What triggers the activation of protoxins to active Bt toxin of Bacillus thuringinensis in boll worm?
Answers (1)
Bacillus thuringiensis forms protein crystals during a particular phase of their growth. These crystals contain a toxic insecticidal protein. These protein exist as inactive protoxins but once an insect ingests the inactive toxin, it is converted into an active form of toxin due to alkaline pH of the gut which solubilizes the crystals. The activated toxin binds to the surface of midgut epithelial cells and creates pores that cause cell swelling and lysis and eventually cause the death of the insect. So, the correct answer is "Alkaline pH of gut".