ATP Synthase Subunit b Binds Cry2Ab and Mediates Its Toxicity in Grapholita molesta

Le résumé fourni par la source

The oriental fruit moth ( Grapholita molesta ), a worldwide fruit tree pest, can be effectively controlled by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), with the insect peritrophic membrane (PM) serving as a key target for such control. This study investigates the role of the key PM protein ATP synthase subunit b (GmolATPs-b) in the molecular mechanism of Cry2Ab toxin toxicity. GmolATPs-b was found to be highly expressed in fourth larval midguts, and its expression is downregulated upon Cry2Ab exposure. Ligand blotting, competitive experiments, and molecular docking confirmed specific binding between GmolATPs-b and activated Cry2Ab. Heterologous expression in Sf9 cells enhanced susceptibility to Cry2Ab, whereas larval RNAi knockdown reduced it. In vivo assays showed that cofeeding purified GmolATPs-b with Cry2Ab increased larval mortality. This study demonstrates that GmolATPs-b is a functional target of Cry2Ab, binding specifically to the toxin and enhancing its insecticidal effect, thus establishing a molecular basis for novel biopesticides against G. molesta .

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.