A protein probably derived from this gene is found in cuboidal crystalline inclusions, but is not toxic even when coexpressed with upstream ORF1. The protein runs anomalously as a 50 kDa band in gels. Transcribed starting in early sporulation and into later stages; not expressed during vegetative growth. Second gene in the orf1-orf2-cry2Aa (cryB1) operon. Encoded on an unnamed 225 kb plasmid.