Recombinant Insecticidal Proteins for Rootworm Resistance Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The widespread adoption of Bacillus thuringiensis-derived pesticidal proteins in transgenic crops has led to resistance in target pests, necessitating the development of new pesticidal proteins with different modes of action to effectively control insect populations.
Innovation Solution
The use of recombinant polypeptides, encoded by nucleic acid molecules with at least 70% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:1, which are introduced into plants to confer pesticidal activity, providing an alternative to Bacillus thuringiensis proteins and enhancing resistance against pests like Western Corn Rootworm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Bacillus thuringiensis-derived pesticidal proteins are widely adopted in transgenic crops, then pest control effectiveness is improved, but pest resistance to these proteins develops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the pesticidal protein by sourcing it from an alternative organism (Paenibacillus larvae instead of Bacillus thuringiensis) and modifying its mode of action mechanism. This parameter change allows the protein to effectively control pests while avoiding the resistance issue that arises from continuous use of Bacillus-derived proteins.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a functional copy of a pesticidal protein from a different biological source (Paenibacillus larvae) that replicates the pest control function but through a different mechanism. This copying approach provides an alternative that does not suffer from cross-resistance with Bacillus thuringiensis proteins.
2Reliability
If new pesticidal proteins with different modes of action are discovered from sources other than B. thuringiensis, then resistance to existing proteins is overcome, but the complexity of protein discovery and characterization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses Paenibacillus larvae as an intermediary source organism that naturally produces pesticidal proteins with desirable properties. By tapping into this alternative biological source rather than modifying Bacillus thuringiensis, the research team simplified the discovery process while obtaining proteins with effective modes of action that overcome resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent identifies a protein (Paenibacillus larvae protein) that serves multiple functions: it provides pest control activity, exhibits effective mode of action against resistant pests, and can be expressed in transgenic plants. This multi-functionality reduces the need for complex multi-step characterization and validation processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are transformed plants, transformed plants, transformed plant tissues, transformed plant cells, and transformed plant seeds having a recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide having pesticidal activity. Also disclosed are methods of protecting a plant from infection by a plant pathogen by transforming plants, plant tissues, plant cells, and plant seeds with a recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide having pesticidal activity.