Immunocytochemical localization of the Bacillus sphaericus binary toxin components in Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae midgut

This study describes the immunocytochemical localization of the Bacillus sphaericus 2362 binary toxin components, BinA and BinB, in Culex quinquefasciatus larvae that had been intoxicated with this entomopathogen. Ultrathin sections of C quinquefasciatus larvae midgut embedded in the hydrophilic resin L.R. White were incubated with the antibodies anti-BinA or anti-BinB and then revealed with goat anti-rabbit IgG coupled to gold particles. Immunocytochemical detection demonstrated the presence of specific labeling in ultra-thin sections that had been incubated with the BinA antiserum. Gold particles were detected on the apical areas of cell membranes and inside the epithelial cell cytoplasm; particularly the mitochondria, of cells from the gastric caeca and posterior stomach in larvae exposed during 2 or 24 h to the entomopathogen. A similar labeling pattern was observed in ultrathin sections from both midgut regions when incubated with BinB antiserum. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.