Hexatoxin Peptide Variants Alkaline pH Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Spider-derived pesticidal peptides face challenges in stability at alkaline pH, leading to reduced efficacy and practical application limitations, particularly due to rapid degradation and resistance development in pests.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel hexatoxin peptide variants with specific amino acid modifications that maintain biological activity and enhance stability at alkaline pH, allowing for improved storage, formulation, and application in biopesticides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spider-derived pesticidal peptides are used for pest control, then pesticidal activity is achieved, but stability at alkaline pH deteriorates leading to rapid degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically modifying amino acid residues at specific positions (N27, N28, N29, N30, N31, N32) in the hexatoxin peptide sequence. These positional parameter changes alter the peptide's chemical properties to enhance alkaline pH stability while preserving pesticidal activity against resistant pest populations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by introducing specific amino acid substitutions at defined positions within the peptide sequence rather than uniform modification throughout. This localized modification approach targets specific regions of the peptide to improve alkaline stability while maintaining the overall structural integrity and biological function of the toxin.
2Ease of operation
If peptides are stored in solution at higher temperatures, then ease of storage is improved, but stability deteriorates with degradation within a week at 4°C
Solution Approach 1:
The modified hexatoxin peptides exhibit altered thermal and pH stability parameters compared to native peptides. The amino acid substitutions at positions N27-N32 confer enhanced resistance to thermal degradation and pH-induced hydrolysis, allowing storage at higher temperatures and in alkaline conditions without rapid degradation.
3Reliability
If conventional biopesticides are applied, then pest control is achieved, but resistance development in pests worsens over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specific amino acid variations at defined positions in the hexatoxin sequence, creating localized structural differences that enable the peptide to bind to and inhibit acetylcholinesterase in resistant pest populations. This local modification strategy allows the toxin to overcome resistance mechanisms that have developed against conventional biopesticides.
Solution Approach 2:
By systematically altering amino acid residues at positions N27-N32, the patent creates peptide variants with modified molecular properties that can interact with target sites in resistant pests. These parameter changes in the peptide structure enable it to maintain efficacy against pest populations that have developed resistance to standard biopesticides.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a hexatoxin peptide variant comprising a. an amino acid sequence which is at least 90% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 27 to 29, wherein the amino acid sequence has at least one amino acid variant on position N27; b. an amino acid sequence which is at least 90% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 6, 7, 30 or 32, wherein the amino acid sequence has at least one amino acid variant on position N28; c. an amino acid sequence which is at least 90% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8 to 24 or 31, wherein the amino acid sequence has at least one amino acid variant on position N29; d. an amino acid sequence which is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 25, wherein the amino acid sequence has at least one amino acid variant on position N30; e. an amino acid sequence which is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 26, wherein the amino acid sequence has at least one amino acid variant on position N31; or f. an amino acid sequence which is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 34, wherein the amino acid sequence has at least one amino acid variant on position N32; each of which retain the biological activity of the hexatoxin; with the proviso that the peptide does not comprise the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33.