Biotechnology in Invertebrate Pathology and Cell Culture

Biotechnology in Invertebrate Pathology and Cell Culture provides information pertinent to genetically manipulated microbial and viral agents, which will benefit those who are interested in the development and uses of pathogens of invertebrates. This book discusses several topics, including fusion of invertebrate cells, safety of viral insecticides, and potential hazards of biocontrol agents. Organized into five parts encompassing 30 chapters, this book starts with an overview of the selection of effective strains and describes the microbial control in sericultural countries. This text then discusses the differences in crystal composition and toxicity of various subspecies, as well as the sporulation-dependent production of the crystal proteins. Other chapters explore the applications of genetically engineered organisms to biological pest control and discuss the intriguing medical applications through the utilization of invertebrate cell culture and baculoviruses. The final chapter explains the application of biotechnology to insect pathology to increase agricultural productivity. This book is a valuable resource for microbiologists, geneticists, entomologists, parasitologists, virologists, medical researchers, biocontrol researchers, and graduate students.

ContributorsPrefaceI. Genetic Manipulation of Microbial Insecticides 1. Strain Improvement of Insect Pathogens I. Bacillus thuringiensis Preparations and Sericulture II. Selection of Effective Bacillus thuringiensis Strains III. Strain Improvement of Bacillus thuringiensis IV. Use of an Attenuated Insect Virus for Control of Silkworm Nuclear Polyhedrosis V. Research Requirements for Development of Microbial Insecticides References 2. Structure and Regulation of the Crystal Protein Gene of Bacillus thuringiensis I. Introduction II. DNA Sequence Analysis III. Expression of the Crystal Protein in Escherichia coli References 3. Mechanism of Bacillus thuringiensis Insecticidal d-Endotoxin Action on Insect Cells In Vitro I. Introduction II. Materials and Methods III. Results IV. Discussion References 4. Entomocidal Activity of Crystal Proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis toward Cultured Insect Cells I. Introduction II. Cell Culture III. Toxin Bioassay IV. Modifiers of Cell Surface Activity V. Resistance VI. Conclusions References 5. Operational Bacterial Insecticides and Their Potential for Future Improvement Text References 6. Expression of d-Endotoxin Gene of Bacillus thuringiensis I. Introduction II. Experimental Results III. Conclusion References 7. Structural and Antigenic Relationships among Three Insecticidal Crystal Proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki I. Introduction II. Materials and Methods III. Results IV. Discussion References 8. Bacillus thuringiensis Isolate with Activity against Coleoptera I. Introduction II. Materials and Methods III. Host Range IV. Biochemistry V. Molecular Genetics VI. Discussion References 9. Parasporal Body of Mosquitocidal Subspecies of Bacillus thuringiensis I. Introduction II. Parasporal Body of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelenis III. Parasporal Body of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. morrisoni (PG-14) IV. Parasporal Body of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. darmstadiensis (73-E-l0-2) V. Closing Remarks References 10. Current Status of the Microbial Larvicide Bacillus sphaericus I. Introduction II. General Characteristics III. Development of Insecticidal Potency IV. Field Trials V. Mode of Action VI. Systematics Bacillus sphaericus VII. Biotechnology of Bacillus sphaericus VIII. Summary and Future Efforts ReferencesII. Mass Production of Microbial and Viral Insecticides 11. Production of Viral Agents in Invertebrate Cell Cultures I. Introduction II. Virus Replication in Cell Culture III. Summary and Conclusions References 12. Morphogenesis of Germinating Conidia and Protoplast-Associated Structures in Entomophthoralean Fungi I. Introduction II. Conidia in Dormant Stage III. Germ Tube Extension IV. Secondary Conidium Budding V. Capillary Tube Formation VI. Protoplast Regeneration VII. Conclusion References 13. Prospects for Development of Molecular Technology for Fungal Insect Pathogens I. Introduction II. Cloned Genes from Filamentous Fungi III. Transformation Systems for Filamentous Fungi IV. Fungal Molecular Technology V. Conclusion ReferencesIII. Gene Manipulation and Cell Culture 14. Expression of Human Interferon a in Silkworms with a Baculovirus Vector I. Bombyx mori Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus as a Vector II.