| Title: | Host resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis is linked to altered bacterial community within a specialist insect herbivore |
| Author(s): | Paddock KJ; Pereira AE; Finke DL; Ericsson AC; Hibbard BE; Shelby KS; |
| Address: | "Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. USDA-ARS, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. USDA-ARS, Columbia, MO, USA" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1365-294X (Electronic) 0962-1083 (Print) 0962-1083 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Evolution of resistance to transgenic crops producing toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) threatens the sustainability of the technology. Examination of resistance mechanisms has largely focused on characterization of mutations in proteins serving as Bt toxin binding sites. However, insect microbial communities have the potential to provide host resistance to pesticides in a myriad of ways. Previous findings suggest the killing mechanism of Bt relies on enteric bacteria becoming pathogenic in the disrupted gut environment of the insect following Bt intoxication. Thus, here we hypothesized that resistance to Bt would alter the microbiome composition of the insect. Previous studies have manipulated the microbiome of susceptible insects and monitored their response to Bt. In our study, we characterized the associated bacterial communities of Bt-resistant and -susceptible western corn rootworms, a widespread pest of maize in the United States. We found resistant insects harbor a bacterial community that is less rich and distinct from susceptible insects. After feeding on Bt-expressing maize, susceptible insects exhibited dysbiosis of the associated bacterial community, whereas the community within resistant insects remained relatively unchanged. These results suggest resistance to Bt produces alterations in the microbiome of the western corn rootworm that may contribute to resistance. We further demonstrated that by itself, feeding on Bt toxin-expressing seedlings caused a shift in the microbiota. This work provides a broader picture of the effect stressors have on microbiome composition, and the potential heritable changes induced as a result of intense selection" |
| Keywords: | "Animals *Bacillus thuringiensis/genetics Bacterial Proteins/genetics *Coleoptera Endotoxins/toxicity Hemolysin Proteins/genetics Herbivory Insecta Insecticide Resistance/genetics Pest Control, Biological Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics Zea mays/gene;" |
| Notes: | "MedlinePaddock, Kyle J Pereira, Adriano E Finke, Deborah L Ericsson, Aaron C Hibbard, Bruce E Shelby, Kent S eng Syngenta/ USDA-ARS/ University of Missouri/ Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. England 2021/03/09 Mol Ecol. 2021 Nov; 30(21):5438-5453. doi: 10.1111/mec.15875. Epub 2021 Apr 5" |
