Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Culturing and Genetically Manipulating Entomopathogenic Nematodes

Culturing and Genetically Manipulating Entomopathogenic Nematodes

Published on: March 31, 2022

Role of plasmid plasticity and mobile genetic elements in the entomopathogen Bacillus thuringiensis serovar

Annika Gillis¹, Nancy Fayad^1,2, Lionel Makart¹

¹Laboratory of Food and Environmental Microbiology, Université catholique de Louvain, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.

FEMS Microbiology Reviews

|September 12, 2018

Abstract:

Bacillus thuringiensis is a well-known biopesticide that has been used for more than 80 years. This spore-forming bacterium belongs to the group of Bacillus cereus that also includes, among others, emetic and diarrheic pathotypes of B. cereus, the animal pathogen Bacillus anthracis and the psychrotolerant Bacillus weihenstephanensis. Bacillus thuringiensis is rather unique since it has adapted its lifestyle as an efficient pathogen of specific insect larvae. One of the peculiarities of B. thuringiensis strains is the extent of their extrachromosomal pool, with strains harbouring more than 10 distinct plasmid molecules. Among the numerous serovars of B. thuringiensis, 'israelensis' is certainly emblematic since its host spectrum is apparently restricted to dipteran insects like mosquitoes and black flies, vectors of human and animal diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, or river blindness. In this review, the putative role of the mobile gene pool of B. thuringiensis serovar israelensis in its pathogenicity and dedicated lifestyle is reviewed, with specific emphasis on the nature, diversity, and potential mobility of its constituents. Variations among the few related strains of B. thuringiensis serovar israelensis will also be reported and discussed in the scope of this specialised insect pathogen, whose lifestyle in the environment remains largely unknown.

Insights

Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis is a specialized biopesticide targeting insect larvae. This review explores its mobile gene pool, focusing on plasmids, to understand its unique pathogenicity and lifestyle.

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Genetics
Insect Pathology

Background:

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is an established biopesticide with an 80-year history.
Bt belongs to the Bacillus cereus group, which includes various pathogens and environmental bacteria.
Bt is unique for its adaptation as a specific insect larval pathogen.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the role of the mobile gene pool in Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis (Bti) pathogenicity.
To examine the nature, diversity, and mobility of Bti's genetic constituents.
To discuss variations among Bti strains and their specialized insect pathogen lifestyle.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on Bti's genetic makeup.
Analysis of extrachromosomal elements (plasmids) in Bti strains.
Comparative discussion of Bti strain variations and their ecological implications.

Main Results:

Bti strains possess extensive extrachromosomal DNA, often exceeding 10 distinct plasmids.
The Bti serovar exhibits a restricted host spectrum, primarily targeting dipteran insects.
Plasmid-borne genes are crucial for Bti's pathogenicity and specialized lifestyle.

Conclusions:

The mobile gene pool, particularly plasmids, is central to Bti's specialized pathogenicity against dipteran vectors.
Understanding Bti's genetic diversity and mobility is key to its application as a biopesticide.
Further research is needed to elucidate the environmental lifestyle of Bti.

Read full analysis

More Related Videos

Identification of Fatty Acids in Bacillus cereus

Identification of Fatty Acids in Bacillus cereus

Published on: December 5, 2016

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance

Published on: May 2, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Periodic Classification of the Elements

Periodic Classification of the Elements

The periodic table arranges atoms based on increasing atomic number so that elements with the same chemical properties recur periodically. When their electron configurations are added to the table, a periodic recurrence of similar electron configurations in the outer shells of these elements is observed. Because they are in the outer shells of an atom, valence electrons play the most important role in chemical reactions. The outer electrons have the highest energy of the electrons in an atom...

Elements and Compounds

Elements and Compounds

Pure substances consist of only one type of matter. A pure substance can be an element or a compound. An element consists of only one type of atom, while a compound consists of two or more types of atoms held together by a chemical bond.
Elements
Elements are classified as atomic or molecular based on the nature of their basic units. They are unique forms of matter with specific chemical and physical properties that cannot break down into smaller substances by ordinary chemical reactions. There...

Plasticity

Plasticity

Plasticity is the property where an object loses its elasticity and undergoes irreversible deformation, even after the deformation forces are eliminated. If a material deforms irreversibly without increasing stress or load, then this is called ideal plasticity. For example, when a force is applied to an aluminum rod, it changes its shape, but it does not return to its original shape once the force is removed. Plastic deformation or ductility is thus a permanent deformation or change in the...

Plasticizers

Plasticizers

Water-reducers, or plasticizers, are chemical admixtures used in concrete to improve strength and workability. These additives reduce the water-cement ratio without compromising workability, lower the cement content while maintaining the same workability, or increase workability to assist concrete placement in inaccessible areas.
Plasticizers function by using surface-active agents to create repulsive electrostatic forces between cement particles. This dispersion enhances the concrete's...

Classification of Elements and Compounds

Classification of Elements and Compounds

Pure substances consist of only one type of matter. A pure substance can be an element or a compound. An element consists of only one type of atom, while a compound consists of two or more types of atoms held together by a chemical bond. Elements are classified as atomic or molecular based on the nature of their basic units.
Compounds are pure substances composed of two or more elements in fixed, definite proportions. Compounds are classified as ionic or molecular (covalent) based on the bonds...

Genetics of Speciation

Genetics of Speciation

Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Diversity of Cry48/Tpp49 binary toxins from Lysinibacillus sphaericus and differential activities of their pairwise cross combinations with BinA/BinB against Culex quinquefasciatus larvae.

Pest management science·2026

Draft genome sequences of nine Bacillus spp. strains isolated from Lebanese soil.

Microbiology resource announcements·2026

Identification of the Integration/Excision Module and Regulatory Elements Involved in the Mobility of IME8, an Integrative and Mobilizable Element From Mosquitocidal Lysinibacillus sphaericus.

Microbial biotechnology·2026

Pathogenesis of human-derived Bacillus cereus strains: lessons from the insect Galleria mellonella immune responses.

Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology·2026

Peanut and Peanut-Based Foods Contamination by Toxigenic Fungi and Mycotoxins: Potential Risks for Beninese Consumers.

Toxins·2025

Biocontrol-relevant diversity of wheat-associated Pseudomonas: prevalence of P. sivasensis and identification of the novel species P. arvensis sp. nov.

PeerJ·2025

See all related articles