Most of the studies on Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal proteins conducted so far have been focusing on the Cry1A, Cry1F, Cry2A and Cry3 families, due to them being the first ones discovered and characterised towards the end of the 60s, and which genes were subsequently introduced and successfully manifested in plants (Bt crops). Nonetheless, much less attention has been paid to other Bt insecticidal proteins, such as the ones from the Vip3 family, despite the fact that the gene vip3Aa has already been introduced into the Bt crops as complementary to the cry genes. Furthermore, studies on the modus operandi of Cry proteins other than the aforementioned are relatively scarce.

In prior projects (PROMETEOII/2015/001 and AGL215-70584-C2-R) we generated new information on how the Vip3 proteins work, we discovered a new family of insecticidal proteins (Cry37-like) and we have contributed to a better understanding of the biochemical basis of resistance to Bt toxins.

On the current project we’ll continue the lines of research previously started in order to further contribute to the understanding of how the Bt toxins (Vip3A and Cry) work and interact both with themselves and with other molecules, and how the insects can develop resistance against them. The structural and functional analysis of the Vip3 family proteins will be an essential objective, as well as the study of the modus operandi of the less studied and found in our Bt collections Cry proteins. A better understanding of the way these proteins work will help to understand the basis of the resistance to them on pest insects.