Bt Polypeptide Sequence Modification for Lepidoptera Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling insect pests in agriculture rely heavily on broad-spectrum chemical insecticides, which pose environmental hazards and have limited effectiveness against a broad range of insect pests, particularly those from the order Lepidoptera, necessitating the development of alternative, more targeted and environmentally friendly solutions.
Innovation Solution
The use of nucleotide sequences encoding insecticidal peptides to produce transformed microorganisms and plants that express pesticidal polypeptides, specifically optimized for enhanced activity against Lepidopteran pests, providing improved insecticidal activity and broader spectrum protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If broad-spectrum chemical insecticides are used to control insect pests, then insect pest populations are reduced, but environmental hazards increase and consumer concern rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of pesticidal activity from broad-spectrum chemical toxicity to specific biological activity against Lepidoptera. By expressing Bt-derived pesticidal polypeptides in transgenic plants, the system achieves pest control through a different mechanism (biological specificity rather than chemical broad-spectrum toxicity), thereby reducing environmental hazards while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent copies the pesticidal gene from Bacillus thuringiensis and integrates it into the plant genome. This allows the plant to produce its own pesticidal polypeptides, creating a self-sustaining system that eliminates the need for external chemical applications and reduces environmental contamination while maintaining effective pest control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If genetically engineered crops producing Bt pesticidal proteins are used, then environmental friendliness improves, but the spectrum of insect pest control remains narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal pesticidal system by engineering plants to produce a specific Bt-derived polypeptide (Cry1Ea) that functions against multiple Lepidopteran pest species. This single polypeptide provides broad coverage within the Lepidoptera order, making the system versatile for controlling various crop pests while maintaining environmental safety through biological specificity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the pesticidal polypeptide sequence (amino acids 36-259 of Cry1Ea) to optimize its spectrum of activity against Lepidopteran pests. By changing specific amino acid residues in the polypeptide sequence, the invention expands the range of susceptible pest species while maintaining the environmental benefits of biological pest control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional Bt toxins are used for pest control, then target specificity improves, but effectiveness against a broad range of Lepidopteran pests is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the amino acid sequence parameters of the Bt toxin by modifying residues 36-259 of Cry1Ea. This sequence optimization expands the polypeptide's ability to bind to and disrupt multiple Lepidopteran pest species while preserving the target specificity that makes Bt toxins environmentally safe. The modified sequence achieves broader effectiveness without sacrificing specificity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite pesticidal polypeptide that combines elements of different Bt toxin variants. By fusing or modifying sequences from different Cry proteins (resulting in Cry1Ea with enhanced properties), the invention produces a hybrid polypeptide with expanded spectrum activity against Lepidoptera while maintaining the biological specificity and environmental safety characteristic of Bt toxins.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding polypeptides having pesticidal activity against insect pests, including Lepidoptera. Particular embodiments of the disclosure provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, pesticidal compositions, DNA constructs, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the embodiments. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.