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A genetically engineered mosquitocidal cyanobacterium

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Abstract

Larvae of the mosquitoAedes aegypti ingested, and developed into adults, on a diet of 1O of 14 different species of cyanobacteria includingAgmenellum quadruplicatum PR-6 (=Synechococcus PCC7002). Mosquito larvae ingested and grew on cells of PR-6 adapted to growth in the absence of NaCl. ThecryIVD gene ofBacillus thuringiensis var.israelensis was cloned into a PR-6 expression vector to form pAQRM56, which was transformed into PR-6. Expression of the CryIVD protein in PR-6 was demonstrated by immunocytochemistry and larvicidal activity. Immunogold labelling indicated production of an electron-dense material among the thylakoid membranes of PR-6. Cells of PR-6 carrying pAQRM56 were toxic to the larvae ofA. aeqypti whereas control cells were not. Growth of PR-6 cells carrying pAQRM56 was slower than the growth of control cells and these cells were also larger.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Memphis State University, Memphis, TN, 38152, USA

    S. Edward Stevens Jr, Randy C. Murphy, William J. Lamoreaux & Lewis B. Coons

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  1. S. Edward Stevens Jr
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  2. Randy C. Murphy
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  3. William J. Lamoreaux
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  4. Lewis B. Coons
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Stevens, S.E., Murphy, R.C., Lamoreaux, W.J. et al. A genetically engineered mosquitocidal cyanobacterium. J Appl Phycol 6, 187–197 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02186072

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02186072

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