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. 1996 Dec;62(12):4367–4373. doi: 10.1128/aem.62.12.4367-4373.1996

Engineering Bacillus thuringiensis bioinsecticides with an indigenous site-specific recombination system.

J A Baum 1, M Kakefuda 1, C Gawron-Burke 1
PMCID: PMC168264  PMID: 8953709

Abstract

The cry genes of Bacillus thuringiensis encode a diverse group of crystal-forming proteins that exhibit insecticidal activity, particularly against the larvae of lepidopteran, coleopteran, and dipteran insects. The efficacy of B. thuringiensis-based biopesticides may be improved through the genetic manipulation of these genes. A gene transfer system has been developed for the introduction and maintenance of cloned insecticidal cry genes on small plasmids in B. thuringiensis. This vector system combines a B. thuringiensis plasmid replicon and an indigenous site-specific recombination system that allows for the selective removal of ancillary or foreign DNA from the recombinant bacterium after introduction of the Cry-encoding plasmid. The site-specific recombination system is useful for engineering strains with unique combinations of cry genes, resulting in new active ingredients with improved insecticidal properties.

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Selected References

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