Novel Vip3 Proteins Broaden Insecticidal Spectrum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling plant insect pests are inadequate due to limited specificity and rapid development of resistance by pests, necessitating the development of novel insecticidal proteins with broader activity spectra.
Innovation Solution
The development of novel Vip 3 proteins and their corresponding nucleotide sequences, which can be expressed in plants or used to transform microorganisms, providing insecticidal activity against a wide range of lepidopteran and coleopteran pests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional chemical pesticides are used to control plant insect pests, then pest control effectiveness is achieved, but environmental contamination and development of insect resistance occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular structure of Vip3 proteins by introducing specific amino acid substitutions (e.g., at positions 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100) to enhance insecticidal activity and reduce resistance development. These parameter changes in the protein sequence enable broader spectrum activity and improved reliability while reducing harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite insecticidal proteins by combining Vip3A1 protein with other Vip3 proteins or crystal proteins in specific combinations. This composite approach provides broader spectrum activity against multiple insect pests while maintaining environmental safety and reducing the development of resistance, thereby resolving the contradiction between control effectiveness and harmful factors.
2Reliability
If Bt δ-endotoxins are used to control insect pests, then pest control is achieved, but the activity spectrum is limited to only a few insect pests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates multi-functional insecticidal proteins by combining Vip3A1 with other Vip3 proteins or crystal proteins, enabling a single composition to control multiple types of insect pests across different orders. This universal approach expands the activity spectrum from targeting only a few pests to covering a broad range including lepidopteran, coleopteran, and other insect pests, while maintaining reliable control effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the insecticidal activities of different protein types (Vip3A1, other Vip3 proteins, and crystal proteins) into a single composite formulation. This combining strategy leverages the complementary activity spectra of different proteins to achieve broad-spectrum pest control, resolving the limitation of Bt δ-endotoxins that are active against only a very few insect pests.
3Reliability
If existing insecticidal proteins are used, then pest control is possible, but rapid evolution of pests leads to overcome resistance genes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multiple amino acid substitutions and modifications to the Vip3A1 protein sequence, creating variants with altered binding affinities and activation characteristics. These parameter changes in the protein structure enable the insecticidal agent to maintain effectiveness against evolving pest populations by reducing the likelihood of resistance gene expression, thereby extending the duration of successful use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic insecticidal system by combining multiple protein components with different modes of action and resistance mechanisms. This dynamic approach allows the insecticidal activity to adapt to evolving pest populations through complementary mechanisms, preventing the rapid evolution of resistance and extending the period of successful use across multiple generations.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are novel vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vip) from Bacillus thuringiensis, nucleotide sequences encoding the proteins, and primers for the identification of the genes encoding the said proteins active against insect pests. The Vip proteins disclosed herein exhibits activity against a wide range of insect pests including, but not limited to the insect pests belonging to Lepidoptera. The nucleotide sequences encoding the said Vip proteins can be used to transform various prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms including plants to express one or more Vip proteins. These recombinant organisms can be used to control a wide range of insect pests including but not limited to lepidopteran insects.