Chimeric Insecticidal Proteins for Broad-Spectrum Crop Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing genetically engineered crops provide resistance to only a narrow range of insect pests and there is a need for new pesticidal proteins with increased insecticidal activity and different modes of action against insects that have developed resistance to existing insecticides.
Innovation Solution
Development of recombinant insecticidal polypeptides, chimeric insecticidal proteins, and fusion proteins with specific amino acid sequences, along with nucleic acids and transgenic plants expressing these proteins to target a broader spectrum of insect pests, including Lepidoptera and Coleoptera.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If genetically engineered crops produce pesticidal proteins from Bacillus, then insect resistance is enhanced, but the spectrum of activity remains narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pesticidal protein sequences from different Bacillus strains into a single polypeptide construct. This merging of sequences from B. thuringiensis, B. popilliae, and other strains creates a hybrid protein that integrates the insecticidal activities of multiple sources, thereby expanding the spectrum of activity while maintaining reliable insect resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite pesticidal polypeptide by fusing segments from different bacterial sources. This composite structure incorporates domains from various Bacillus species, resulting in a single protein molecule with broad-spectrum insecticidal activity against multiple pest orders including Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, and Hemiptera.
2Adaptability or versatility
If insects develop resistance to different insecticidal compounds, then alternative biological control agents are needed, but existing alternatives remain limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal pesticidal polypeptide that can target multiple insect orders simultaneously. The fused protein sequence incorporates functional domains effective against Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, and Hemiptera, making it a multi-functional control agent that replaces the need for multiple separate insecticides and addresses resistance issues across different pest groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the pesticidal protein structure by changing its compositional parameters - specifically by fusing sequences from different Bacillus strains with varying insecticidal specificities. This parameter change in protein composition creates a polypeptide with expanded spectrum of activity that maintains reliability against diverse insect pests including those resistant to conventional insecticides.
Data Source
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AI summary
Compositions and methods for controlling pests are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an insecticidal protein. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess insecticidal activity. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions are insecticidal nucleic acids and proteins of bacterial species. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest including plants, as probes for the isolation of other homologous (or partially homologous) genes. The pesticidal proteins find use in controlling, inhibiting growth or killing Lepidopteran, Coleopteran, Dipteran, fungal, Hemipteran and/or nematode pest populations and for producing compositions with insecticidal activity.