Pre_GI: SWBIT SVG BLASTN

Query: NC_017200:5325977 Bacillus thuringiensis serovar finitimus YBT-020 chromosome,

Lineage: Bacillus thuringiensis; Bacillus; Bacillaceae; Bacillales; Firmicutes; Bacteria

General Information: This organism, also known as BT, is famous for the production of an insecticidal toxin. The bacterium was initially discovered as a pathogen of various insects and was first used as an insecticidal agent in the early part of this century. This organism, like many other Bacilli, is found in the soil, where it leads a saprophytic existence, but becomes an opportunistic pathogen of insects when ingested. The specific activity of the toxin towards insects and its lack of toxicity to animals has made this organism a useful biocontrol agent. The delta-endotoxin, which is produced during the sporulation part of the life cycle, causes midgut paralysis and disruption of feeding by the infected insect host. The delta-endotoxin, which is produced during the sporulation part of the life cycle, causes midgut paralysis and disruption of feeding by the infected insect host. The delta-endotoxin, which is produced during the sporulation part of the life cycle, causes midgut paralysis and disruption of feeding by the infected insect host. The presence of a parasporal crystal, which is outside the exosporium of the endospore, is indicative of production of the toxin, and serves as a marker for this species.Activation of the toxin typically requires a high pH environment such as the alkaline environments in insect midguts followed by proteolysis.

Subject: NC_013961:3269368 Erwinia amylovora, complete genome

Lineage: Erwinia amylovora; Erwinia; Enterobacteriaceae; Enterobacteriales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria

General Information: This bacterium is the causative agent of Fire Blight, a destructive disease of Maloid fruit trees, such as apple and pear. Outbreaks are sporadic in the Northeast, but result in serious damage to roots, blossoms, fruit, and shoots when they occur. The pathogen overwinters in cankers or in smaller limbs. During early spring, in response to both temperature increases and bud development, the bacteria multiplies and may be seen as a yellowish ooze around the perimeter of the canker. Flies and other insects are attracted to the ooze and disperse the inoculum to other trees in the orchard. This species has recently become resistant to streptomycin, an antibiotic traditionally used in its control.