PEGylation Enhances Mosquito-Larvicidal Activity of Lysinibacillus sphaericus Binary Toxin. 2017

Mahima Sharma, and Ramesh S Hire, and Ashok B Hadapad, and Gagan D Gupta, and Vinay Kumar
Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex , Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India.

Toxic strains of Lysinibacillus sphaericus have been used in the field for larval control of mosquito vector diseases. The high toxicity of L. sphaericus is attributed to the binary (BinAB) toxin produced as parasporal crystalline inclusions during the early stages of sporulation. BinA and BinB, the primary components of these spore-crystals, exert high toxicity when administered together. However, instability, short half-lives, and rapid proteolytic digestion can limit their use as an effective insecticide. BinA alone displays larvicidal toxicity, in the absence of BinB, albeit with much reduced activity. Here for the first time, we demonstrate the beneficial effect of PEGylation (covalent attachment of polyethylene glycol) on mosquito-larvicidal activity of BinA. Polymer conjugation was achieved using 750 Da polyethylene glycol (PEG) at two different pH values (pH 7.2 and 8.5). Two different isoforms of the biopolymers, purified to homogeneity, were highly water-soluble and resistant to trypsin and proteinase K. The mono-PEGylated BinA isoforms also displayed preservation of the toxin structure with improved thermal stability by about 3-5 °C, as evident from thermal denaturation studies by circular dichroism and differential scanning fluorimetry. Notably, PEGylation enhanced BinA toxicity by nearly 6-fold. The PEGylated BinA isoforms alone displayed high larvicidal activity (LC50 value of ∼3.4 ng/mL) against the third instar Culex larvae, which compares favorably against LC50 reported for the combination of BinA and BinB proteins. Since BinA can be synthesized easily through recombinant technology and easily PEGylated, the conjugated biopolymers offer a promising opportunity for mosquito control programs.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007306 Insecticides Pesticides designed to control insects that are harmful to man. The insects may be directly harmful, as those acting as disease vectors, or indirectly harmful, as destroyers of crops, food products, or textile fabrics. Insecticide
D007814 Larva Wormlike or grublike stage, following the egg in the life cycle of insects, worms, and other metamorphosing animals. Maggots,Tadpoles,Larvae,Maggot,Tadpole
D008958 Models, Molecular Models used experimentally or theoretically to study molecular shape, electronic properties, or interactions; includes analogous molecules, computer-generated graphics, and mechanical structures. Molecular Models,Model, Molecular,Molecular Model
D009033 Culicidae A family of the order DIPTERA that comprises the mosquitoes. The larval stages are aquatic, and the adults can be recognized by the characteristic WINGS, ANIMAL venation, the scales along the wing veins, and the long proboscis. Many species are of particular medical importance. Mosquitoes,Mosquitos,Mosquito
D011092 Polyethylene Glycols Polymers of ETHYLENE OXIDE and water, and their ethers. They vary in consistency from liquid to solid depending on the molecular weight indicated by a number following the name. They are used as SURFACTANTS, dispersing agents, solvents, ointment and suppository bases, vehicles, and tablet excipients. Some specific groups are NONOXYNOLS, OCTOXYNOLS, and POLOXAMERS. Macrogols,Polyoxyethylenes,Carbowax,Macrogol,Polyethylene Glycol,Polyethylene Oxide,Polyethyleneoxide,Polyglycol,Glycol, Polyethylene,Glycols, Polyethylene,Oxide, Polyethylene,Oxides, Polyethylene,Polyethylene Oxides,Polyethyleneoxides,Polyglycols,Polyoxyethylene
D004355 Drug Stability The chemical and physical integrity of a pharmaceutical product. Drug Shelf Life,Drugs Shelf Lives,Shelf Life, Drugs,Drug Stabilities,Drugs Shelf Life,Drugs Shelf Live,Life, Drugs Shelf,Shelf Life, Drug,Shelf Live, Drugs,Shelf Lives, Drugs
D006863 Hydrogen-Ion Concentration The normality of a solution with respect to HYDROGEN ions; H+. It is related to acidity measurements in most cases by pH pH,Concentration, Hydrogen-Ion,Concentrations, Hydrogen-Ion,Hydrogen Ion Concentration,Hydrogen-Ion Concentrations
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001406 Bacillaceae A family of bacteria which produce endospores. They are mostly saprophytes from soil, but a few are insect or animal parasites or pathogens.
D001427 Bacterial Toxins Toxic substances formed in or elaborated by bacteria; they are usually proteins with high molecular weight and antigenicity; some are used as antibiotics and some to skin test for the presence of or susceptibility to certain diseases. Bacterial Toxin,Toxins, Bacterial,Toxin, Bacterial

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