6533b85efe1ef96bd12bfb98

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Mechanisms of Resistance to Insecticidal Proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis

Juan FerréJuan Luis Jurat-fuentesDavid G. Heckel

subject

0106 biological sciences0301 basic medicineResistance (ecology)business.industryfungiGenetically modified cropsPesticideBiologybiology.organism_classification01 natural sciencesBiotechnology010602 entomology03 medical and health sciences030104 developmental biologyInsect ScienceBacillus thuringiensisbusinessEcology Evolution Behavior and SystematicsBacteria

description

Insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt) are used in sprayable formulations or produced in transgenic crops as the most successful alternatives to synthetic pesticides. The most relevant threat to sustainability of Bt insecticidal proteins (toxins) is the evolution of resistance in target pests. To date, high-level resistance to Bt sprays has been limited to one species in the field and another in commercial greenhouses. In contrast, there are currently seven lepidopteran and one coleopteran species that have evolved practical resistance to transgenic plants producing insecticidal Bt proteins. In this article, we present a review of the current knowledge on mechanisms of resistance to Bt toxins, with emphasis on key resistance genes and field-evolved resistance, to support improvement of Bt technology and its sustainability.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2021-01-07Annual Review of Entomology
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ento-052620-073348