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L Masson

Publications and source records attributed to L Masson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Domain III of the Bacillus thuringiensis delta-endotoxin Cry1Ac is involved in binding to Manduca sexta brush border membranes and to its purified aminopeptidase N.

Three types of binding assays were used to study the binding of Bacillus thuringiensis delta-endotoxin Cry1Ac to brush border membrane vesicle (BBMV) membranes and a purified putative receptor of the target insect Manduca sexta. Using hybrid proteins consisting of Cry1Ac and the related Cry1C protein, it was shown that domain III of Cry1Ac is involved in specificity of binding as observed by all three techniques. In ligand blotting experiments using SDS-PAGE-separated BBMV proteins as well as the purified putative receptor aminopeptidase N (APN), the presence of domain III of Cry1Ac in a hybrid with Cry1C was necessary and sufficient for specific binding to APN. Using the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique with immobilized APN, it was shown that the presence of domain III of Cry1Ac in a hybrid is sufficient for binding to one of the two previously identified Cry1Ac binding sites, whereas the second site requires the full Cry1Ac toxin for binding. In addition, the role of domain III in the very specific inhibition of Cry1Ac binding by the amino sugar N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNac) was determined. Both in ligand blotting and in surface plasmon resonance experiments, as well as in binding assays using intact BBMVs, it was shown that the presence of domain III of Cry1Ac in a toxin molecule is sufficient for the inhibition of binding by GalNAc. These and other results strongly suggest that domain III of delta-endotoxins play a role in insect specificity through their involvement in specific binding to insect gut epithelial receptors.

Acetylgalactosamine↗
PubMed1998

A holistic approach for determining the entomopathogenic potential of Bacillus thuringiensis strains.

The cry gene content of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai HD-133 was analyzed by a combination of high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and exclusive PCR. A total of six cry genes were detected in genomic DNA purified from HD-133, four from the cry1 family (cry1Aa, cry1Ab, cry1C, and cry1D) as well as a gene each from the cry2 (cry2B) and the cry1I families. To directly determine which genes were expressed and crystallized in the purified parasporal inclusions, solubilized and trypsinized HD-133 crystals were subjected to chromatographic separation by HPLC. Only three proteins, Cry1Ab, Cry1C, and Cry1D, were found, in a 60/37/3 ratio. Dot blot analysis of total mRNA purified from HD-133 showed that both the cry2B and cry1I genes, but not the cry1Aa gene, were transcribed. Cloning and sequencing of the cry1Aa gene revealed an inserted DNA sequence within the cry coding sequence, resulting in a disrupted reading frame. Taken together, our results show that combining crystal protein analysis with a genetic approach is a highly complementary and powerful way to assess the potential of B. thuringiensis isolates for new insecticidal genes and specificities. Furthermore, based on the number of cryptic genes found in HD-133, the total cry gene content of B. thuringiensis strains may be higher than previously thought.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Global variation in the genetic and biochemical basis of diamondback moth resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis.

Insecticidal proteins from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are becoming a cornerstone of ecologically sound pest management. However, if pests quickly adapt, the benefits of environmentally benign Bt toxins in sprays and genetically engineered crops will be short-lived. The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) is the first insect to evolve resistance to Bt in open-field populations. Here we report that populations from Hawaii and Pennsylvania share a genetic locus at which a recessive mutation associated with reduced toxin binding confers extremely high resistance to four Bt toxins. In contrast, resistance in a population from the Philippines shows multilocus control, a narrower spectrum, and for some Bt toxins, inheritance that is not recessive and not associated with reduced binding. The observed variation in the genetic and biochemical basis of resistance to Bt, which is unlike patterns documented for some synthetic insecticides, profoundly affects the choice of strategies for combating resistance.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Ion channels formed in planar lipid bilayers by Bacillus thuringiensis toxins in the presence of Manduca sexta midgut receptors.

A purified, GPI-linked receptor complex isolated from Manduca sexta midgut epithelial cells was reconstituted in planar lipid bilayers. CryIAa, CryIAc and CryIC, three Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal proteins, formed channels at much lower doses (0.33-1.7 nM) than in receptor-free membranes. The non-toxic protein CryIB also formed channels, but at doses exceeding 80 nM. The channels of CrylAc, the most potent toxin against M. sexta, rectified the passage of cations. All other toxin channels displayed linear current-voltage relationships. Therefore, reconstituted Cry receptors catalyzed channel formation in phospholipid membranes and, in two cases, were involved in altering their biophysical properties.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Restriction of intramolecular movements within the Cry1Aa toxin molecule of Bacillus thuringiensis through disulfide bond engineering.

Disulfide bridges were introduced into CrylAa, a Bacillus thuringiensis lepidopteran toxin, to stabilize different protein domains including domain I alpha-helical regions thought to be involved in membrane integration and permeation. Bridged mutants could not form functional ion channels in lipid bilayers in the oxidized state, but upon reduction with beta-mercaptoethanol, regained parental toxin channel activity. Our results show that unfolding of the protein around a hinge region linking domain I and II is a necessary step for pore formation. They also suggest that membrane insertion of the hydrophobic hairpin made of alpha-helices 4 and 5 in domain I plays a critical role in the formation of a functional pore.

Bacillus thuringiensis↗
PubMed1997

One gene in diamondback moth confers resistance to four Bacillus thuringiensis toxins.

Environmentally benign insecticides derived from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are the most widely used biopesticides, but their success will be short-lived if pests quickly adapt to them. The risk of evolution of resistance by pests has increased, because transgenic crops producing insecticidal proteins from Bt are being grown commercially. Efforts to delay resistance with two or more Bt toxins assume that independent mutations are required to counter each toxin. Moreover, it generally is assumed that resistance alleles are rare in susceptible populations. We tested these assumptions by conducting single-pair crosses with diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), the first insect known to have evolved resistance to Bt in open field populations. An autosomal recessive gene conferred extremely high resistance to four Bt toxins (Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, and Cry1F). The finding that 21% of the individuals from a susceptible strain were heterozygous for the multiple-toxin resistance gene implies that the resistance allele frequency was 10 times higher than the most widely cited estimate of the upper limit for the initial frequency of resistance alleles in susceptible populations. These findings suggest that pests may evolve resistance to some groups of toxins much faster than previously expected.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Competency validation for cross-training in surgical services.

Cross-training is a cost-effective means of maximizing the potential of staff members and available resources. The responsibility to provide quality patient care should not be compromised by cross-training efforts. Surgical services department staff members at Deaconess-Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Mass, developed a competency validation project for nurses involved in the cross-training program. They accomplished this by implementing current nursing standards and practices and promoting continuity of patient care through the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases. Perioperative nurses and health care facilities have the responsibility to provide safe, effective, and efficient care to all patients. By assessing competencies for perioperative nurses, staff members can enhance their commitment to caring for their profession and their communities.

Competency-Based Education↗
PubMed1996

Dose equivalent measurements at a 2.7 GeV proton accelerator and comparison with the Moyer model.

The Moyer model, based on a semi-empirical method validated in the 7.4 to 350 GeV energy range, is generally used to calculate lateral shielding for high energy proton accelerators. Measurements made for the Saclay Synchrocyclotron, Saturne, have enabled the parameters corresponding to a 2.7 GeV model to be studied for different target thicknesses and angles of observation. These studies show how new data have been used to modify the equations of the model.

Particle Accelerators↗
PubMed1996

Cross-resistance of the diamondback moth indicates altered interactions with domain II of Bacillus thuringiensis toxins.

We compared responses to six insecticidal crystal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis by a Cry1A-resistant strain (NO-QA) and a susceptible strain (LAB-P) of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. The resistant strain showed > 100-fold cross-resistance to Cry1J and to H04, a hybrid with domains I and II of Cry1Ab and domain III or Cry1C. Cross-resistance was sixfold to Cry1Bb and threefold to Cry1D. The potency of Cry1I did not differ significantly between the resistant and susceptible strains. Cry2B did not kill resistant or susceptible larvae. By combining these new data with previously published results, we classified responses to 14 insecticidal crystal proteins by strains NO-QA and LAB-P. NO-QA showed high levels of resistance to Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, and Cry1Ac and high levels of cross-resistance to Cry1F, Cry1J, and H04. Cross-resistance was low or nil to Cry1Ba, Cry1Bb, Cry1C, Cry1D, Cry1I, and Cry2A. Cry1E and Cry2B showed little or no toxicity to susceptible or resistant larvae. In dendrograms based on levels of amino acid sequence similarity among proteins, Cry1F and Cry1J clustered together with Cry1A proteins for domain II, but not for domain I or III. High levels of cross-resistance to Cry1Ab-Cry1C hybrid H04 show that although Cry1C is toxic to NO-QA, domain III or Cry1C is not sufficient to restore toxicity when it is combined with domains I and II of Cry1Ab. Thus, diamondback moth strain NO-QA cross-resistance extends beyond the Cry1A family of proteins to at least two other families that exhibit high levels of amino sequence similarity with Cry1A in domain II (Cry1F and Cry1J) and to a protein that is identical to Cry1Ab in domain II (H04). The results of this study imply that resistance to Cry1A alters interactions between the insect and domain II.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

[Fatty acid composition and cholesterol content in naturally canned jurel, sardine, salmon, and tuna].

To obtain more information about fatty acid profile and cholesterol content of fat extracted from canned fish in brine habitually consumed in Chile, four different species Jurel (Trachurus murphyi), Sardine (Sardinops sagax), Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and Tuna (Thunnus alalunga) were analyzed. The GLC of fatty acid methyl esters showed that the main group of fatty acids belongs to polyunsaturated, being omega-3 family the more important. The principal representants were eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA), with percentages between 5%-11% and 12%-22% respectively. Omega-6 family was represented mainly by arachidonic acid (AA) with percentages between 2%-4%. Cholesterol content was similar to the values found in other animal origen meats. The figures were between 41-86 mg of cholesterol per 100 g of edible product, Tuna in brine, was the product with the lowest content of cholesterol. The calculated amount of EPA, DHA and total omega-3 fatty acids indicated values between 95-604, 390-1163 and 609-2775 mg respectively per 100 g of edible product. Due these results is important to emphasize the consumption of this type of canned fish in brine, that they really represent a good dietary source of mainly polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids. The international recommendations indicate to increase the consumption of fish, due the beneficial effects described in relation with cardiovascular disease, which is the mean cause of death in Chile, country with a wide variety of marine origen foods, but with a contradictory answer about its consumption which is not incorporated in the current diet.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Bacillus thuringiensis CryIA(a) insecticidal toxin: crystal structure and channel formation.

The activated 65 kDa lepidopteran-specific CryIA(a) toxin from the commercially most important strain Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki HD-1 has been investigated by X-ray diffraction and for its ability to form channels in planar lipid bilayers. Its three-dimensional structure has been determined by a multiple isomorphous replacement method and refined at 2.25 A resolution to an R-factor of 0.168 for data with I > 2 delta (I). The toxin is made of three distinct domains. The N-terminal domain is a bundle of eight alpha-helices with the central, relatively hydrophobic helix surrounded by amphipathic helices. The middle and C-terminal domains contain mostly beta-sheets. Comparison with the structure of CryIIIA, a coleopteran-specific toxin, shows that although the fold of these two proteins is similar, there are significant structural differences within domain II. This finding supports the conclusions from genetic studies that domain II is involved in recognition and binding to cell surface receptors. The distribution of electrostatic potential on the surface of the molecule is non-uniform and identifies one side of the alpha-helical domain as negatively charged. The predominance of arginine residues as basic residues ensures that the observed positive charge distribution is also maintained in the highly alkaline environment found in the lepidopteran midgut. Structurally important salt bridges that are conserved across Cry sequences were identified and their possible role in toxin action was postulated. In planar lipid bilayers, CryIA(a) forms cation-selective channels, whose conductance is significantly smaller than that reported for CryIIIA but similar to those of other Cry toxins.

Bacillus thuringiensis↗
PubMed1995

The CryIA(c) receptor purified from Manduca sexta displays multiple specificities.

The kinetic binding characteristics of four Bacillus thuringiensis CryI insecticidal crystal proteins to a Cry-binding protein, purified from Manduca sexta brush-border vesicles, were analyzed by an optical biosensor. This 120-kilodalton binding protein, previously determined to be aminopeptidase N, was converted to a 115-kilodalton water-soluble form by removing the attached glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor with phospholipase C. The solubilized form recognized the three major subclasses of CryIA toxins but not CryIC even though all four CryI proteins are toxic to larvae of M. sexta. CryIA(a) and CryIA(b) toxins bound to a single site on the solubilized aminopeptidase N molecule whereas CryIA(c) bound to two distinct sites. Apparent kinetic rate constants were determined for each binding reaction. All three CryIA toxins exhibited moderately fast on rates (approximately 10(-5) M-1 s-1) and a slow reversible off rate (approximately 10(-3) s-1). Although the second CryIA(c)-binding site retained a moderately fast association rate, it was characterized by a rate of dissociation from the amino-peptidase an order of magnitude faster than observed for the other CryIA-binding sites. CryIA(c) binding to both sites was strongly inhibited in the presence of N-acetylgalactosamine (IC50 = 5 mM) but not N-acetylglucosamine, mannose, or glucose. CryIA(a) and CryIA(b) binding were unaffected in the presence of the same sugars. Our results serve to illustrate both the complexity and the diverse nature of toxin interactions with Cry-binding proteins.

Acetylgalactosamine↗
PubMed1995

Kinetics of Bacillus thuringiensis toxin binding with brush border membrane vesicles from susceptible and resistant larvae of Plutella xylostella.

An optical biosensor technology based on surface plasmon resonance was used to determine the kinetic rate constants for interactions between the CryIA(c) toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis and brush border membrane vesicles purified from susceptible and resistant larvae of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella). CryIA(c) association and dissociation rate constants for vesicles from susceptible larvae were determined to be 4.5 x 10(3) M-1 s-1 and 3.2 x 10(-5) s-1, respectively, resulting in a calculated affinity constant of 7 nM. CryIE toxin did not kill susceptible or resistant larvae and did not bind to brush border vesicles. Contrary to expectations based on previous studies of binding in resistant P. xylostella, the binding kinetics for CryIA(c) did not differ significantly between susceptible larvae and those that were resistant to CryIA(c). Determination of the number of CryIA(c) receptors revealed an approximately 3-fold decrease in total CryIA(c) receptor numbers for resistant vesicles. These results suggest that factors other than binding may be altered in our resistant diamondback moth strain. They also support the view that binding is not sufficient for toxicity.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of the lepidopteran-specific insecticidal crystal protein CrylA(a).

A trypsin-activated CrylA(a) protein from Bacillus thuringiensis has been purified and crystallized. Crystals belong to orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with cell dimensions a = 53.3, b = 111.3 and c = 154.7 A. The crystals diffract to at least 2.2 angstrum resolution and are suitable for X-ray structural analysis. They contain a single molecule in the asymmetric unit.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Stable immobilization of lipid vesicles for kinetic studies using surface plasmon resonance.

In order to study the kinetics of binding between membrane vesicle surface receptors to the lepidopteran insecticidal toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis using surface plasmon resonance, we have developed a technique to immobilize membrane vesicles purified from the brush border of dissected guts from the lepidopteran insect pest Choristoneura fumiferana. Two methods using immobilized immunoglobulins against either avidin or biotin were successful in achieving stable immobilization of the vesicles (> 1.5 h). Specificity of the immobilized receptors exposed on the vesicle surface was demonstrated, in part, by the inability of bovine serum albumin to bind to the immobilized brush border membrane vesicles. Homologous and heterologous competition experiments further demonstrated specific binding of trypsin-activated CryIA(c) toxin to the cell-surface receptors on the vesicles. Kinetic rate constants for activated cryIA(b) toxin binding to brush border vesicles were determined, revealing the presence of a high-affinity receptor on the surface of the immobilized brush border membrane vesicles.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Specificity domain localization of Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal toxins is highly dependent on the bioassay system.

The Bacillus thuringiensis crylA(a) and crylA(c) gene specificity regions were probed by creating and testing hybrid toxins both in vivo and in vitro against cultured insect cells or dissociated midgut epithelial cells. Toxin threshold dose determinations revealed that CrylA(c) is highly active against cultured Choristoneura fumiferana cells (CF-1) whereas CrylA(a) is nontoxic. In live insect bioassays, a reversed order of toxicity was observed. Hybrid analysis revealed that the CrylA(c) toxicity-determining region is located between codons 258 and 510. Two smaller subsections of this region (residues 258-358 and 450-510) were able to confer toxicity, although at lower levels, and one region (358-450) was present where progressive substitutions of crylA(a) with crylA(c) sequences had no effect. Exchanging the non-homologous N-terminal regions of CrylA(c) with CrylE suggested that the N-terminus does not play a role in specificity. One hybrid clone, MP80, displays a 99.3% homology to CrylA(b) but shows an 800-fold increase in toxicity to CF-1 cells relative to that shown by CrylA(b). Direct comparison between live Bombyx mori bioassays and a newly developed in vitro lawn assay using dissociated midgut epithelial cells from the same insect revealed striking differences in toxicity. The toxicity-determining region for B. mori larvae was determined to be between codons 283 and 450, although the 450-620 codon region may exert an influence on toxicity. In general, native or hybrid toxins showing little or no insect intoxication were very active against the epithelial cells, suggesting that factors other than toxin amino acid sequence play an important role in determining toxin specificity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Lepidopteran-specific crystal toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis form cation- and anion-selective channels in planar lipid bilayers.

Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that CryIC, a lepidopteran-specific toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis, triggers calcium and chloride channel activity in SF-9 cells (Spodoptera frugiperda, fall armyworm). Chloride currents were also observed in SF-9 membrane patches upon addition of CryIC toxin to the cytoplasmic side of the membrane. In the present study the ability of activated CryIC toxin to form channels was investigated in a receptor-free, artificial phospholipid membrane system. We demonstrate that this toxin can partition in planar lipid bilayers and form ion-selective channels with a large range of conductances. These channels display complex activity patterns, often possess subconducting states and are selective to either anions or cations. These properties appeared to be pH dependent. At pH 9.5, cation-selective channels of 100 to 200 pS were most frequently observed. Among the channels recorded at pH 6.0, a 25-35 pS anion-selective channel was often seen at pH 6.0, with permeation and kinetic properties similar to those of the channels previously observed in cultured lepidopteran cells under comparable pH environment and for the same CryIC toxin doses. We conclude that insertion of CryIC toxin in SF-9 cell native membranes and in artificial planar phospholipid bilayers may result from an identical lipid-protein interaction mechanism.

Anions↗