Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 6, 2026

The C. elegans Intestine As a Model for Intercellular Lumen Morphogenesis and In Vivo Polarized Membrane Biogenesis at the Single-cell Level: Labeling by Antibody Staining, RNAi Loss-of-function Analy
12:15

The C. elegans Intestine As a Model for Intercellular Lumen Morphogenesis and In Vivo Polarized Membrane Biogenesis at the Single-cell Level: Labeling by Antibody Staining, RNAi Loss-of-function Analy

Published on: October 3, 2017

12.7K

Cadherin AdCad1 in Alphitobius diaperinus larvae is a receptor of Cry3Bb toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis

Gang Hua1, Youngjin Park1, Michael J Adang2

  • 1Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2603, USA.

Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
|November 15, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified a cadherin protein, AdCad1, as the first receptor for Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry3Bb toxin in lesser mealworm larvae. This discovery offers new strategies for pest control by targeting this specific toxin receptor.

Area of Science:

  • Insect toxicology
  • Molecular biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry proteins are crucial biopesticides targeting insect pests.
  • Cadherin proteins are known receptors for Cry toxins in various insect orders.
  • Understanding toxin-receptor interactions is key to developing effective pest management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the specific receptor for Cry3Bb toxin in lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus) larvae.
  • To characterize the structure and function of the identified receptor.
  • To explore potential applications of this receptor in pest control.

Main Methods:

  • Identification and characterization of a 185 kDa cadherin (AdCad1) from A. diaperinus larvae.
  • Analysis of AdCad1 structural components (cadherin repeats - CR9, membrane-proximal extracellular domain - MPED).
  • Binding assays using Cry3Bb toxin and AdCad1 peptides.
  • RNA interference (RNAi) to silence AdCad1 expression.
  • Toxicity assays with Cry3Bb toxin and CR9 peptide.

Main Results:

  • AdCad1 was identified as the first receptor for Cry3Bb toxin in A. diaperinus.
  • AdCad1 possesses typical cadherin structural features, including CR9 and MPED regions.
  • CR9 and MPED peptides bound Cry3Bb toxin with high affinity and enhanced its toxicity.
  • Silencing AdCad1 significantly reduced larval susceptibility to Cry3Bb toxin.
  • Exogenous CR9 peptide restored Cry3Bb toxicity in RNAi-treated larvae.

Conclusions:

  • AdCad1 is a functional receptor for Cry3Bb toxin in lesser mealworm larvae.
  • The CR9 region of AdCad1 plays a critical role in Cry3Bb toxin binding.
  • Targeting AdCad1 or using CR9 peptides could be a novel strategy to overcome Cry3Bb resistance in insect pests.
Keywords:
Alphitobius diaperinusBacillus thuringiensis (Bt)CadherinCry3BbdsRNA

More Related Videos

The Insect Galleria mellonella as a Powerful Infection Model to Investigate Bacterial Pathogenesis13:00

The Insect Galleria mellonella as a Powerful Infection Model to Investigate Bacterial Pathogenesis

Published on: December 11, 2012

32.6K
Injecting Gryllus bimaculatus Eggs08:49

Injecting Gryllus bimaculatus Eggs

Published on: August 22, 2019

17.4K

Related Concept Videos

Cadherins in Tissue Organization01:19

Cadherins in Tissue Organization

The cadherins are a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules comprising over 180 variants, with specific tissues expressing a particular combination of cadherin types. Cadherins generally exhibit homophilic binding; i.e., cadherins on one cell bind to cadherins of the same or closely related type on another cell. Thus, cells of the same type have a specific affinity to bind to each other and sort themselves into clusters to form tissues.
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
3.5K
Structure of Cadherins01:25

Structure of Cadherins

The cadherins were one of the first cell adhesion molecules discovered; the term “cadherins”   is based on their calcium-dependent adhering properties. The first cadherins discovered on the epithelial, neuronal, and placental cells were named E-cadherin, P-cadherin, and N-cadherin, respectively. These classical cadherins share sequence and structural similarities. Other cadherins, including those involved in cell signaling, are grouped into non-classical cadherins. This...
4.0K
Adherens Junctions01:24

Adherens Junctions

Strong contact points between adjacent cells anchor them to each other, forming tissues. Such anchoring junctions are of two types –  adherens junctions and desmosomes. Adherens junctions are abundant in tissues such as  epithelium and endothelium, forming a continuous zone of adhesion called the adhesion belt. In other tissues, such as  heart muscle, they appear as clusters, linking the cells to produce coordinated heart muscle contraction.
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
5.8K
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:12

Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
1.8K
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway02:33

Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
7.1K
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:22

Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
1.8K