Publication Details
Characterization of the pH-Mediated solubility of Bacillus thuringiensis var. san diego native δ-endotoxin crystals
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Year Published
1992
Publication
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 184(2):692-699
Abstract
Native crystals of Bacillus thuringiensis var. san diego, a coleopteran-specific δ-endotoxin, were metabolically labeled with [35S]methionine. Specific activity was 82,000 CPM/μg (2.44 Ci/mmol). Using a universal buffer formulated with the same ionic strength at every pH, we determined that native crystals dissolve above pH 10 and below pH 4. At the acidic pH, the rate of solubilization was substantially slower than at the alkaline pH. Recrystallization rates for the toxin were similar regardless of solubilization conditions. The banding patterns in denatured polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were unaffected by solubilization conditions. Toxicity was higher for soluble toxin compared to crystal toxin, but virtually identical for the acidic and alkaline produced solutions. Acid solubilization is significant because of the acidic midgut of susceptible Coleoptera.
Citation
Koller, C. N.; Bauer, L. S.; Hollingworth, R. M. 1992. Characterization of the pH-Mediated solubility of Bacillus thuringiensis var. san diego native δ-endotoxin crystals. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 184(2):692-699