Vip3Aa from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD1 is toxic to Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)
Bacillus thuringensis (Bt) vegetative insecticidal proteins share no sequence or structural homology with the known Cry proteins. The activity of Vip3Aa is generally considered to be restricted to lepidopteran insects. In this paper, the vip3Aa gene was cloned from Bt subsp. kurstaki HD1 and expressed in E. coli. It was found to be toxic to Aedes aegypti larvae the first time that dipteran activity has been reported. Furthermore, the potential synergism of Vip3Aa with the Cry toxins was investigated. Although no significant synergism was observed, Vip3Aa could be used in combination with Cry toxins to prevent or delay the onset of resistance.
Journal of invertebrate pathology