Engineered Hemipteran Toxic Proteins for Low-Dose Broad-Range Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Bacillus thuringiensis proteins are ineffective at controlling Hemipteran pest species, particularly Amrasca, Empoasca, and Lygus bugs, requiring high doses and lacking broad host range toxicity, while current chemistries are harmful to the environment.
Innovation Solution
Recombinantly engineered Hemipteran toxic proteins (eHTP's) with specific amino acid substitutions, additions, or deletions, exhibiting enhanced toxicity and broad host range against Hemipteran pests, including Amrasca, Empoasca, and Lygus species, at low concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing Bacillus thuringiensis proteins are used to control Hemipteran pests, then broad spectrum chemistries can achieve pest control, but environmental harm and persistence increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the amino acid sequence of existing Bt proteins through site-directed mutagenesis. Specific amino acid substitutions (e.g., F147A, F147V, F147L, F147M, F147I, F147Y, F147W, F147H, F147R, F147D, F147E, F147N, F147Q, F147P, F147G, F147C, F147S, F147T, F147K, F147x) were introduced to enhance toxicity against Hemipteran pests while maintaining safety for non-target organisms, thereby reducing environmental harm compared to broad-spectrum chemistries
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/chemical insecticides with biologically engineered proteins. Instead of using broad-spectrum chemistries like endosulfan, acephate, and oxamyl that cause environmental persistence and harm, the invention uses recombinantly engineered Bt proteins that are biodegradable and specific to target pests, substituting a biological mechanism for chemical mechanisms
2Reliability
If existing Bt proteins are used against Hemipteran pests, then some toxicity is achieved, but high doses are required and host range is narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically modifying amino acid residues in the Bt protein sequence to enhance binding affinity and toxicity. The modifications were designed to improve interaction with Hemipteran gut receptors, resulting in proteins that achieve lethal effects at much lower concentrations (e.g., LC50 values in the range of 0.1-10 µg/mL) compared to unmodified proteins which required much higher doses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves universality by engineering proteins with broad host range activity across multiple Hemipteran species. The modified proteins exhibit toxicity against diverse pests including Lygus hesperus, Lygus lineolaris, Empoasca fabae, Amrasca devastans, and other Hemipteran species, making a single protein effective against multiple target species rather than requiring species-specific toxins
3Reliability
If existing Bt proteins are used against Hemipteran pests, then some activity is observed, but inhibitory activity is insufficient and host range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes through targeted amino acid substitutions that enhance both the potency and breadth of insecticidal activity. The modifications improve protein stability, binding affinity, and receptor interaction, resulting in significantly enhanced inhibitory activity (e.g., 10-100 fold increase in toxicity) and expanded host range across Hemipteran orders compared to precursor toxins
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves universality by designing proteins with broad-spectrum activity against multiple Hemipteran pest species. The engineered proteins effectively control diverse pests including plant bugs (Lygus species), leafhoppers (Empoasca species), and other Hemipteran insects, providing a single solution with wide adaptability rather than requiring multiple specialized toxins
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses Hemipteran insect inhibitory proteins, methods of using such proteins, nucleotide sequences encoding such proteins, methods of detecting and isolating such proteins, and their use in agricultural systems.