Bt Cry2A pesticidal proteins—A case study for the development of future insecticidal proteins?

Abstract

This commentary highlights recent advances in engineering Cry2A proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for improved insecticidal activity. Through metagenomic discovery, domain‐swapping, and ancestral sequence reconstruction, key determinants of host specificity have been identified. These approaches offer promising strategies for developing novel pesticidal proteins to overcome insect resistance and support sustainable pest management.