PIP-45 Insecticidal Proteins for Western Corn Rootworm Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing genetically engineered crops provide resistance to only a narrow range of insect pests and there is a need for new pesticidal proteins with broader insecticidal activity, particularly against insects that have developed resistance to existing insecticides.

Innovation Solution

Development of transgenic plants expressing recombinant polynucleotides encoding insecticidal PIP-45-1 and PIP-45-2 polypeptides with greater than 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2, respectively, to target Western Corn Rootworm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If genetically engineered crops produce pesticidal proteins from Bacillus, then insect resistance is enhanced, but the range of insecticidal activity remains narrow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsect resistanceVSAvoidrange of insecticidal activity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces new pesticidal proteins (IP-64-1, IP-64-2, IP-74-1, IP-74-2, IP-75, IP-77, and IP-104) with different insecticidal activities to expand the range of pest control. These proteins target different insect orders including Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, and Hemiptera, making the crop protection system more universal and adaptable to various pest threats while maintaining reliable insect resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If insects develop resistance to different insecticidal compounds, then alternative biological control agents are needed, but existing biopesticides have limited spectrum

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealternative biological control agentsVSAvoideffectiveness against resistant insects
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the pest control strategy by introducing multiple distinct pesticidal protein families with different modes of action and target specificities. Instead of relying on a single compound, the invention divides protection into multiple functional components (different IP proteins targeting different insect orders), ensuring that when insects develop resistance to one compound, alternative mechanisms remain effective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If new pesticidal proteins with broader insecticidal activity are developed, then control over resistant insect pests is improved, but the complexity of transgenic plant construction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebroader insecticidal activityVSAvoidtransgenic plant construction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple pesticidal protein-encoding genes into transgenic plant constructs that can express several different IP proteins simultaneously. By merging these genetic elements into integrated expression systems with appropriate regulatory sequences, the invention achieves broader insecticidal activity while managing the complexity of transgenic construction through systematic gene stacking and coordinated expression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3244727B1Insecticidal proteins and methods for their use
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 PIONEER HI BREED INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP3244727B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3244727B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3244727B1 patent drawingFigure 1c

AI summary

Compositions and methods for controlling pests are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an insecticidal protein. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess insecticidal activity. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions are insecticidal nucleic acids and proteins of bacterial species. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest including plants, as probes for the isolation of other homologous (or partially homologous) genes. The pesticidal proteins find use in controlling, inhibiting growth or killing Lepidopteran, Coleopteran, Dipteran, fungal, Hemipteran and nematode pest populations and for producing compositions with insecticidal activity.