Cadherin (Calcium-dependent adhesion) and ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporter proteins play a central role in the mode of action of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins; however, most of the current knowledge is restricted to lepidopteran models, and whether these genes are also taking a role in the Cry3Aa mode of action in coleopterans is poorly known. In our most recent paper published in Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, we show that dsRNA mediated silencing of the ATP-binding cassette gene leads to a reduction in Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. tenebrionis Cry3Aa toxin-related mortality in Colorado potato beetle larvae, while silencing of the cadherin does not change the Cry3Aa-related larval mortality. The cadherin studied in the paper is therefore not involved in Cry3Aa toxin mode of action as opposed to most of the studies.
