본 연구는 LMO 유전산물의 위해성평가를 위해 바실러스로부터 증폭된 Vip3Aa 유전자를 이용하여 대장균에서 단백질 순수분리 하였으며, MALDI-TOP 분석법을 통해 기존의 알려진 살충성 Vip3Aa 단백질과 동등한 단백질임을 증명하였다. 순수 분리한 Vip3Aa 단백질을 이용하여 꿀벌 과독성 급성섭식독성평가를 수행하였다. 그 결과 무처리군, Hepes buffer, Vip3Aa 단백질 처리군 모두 치사 및 일반 중독증상을 보이는 개체는 발견되지 않았다. 이 결과를 통해 Vip3Aa 단백질은 꿀벌에 위해성을 나타내지 않는다는 결론을 얻을 수 있었다. 본 연구 결과는 향후 국내 LMO 유전자산물 위해성평가에 유용하게 활용될 것이라 사료 된다.
Most insect-resistant LMOs have been produced by applying Cry and Vip3Aa proteins. Vip3Aa protein is activated during the vegetative stage of Bacillus thuringensis (Bt) and the inhibitory activity of the Vip3Aa protein against pathogenic attacks from lepidopteran insect species is well known. However, a risk assessment of the Vip3Aa protein compared to the Cry protein has not been conducted in South Korea. This study demonstrates a possible risk assessment method for Vip3Aa protein against honeybees (Apis mellifera). For the risk assessment of the protein, we purified the recombinant Vip3Aa protein in Escherichia coli. The survival rate and symptoms of general intoxication of 4 months honeybees were measured after Vip3Aa exposure. These results indicated that there was no significant difference in the survival rate and the symptom between Vip3Aa and the control buffer. In this study, we established standard methods of Vip3Aa protein purification and oral adult toxicity test using A. mellifera as an LMO risk assessment technique for preserving the natural ecosystem of South Korea.