The Use of Biotin-Binding Proteins for Insect Control

• Published in: Journal of economic entomology 2010-04, Vol.103 (2), p.497-508
• Main Authors: Christeller, John T., Markwick, Ngaire P., Burgess, Elisabeth P. J., Malone, Louise A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adverse effects; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animals; avidin; Avidin - pharmacology; Bacillus thuringiensis; Biological and medical sciences; biotin; Biotin - metabolism; biotin-binding proteins; Carrier Proteins - pharmacology; Coleoptera; Control; Diptera; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Generalities; Genetic engineering applications; Genetics and breeding of economic plants; Hymenoptera; insect control; Insect Control - methods; insect development; insect pests; Insecta; Insecta - drug effects; Insecta - metabolism; insecticidal proteins; insecticide resistance; Insecticides - pharmacology; Invertebrates; Lepidoptera; mechanism of action; mortality; nonfood plant products; nontarget organisms; nutritive value; Orthoptera; pest control; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Plant breeding: fundamental aspects and methodology; PLANT RESISTANCE; proteolysis; Protozoa. Invertebrates; resistance management; streptavidin; Streptavidin - pharmacology; transgenic plant; transgenic plants
• ISSN: 0022-0493; 1938-291X; 0022-0493
• DOI: 10.1603/EC09149

Biotin-binding proteins (BBPs), expressed in transgenic plants, are insecticidal to a very wide range of insects. The expression levels required are generally low (≈100 ppm), and although higher than required for Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) δ-endotoxins, BBPs are effective across a broader range of insect orders and other invertebrates than the Bt Cry proteins. Avidin and streptavidin, in particular, have been reported as causing death or severe growth reduction in at least 40 species of insects across five insect orders (Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Diptera, and leaf-eating Hymenoptera) and mites. In addition, due largely to its rapid dilution in ecosystems, no adverse impacts on nontarget microorganisms or invertebrates have been recorded, Because the target, biotin, cannot itself be modified to prevent it binding to BBPs and remain effective as a vitamin, the major avenue open to insects to develop resistance is unavailable. Two properties of the biotin-avidin complex make it highly suitable for use in transgenic plant crop protection strategies against a large range of insects; its extreme stability and its resistance to proteolysis, However, because the nutritional value of the plant could potentially be compromised in the absence of biotin supplementation, its use in nonfood crops such as fiber, forestry, and biofuel crops is seen as the most suitable initial focus for this technology.