A new Bacillus thuringiensis protein for Western corn rootworm control

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242791
• Publication Date: 2020-11-30T13:53:22Z
• Authors: Yong Yin; Stanislaw Flasinski; William Moar; David Bowen; Cathy Chay; Jason Milligan; Jean-Louis Kouadio; Aihong Pan; Brent Werner; Karrie Buckman; Jun Zhang; Geoffrey Mueller; Collin Preftakes; Bruce E. Hibbard; Paula Price; James Roberts
• Keywords: Western corn rootworm; Bacillus thuringiensis; Genetically modified maize; Strain (injury); European corn borer

The Western corn rootworm (WCR) Diabrotica virgifera LeConte is one of the most economically important insect pests in North America. Since 2003, transgenic maize expressing WCR-active proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt ) have been widely adopted as main approach to controlling WCR U.S. However, emergence field resistance current commercial products has documented recent years, highlighting need develop additional tools for this devasting pest. Here we report discovery Vpb4Da2 (initially assigned Vip4Da2), a new insecticidal protein highly selective against WCR, through high-throughput genome sequencing strain sourced grain dust samples collected eastern and central regions US. contains sequence domain signature distinct families other proteins. Under conditions, demonstrates commercial-level (at or below NIS 0.25) root protection reduces beetle by ≥ 97%. Our studies also conclude that controls populations are resistant Cry3Bb1, Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1 (reassigned Gpp34Ab1/Tpp35Ab1), DvSnf7 RNA. Based on these findings, represents valuable tool protecting WCR.