Bacillus thuringiensis is a Gram-positive, sporulating soil microbe with valuable pesticide-producing properties. The study of bacteriophages of B. thuringiensis could provide new biotechnological tools for the use of this bacterium. Here, we present the complete annotated genome of Spock, a myophage of B. thuringiensis, and describe its features.

Two new mariner transposon delivery vector systems, pMarA333 and pMarB333, had been constructed to randomly mutagenize Bacillus thuringiensis in vivo. The results showed that both systems could randomly insert into the genome of B. thuringiensis YBT881 (CCAM 020673). These systems could have potential for further construction of mutant libraries of B. thuringiensis and other Bacillus strains.

Internally Transcribed Spacers (ITS) characterization and distribution of Repetitive Extragenic Palindromic (REP) sequences were studied in the genome of 223 field isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis from Madurai, India. They were characterized by morphological, biochemical and molecular methods. One hundred and twenty four of a total 223 isolates fitted ITS characterization of B. thuringiensis ...

A mosquitocidal toxin gene, cloned from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis, was introduced into mutant crystal-negative B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis cells. Partial toxicity to mosquitos was restored. The 58-kilodalton cloned gene product is a minor protein component of B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis crystals and is structurally related to a major, 135-kilodalton crystal toxin.

Electron microscopy of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kyushuensis revealed that the parasporal inclusions are composed of a homogeneous center surrounded by a thick, electron-dense coating. Antibodies directed against the 135- and 65-kilodalton B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis peptides cross-reacted with the 70- and 26-kilodalton peptides, respectively, of B. thuringiensis subsp. kyushuensis.

Bacillus thuringiensis is being used worldwide as a biopesticide, although increasing evidence suggests that it is emerging as an opportunistic human pathogen. While phospholipases, hemolysins, and enterotoxins are claimed to be responsible for B. thuringiensis virulence, there is no direct evidence to indicate that the flagellum-driven motility plays a role in parasite-host interactions. This ...

Th e cry3Aa11 gene of Bacillus thuringiensis strain Mm2 (B. thuringiensis Mm2) was PCR-amplifi ed and cloned into E. coli/B. thuringiensis shuttle vector pHT315. Th e recombinant plasmid carrying the cry3Aa11 gene was introduced into the parental B. thuringiensis Mm2. Th e toxin production capacities of parental and recombinant strains grown in DSM, containing either 50 mM or 200 mM inorganic p...

Bacillus thuringiensis is an insect pathogen which has been widely used for biocontrol. During B. thuringiensis fermentation, lysogenic bacteriophages cause severe losses of yield. Here, we announce the complete genome sequence of a bacteriophage, BMBtp2, which is induced from B. thuringiensis strain YBT-1765, which may be helpful to clarify the mechanism involved in bacteriophage contamination.

BACKGROUND Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus cereus are two important species in B. cereus group. The intensive study of these strains at the molecular level and construction of genetically modified bacteria requires the development of efficient genetic tools. To insert genes into or delete genes from bacterial chromosomes, marker-less manipulation methods were employed. RESULTS We present ...