Complete Sequence and Organization of pFR260, the < b > < i > Bacillus thuringiensis < /i > < /b > INTA Fr7-4 Plasmid Harboring Insecticidal Genes

We report the complete sequence and analysis of pFR260, a novel megaplasmid of 260,595 bp from theBacillus thuringiensis strain INTA Fr7-4 isolated in Argentina. It carries 7 insecticidal genes: 3cry8 copies previously reported, 2vip1, and 2vip2. Also, it carries a gene encoding a putative atypical Cry protein. These genes are arranged in a region of approximately 105 kbp in size with characteristics of a pathogenicity island with a potential coleopteran-specific insecticide profile. DNA strand composition asymmetry, as determined by GC skew analysis, and the presence of a Rep protein involved in the initiation of replication suggest a bidirectionaltheta mechanism of replication. In addition, many genes involved in conjugation and a CRISPR-Cas system were detected. The pFR260 sequence was deposited in GenBank under accession number KX258624.J Mol Microbiol Biotechnol 2017;27:43-54
Source: Journal of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research