The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis produces a toxic protein called "cry protein". That protein is lethal to certain insects, but not to bacteria. Why does not this toxin kill bacteria? After consuming this protein, what type of changes occur in the gut of insects? How did humans use this protein for their benefit?
Protoxin is produced in an inactive form. This protoxin, in the presence of alkaline pH in the intestine of insects. The toxin binds to the surface of the midgut of the insect that induces pore formation, swelling, and cytolysis, eventually leading to death. Isolation of specific Bt toxin genes from Bacillus thuringiensis and its integration into several crops such as cotton and corn that are pest-resistant to specific insects.
