CONSTRUCTION OF A HYBRID GENE FROM CRYIIIA AND CRYIA(A) DELTA-ENDOTOXIN GENES OF BACILLUS-THURINGIENSIS AND EXPRESSION OF ITS DERIVATIVES IN ESCHERICHIA-COLI-CELLS

Bacillus thuringiensis var. tenebrionis delta-endotoxin gene 5'-termin al sequence including the first 565 codons and coding for the CryIIIA polypeptide pathogenic for Coleoptera was cloned. The sequence was com pleted with a homologous fragment of cryIA(a) gene from B. t. kurstaki HD-1; genes were constructed in which such a hybrid open reading fram e (ORF) is linked to the coding sequence of kanamycin phosphotransfera se (EC 2.7.1.95) and beta-glucuronidase (GUS, EC 3.2.1.31). Strains of Escherichia coli expressing these gene derivatives were isolated. Hyb rid polypeptides displayed bifunctional enzymatic activity and were to xic for the Colorado beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata.