Amino acid composition and level affect Bt protein concentration in Bt cotton

Low insect resistance has been widely observed in Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) transgenic cotton. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of amino acid compositions and their concentration on the Bt toxin content in Bt cotton to gain a better physiological understanding of the observed phenomenon. In the 2010 study, the leaf amino acid composition, contents, and Bt protein concentrations were investigated under high temperature (36 °C) and low temperature(18 °C) at both square and boll stage respectively. In 2011, the leaves were sprayed with ethionone sulfoximine (MSO), aminooxyacetic acid (AOA) or combination of MSO and AOA at the two developing stages, and the leaf amino acid composition and Bt protein concentrations were investigated. In 2012, 17 amino acid compositions were used to spray cotton plants at the same two stages, and the Bt protein concentration were measured. In comparison to the control, more amino acids changed and greater concentration changes had been observed under the extreme temperatures at boll stage compared to that at square stage, which were conformity to the changes of the leaf Bt protein concentration. More amino acids reduced and greater reduction was noted with the application of MSO, AOA or combined MSO and AOA at boll period than that at square period, which resulted in the reduction of the leaf Bt toxin concentration. The external uses of Aspartic acid, Glutamic acid, Glycine, Proline, Tyrosine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Histidine and Arginin enhanced the leaf Bt toxin level significantly at boll stage. However, only Aspartic acid, Glutamic acid, Proline, Methionine, Arginin could increase Bt protein concentration markedly at square period and the bolstered extent were low. Therefore, it was concluded that cotton amino acid composition and concentration was more sensitive to external factors at boll stage. In addition, there are close relationship between leaf Bt toxin content and Aspartic acid, Glutamic acid, Glycine, Proline, Tyrosine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Histidine and Arginin and their concentrations.