Two-component regulatory systems (TCSs) play pivotal roles in bacteria sensing many different stimuli from environment. Here, we investigated the role of the LytSR TCS in spore formation in Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) subsp. kurstaki HD73. lacZ gene fusions revealed that the transcription of the downstream genes, lrgAB, encoding two putative membrane-associated proteins, is regulated by LytSR. ...

The use of 1 N HCl for extraction of small, acid-soluble proteins (SASP) from different Bacillus spore species was examined. The extracts were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry and were found to be both qualitatively and quantitatively superior to extraction by acetonitrile-5% trifluoroacetic acid (70:30, vol/vol). Both maj...

Taumetopoea pityocampa (Den. and Schiff) is one of the most common defoliator insects found in Turkey. Although several methods have been used in attempting to control this major forest pest up to now but the problem still remains largely unsolved in Turkey. There is an urgent need to control and minimize the damages caused by these defoliating caterpillars. Therefore, we planned and applied fi...

A 68-kDa protein, delta endotoxin, produced by Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. Kurstaki inhibits ion transport, (Na,K)-ATPase, and K+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity catalyzed by the Na+ pump. The Ki for inhibition of the K+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity of purified dog kidney (Na,K)-ATPase was approximately 0.37 microM. Delta endotoxin had a similar Ki for inhibition of (Na,K)-ATPase activit...

Biopesticides, vectors for the development of bioeconomy, represent a realistic alternative to petroleum-based chemical pesticides and their known harmfulness humans environment. Bacillus thuringiensis is gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium used production biocontrol agents in agriculture. This insecticidal activity mainly due parasporal δ-endotoxins consisting an assembly crystalline protei...

We conducted surveys to identify the species of spore-forming bacteria present in natural and artificial containers. Most of our samples came from Illinois. Identification was based on the cellular fatty acid composition of the bacterial cell wall. In addition, we utilized a custom database for commercially produced strains of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) and B. sphaericus, to ...