Aug 2026· Trends in Biotechnology· 0 citations· 51 references
Medicine
TL;DR
This work utilized an AlphaFold3-based structure-prediction approach to identify candidate genes and developed a Bt chassis strain that can be universally used to express new pesticidal proteins, providing a versatile framework for next-generation biocontrol and sustainable pest-management innovation.
Abstract
Environmentally friendly biopesticides, such as those based on the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), have an important role to play in Integrated Pest Management systems. An increasingly diverse range of pesticidal proteins is being discovered, led by advances in genome sequencing and the bioinformatic identification of candidate genes. In this work, we utilized an AlphaFold3-based structure-prediction approach to identify candidate genes and, in parallel, developed a Bt chassis strain that can be universally used to express new pesticidal proteins. This chassis strain is based on a cdsR deletion strain with a controllable cell death pathway that decouples toxin production from sporulation, enabling cytoplasmic hyperexpression via strong promoters and encapsulation of recombinant proteins. These characteristics provide superior efficacy, UV stability, and environmental safety compared with conventional Bt formulations. Several of the identified proteins displayed insecticidal activity when expressed in this strain, providing a versatile framework for next-generation biocontrol and sustainable pest-management innovation.
In this work, genes and biosynthetic pathways linked to secondary metabolite production, biocontrol activity, and plant interactions were identified and supported the experimentally validated capability of DEF39 to protect plants from fungal diseases, highlighting the potential of genomics studies.
Irene Valenti, A. Motta, M. Saracchi et al.· BMC Genomic Data· 0 citations
The findings suggest that B. thuringiensis JSd1 is a promising candidate for development as a biopesticide targeting insect pests in Bangladeshi agriculture, and lays the groundwork for further functional validation and field applications, contributing to sustainable pest management strategies in the region.
Md. Abdul Bari, Dipta Chandra Pal, Md. Al Muid Khan et al.· Bioinformatics and Biology I...· 0 citations
An engineered strain is constructed by overexpressing the transcriptional regulator OmpR, which significantly enhanced nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita J2s and increased secondary metabolite production, providing a promising engineered strain and lead compounds for developing novel microbial nematicides.
Yue-Yu Ma, Jin-Fang Li, Jian Wu et al.· Journal of Agricultural and...· 0 citations
Abstract For over a century, Bacillus thuringiensis has been regarded as the primary microbial source of pesticidal proteins used in agriculture and vector control. Its defining phenotype, the production of parasporal crystals composed mainly of Cry and Cyt proteins, has shaped both scientific understanding and regulatory frameworks. However, advances in whole genome sequencing reveal that pesticidal traits are not restricted to a single species but are distributed across members of the Bacillus cereus group. This distribution is largely driven by the mobility of toxin-associated genetic elements across closely related genomic backgrounds. Here, we propose that this observation reflects a broader, dynamic, and largely unexplored functional diversity. Using the emerging case of Bacillus toyonensis biovar Thuringiensis, we argue that the current species centered paradigm may be limiting the discovery of novel pesticidal diversity and propose a shift toward a function centered framework in microbial biocontrol. We suggest that embracing this perspective will not only refine our understanding of microbial evolution but also open new avenues for the development of sustainable, next generation biopesticides. Furthermore, it may facilitate the systematic discovery of previously overlooked pesticidal diversity hidden within historical microbial collections.
D. Sauka, Leopoldo Palma· Sustainable Microbiology· 0 citations
The review highlights the advances in use of bacteriophages as precise, environmentally friendly and environmentally stable biocontrol agents of phytopathogenic bacteria and explains the mechanism of action of phages, pointing to a bright future in the application of phage-based biocontrol in sustainable and resilient plant health management practices.
Zeenat Niaz, Adil Zahoor, Junaid Hassan et al.· Integrative Plant Biotechnol...· 0 citations
