Neuropeptide Analogues for Selective Insect Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for greener, target-specific insecticides that minimize harm to non-target species like pollinators while effectively controlling pest insects, as broad-spectrum insecticides have detrimental environmental impacts.
Innovation Solution
Development of natural or natural-like analogues of insect pyrokinin and AKH neuropeptides, and their combinations, which exhibit insecticidal activity against specific insect pests like hemipteran, dipteran, lepidopteran, blattodean, and coleopteran insects, while having minimal effect on important pollinators such as bees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If broad-spectrum insecticides are used, then pest control effectiveness is improved, but environmental harm and damage to non-target species increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing neuropeptide analogues with specific sequence modifications (e.g., N-terminal extensions, C-terminal modifications) that confer selectivity to target insect species. These localized structural changes enable the peptide to interact specifically with receptors in pest insects while minimizing effects on non-target species like bees and pollinators, thus achieving effective pest control with reduced environmental harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by systematically varying amino acid sequences, molecular weight, charge distribution, and structural conformation of neuropeptide analogues. These parameter modifications optimize binding affinity to target insect receptors while reducing off-target effects, enabling selective pest control that maintains effectiveness against pests while minimizing environmental impact.
2Reliability
If modified synthetic neuropeptides are developed, then target-specific insecticidal activity is improved, but regulatory approval difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes naturally occurring amino acids and biodegradable peptide structures that break down into harmless byproducts in the environment. This approach simplifies regulatory approval by demonstrating inherent environmental safety and biocompatibility, avoiding the need for complex long-term toxicity studies required for synthetic chemicals, thus reducing regulatory complexity while maintaining target-specific activity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If neuropeptide analogues are designed for selectivity, then harm to non-target species is reduced, but insecticidal activity against target pests may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the neuropeptide structure into distinct functional domains: an N-terminal region for receptor binding specificity, a central core for structural stability, and a C-terminal region for activity modulation. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each region to achieve both high target specificity and potent insecticidal activity, ensuring that selectivity does not compromise effectiveness.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to natural or natural-like analogues of insect pyrokinin neuropeptides and AKH neuropeptides, and combinations thereof, having activity against insects, for example hemipteran, dipteran, lepidopteran, blattodean and/or coleopteran insects, such as aphids, moths and fruit flies, and their use as insect control agents (e.g. insecticides) and plant protection agents.