PIP-47 Polypeptide Broad-Spectrum Insect Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current genetically engineered crops resistant to insect pests offer protection only against a narrow range of insects and may lose effectiveness due to insect resistance development, necessitating the identification of alternative biological control agents for broader insecticidal activity.
Innovation Solution
Development of the PIP-47 polypeptide with insecticidal activity against Western Corn Root Worm and its use in transgenic plants to confer resistance against Lepidoptera and Coleoptera pests, including those resistant to existing insecticides, through nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptide and expression cassettes for transformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If genetically engineered crops produce pesticidal proteins from Bacillus, then insect resistance is provided, but the range of insecticidal activity remains narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces PIP-47 polypeptide from Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes that provides broad-spectrum insecticidal activity against multiple insect orders (Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera), making a single genetic construct effective against diverse pest types rather than requiring separate engineered solutions for each pest category
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the insecticidal mechanism by introducing a novel protein with different mode of action (PIP-47) compared to traditional Bt proteins, changing the biochemical parameters of pest control to overcome resistance and expand activity range while maintaining genetic engineering approach
2Reliability
If existing insecticides are used, then insect pest control is achieved, but insects develop resistance reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing PIP-47 polypeptide with novel mode of action before insects can develop resistance to it, creating a preemptive control mechanism that addresses resistance issues before they arise in the field
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by using a different bacterial source (Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes instead of Bacillus thuringiensis) and novel protein type (PIP-47 instead of Cry/Vip proteins) to achieve insect control, thereby bypassing the resistance problem that plagues conventional insecticides
3Object-affected harmful factors
If biopesticides are used instead of chemical insecticides, then environmental pollution is reduced, but the spectrum of pest control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The PIP-47 polypeptide provides multi-functional insecticidal activity against four major insect orders (Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera) while maintaining the environmental benefits of biopesticides, thereby achieving both broad-spectrum control and ecological safety in a single solution
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
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.