Variant Cry1B Polypeptides for Broad-Spectrum Pest Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing genetically engineered crops provide resistance to only a narrow range of economically important insect pests, necessitating the development of new Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins with improved insecticidal activity against insects from the orders Lepidoptera and Coleoptera, and biopesticides with broader activity against various insect pests.
Innovation Solution
Development of variant Cry1B polypeptides with enhanced insecticidal activity against corn earworm and fall armyworm, encoded by recombinant nucleic acids, which are expressed in transgenic plants to control Lepidopteran pests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If genetically engineered crops produce pesticidal proteins from Bacillus, then insect resistance is enhanced, but the spectrum of pest control remains narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically mutating specific amino acid residues in the Cry1B polypeptide sequence to alter its insecticidal properties. Multiple variants are created with different amino acid substitutions at positions known to affect toxin activity, thereby expanding the spectrum of pest control while maintaining a relatively simple development framework based on structured mutagenesis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves universality by developing a single Cry1B polypeptide variant system that can control multiple pest species across different orders (Lepidoptera and Coleoptera). The engineered variants maintain core functionality while gaining broader applicability, allowing one toxin system to serve multiple pest control functions
2Reliability
If broad-spectrum chemical insecticides are used, then pest control effectiveness is high, but environmental hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical insecticide systems with a biological control system based on genetically engineered Bacillus thuringiensis-derived polypeptides. These biopesticides maintain high pest control effectiveness through targeted action on insect gut receptors while eliminating the environmental hazards associated with broad-spectrum chemical insecticides, as they are highly specific to certain insect orders
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the biological parameters of the pesticidal proteins by engineering amino acid variations that enhance both effectiveness and environmental safety. The engineered variants achieve improved binding affinity to insect gut receptors for higher effectiveness while maintaining biodegradability and species-specificity for reduced environmental harm
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, derived from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding variant polypeptides having increased pesticidal activity against insect pests, including Lepidoptera and Coleopteran. Particular embodiments of the disclosure provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, pesticidal compositions, DNA constructs, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the embodiments. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.