Diversity of protein inclusion bodies and identification of mosquitocidal protein in Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis

Abstract

Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis produces, during sporulation, protein inclusion bodies of wide ranging sizes, all of which are toxic to mosquitoes. Two proteins are present in the smallest protein bodies (less than 0.2 micron dia.), but the number of proteins increases with increasing size of protein bodies. The largest bodies (greater than 1.5 micron dia.) contain seven proteins. All of the proteins are synthesized at different times during sporulation and are added to developing protein bodies in a stepwise manner. The protein component responsible for mosquitocidal activity is a 65,000-dalton protein, that is present in all of the protein bodies.