene expression regulation events, including multi-level transcription factors, signaling pathways, RNA regulation, etc. Research on Bt gene regulation networks not only helps to reveal the functional genes in Bt insecticidal mechanism and life history, but also has guiding significance for optimizing the application performance of Bt strains (Soberón et al., 2012). The rise of integrated genomics methods provides a powerful tool for this. Through genome sequencing and comparative analysis, we can fully understand the gene elements carried by Bt strains; combined with proteomic and metabolomic data, we can verify the regulatory effect from the functional product level and build a more accurate regulatory network model. At the same time, the application of gene editing technologies (such as CRISPR/Cas9) and synthetic biological means enable researchers to target the modification of Bt gene regulatory elements, thereby verifying the functions of key nodes in the network, and even cultivating engineered strains with higher toxin yields or stronger environmental adaptability (Bangaru, 2025). It can be said that the combination of multiomics data and emerging biotechnology is pushing Bt gene regulation network research into a new stage of system integration and rational design.
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