The theoretical 3D structure of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry5Ba

J Mol Model. 2008 Sep;14(9):843-8. doi: 10.1007/s00894-008-0318-8. Epub 2008 May 27.

Abstract

Cry5Ba is a delta-endotoxin produced by Bacillus thuringiensis PS86A1 NRRL B-18900. It is active against nematodes and has great potential for nematode control. Here, we predict the first theoretical model of the three-dimensional (3D) structure of a Cry5Ba toxin by homology modeling on the structure of the Cry1Aa toxin, which is specific to Lepidopteran insects. Cry5Ba resembles the previously reported Cry1Aa toxin structure in that they share a common 3D structure with three domains, but there are some distinctions, with the main differences being located in the loops of domain I. Cry5Ba exhibits a changeable extending conformation structure, and this special structure may also be involved in pore-forming and specificity determination. A fuller understanding of the 3D structure will be helpful in the design of mutagenesis experiments aimed at improving toxicity, and lead to a deep understanding of the mechanism of action of nematicidal toxins.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amino Acids, Aromatic
  • Animals
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / chemistry*
  • Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Endotoxins / chemistry*
  • Hemolysin Proteins / chemistry*
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Models, Molecular
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Pest Control, Biological*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation*
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Static Electricity

Substances

  • Amino Acids, Aromatic
  • Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Endotoxins
  • Hemolysin Proteins
  • insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis