The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) produces protoxin proteins in parasporal crystals. Proteolysis of the protoxin generates an active toxin which is a potent microbial insecticide. Additionally, Bt toxin genes have been introduced into genetically modified crops to produce insecticidal toxins which protect crops from insect invasion. The insecticidal activity of Cry toxins is mediated by specific interaction between toxins and their respective cellular receptors. One such toxin (Cry1Ab) exerts toxicity by first targeting the 12th ectodomain region (EC12) of the moth cadherin receptor BT-R1. Binding promotes a highly regulated signaling cascade event that concludes in oncotic-like cell death. We previously determined that conserved sequence motifs near the N- and C-termini of EC12 are critical for toxin binding in insect cells. Here, we have established that Cry1Ab specifically binds to EC12 as a soluble heterodimeric complex with extremely high affinity (Kd = 19.5 ± 1.6 nM). Binding assays using Cry1Ab toxin and a fluorescently labeled EC12 revealed that the heterodimeric complex is highly specific in that no such formation occurs between EC12 and other Cry toxins active against beetle and mosquito. Disruption of one or both terminal sequence motifs in EC12 eliminates complex formation. Until now, comprehensive biophysical characterization of Cry1Ab recognition and binding by the BT-R1 receptor was unresolved. The findings presented here provide insight on the molecular determinants in the Cry family of toxins and should facilitate the assessment and advancement of their use as pesticidal agents.
Keywords: BT-R1; Bacillus thuringiensis; Cadherin; Cry1Ab; GPCR; Toxin-binding region.