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Characterization of a highly pathogenicBacillus thuringiensis strain isolated from common cockchafer,Melolontha melolontha

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Abstract

A bacterial isolate (Mm2) ofMelolontha melolontha was identified and characterized. Based on various morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular characteristics, it was identified asBacillus thuringiensis subsp.tenebrionis. This isolate was compared to the reference strains by electron microscopy, SDS-PAGE analysis, plasmid pattern,cry gene content and insecticidal activity. Cells of the isolate harbored flat square inclusions containing a protein component of ≈65 kDa. After trypsin digestion of solubilized crystals, SDS-PAGE resolved a unique proteinase-resistant peptide of ≈50 kDa. Plasmid pattern showed similar bands to those of the reference strain, PCR analysis showed that the isolate hascry3 gene. Toxicity tests (against 5 coleopteran species) showed 80 % insecticidal activity against the larvae ofM. melolontha. The isolate Mm2 may be valuable as biological control agent forM. melolontha and other coleopteran insects.

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Abbreviations

PCR:

polymerase chain reaction

SDS-PAGE:

sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

SCM:

spore-crystal mixture

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Giresun University, 28049, Giresun, Turkey

    H. Kati

  2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Karadeniz Technical University, 61080, Trabzon, Turkey

    K. Sezen & Z. Demirbağ

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  1. H. Kati
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  2. K. Sezen
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  3. Z. Demirbağ
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Correspondence to H. Kati.

Additional information

This work was supported by theKaradeniz Technical University research foundation (KTU 21.111.004.4) andTurkish Republic Prime Ministry State Planning Organization (21.111.004.1).

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Kati, H., Sezen, K. & Demirbağ, Z. Characterization of a highly pathogenicBacillus thuringiensis strain isolated from common cockchafer,Melolontha melolontha . Folia Microbiol 52, 146–152 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02932153

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