Compositions and methods for improving expression of a recombinant protein or polypeptide of interest in a host cell are provided. Compositions comprising a polynucleotide coding sequence for a BTBooster are provided using a plant optimized system. The coding sequences can be used in vector constructs or expression systems for transformation and expression of a recombinant protein or polypeptide of interest in a host cell. Methods comprising the codon optimization of a polynucleotide coding sequence for increased expression in a bacterial host are provided. The codon optimization method can be used in designing a polynucleotide coding sequence which expresses robust levels of protein in a bacterial host cell.