Activation of adenyl cyclase in insect midgut membrane vesicles by bacillus thuringiensis delta endotoxins and melittin

ABSTRACT

Addition of Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai ICI toxins to brush-border membrane vesicles, prepared from Pieris brassicae midgut, increased cyclic AMP which was paralleled by activation of adenylate cyclase in direct measurements. Bee venom toxin melittin, which is cytolytic, also increased cyclic AMP in these vesicles. It is proposed that activation of adenylate cyclase may be due to alteration of its lipid environment by these toxins