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. 1990 Aug 15;270(1):133–136. doi: 10.1042/bj2700133

The construction of Bacillus thuringiensis strains expressing novel entomocidal delta-endotoxin combinations.

N Crickmore 1, C Nicholls 1, D J Earp 1, T C Hodgman 1, D J Ellar 1
PMCID: PMC1131688  PMID: 2168699

Abstract

Using our recently reported method of electroporation to transform Bacillus thuringiensis [Bone & Ellar (1989) FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 58, 171-178], cloned B. thuringiensis entomocidal delta-endotoxin genes have been introduced into several native B. thuringiensis strains. In many cases the resulting transformants expressed both their native toxins and the cloned toxin, producing strains with broader toxicity spectra. The introduction of the var. tenebrionis toxin gene into B. thuringiensis var. israelensis resulted in a strain with activity against Pieris brassicae (cabbage white butterfly), an activity which neither parent strain possesses. We discuss further the possibility of synergism and also the problems associated with introducing cloned DNA by this method.

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Selected References

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