Cry1Ac
Toxin Cry1Ac from Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki HD-73. PDB entry 4arx
Identifiers
OrganismBacillus thuringiensis
SymbolCry1Ac
UniProtP05068
Search for
StructuresSwiss-model
DomainsInterPro

Cry1Ac protoxin is a crystal protein produced by the gram-positive bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) during sporulation. Cry1Ac is one of the delta endotoxins produced by this bacterium which act as insecticides. Because of this, the genes for these have been introduced into commercially important crops by genetic engineering (such as cotton and corn) in order to confer pest resistance on those plants.[1][2][3]

Transgenic Bt cotton initially expressed a single Bt gene, which codes for Cry1Ac.[4] Subsequently, Bt cotton has added other delta endotoxins.[5] Products such as Bt cotton, Bt brinjal and genetically modified maize have received attention due to a number of issues, including genetically modified food controversies,[6][7][8] and the Séralini affair.[9][10]

Cry1Ac is also a mucosal adjuvant (an immune-response enhancer) for humans.[11][12][13] It has been used in research to develop a vaccine against the amoeba Naegleria fowleri.[14] This amoeba can invade and attack the human nervous system and brain, causing primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, which is nearly always fatal.

See also

References

  1. ^ Acharjee S, Sarmah BK (2013). "Biotechnologically generating 'super chickpea' for food and nutritional security". Plant Sci. 207: 108–16. doi:10.1016/j.plantsci.2013.02.003. PMID 23602105.
  2. ^ McLean M (2011). "A review of the environmental safety of the Cry1Ab protein". Environ Biosafety Res. 10 (3): 51–71. doi:10.1051/ebr/2012003. PMID 22541994.
  3. ^ Liu YB, Li JS, Zhao CY, Xiao NW, Guan X (2012). "[Occurrence and ecological consequences of transgenic rice gene flow: a review]". Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao (in Chinese). 23 (6): 1713–20. PMID 22937665.
  4. ^ Choudhary B, Gaur K. 2010. Bt Cotton in India: A Country Profile. ISAAA Series of Biotech Crop Profiles. ISAAA: Ithaca, NY. James, Clive. 2009. Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2009. ISAAA Brief No.41. ISAAA: Ithaca, NY.
  5. ^ Mesnage R, Clair E, Gress S, Then C, Székács A, Séralini GE (2013). "Cytotoxicity on human cells of Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac Bt insecticidal toxins alone or with a glyphosate-based herbicide". J Appl Toxicol. 33 (7): 695–9. doi:10.1002/jat.2712. PMID 22337346.
  6. ^ Shipman, Matt (June 1, 2015). "Carolinas field study: Is Bt corn losing against corn earworm?". SouthEast FarmPress.
  7. ^ Ledford, Heidi (July 6, 2009). "Pests could overcome GM cotton toxins: Caterpillars reveal a chink in the armour of transgenic crops". Nature. Springer Nature.
  8. ^ Arya S, Shrivastav S (June 8, 2015). "Seeds of doubt: Monsanto never had Bt cotton patent". The Times of India.
  9. ^ Genetic Literacy Project. The Industry Funding Behind Anti-GMO Activist Gilles-Éric Séralini. June 19, 2015. [1]
  10. ^ Entine J (June 24, 2014). "Profile of Gilles-Éric Séralini, Author Of Republished Retracted GMO Corn Rat Study". Forbes.
  11. ^ Vázquez-Padrón RI, Moreno-Fierros L, Neri-Bazán L, de la Riva GA, López-Revilla R (1999). "Intragastric and intraperitoneal administration of Cry1Ac protoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis induces systemic and mucosal antibody responses in mice". Life Sci. 64 (21): 1897–912. doi:10.1016/s0024-3205(99)00136-8. PMID 10353588.
  12. ^ Rodriguez-Monroy MA, Moreno-Fierros L (2010). "Striking activation of NALT and nasal passages lymphocytes induced by intranasal immunization with Cry1Ac protoxin". Scand. J. Immunol. 71 (3): 159–68. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3083.2009.02358.x. PMID 20415781.
  13. ^ Pabst R (2015). "Mucosal vaccination by the intranasal route. Nose-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT)-Structure, function and species differences". Vaccine. 33: 4406–13. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.07.022. PMID 26196324.
  14. ^ Rojas-Hernández S, Rodríguez-Monroy MA, López-Revilla R, Reséndiz-Albor AA, Moreno-Fierros L (2004). "Intranasal coadministration of the Cry1Ac protoxin with amoebal lysates increases protection against Naegleria fowleri meningoencephalitis". Infect. Immun. 72 (8): 4368–75. doi:10.1128/IAI.72.8.4368-4375.2004. PMC 470623. PMID 15271892.
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