Differential specificity of two insecticidal toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis var. aizawai

Bacillus thuringiensis var. aizawai HD-249 produces more than one protein of 130-135 kD in its insecticidal crystal delta-endotoxin. We describe an indirect method of assessing the relative contribution to toxicity of two of these protoxins using monospecific antibodies directed against their active proteolytic products. Our results show that one toxin is active against Spodoptera frugiperda but not Choristoneura fumiferana cells in vitro, while the other lyses C. fumiferana but not S. frugiperda cells. There is no indication of synergism between these toxins in vitro.