Cry1Ab and DIG-3 Protein Combination for European Corn Borer Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rapid development of resistance in insect populations to single insecticidal proteins used in transgenic plants poses a challenge for maintaining effective pest control, as cross-resistance can occur when proteins compete for the same receptor sites, reducing the efficacy of insect-resistant management strategies.
Innovation Solution
The use of a combination of Cry1Ab and DIG-3 proteins in transgenic plants, which do not compete for binding sites, providing multiple sites of action against European corn borer and potentially reducing the need for refuge acreage by delaying or preventing resistance development to either protein alone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single insecticidal protein is used in transgenic plants, then the plant provides effective pest control initially, but resistance develops rapidly in insect populations reducing control efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pest control function into multiple independent components by expressing multiple Bt proteins (Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry2Ab) that target different receptor sites in the insect gut. This segmentation ensures that resistance to one protein does not confer resistance to others, thereby extending the duration of effective pest control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite insecticidal system by combining multiple Bt proteins with different modes of action in a single transgenic plant. This composite approach, where proteins with independent binding mechanisms work together, delays resistance development and maintains reliable pest control over time.
2Reliability
If multiple Bt proteins are combined to delay resistance, then resistance management is improved, but the complexity of the genetic construct and plant transformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple Bt protein expression cassettes into a single transgenic plant construct, integrating Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, and Cry2Ab genes under the control of constitutive promoters. This combining approach achieves resistance management while consolidating the genetic elements into a unified transformation construct.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs universal constitutive promoters (such as CaMV 35S) that drive expression of multiple different Bt protein genes, allowing a single promoter system to control multiple insecticidal traits. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall genetic construct design while maintaining resistance management effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This combination effectively mitigates the development of resistance and provides multiple sites of action against European corn borer, enhancing the durability of pest control and potentially reducing the requirement for refuge areas.
Implementation Method 1
The utility of receptor-mediated binding in identifying insecticidal proteins likely to not exhibit cross resistance has been suggested
Data Source
AI summary
The subject invention includes methods and plants for controlling European corn borer, said plants comprising a Cry1Ab insecticidal protein and a DIG-3 insecticidal protein to delay or prevent development of resistance by the insect.