Elevated atmospheric ozone increases concentration of insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry1Ac protein in Bt Brassica napus and reduces feeding of a Bt target herbivore on the non-transgenic parent

Environ Pollut. 2009 Jan;157(1):181-5. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2008.07.006. Epub 2008 Aug 30.

Abstract

Sustained cultivation of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) transgenic crops requires stable transgene expression under variable abiotic conditions. We studied the interactions of Bt toxin production and chronic ozone exposure in Bt cry1Ac-transgenic oilseed rape and found that the insect resistance trait is robust under ozone elevations. Bt Cry1Ac concentrations were higher in the leaves of Bt oilseed rape grown under elevated ozone compared to control treatment, measured either per leaf fresh weight or per total soluble protein of leaves. The mean relative growth rate of a Bt target herbivore, Plutella xylostella L. larvae was negative on Bt plants in all ozone treatments. On the non-transgenic plants, larval feeding damage was reduced under elevated ozone. Our results indicate the need for monitoring fluctuations in Bt toxin concentrations to reveal the potential of ozone exposure for altering dosing of Bt proteins to target and non-target herbivores in field environments experiencing increasing ozone pollution.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Brassica napus / drug effects
  • Brassica napus / genetics*
  • Brassica napus / metabolism
  • Crops, Agricultural / genetics
  • Ecology / methods
  • Endotoxins / genetics*
  • Endotoxins / metabolism
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Hemolysin Proteins / genetics*
  • Hemolysin Proteins / metabolism
  • Insect Control
  • Larva / physiology
  • Moths / physiology*
  • Ozone / pharmacology*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Plant Leaves / drug effects
  • Plant Leaves / metabolism
  • Plants, Genetically Modified*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Endotoxins
  • Hemolysin Proteins
  • insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis
  • Ozone