Engineered Hybrid Insecticidal Proteins for Corn Rootworm Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling corn rootworms, a major pest in corn crops, rely heavily on chemical pesticides that can harm beneficial organisms and lead to resistance, with limited effectiveness and environmental impact, and existing insecticidal proteins like Cry3A have insufficient oral toxicity for adequate field control.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel engineered hybrid insecticidal proteins (eHIPs) by fusing unique combinations of variable regions and conserved blocks from different Cry proteins, optionally including a protoxin tail region or N-terminal peptidyl fragment, to create proteins with enhanced toxicity and stability against corn rootworms, which can be expressed in transgenic plants for targeted pest control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical pesticides are applied to control corn rootworms, then pest control effectiveness is improved, but harmful effects on beneficial organisms and environmental damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the amino acid sequence of Cry3A protein by introducing specific point mutations (such as L182P, L205P, L228P substitutions) to alter the protein's properties. These parameter changes in the protein structure enhance oral toxicity to corn rootworm while improving stability, providing effective pest control through a different mechanism that reduces reliance on broad-spectrum chemical pesticides and their associated environmental harms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates hybrid insecticidal proteins by fusing variable regions and conserved blocks from different Cry proteins (such as Cry3A and Cry1Ab). This composite approach combines functional domains from multiple sources to generate proteins with enhanced and broadened insecticidal activity against corn rootworm, while maintaining specificity that reduces harm to beneficial organisms compared to conventional chemical pesticides
2Reliability
If existing insecticidal proteins like Cry3A are used, then some insecticidal activity is achieved, but oral toxicity is insufficient for adequate field control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specific amino acid substitutions (such as L182P, L205P, L228P) into the Cry3A protein sequence to modify its parameters. These changes enhance the protein's oral toxicity and stability, transforming it from a protein with insufficient field control capability to one with high efficacy against corn rootworm larvae while maintaining its mode of action as a gut toxin
3Reliability
If intensive applications of chemical pesticides are made, then good corn rootworm control is achieved, but resistant insect varieties appear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates novel protein variants with altered amino acid sequences that change the molecular parameters of the insecticidal agent. These parameter-changed proteins represent a different selective pressure compared to conventional pesticides and existing Bt proteins, thereby delaying or preventing resistance development in corn rootworm populations while maintaining effective control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent constructs hybrid proteins by combining variable regions and conserved blocks from different Cry protein families. This composite structure creates a novel insecticidal mechanism that differs from parent proteins, reducing the likelihood of cross-resistance and providing a sustainable solution against resistant insect varieties
4Reliability
If corn rootworm larvae feed underground, then pest damage occurs, but rescue treatments with insecticides become difficult to apply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables expression of enhanced Cry3A variants directly in corn plants through transgenic modification. This preliminary action embeds the pest control mechanism within the plant itself, allowing the protein to be continuously produced and active against corn rootworm larvae feeding on roots throughout the growing season, eliminating the need for difficult post-emergence insecticide applications
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions and methods for controlling plant pests are disclosed. In particular, novel engineered hybrid insecticidal proteins having toxicity to at least European corn borer are provided. By fusing unique combinations of complete or partial variable regions and conserved blocks of at least two different Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry proteins or a modified Cry proteins a hybrid insecticidal protein having activity against at least European corn borer is designed. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the novel hybrid proteins are also provided. Methods of making the hybrid proteins and methods of using the hybrid proteins and nucleic acids encoding the hybrid proteins of the invention, for example in transgenic plants to confer protection from insect damage are also disclosed.