Expression of the mel gene from Pseudomonas maltophilia in Bacillus thuringiensis

AIMS: The objective of this work was to express a novel mel gene, responsible for melanin formation, in Bacillus thuringiensis. METHODS AND RESULTS: A novel mel gene from Pseudomonas maltophilia was sub-cloned into B. thuringiensis using a shuttle vector plasmid and electroporation. Results revealed that the mel gene was expressed under the control of the CryIIIA promoter in B. thuringiensis and conferred u.v. protection on the recipient strain. CONCLUSIONS: The novel mel gene from Ps. maltophilia expressed in B. thuringiensis conferred u.v. protection on the recipient strain. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Products containing B. thuringiensis for pest control are sensitive to u.v. degradation. As melanin has the ability to act as a u.v. absorber, a recombinant B. thuringiensis strain producing melanin provides a new stability for B. thuringiensis preparations.