Bacillus thuringiensis: A story of a successful bioinsecticide

► Cry toxins bind insect midgut proteins facilitating the formation of a pre-pore oligomer that inserts into the membrane killing the insect cells. ► Similar Cry binding proteins as cadherin, aminopeptidase-N and alkaline phosphatase in the different insect orders suggests that the mode of action of Cry toxins is conserved. ► The p38 MAPK signal transduction pathway is involved in cellular responses to Cry toxins. ► Transgenic crops producing Cry toxins has resulted in the reduction of chemical insecticides in agriculture. ► The next generation Bt crops produce multiple Cry toxins reducing the possibility of the development of insect resistance.