Q.
What triggers activation of protoxin to active Bt toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis in boll worm ?
3171
207
NEETNEET 2019Biotechnology and its Applications
Report Error
Solution:
Bacillus thuringiensis forms protein crystals during a particular phase of their growth. These crystals contain a toxic insecticidal protein. These protein exist as inactive proteins but once an insect ingest the inactive toxin, it is converted into an active form of toxin due to alkaline pH of the gut which solubilize the crystals. The activated toxin binds to the surface of midgut epithelial cells and create pores that cause cell swelling and lysis and eventually cause death of insect.