WO1998023641A1 - Dna encoding lepidopteran-active delta-endotoxins and its use - Google Patents
Dna encoding lepidopteran-active delta-endotoxins and its use Download PDFInfo
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- WO1998023641A1 WO1998023641A1 PCT/US1997/022181 US9722181W WO9823641A1 WO 1998023641 A1 WO1998023641 A1 WO 1998023641A1 US 9722181 W US9722181 W US 9722181W WO 9823641 A1 WO9823641 A1 WO 9823641A1
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- C07K14/195—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from bacteria
- C07K14/32—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from bacteria from Bacillus (G)
- C07K14/325—Bacillus thuringiensis crystal protein (delta-endotoxin)
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- C12N15/79—Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts
- C12N15/82—Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts for plant cells, e.g. plant artificial chromosomes (PACs)
- C12N15/8241—Phenotypically and genetically modified plants via recombinant DNA technology
- C12N15/8261—Phenotypically and genetically modified plants via recombinant DNA technology with agronomic (input) traits, e.g. crop yield
- C12N15/8271—Phenotypically and genetically modified plants via recombinant DNA technology with agronomic (input) traits, e.g. crop yield for stress resistance, e.g. heavy metal resistance
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- C12N15/8286—Phenotypically and genetically modified plants via recombinant DNA technology with agronomic (input) traits, e.g. crop yield for stress resistance, e.g. heavy metal resistance for biotic stress resistance, pathogen resistance, disease resistance for insect resistance
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- C12R2001/00—Microorganisms ; Processes using microorganisms
- C12R2001/01—Bacteria or Actinomycetales ; using bacteria or Actinomycetales
- C12R2001/07—Bacillus
- C12R2001/075—Bacillus thuringiensis
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- Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
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Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to the fields of insect control. Certain embodiments concern methods and compositions comprising nucleic acid segments which encode
- Bacillus thuringiensis-dc ⁇ ved ⁇ -endotoxins Disclosed are methods of altering Cryl crystal proteins by mutagenesis of the loop regions between the ⁇ -helices of the protein's domain 1 or of the loop region between ⁇ -helix 7 of domain 1 and ⁇ -strand 1 of domain 2 to give rise to modified Cryl proteins (Cryl *) which have improved activity against Lepidopteran insects.
- Cryl * modified Cryl proteins
- B. thuringiensis is a Gram-positive bacterium that produces crystal proteins which are specifically toxic to certain orders and species of insects. Many different strains of B. thuringiensis have been shown to produce insecticidal crystal proteins. Compositions including B. thuringiensis strains which produce insecticidal proteins have been commercially-available and used as environmentally-acceptable insecticides because they are quite toxic to the specific target insect, but are harmless to plants and other non-targeted organisms.
- ⁇ -endotoxins are used to control a wide range of leaf-eating caterpillars and beetles, as well as mosquitoes.
- B. thuringiensis produces a proteinaceous parasporal body or crystal which is toxic upon ingestion by a susceptible insect host.
- B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD-1 produces a crystal inclusion comprising ⁇ -endotoxins which are toxic to the larvae of a number of insects in the order Lepidoptera (Schnepf and Whiteley, 1981).
- 1.2.1 ⁇ -ENDOTOXINS ⁇ -endotoxins are a large collection of insecticidal proteins produced by B. thuringiensis. Over the past decade research on the structure and function of B.
- thuringiensis toxins has covered all of the major toxin categories, and while these toxins differ in specific structure and function, general similarities in the structure and function are assumed. Based on the accumulated knowledge of B. thuringiensis toxins, a generalized mode of action for B. thuringiensis toxins has been created and includes: ingestion by the insect, solubilization in the insect midgut (a combination stomach and small intestine), resistance to digestive enzymes sometimes with partial digestion actually "activating" the toxin, binding to the midgut cells, formation of a pore in the insect cells and the disruption of cellular homeostasis (English and Slatin, 1992).
- cryl genes encode lepidopteran-toxic Cryl proteins
- cryll genes encode Cryll proteins that are toxic to both lepidopterans and dipterans
- crylll genes encode coleopteran-toxic Crylll proteins
- crylV genes encode dipteran-toxic CrylV proteins.
- the proteins were further classified into subfamilies; more highly related proteins within each family were assigned divisional letters such as CrylA, CrylB, CrylC, etc. Even more closely related proteins within each division were given names such as CrylC 1, CryIC2, etc.
- B. thuringiensis var. tenebrionis The utility of bacterial crystal proteins as insecticides was extended when the first isolation of a coleopteran-toxic B. thuringiensis strain was reported (Krieg et al, 1983; 1984). This strain (described in U. S. Patent 4,766,203, specifically incorporated herein by reference), designated B. thuringiensis var. tenebrionis, is reported to be toxic to larvae of the coleopteran insects Agelastica alni (blue alder leaf beetle) and Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Colorado potato beetle).
- U. S. Patent 5,024, 837 also describes hybrid B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki strains which showed activity against lepidopteran insects.
- U. S. Patent 4,797,279 discloses a hybrid B. thuringiensis containing a plasmid from B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki encoding a lepidopteran-toxic crystal protein-encoding gene and a plasmid from B. thuringiensis tenebrionis encoding a coleopteran-toxic crystal protein-encoding gene.
- the hybrid B. thuringiensis strain produces crystal proteins characteristic of those made by both B. thuringiensis kurstaki and B.
- U. S. Patent 4,910,016 discloses a B. thuringiensis isolate identified as B. thuringiensis MT 104 which has insecticidal activity against coleopterans and lepidopterans.
- crylC gene from B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai EG6346 contained on plasmids pEG315 and pEG916 described herein, encodes a CrylC protein identical to that described in the aforementioned U. S. Patent 5,126,133.
- the CrylC protein described by Sanchis et al, (1989) and in PCT WO 88/09812 differs from the EG6346 CrylC protein at several positions that can be described as substitutions within the EG6346 CrylC protein: CrylC N366I, W376C, P377Q, A378R, P379H, P380H, V386G, R775A.
- amino acid positions 376-380 correspond to amino acid residues predicted to lie within the loop region between ⁇ strand 6 and ⁇ strand 7 of CrylC, using the nomenclature adopted by Li et al. (1991) for identifying structures within Cry3A.
- crylC gene from strain aizawai 7.29 was re-sequenced where variant codons for the active toxin region were reported by Sanchis et al, (1989) and in PCT WO 88/09812.
- the results of that sequence analysis revealed no differences in the amino acid sequences of the active toxins of CrylC from strain EG6346 and of CrylC from strain aizawai 7.29.
- the prior art on the CrylC protein of strain aizawai 7.29 in light of the aforementioned bioassay comparisons with the CrylC protein of strain EG6346, incorrectly taught that multiple amino acid substitutions within loop ⁇ 6-7 of CrylC had no effect on insecticidal specificity.
- Smith et al, (1996) also reported unspecified sequencing errors in the aizawai 7.29 crylC gene.
- Cry3A Li et al, 1991
- CrylAa Grochulski et al, 1995
- Cryl and Cry3 ⁇ -endotoxins have three distinct domains. Each of these domains has, to some degree, been experimentally determined to assist in a particular function.
- Domain 1 for example, from Cry3B2 and Cryl Ac has been found to be responsible for ion channel activity, the initial step in formation of a pore (Walters et al, 1993; Von Tersch et al, 1994). Domains 2 and 3 have been found to be responsible for receptor binding and insecticidal specificity (Aronson et al, 1995; Caramori et al, 1991 ; Chen et al. 1993; de Maagd et al, 1996; Ge et al, 1991 ; Lee et al, 1992; Lee et al, 1995; Lu et al, 1994; Smedley and Ellar, 1996;
- Regions in domain 3 can also impact the ion channel activity of some toxins (Chen et al., 1993, Wolfersberger et al, 1996).
- the present invention seeks to overcome these and other drawbacks inherent in the prior art by providing genetically-engineered modified B. thuringiensis Cryl ⁇ -endotoxin genes, and in particular, crylC genes, that encode modified crystal proteins having improved insecticidal activity against lepidopterans.
- synthetic cryl * expression constructs and various methods of using the improved genes and vectors discloses and claims CrylC* proteins and crylC* genes which encode the modified proteins.
- nucleic acid segment that encodes a polypeptide having insecticidal activity against Lepidopterans is one aspect of the invention.
- Such a nucleic acid segment is isolatable from Bacillus thuringiensis NRRL B-21590, NRRL B-21591 , NRRL B-21592, NRRL B-21638, NRRL
- NRRL B-21640 NRRL B-21609, or NRRL B-21610
- a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8 SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:59 or SEQ ID NO:61.
- Exemplary nucleic acid segments specifically hybridizes to, or comprise the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 , SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO: 11 , SEQ
- nucleic acid segment may be operably linked to a promoter that expresses the nucleic acid segment in a host cell.
- the nucleic acid segment is typically comprised within a recombinant vector such as a plasmid, cosmid, phage, phagemid, viral, baculovirus, bacterial artificial chromosome, or yeast artificial chromsome.
- the nucleic acid segment may be used in a recombinant expression method to prepare a recombinant polypeptide, to prepare an insect resistant transgenic plant, or to express the nucleic acid segment in a host cell.
- a further aspect of the invention is a host cell which comprises one or more of the nucleic acid segment disclosed herein which encode a modified Cryl * protein.
- Preferred host cells include bacterial cells, such as E. coli, B. thuringiensis, B. subtilis, B. megaterium, or Pseudomonas spp. cells, with B. thuringiensis NRRL B-21590, NRRL B-21591, NRRL B-21592, NRRL B-21638, NRRL B-21639, NRRL B-21640, NRRL B-21609, and NRRL B-21610 cells being highly preferred.
- Another preferred host cell is an eukaryotic cell such as a fungal, animal, or plant cell, with plant cells such as grain, tree, vegetable, fruit, berry, nut, grass, cactus, succulent, and ornamental plant cells being highly preferred.
- Transgenic plant cells such as corn, rice, tobacco, potato, tomato, flax, canola, sunflower, cotton, wheat, oat, barley, and rye cells are particularly preferred.
- Host cells which produce one or more of the polypeptide having insecticidal activity against Lepidopterans represent important aspects of the invention.
- Such host cells may find particular use in the preparation of an insecticidal polypeptide formulation, such as a polypeptide that comprises the amino acid sequence of S ⁇ Q ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:59, or SEQ ID NO:61, and which is insecticidally active against Lepidopterans.
- a polypeptide composition such as those described herein are particularly desirable for use in killing an insect cell, and in the preparation of an insecticidal formulation, such as a plant protective spray formulation.
- the polypeptide composition may be prepared by culturing a B. thuringiensis NRRL B-21590, NRRL B-21591, NRRL B-21592, NRRL B-21638, NRRL B- 21639, NRRL B-21640, NRRL B-21609, or NRRL B-21610 cell under conditions effective to produce a B. thuringiensis crystal protein; and obtaining the B. thuringiensis crystal protein from the cell.
- the polypeptide may be used in a method of killing an insect cell.
- This method generally involves providing to an insect cell an insecticidally-effective amount of the polypeptide composition.
- the insect cell is comprised within an insect, and the insect is killed by ingesting the composition directly, or alternatively by ingesting a plant coated with the composition, or ingesting a transgenic plant which expresses the polypeptide composition.
- Another important embodiment of the invention is a purified antibody that specifically binds to a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:59, or SEQ ID NO:61.
- Such antibody compositions may be operatively attached to a detectable label, or comprised within an immunodetection kit.
- Such antibodies find particular use in methods for detecting an insecticidal polypeptide in a biological sample. The method generally involves contacting a biological sample suspected of containing such a polypeptide with an antibody under conditions effective to allow the formation of immunecomplexes, and detecting the immunecomplexes so formed.
- a transgenic plant having incorporated into its genome a transgene that encodes a polypeptide comprising the amino sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:59, or SEQ ID NO:61 also represents an important embodiment of the present invention.
- Such a transgenic plant preferably comprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:l, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO: 11 , SEQ ID NO:58, or SEQ ID NO:60.
- Progeny and seed from such a plant and its progeny are also important aspects of the invention.
- a method of selecting a Cryl polypeptide having increased insecticidal activity against a Lepidopteran insect comprising mutagenizing a population of polynucleotides to prepare a population of polypeptides encoded by said polynucleotides and testing said population of polypeptides and identifying a polypeptide having one or more modified amino acids in a loop region of domain 1 or in a loop region between domain 1 and domain 2, wherein said polypeptide has increased insecticidal activity against said insects.
- Another important embodiment of the invention is a method of generating a Cryl polypeptide having increased insecticidal activity against a Lepidopteran insect.
- Such a method generally involves identifying in such a polypeptide a loop region between adjacent ⁇ -helices of domain 1 or between an ⁇ -helix of domain 1 and a ⁇ strand of domain 2, then mutagenizing the polypeptide in at least one or more amino acids of one or more of the identified loop regions; and, finally, testing the mutagenized polypeptide to identify a polypeptide having increased insecticidal activity against a Lepidopteran pest.
- a method of mutagenizing a Cryl polypeptide to increase the insecticidal activity of the polypeptide against a Lepidopteran insect comprises predicting in such a polypeptide a contiguous amino acid sequence encoding a loop region between adjacent -helices of domain 1 or between an ⁇ -helix of domain 1 and a ⁇ strand of domain 2; mutagenizing one or more of these amino acid residues to produce a population of polypeptides having one or more altered loop regions; testing the population of polypeptides for insecticidal activity against Lepidopterans; and identifying a polypeptide in the population which has increased insecticidal activity against a Lepidopteran insect.
- the modified amino acid sequence preferably comprises a loop region between ⁇ helices 1 and 2a, ⁇ helices 2b and 3, ⁇ helices 3 and 4, ⁇ helices 4 and 5, ⁇ helices 5 and 6, or ⁇ helices 6 and 7 of domain 1, or between ⁇ helix 7 of domain 1 and ⁇ strand 1 of domain 2.
- the loop region between ⁇ helices 1 and 2a comprises an amino acid sequence of from about amino acid 41 to about amino acid 47 of a Cryl protein.
- the loop region between ⁇ helices 2b and 3 comprises an amino acid sequence of from about amino acid 83 to about amino acid 89 of a Cryl protein
- the loop region between ⁇ helices 3 and 4 comprises an amino acid sequence of from about amino acid 118 to about amino acid 124 of a Cryl protein
- the loop region between ⁇ helices 4 and 5 preferably comprises an amino acid sequence of from about amino acid 148 to about amino acid 156 of a Cryl protein
- the loop region between ⁇ helices 5 and 6 comprises an amino acid sequence of from about amino acid 176 to about amino acid 85 of a Cryl protein.
- the loop loop region between ⁇ helices 6 and 7 preferably comprises an amino acid sequence of from about amino acid 217 to about amino acid 222 of a Cryl protein, while the loop region between ⁇ helix 7 of domain 1 and ⁇ strand 1 of domain 2 preferably comprises an amino acid sequence of from about amino acid 249 to about amino acid 259 of a Cryl protein.
- Exemplary Cryl proteins include Cryl A, CrylB, CrylC, Cry ID, Cry IE, Cry IF, CrylG, CrylH, Cryll, CrylJ, and CrylK crystal proteins, with CrylAa, CrylAb, CrylAc, CrylAd, CrylAe, CrylBa, CrylBb, Cryl Be, CrylCa, CrylCb, Cryl Da, CrylDb, CrylEa, CrylEb, Cryl Fa, Cry 1 Fb, Cry 1 Hb, Cry 1 la, Cry 1 lb, Cry 1 Ja, and Cry 1 Jb crystal proteins being highly preferred.
- loop region mutations may include changing any one or more amino acids to any other amino acid, so long as the resulting protein has increased Lepidopteran insecticidal activity.
- exemplary substitutions such as changing one or more arginine residues to any other amino acid results in polypeptides having increased insecticidal activity.
- Particularly preferred substitutions of arginine residues include those substituted by alanine, leucine, methionine, glycine or aspartic acid.
- substitution of lysine residues by any other amino acid, such as an alanine residue also results in insecticidally- active toxins.
- any such modification is contemplated by the inventors to be useful, so long as the substitution, addition, deletion, or modification of one or more of the amino acid residues in the preferred loop region results in a polypeptide which has improved insecticidal activity when compared to an unmodified Cryl polypeptide.
- the inventors contemplate that combinatorial mutants as described herein will find particular use in the generation of a polypeptide having one or more mutations in multiple loop regions, or alternatively, in the generation of a polypeptide having multiple mutations with a single loop region.
- Such combinatorial mutants, as the inventors have shown herein often result in mutagenized polypeptides which have significantly improved insecticidal activity over the wild-type unmodified sequence.
- mutants are provided mutagenized CrylC protein genes and methods of making and using such genes.
- mutants means one or more genes that have been mutagenized or altered to contain one or more nucleotide sequences which are not present in the wild type sequences, and which encode mutant
- CrylC crystal proteins showing improved insecticidal activity.
- the novel sequences comprise nucleic acid sequences in which at least one, and preferably, more than one, and most preferably, a significant number, of wild-type CrylC nucleotides have been replaced with one or more nucleotides, or where one or more nucleotides have been added to or deleted from the native nucleotide sequence for the purpose of altering, adding, or deleting the corresponding amino acids encoded by the nucleic acid sequence so mutagenized.
- the desired result therefore, is alteration of the amino acid sequence of the encoded crystal protein to provide toxins having improved or altered activity and/or specificity compared to that of the unmodified crystal protein.
- Modified crylC gene sequences have been termed crylC* by the inventors, while modified CrylC crystal proteins encoded therein are termed CrylC* proteins.
- the present invention differs markedly by providing methods for creating modified loop regions between adjacent ⁇ - helices within one or more of the protein's domains.
- the inventors have shown remarkable success in generating toxins with improved insecticidal activity using these methods.
- the inventors have identified unique loop regions within domain 1 of a Cryl crystal protein which have been targeted for specific and random mutagenesis.
- the inventors have identified the predicted loop regions between ⁇ -helices 1 and 2a; ⁇ -helices 2b and 3; ⁇ -helices 3 and 4; ⁇ -helices 4 and 5; ⁇ -helices 5 and 6, ⁇ -helices 6 and 7; and between ⁇ -helix 7 and ⁇ -strand 1 in Cryl crystal proteins.
- CrylC as an exemplary model, the inventors have generated amino acid substitutions within or adjacent to these predicted loop regions to produce synthetically-modified CrylC* toxins which demonstrated improved insecticidal activity.
- the inventors were able to produce synthetic crystal proteins which retained or possessed enhanced insecticidal activity against certain lepidopteran pests, including the beet army worm, S. exigua.
- ⁇ thuringiensis crystal protein that has one or more modified amino acid sequences in one or more loop regions of domain 1 , or between ⁇ helix 7 of domain 1 and ⁇ strand 1 of domain 2.
- These synthetically-modified crystal proteins have insecticidal activity against Lepidopteran insects.
- the modified amino acid sequences may occur in one or more of the following loop regions: between ⁇ helices 1 and 2a, ⁇ helices 2b and 3, ⁇ helices 3 and 4, ⁇ helices 4 and 5, ⁇ helices 5 and 6, ⁇ helices 6 and 7 of domain 1, or between the ⁇ helix 7 of domain 1 and ⁇ strand 1 of domain 2.
- the invention encompasses modifications which may be made in or immediately adjacent to the loop region between ⁇ helices 1 and 2a of a Cry 1 C protein.
- This loop region extends from about amino acid 42 to about amino acid 46, with adjacent amino acids extending from about amino acid 39 to about amino acid 41 and from about amino acid 47 to about amino acid 49.
- the invention also encompasses modifications which may be made in or immediately adjacent to the loop region between ⁇ helices 2b and 3 of a CrylC protein.
- This loop region extends from about amino acid 84 to about amino acid 88, with adjacent amino acids extending from about amino acid 81 to about amino acid 83, and from about amino acid 89 to about amino acid 91.
- the invention also encompasses modifications which may be made in or immediately adjacent to the loop region between ⁇ helices 3 and 4 of a CrylC protein.
- This loop region extends from about amino acid 1 19 to about amino acid 123, with the adjacent amino acids extending from about amino acid 116 to about amino acid 118, and from about amino acid 124 to about amino acid 126.
- the invention also encompasses modifications which may be made in or immediately adjacent to the loop region between ⁇ helices 4 and 5 of a CrylC protein.
- This loop region extends from about amino acid 149 to about amino acid 155, with the adjacent amino acids extending from about amino acid 146 to about amino acid 148, and from about amino acid 156 to about amino acid 158.
- the invention further encompasses modifications which may be made in or immediately adjacent to the loop region between ⁇ helices 5 and 6 of a CrylC protein.
- This loop region extends from about amino acid 177 to about amino acid 184, with the adjacent amino acids extending from about amino acid 174 to about amino acid 176, and from about amino acid 185 to about amino acid 187.
- Another aspect of the invention encompasses modifications in the amino acid sequence which may be made in or immediately adjacent to the loop region between ⁇ helices 6 and 7 of a
- This loop region extends from about amino acid 218 to about amino acid 221 , with the adjacent amino acids extending from about amino acid 215 to about amino acid 217, and from about amino acid 222 to about amino acid 224.
- the invention also encompasses modifications in the amino acid sequence which may be made in or immediately adjacent to the loop region between ⁇ helix 7 of domain 1 and ⁇ strand 1 of domain 2 of a CrylC protein.
- This loop region extends from about amino acid 250 to about amino acid 259, with the adjacent amino acids extending from about amino acid 247 to about amino acid 249, and from about amino acid 260 to about amino acid 262.
- Cryl crystal proteins in which such modifications may be made include the Cryl A, CrylB, CrylC, CrylD, CrylE, CrylF, CrylG, CrylH, Cryll, CrylJ, and CrylK crystal proteins which are known in the art, as well as other crystal proteins not yet described or characterized which may be classified as a Cryl crystal protein based upon amino acid similarity to the known Cryl proteins.
- Preferred Cryl proteins presently described which are contemplated by the inventors to be modified by the methods disclosed herein for the purpose of producing crystal proteins with altered activity or specificity include, but are not limited to CrylAa, CrylAb,
- Cryl Ac Cryl Ad, CrylAe, CrylBa, CrylBb, Cryl Be, CrylCa, CrylCb, Cryl Da, CrylDb, CrylEa, CrylEb, Cryl Fa, CrylFb, CrylHb, Cryl la, Cry lib, CrylJa, and CrylJb crystal proteins, with Cry 1 Ca crystal proteins being particularly preferred.
- Modifications which may be made to these loop regions which are contemplated by the inventors to be most preferred in producing crystal proteins with improved insecticidal activity include, but are not limited to, substitution of one or more amino acids by one or more amino acids not normally found at the particular site of substitution in the wild-type protein.
- substitutions of one or more arginine residues by an alanine, leucine, methionine, glycine, or aspartic acid residues have been shown to be particularly useful in the production of such enhanced proteins.
- the inventors have demonstrated that substitutions of one or more lysine residues contained within or immediately adjacent to the loop regions with an alanine residue produce mutant proteins which have desirable insecticidal properties not found in the parent, or wild-type protein.
- Particularly preferred arginine residues in the CrylC protein include Arg86, Argl48, Argl80, Arg252, and Arg253, while a particularly preferred lysine residue in CrylC is Lys219.
- Mutant proteins which have been developed by the inventors demonstrating the efficiency and efficacy of this mutagenesis strategy include the CrylC-R148L, CrylC-R148M, CrylC- R148D, CrylC-R148A.CrylC-R148G,and CrylC-R180Astrains described in detail herein.
- Disclosed and claimed herein is a method for preparing a modified crystal protein which generally involves the steps of identifying a crystal protein having one or more loop regions between adjacent ⁇ -helices, introducing one or more mutations into at least one of those loop regions, or alternatively, into the amino acid residues immediately flanking the loop regions, and then obtaining the modified crystal protein so produced.
- the modified crystal proteins obtained by such a method are also important aspects of this invention.
- base substitutions may be made in the crylC nucleotide sequence in order to change particular amino acids within or near the predicted loop regions of CrylC between the ⁇ -helices of domain 1.
- the resulting CrylC* proteins may then be assayed for bioinsecticide activity using the techniques disclosed herein to identifying proteins having improved toxin activity.
- changes in three such amino acids within the loop region between ⁇ -helices 3 and 4 of domain 1 produced modified crystal proteins with enhanced insecticidal activity (CrylC.499, CrylC.563, CrylC.579).
- an alanine substitution for an arginine residue within or adjacent to the loop region between ⁇ -helices 4 and 5 produced a modified crystal protein with enhanced insecticidal activity (CrylC-R148A). Although this substitution removes a potential trypsin-cleavage site within domain 1, trypsin digestion of this modified crystal protein revealed no difference in proteolytic stability from the native Cry 1 C protein.
- an alanine substitution for an arginine residue within or adjacent to the loop region between ⁇ -helices 5 and 6, the R180A substitution in CrylC (CrylC-R180A) also removes a potential trypsin cleavage site in domain 1, yet this substitution has no effect on insecticidal activity.
- the steps in the CrylC protein mode-of-action impacted by these amino acid substitutions have not been determined nor is it obvious what substitutions need to be made to improve insecticidal activity.
- Cry3A and CrylAa show a remarkable conservation of protein tertiary structure (Grochulski et al, 1995), and because many crystal proteins show significant amino acid sequence identity to the CrylC amino acid sequence within domain 1, including proteins of the Cryl, Cry2, Cry3, Cry4, Cry5, Cry7, Cry8, Cry9, Cry 10, Cryl 1 , Cry 12, Cry 13,
- loop regions may be identified in other domains of crystal proteins which may be similarly modified through site-specific or random mutagenesis to generate toxins having improved activity, or alternatively, altered insect specificity.
- the creation of altered toxins having increased activity against one or more insects is desired.
- the inventors further contemplate that the creation of chimeric crystal proteins comprising one or more loop regions as described herein may be desirable for preparing "super" toxins which have the combined advantages of increased insecticidal activity and concomitant broad specificity.
- the mutagenesis of codons encoding amino acids within or adjacent to the loop regions between the ⁇ -helices of domain 1 of these proteins may also result in the generation of a host of related insecticidal proteins having improved activity.
- alignment of Cryl amino acid sequences spanning the loop region between ⁇ -helices 4 and 5 reveals that several Cryl proteins contain an arginine residue at the position homologous to R148 of CrylC. Since the CrylC R148A mutant exhibits improved toxicity towards a number of lepidopteran pests, it is contemplated by the inventors that similar substitutions in these other Cryl proteins will also yield improved insecticidal proteins.
- mutagenized crylC* genes are obtained which encode CrylC* variants that are generally based upon the wild-type CrylC sequence, but that have one or more changes incorporated into or adjacent to the loop regions in domainl.
- a particular example is a mutated crylC-R148A gene (SEQ ID NO:l) that encodes a CrylC* with an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 in which Arginine at position 148 has been replaced by Alanine.
- mutagenized crylC* genes will encode CrylC* variants that are generally based upon the wild-type CrylC sequence, but that have certain changes.
- a particular example is a mutated crylC-R180A gene (SEQ ID NO:5) that encodes a CrylC* with an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 in which Arginine at position 180 has been replaced by Alanine.
- mutagenized crylC* genes will encode CrylC* variants that are generally based upon the wild-type CrylC sequence, but that have certain changes.
- a particular example is a mutated cryl C.563 gene (SEQ ID NO:7) that encodes a CrylC with an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8 in which mutations in nucleic acid residues 354, 361, 369, and 370, resulted in point mutations A to T, A to C, A to C, and G to A, respectively. These mutations modified the amino acid sequence at positions 118 (Glu to Asp), 121 (Asn to His), and 124 (Ala to Thr). Using the nomenclature convention described above, such a mutation could also properly be described as a CrylC-El 18D-N121H-A124T mutant.
- mutagenized crylC* genes will encode CrylC* variants that are generally based upon the wild-type CrylC sequence, but that have certain changes.
- a particular example is a mutated cry IC.579 gene (SEQ ID NO:9) that encodes a CrylC* with an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10 in which mutations in nucleic acid residues 353, 369, and 371, resulted in point mutations A to T, A to T, and C to G, respectively. These mutations modified the amino acid sequence at positions 118 (Glu to Val) and 124 (Ala to Gly).
- mutagenized crylC* genes will encode CrylC* variants that are generally based upon the wild-type CrylC sequence, but that have certain changes.
- a particular example is a mutated cry IC.499 gene (SEQ ID NO: 11) that encodes a CrylC* with an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12 in which mutations in nucleic acid residues 360 and 361 resulted in point mutations T to C and A to C, respectively. These mutations modified the amino acid sequence at position 121 (Asn to His).
- such a mutation could also properly be described as a Cry 1C-N121H mutant.
- mutagenized crylC* genes will encode CrylC* variants that are generally based upon the wild-type CrylC sequence, but that have certain changes.
- a particular example is a mutated crylC-R148D gene (SEQ ID NO:3) that encodes a
- the mutated genes of the present invention are also definable by genes in which at least one or more of the codon positions contained within or adjacent to one or more loop regions between 2 or more ⁇ -helices contain one or more substituted codons. That is, they contain one or more codons that are not present in the wild-type gene at the particular site(s) of mutagenesis and that encode one or more amino acid substitutions.
- the mutated genes will have at least about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about 40%, about 45%, or even about 50% or more of the codon positions within a loop region between 2 ⁇ -helices substituted by one or more codons not present in the wild-type gene sequence at the particular site of mutagenesis and/or amino acid substitution.
- Mutated crylC* genes wherein at least about 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or above of the codon positions contained within a loop region between 2 ⁇ -helices have been altered are also contemplated to be useful in the practice of the present invention.
- crylC* genes wherein modifications have been made in a combination of two or more helices, e.g., ⁇ -helices 1 and 2a, ⁇ -helices 2b and 3, ⁇ -helices 3 and 4, ⁇ -helices 4 and 5, ⁇ -helices 5 and 6, ⁇ -helices 6 and 7, and/or modifications between ⁇ -helix 7 and ⁇ -strand 1, are also important aspects of the present invention.
- a mutated crystal protein that the inventors designate CrylC-
- R148A.563. contains an arginine to alanine substitution at position 148, as well as incorporate the mutations present in CrylC.563. Such a mutated crystal protein would, therefore, have modified both the ⁇ 3/4 loop region and the ⁇ 4/5 loop region.
- an " ⁇ 3/4 loop region” is intended to mean the loop region between the 3rd and 4th ⁇ helices, while an “ ⁇ 4/5 loop region” is intended to mean the loop region between the 4th and 5th ⁇ helices, etc.
- FIG. 1 illustrates graphically the placement of loop regions between helices for CrylC.
- Preferred mutated crylC genes of the invention are those genes that contain certain key changes. Examples are genes that comprise amino acid substitutions from Arg to Ala or Asp
- Genes mutated in the manner of the invention may also be operatively linked to other protein-encoding nucleic acid sequences. This will generally result in the production of a fusion protein following expression of such a nucleic acid construct. Both N-terminal and C-terminal fusion proteins are contemplated. Virtually any protein- or peptide-encoding DNA sequence, or combinations thereof, may be fused to a mutated crylC* sequence in order to encode a fusion protein.
- the invention discloses and claims host cells comprising one or more of the modified crystal proteins disclosed herein, and in particular, cells of the novel B. thuringiensis strains EG1181 L EG11815, EG11740, EG11746, EG11822, EG1 1831, EG11832, and EG11747 which comprise recombinant DNA segments encoding synthetically-modified CrylC* crystal proteins which demonstrates improved insecticidal activity against members of the Order Lepidoptera.
- the invention also discloses and claims cell cultures of B. thuringiensis EG11811, EG11815, EG1 1740, EG11746, EG11822, EG11831, EG11832, and EG11747.
- Such cell cultures may be biologically-pure cultures consisting of a single strain, or alternatively may be cell co-cultures consisting of one or more strains.
- Such cell cultures may be cultivated under conditions in which one or more additional B. thuringiensis or other bacterial strains are simultaneously co-cultured with one or more of the disclosed cultures, or alternatively, one or more of the cell cultures of the present invention may be combined with one or more additional B. thuringiensis or other bacterial strains following the independent culture of each. Such procedures may be useful when suspensions of cells containing two or more different crystal proteins are desired.
- the subject culture deposits will be stored and made available to the public in accord with the provisions of the Budapest Treaty for the Deposit of Microorganisms, i.e., they will be stored with all the care necessary to keep them viable and uncontaminated for a period of at least five years after the most recent request for the finishing of a sample of the deposit, and in any case, for a period of at least 30 (thirty) years after the date of deposit or for the enforceable life of any patent which may issue disclosing the cultures.
- the depositor acknowledges the duty to replace the deposits should the depository be unable to furnish a sample when requested, due to the condition of the deposits. All restrictions on the availability to the public of the subject culture deposits will be irrevocably removed upon the granting of a patent disclosing them.
- the modified Cryl * crystal proteins of the present invention are preparable by a process which generally involves the steps of: (a) identifying a Cryl crystal protein having one or more loop regions between two adjacent ⁇ helices or between an ⁇ helix and a ⁇ strand; (b) introducing one or more mutations into at least one of these loop regions; and (c) obtaining the modified Cryl* crystal protein so produced.
- these loop regions occur between ⁇ helices 1 and 2, ⁇ helices 2 and 3, ⁇ helices 3 and 4, ⁇ helices 4 and 5, ⁇ helices 5 and 6, and ⁇ helices 6 and 7 of domain 1 of the crystal protein, and between ⁇ helix 7 of domain 1 and the ⁇ strand 1 of domain 2.
- crystal proteins which are preparable by this claimed process include the crystal proteins which have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:59, or SEQ ID NO:61, and most preferably, the crystal proteins which are encoded by the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:l, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:l 1, SEQ ID NO:58, or SEQ ID NO:60, or a nucleic acid sequence which hybridizes to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ
- SEQ ID NO:l SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO:58, or SEQ ID NO:60 under conditions of moderate to high stringency.
- a second method for preparing a modified Cryl * crystal protein is a further embodiment of the invention. This method generally involves identifying a Cryl crystal protein having one or more loop regions, introducing one or more mutations into one or more of the loop regions, and obtaining the resulting modified crystal protein.
- Cryl* crystal proteins preparable by either of these methods include the CrylA*, CrylB*, CrylC*, CrylD*, CrylE*, CrylF*, Cry IG*, Cry IH*, Cry II*, Cry U*, and Cry IK* crystal proteins, and more preferably, the CrylAa*, CrylAb*, CrylAc*, CrylAd*, CrylAe*, CrylBa*, CrylBb*, CrylBc*, CrylCa*, CrylCb*, CrylDa*, CrylDb*, CrylEa*, CrylEb*, CrylFa*, CrylFb*, CrylHb*, Crylla*, Cryllb*,
- CrylJa*, and CrylJb* crystal proteins are particularly preferred proteins.
- Highly preferred proteins include CrylCa* crystal proteins, such as those comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:59, or SEQ ID NO:61, and those encoded by a nucleic acid sequence having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:l, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:l 1, SEQ ID NO:58, or SEQ ID NO:60, or a nucleic acid sequence which hybridizes to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:l, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO:58, or SEQ ID NO:60 under conditions of moderate stringency.
- Amino acid, peptide and protein sequences within the scope of the present invention include, and are not limited to the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:59, and SEQ ID NO:61, and alterations in the amino acid sequences including alterations, deletions, mutations, and homologs.
- Compositions which comprise from about 0.5% to about 99% by weight of the crystal protein, or more preferably from about 5% to about 75%, or from about 25% to about 50% by weight of the crystal protein are provided herein. Such compositions may readily be prepared using techniques of protein production and purification well-known to those of skill, and the methods disclosed herein.
- Such a process for preparing a CrylC* crystal protein generally involves the steps of culturing a host cell which expresses the CrylC* protein (such as a Bacillus thuringiensis NRRL B-21590, NRRL B-21591, NRRL B-21638, NRRL B-21639, NRRL, B-21640, NRRL, B-21609, NRRL, B-21610, or NRRL B-21592 cell) under conditions effective to produce the crystal protein, and then obtaining the crystal protein so produced.
- the protein may be present within intact cells, and as such, no subsequent protein isolation or purification steps may be required.
- the cells may be broken, sonicated, lysed, disrupted, or plasmolyzed to free the crystal protein(s) from the remaining cell debris.
- composition may ultimately be purified to consist almost entirely of the pure protein, or alternatively, be purified or isolated to a degree such that the composition comprises the crystal protein(s) in an amount of from between about 0.5% and about 99% by weight, or in an amount of from between about 5% and about 90% by weight, or in an amount of from between about 25% and about 75% by weight, etc.
- One important embodiment of the invention is a recombinant vector which comprises a nucleic acid segment encoding one or more B. thuringiensis crystal proteins having a modified amino acid sequence in one or more loop regions of domain 1, or between ⁇ helix 7 of domain 1 and ⁇ strand 1 of domain 2.
- Such a vector may be transferred to and replicated in a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host, with bacterial cells being particularly preferred as prokaryotic hosts, and plant cells being particularly preferred as eukaryotic hosts.
- the amino acid sequence modifications may include one or more modified loop regions between ⁇ helices 1 and 2, ⁇ helices 2 and 3, ⁇ helices 3 and 4, ⁇ helices 4 and 5, ⁇ helices 5 and 6, or ⁇ helices 6 and 7 of domain 1 , or between ⁇ helix 7 of domain 1 and ⁇ strand 1 of domain 2.
- Preferred recombinant vectors are those which contain one or more nucleic acid segments which encode modified Cryl A, Cry IB, CrylC, Cry ID, Cry IE, Cry IF, CrylG, CrylH, Cryll, CrylJ, or Cry IK crystal proteins.
- Particularly preferred recombinant vectors are those which contain one or more nucleic acid segments which encode modified CrylAa, CrylAb, Cryl Ac, Cryl Ad, CrylAe, CrylBa, CrylBb, Cryl Be, CrylCa, CrylCb, Cryl Da, CrylDb,
- the recombinant vector comprises a nucleic acid segment encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:59, or SEQ ID NO:61.
- Highly preferred nucleic acid segments are those which have the sequence of SEQ ID NO:l, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO:58, or SEQ ID NO:60.
- the host cell may be either prokaryotic or eukaryotic, and particularly preferred host cells are those which express the nucleic acid segment(s) comprising the recombinant vector which encode one or more B. thuringiensis crystal protein comprising modified amino acid sequences in one or more loop regions of domain 1 , or between ⁇ helix 7 of domain 1 and ⁇ strand 1 of domain 2.
- Bacterial cells are particularly preferred as prokaryotic hosts, and plant cells are particularly preferred as eukaryotic hosts
- the invention discloses and claims a host cell wherein the modified amino acid sequences comprise one or more loop regions between ⁇ helices 1 and 2, ⁇ helices 2 and 3, ⁇ helices 3 and 4, ⁇ helices 4 and 5, ⁇ helices 5 and 6 or ⁇ helices 6 and 7 of domain 1, or between ⁇ helix 7 of domain 1 and ⁇ strand 1 of domain 2.
- a particularly preferred host cell is one that comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8.
- Bacterial host cells transformed with a nucleic acid segment encoding a modified CrylC crystal protein according to the present invention are disclosed and claimed herein, and in particular, a Bacillus thuringiensis cell having the NRRL accession NRRL B-21590, NRRL B-
- NRRL B-21591 NRRL B-21592, NRRL B-21638, NRRL B-21639, NRRL B-21640, NRRL B-21609, or NRRL B-21610.
- the invention encompasses a method of using a nucleic acid segment of the present invention that encodes a crylC* gene.
- the method generally comprises the steps of: (a) preparing a recombinant vector in which the crylC* gene is positioned under the control of a promoter; (b) introducing the recombinant vector into a host cell; (c) culturing the host cell under conditions effective to allow expression of the CrylC* crystal protein encoded by said crylC* gene; and (d) obtaining the expressed CrylC* crystal protein or peptide.
- a wide variety of ways are available for introducing a B. thuringiensis gene expressing a toxin into the microorganism host under conditions which allow for stable maintenance and expression of the gene.
- the transcriptional initiation signals will include a promoter and a transcriptional initiation start site. In some instances, it may be desirable to provide for regulative expression of the toxin, where expression of the toxin will only occur after release into the environment.
- a region binding to an activator or enhancers which are capable of induction upon a change in the physical or chemical environment of the microorganisms.
- a temperature sensitive regulatory region may be employed, where the organisms may be grown up in the laboratory without expression of a toxin, but upon release into the environment, expression would begin.
- Other techniques may employ a specific nutrient medium in the laboratory, which inhibits the expression of the toxin, where the nutrient medium in the environment would allow for expression of the toxin.
- a ribosomal binding site and an initiation codon will be present.
- RNA sequences which enhance the stability of the messenger RNA.
- the transcriptional and translational termination region will involve stop codon(s), a terminator region, and optionally, a polyadenylation signal.
- a hydrophobic "leader" sequence may be employed at the amino terminus of the translated polypeptide sequence in order to promote secretion of the protein across the inner membrane.
- the construct will involve the transcriptional regulatory region, if any, and the promoter, where the regulatory region may be either 5' or 3' of the promoter, the ribosomal binding site, the initiation codon, the structural gene having an open reading frame in phase with the initiation codon, the stop codon(s), the polyadenylation signal sequence, if any, and the terminator region.
- This sequence as a double strand may be used by itself for transformation of a microorganism host, but will usually be included with a DNA sequence involving a marker, where the second DNA sequence may be joined to the toxin expression construct during introduction of the DNA into the host.
- a marker is intended a structural gene which provides for selection of those hosts which have been modified or transformed.
- the marker will normally provide for selective advantage, for example, providing for biocide resistance, e.g., resistance to antibiotics or heavy metals; complementation, so as to provide prototropy to an auxotrophic host, or the like.
- complementation is employed, so that the modified host may not only be selected, but may also be competitive in the field.
- One or more markers may be employed in the development of the constructs, as well as for modifying the host.
- the organisms may be further modified by providing for a competitive advantage against other wild-type microorganisms in the field.
- genes expressing metal chelating agents may be introduced into the host along with the structural gene expressing the toxin.
- the enhanced expression of a siderophore may provide for a competitive advantage for the toxin- producing host, so that it may effectively compete with the wild-type microorganisms and stably occupy a niche in the environment.
- the construct will also include a sequence of at least 50 basepairs (bp), preferably at least about 100 bp, more preferably at least about 1000 bp, and usually not more than about 2000 bp of a sequence homologous with a sequence in the host.
- bp basepairs
- the toxin gene will be in close proximity to the gene providing for complementation as well as the gene providing for the competitive advantage.
- transcriptional regulatory regions are available from a wide variety of microorganism hosts, such as bacteria, bacteriophage, cyanobacteria, algae, fungi, and the like.
- Various transcriptional regulatory regions include the regions associated with the trp gene, lac gene, gal gene, the ⁇ L and ⁇ R promoters, the tac promoter, the naturally-occurring promoters associated with the ⁇ -endotoxin gene, where functional in the host. See for example, U. S.
- the termination region may be the termination region normally associated with the transcriptional initiation region or a different transcriptional initiation region, so long as the two regions are compatible and functional in the host.
- a plasmid which has a replication system which is functional in the host.
- the replication system may be derived from the chromosome, an episomal element normally present in the host or a different host, or a replication system from a virus which is stable in the host.
- a large number of plasmids are available, such as pBR322, pACYC184, RSF1010, pR01614, and the like. See for example, Olson et al. (1982); Bagdasarian et al (1981), Baum et al, 1990, and U. S. Patents 4,356,270; 4,362,817; 4,371,625, and 5,441,884, each incorporated specifically herein by reference.
- the B. thuringiensis gene can be introduced between the transcriptional and translational initiation region and the transcriptional and translational termination region, so as to be under the regulatory control of the initiation region.
- This construct will be included in a plasmid, which will include at least one replication system, but may include more than one, where one replication system is employed for cloning during the development of the plasmid and the second replication system is necessary for functioning in the ultimate host.
- one or more markers may be present, which have been described previously.
- the plasmid will desirably include a sequence homologous with the host genome.
- the transformants can be isolated in accordance with conventional ways, usually employing a selection technique, which allows for selection of the desired organism as against unmodified organisms or transferring organisms, when present. The transformants then can be tested for pesticidal activity. If desired, unwanted or ancillary DNA sequences may be selectively removed from the recombinant bacterium by employing site-specific recombination systems, such as those described in U. S. Patent 5,441,884 (specifically inco ⁇ orated herein by reference).
- a B. thuringiensis cryl * gene encoding a crystal protein having insecticidal activity against Lepidopteran insects comprising a modified amino acid sequence in one or more loop regions of domain 1 or in a loop region between domain 1 and domain 2 represents an important aspect of the invention.
- the cryl* gene encodes an amino acid sequence in which one or more loop regions have been modified for the purpose of altering the insecticidal activity of the crystal protein.
- loop domains include those between ⁇ helices 1 and 2, ⁇ helices 2 and 3, ⁇ helices 3 and 4, ⁇ helices 4 and 5, ⁇ helices 5 and 6, or ⁇ helices 6 and 7 of domain 1, or between ⁇ helix 7 of domain 1 and ⁇ strand 1 of domain 2 (FIG 1).
- cryl* genes of the invention include cryl A *, cry IB*, crylC*, crylD*, cry IE*, crylF*, crylG*, crylH*, cryll*, crylJ*, and cry IK* genes, with crylAa*, crylAb*, cryl Ac*, cryl Ad*, crylAe*, crylBa*, crylBb*, crylBc*, crylCa*, crylCb*, crylDa*, crylDb*, crylEa*, crylEb*, cryl Fa*, crylFb*, crylHb*, cryl la*, cryl lb*, crylJa*, and crylJb* genes being highly preferred.
- nucleic acid sequences include and are not limited to DNA. including and not limited to cDNA and genomic DNA, genes; RNA, including and not limited to mRNA and tRNA; antisense sequences, nucleosides, and suitable nucleic acid sequences such as those set forth in SEQ ID NO:l, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:l 1, SEQ ID NO:58, and SEQ ID NO:60 and alterations in the nucleic acid sequences including alterations, deletions, mutations, and homologs capable of expressing the B. thuringiensis modified toxins of the present invention.
- the inventors used the methods described herein to produce modified crylCa* genes which had improved insecticidal activity against lepidopterans.
- loop regions were modified by changing one or more arginine residues to alanine or aspartic acid residues, such as mutations at arginine residues Argl48 and Argl80.
- the present invention also concerns DNA segments, that are free from total genomic DNA and that encode the novel synthetically-modified crystal proteins disclosed herein. DNA segments encoding these peptide species may prove to encode proteins, polypeptides, subunits, functional domains, and the like of crystal protein-related or other non-related gene products. In addition these DNA segments may be synthesized entirely in vitro using methods that are well-known to those of skill in the art.
- DNA segment refers to a DNA molecule that has been isolated free of total genomic DNA of a particular species. Therefore, a DNA segment encoding a crystal protein or peptide refers to a DNA segment that contains crystal protein coding sequences yet is isolated away from, or purified free from, total genomic DNA of the species from which the DNA segment is obtained, which in the instant case is the genome of the Gram-positive bacterial genus, Bacillus, and in particular, the species of Bacillus known as B. thuringiensis. Included within the term "DNA segment”, are DNA segments and smaller fragments of such segments, and also recombinant vectors, including, for example, plasmids, cosmids, phagemids, phage, viruses, and the like.
- a DNA segment comprising an isolated or purified crystal protein-encoding gene refers to a DNA segment which may include in addition to peptide encoding sequences, certain other elements such as, regulatory sequences, isolated substantially away from other naturally occurring genes or protein-encoding sequences.
- the term "gene” is used for simplicity to refer to a functional protein-, polypeptide- or peptide-encoding unit. As will be understood by those in the art, this functional term includes both genomic sequences, operon sequences and smaller engineered gene segments that express, or may be adapted to express, proteins, polypeptides or peptides.
- isolated substantially away from other coding sequences means that the gene of interest, in this case, a gene encoding a bacterial crystal protein, forms the significant part of the coding region of the DNA segment, and that the DNA segment does not contain large portions of naturally-occurring coding DNA, such as large chromosomal fragments or other functional genes or operon coding regions. Of course, this refers to the DNA segment as originally isolated, and does not exclude genes, recombinant genes, synthetic linkers, or coding regions later added to the segment by the hand of man.
- Particularly preferred DNA sequences are those encoding CrylC-R148A, CrylC-R148D, CrylC-R180A, CrylC.499, CrylC.563 or CrylC.579 crystal proteins, and in particular crylC* genes such as crylC-R148A, crylC-R148D, crylC-R180A, crylC.499, crylC.563 and crylC.579 nucleic acid sequences.
- the invention concerns isolated DNA segments and recombinant vectors inco ⁇ orating DNA sequences that encode a Cry peptide species that includes within its amino acid sequence an amino acid sequence essentially as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:59, or SEQ ID NO:61.
- sequence essentially as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO:59, or SEQ ID NO:61 means that the sequence substantially corresponds to a portion of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO:59, or SEQ ID NO:61, and has relatively few amino acids that are not identical to, or a biologically functional equivalent of, the amino acids of any of these sequences.
- sequences that have between about 70% and about 80%, or more preferably between about 81% and about 90%, or even more preferably between about 91% and about 99% amino acid sequence identity or functional equivalence to the amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO:59, or SEQ ID NO:61 will be sequences that are "essentially as set forth in
- SEQ ID NO:2 SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6 SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO:59, or SEQ ID NO:61.”
- amino acid and nucleic acid sequences may include additional residues, such as additional N- or C-terminal amino acids or 5' or 3' sequences, and yet still be essentially as set forth in one of the sequences disclosed herein, so long as the sequence meets the criteria set forth above, including the maintenance of biological protein activity where protein expression is concerned.
- the addition of terminal sequences particularly applies to nucleic acid sequences that may, for example, include various non-coding sequences flanking either of the 5' or 3' portions of the coding region or may include various internal sequences, i.e., introns, which are known to occur within genes.
- nucleic acid segments of the present invention may be combined with other DNA sequences, such as promoters, polyadenylation signals, additional restriction enzyme sites, multiple cloning sites, other coding segments, and the like, such that their overall length may vary considerably. It is therefore contemplated that a nucleic acid fragment of almost any length may be employed, with the total length preferably being limited by the ease of preparation and use in the intended recombinant DNA protocol.
- nucleic acid fragments may be prepared that include a short contiguous stretch encoding the peptide sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO:59, or SEQ ID NO:61, or that are identical to or complementary to DNA sequences which encode the peptide disclosed in SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:59, or SEQ ID NO:61, and particularly the DNA segments disclosed in
- DNA sequences such as about 14 nucleotides, and that are up to about 10,000, about 5,000, about 3,000, about 2,000, about 1,000, about 500, about 200, about 100, about 50, and about 14 base pairs in length (including all intermediate lengths) are also contemplated to be useful.
- intermediate lengths means any length between the quoted ranges, such as 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, etc. ; 21, 22, 23, etc. ; 30, 31, 32, etc.; 50, 51, 52, 53, etc. ; 100, 101, 102, 103, etc. ; 150, 151, 152, 153, etc.; including all integers through the 200-500; 500-1,000; 1,000-2,000; 2,000-3,000; 3,000-5,000; and up to and including sequences of about 10,000 nucleotides and the like.
- this invention is not limited to the particular nucleic acid sequences which encode peptides of the present invention, or which encode the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:59, or SEQ ID NO:61, including the DNA sequences which are particularly disclosed in SEQ ID NO:l, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:
- Recombinant vectors and isolated DNA segments may therefore variously include the peptide-coding regions themselves, coding regions bearing selected alterations or modifications in the basic coding region, or they may encode larger polypeptides that nevertheless include these peptide-coding regions or may encode biologically functional equivalent proteins or peptides that have variant amino acids sequences.
- DNA segments of the present invention encompass biologically-functional, equivalent peptides. Such sequences may arise as a consequence of codon redundancy and functional equivalency that are known to occur naturally within nucleic acid sequences and the proteins thus encoded.
- functionally-equivalent proteins or peptides may be created via the application of recombinant DNA technology, in which changes in the protein structure may be engineered, based on considerations of the properties of the amino acids being exchanged. Changes designed by man may be introduced through the application of site-directed mutagenesis techniques, e.g., to introduce improvements to the antigenicity of the protein or to test mutants in order to examine activity at the molecular level.
- fusion proteins and peptides e.g., where the peptide- coding regions are aligned within the same expression unit with other proteins or peptides having desired functions, such as for purification or immunodetection pu ⁇ oses (e.g., proteins that may be purified by affinity chromatography and enzyme label coding regions, respectively).
- immunodetection pu ⁇ oses e.g., proteins that may be purified by affinity chromatography and enzyme label coding regions, respectively.
- Recombinant vectors form further aspects of the present invention.
- Particularly useful vectors are contemplated to be those vectors in which the coding portion of the DNA segment, whether encoding a full-length protein or smaller peptide, is positioned under the control of a promoter.
- the promoter may be in the form of the promoter that is naturally associated with a gene encoding peptides of the present invention, as may be obtained by isolating the 5' non- coding sequences located upstream of the coding segment or exon, for example, using recombinant cloning and/or PCRTM technology, in connection with the compositions disclosed herein.
- a recombinant or heterologous promoter is intended to refer to a promoter that is not normally associated with a DNA segment encoding a crystal protein or peptide in its natural environment.
- Such promoters may include promoters normally associated with other genes, and/or promoters isolated from any bacterial, viral, eukaryotic, or plant cell.
- promoters normally associated with other genes, and/or promoters isolated from any bacterial, viral, eukaryotic, or plant cell.
- promoter and cell type combinations for protein expression is generally known to those of skill in the art of molecular biology, for example, see Sambrook et al, 1989.
- the promoters employed may be constitutive, or inducible, and can be used under the appropriate conditions to direct high level expression of the introduced DNA segment, such as is advantageous in the large-scale production of recombinant proteins or peptides.
- Appropriate promoter systems contemplated for use in high-level expression include, but are not limited to, the Pichia expression vector system (Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology).
- Pichia expression vector system Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology
- DNA segments that encode peptide antigens from about 8 to about 50 amino acids in length, or more preferably, from about 8 to about 30 amino acids in length, or even more preferably, from about 8 to about 20 amino acids in length are contemplated to be particularly useful.
- Such peptide epitopes may be amino acid sequences which comprise contiguous amino acid sequence from SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:
- SEQ ID NO:8 SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO:59, or SEQ ID NO:61.
- the present invention encompasses both site-specific mutagenesis methods and random mutagenesis of a nucleic acid segment encoding one of the crystal proteins described herein.
- methods are disclosed for the random mutagenesis of nucleic acid segments encoding the amino acid sequences identified as being in, or immediately adjacent to, a loop region of domain 1 of the crystal protein, or between the last ⁇ helix of domain one and the first ⁇ strand of domain 2.
- the mutagenesis of this nucleic acid segment results in one or more modifications to one or more loop regions of the encoded crystal protein.
- Using the assay methods described herein one may then identify mutants arising from this procedure which have improved insecticidal properties or altered specificity, either intraorder or interorder.
- the randomly-mutagenized contiguous nucleic acid segment encodes an amino acid sequence in a loop region of domain 1 or a modified amino acid sequence in a loop region between domain 1 and domain 2of a B. thuringiensis crystal protein having insecticidal activity against Lepidopteran insects.
- the modified amino acid sequence comprises a loop region between ⁇ helices 1 and 2, ⁇ helices 2 and 3, ⁇ helices 3 and 4, ⁇ helices 4 and 5, ⁇ helices 5 and 6, or ⁇ helices 6 and 7 of domain 1, or between ⁇ helix 7 of domain 1 and ⁇ strand 1 of domain 2.
- Preferred crystal proteins include Cryl A, Cry IB, CrylC, CrylD, Cry IE, CrylF, CrylG, CrylH, Cryll, CrylJ, and CrylK crystal protein, with CrylAa, CrylAb, CrylAe,
- Cryl Ad CrylAe, CrylBa, CrylBb, CrylBc, CrylCa, CrylCb, CrylDa, CrylDb, CrylEa, CrylEb, Cryl Fa, CrylFb, CrylHb, Cryl la, Cry lib, CrylJa, and CrylJb crystal proteins being particularly preferred.
- a nucleic acid segment (SEQ ID NO:7). encoding a CrylCa crystal protein was mutagenized in a region corresponding to about amino acid residue 118 to about amino acid residue 124 of the CrylCa protein (SEQ ID NO:8).
- the modified CrylCa* resulting from the mutagenesis was termed, CrylC.563.
- a nucleic acid segment (SEQ ID NO:9). encoding a CrylCa crystal protein was mutagenized in a region corresponding to about amino acid residue 118 to about amino acid residue 124 of the CrylCa protein (SEQ ID NO:10).
- the modified CrylCa* resulting from the mutagenesis was termed, CrylC.579.
- a nucleic acid segment (SEQ ID NO: 11). encoding a CrylCa crystal protein was mutagenized in a region corresponding to about amino acid residue 118 to about amino acid residue 124 of the CrylCa protein (SEQ ID NO:12). The modified CrylCa* resulting from the mutagenesis was termed, CrylC.499.
- the means for mutagenizing a DNA segment encoding a crystal protein having one or more loop regions in its amino acid sequence are well-known to those of skill in the art. Modifications to such loop regions may be made by random, or site-specific mutagenesis procedures. The loop region may be modified by altering its structure through the addition or deletion of one or more nucleotides from the sequence which encodes the corresponding un- modified loop region.
- Mutagenesis may be performed in accordance with any of the techniques known in the art such as and not limited to synthesizing an oligonucleotide having one or more mutations within the sequence of a particular crystal protein.
- a "suitable host” is any host which will express Cry, such as and not limited to Bacillus thuringiensis and Escherichia coli. Screening for insecticidal activity, in the case of CrylC includes and is not limited to lepidopteran-toxic activity which may be screened for by techniques known in the art.
- site-specific mutagenesis is a technique useful in the preparation of individual peptides, or biologically functional equivalent proteins or peptides, through specific mutagenesis of the underlying DNA.
- the technique further provides a ready ability to prepare and test sequence variants, for example, inco ⁇ orating one or more of the foregoing considerations, by introducing one or more nucleotide sequence changes into the DNA.
- Site- specific mutagenesis allows the production of mutants through the use of specific oligonucleotide sequences which encode the DNA sequence of the desired mutation, as well as a sufficient number of adjacent nucleotides, to provide a primer sequence of sufficient size and sequence complexity to form a stable duplex on both sides of the deletion junction being traversed.
- a primer of about 17 to about 75 nucleotides or more in length is preferred, with about 10 to about 25 or more residues on both sides of the junction of the sequence being altered.
- the technique of site-specific mutagenesis is well known in the art, as exemplified by various publications.
- the technique typically employs a phage vector which exists in both a single stranded and double stranded form.
- Typical vectors useful in site-directed mutagenesis include vectors such as the Ml 3 phage. These phage are readily commercially available and their use is generally well known to those skilled in the art.
- Double stranded plasmids are also routinely employed in site directed mutagenesis which eliminates the step of transferring the gene of interest from a plasmid to a phage.
- site-directed mutagenesis in accordance herewith is performed by first obtaining a single-stranded vector or melting apart of two strands of a double stranded vector which includes within its sequence a DNA sequence which encodes the desired peptide.
- An oligonucleotide primer bearing the desired mutated sequence is prepared, generally synthetically. This primer is then annealed with the single-stranded vector, and subjected to DNA polymerizing enzymes such as E. coli polymerase I Klenow fragment, in order to complete the synthesis of the mutation-bearing strand.
- DNA polymerizing enzymes such as E. coli polymerase I Klenow fragment
- This heteroduplex vector is then used to transform or transfect appropriate cells, such as E. coli cells, and clones are selected which include recombinant vectors bearing the mutated sequence arrangement.
- a genetic selection scheme was devised by Kunkel et al. (1987) to enrich for clones inco ⁇ orating the mutagenic oligonucleotide.
- the use of PCRTM with commercially available thermostable enzymes such as Taq polymerase may be used to inco ⁇ orate a mutagenic oligonucleotide primer into an amplified DNA fragment that can then be cloned into an appropriate cloning or expression vector.
- a PCRTM employing a thermostable ligase in addition to a thermostable polymerase may also be used to inco ⁇ orate a phosphorylated mutagenic oligonucleotide into an amplified DNA fragment that may then be cloned into an appropriate cloning or expression vector.
- the mutagenesis procedure described by Michael (1994) provides an example of one such protocol.
- oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis may be used to insert or delete amino acid residues within a loop region.
- this mutagenic oligonucleotide could be used to delete a proline residue (PI 20) within loop ⁇ 3-4 of the CrylC protein from EG6346 or aizawai strain 7.29:
- this mutagenic oligonucleotide may be used to add an alanine residue between amino acid residues N121 and N122 within loop ⁇ 3-4 of the CrylC protein from EG6346 or aizawai strain 7.29:
- sequence variants of the selected peptide-encoding DNA segments using site-directed mutagenesis is provided as a means of producing potentially useful species and is not meant to be limiting as there are other ways in which sequence variants of peptides and the DNA sequences encoding them may be obtained.
- recombinant vectors encoding the desired peptide sequence may be treated with mutagenic agents, such as hydroxylamine, to obtain sequence variants.
- oligonucleotide directed mutagenesis procedure refers to template-dependent processes and vector-mediated propagation which result in an increase in the concentration of a specific nucleic acid molecule relative to its initial concentration, or in an increase in the concentration of a detectable signal, such as amplification.
- oligonucleotide directed mutagenesis procedure is intended to refer to a process that involves the template-dependent extension of a primer molecule.
- template dependent process refers to nucleic acid synthesis of an RNA or a DNA molecule wherein the sequence of the newly synthesized strand of nucleic acid is dictated by the well-known rules of complementary base pairing (see, for example, Watson, 1987).
- vector mediated methodologies involve the introduction of the nucleic acid fragment into a DNA or RNA vector, the clonal amplification of the vector, and the recovery of the amplified nucleic acid fragment. Examples of such methodologies are provided by U. S. Patent 4,237,224, specifically inco ⁇ orated herein by reference in its entirety.
- a number of template dependent processes are available to amplify the target sequences of interest present in a sample.
- One of the best known amplification methods is the polymerase chain reaction (PCRTM) which is described in detail in U. S. Patents 4,683,195, 4,683,202 and 4,800,159, each of which is inco ⁇ orated herein by reference in its entirety.
- PCRTM two primer sequences are prepared which are complementary to regions on opposite complementary strands of the target sequence.
- An excess of deoxynucleoside triphosphates are added to a reaction mixture along with a DNA polymerase (e.g., Taq polymerase). If the target sequence is present in a sample, the primers will bind to the target and the polymerase will cause the primers to be extended along the target sequence by adding on nucleotides.
- a DNA polymerase e.g., Taq polymerase
- a reverse transcriptase PCRTM amplification procedure may be performed in order to quantify the amount of mRNA amplified.
- Polymerase chain reaction methodologies are well known in the art.
- Another method for amplification is the ligase chain reaction (referred to as LCR), disclosed in Eur. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 320,308, inco ⁇ orated herein by reference in its entirety.
- LCR ligase chain reaction
- two complementary probe pairs are prepared, and in the presence of the target sequence, each pair will bind to opposite complementary strands of the target such that they abut. In the presence of a ligase, the two probe pairs will link to form a single unit.
- Qbeta Replicase described in PCT Intl. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. PCT/US87/00880, inco ⁇ orated herein by reference in its entirety, may also be used as still another amplification method in the present invention.
- a replicative sequence of RNA which has a region complementary to that of a target is added to a sample in the presence of an RNA polymerase.
- the polymerase will copy the replicative sequence which can then be detected.
- SDA Strand Displacement Amplification
- RCR Repair Chain Reaction
- CPR cyclic probe reaction
- a probe having a 3' and 5' sequences of non-Cry IC specific DNA and middle sequence of CrylC protein specific RNA is hybridized to DNA which is present in a sample.
- the reaction is treated with RNaseH, and the products of the probe identified as distinctive products generating a signal which are released after digestion.
- the original template is annealed to another cycling probe and the reaction is repeated.
- CPR involves amplifying a signal generated by hybridization of a probe to a crylC specific expressed nucleic acid. Still other amplification methods described in Great Britain Pat. Appl. No. 2 202 328, and in PCT Intl. Pat. Appl.
- nucleic acid amplification procedures include transcription-based amplification systems (TAS) (Kwoh et al, 1989; PCT Intl. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. WO 88/10315, inco ⁇ orated herein by reference in its entirety), including nucleic acid sequence based amplification (NASBA) and 3SR.
- TAS transcription-based amplification systems
- NASBA nucleic acid sequence based amplification
- 3SR nucleic acid sequence based amplification
- the nucleic acids can be prepared for amplification by standard phenol/chloroform extraction, heat denaturation of a sample, treatment with lysis buffer and minispin columns for isolation of DNA and RNA or guanidinium chloride extraction of RNA.
- amplification techniques involve annealing a primer which has crystal protein-specific sequences.
- DNA/RNA hybrids are digested with RNase H while double stranded DNA molecules are heat denatured again. In either case the single stranded DNA is made fully double stranded by addition of second crystal protein-specific primer, followed by polymerization. The double stranded DNA molecules are then multiply transcribed by a polymerase such as T7 or SP6. In an isothermal cyclic reaction, the RNAs are reverse transcribed into double stranded DNA, and transcribed once against with a polymerase such as T7 or SP6. The resulting products, whether truncated or complete, indicate crystal protein- specific sequences.
- a polymerase such as T7 or SP6
- ssRNA single-stranded RNA
- dsDNA double-stranded DNA
- the ssRNA is a first template for a first primer oligonucleotide, which is elongated by reverse transcriptase (RNA-dependent DNA polymerase).
- RNA-dependent DNA polymerase reverse transcriptase
- the RNA is then removed from resulting DNA: RNA duplex by the action of ribonuclease H (RNase H, an RNase specific for RNA in a duplex with either DNA or RNA).
- RNase H ribonuclease H
- the resultant ssDNA is a second template for a second primer, which also includes the sequences of an RNA polymerase promoter (exemplified by T7 RNA polymerase) 5' to its homology to its template.
- This primer is then extended by DNA polymerase (exemplified by the large "Klenow" fragment of E. coli DNA polymerase I), resulting as a double-stranded DNA (“dsDNA”) molecule, having a sequence identical to that of the original RNA between the primers and having additionally, at one end, a promoter sequence.
- This promoter sequence can be used by the appropriate RNA polymerase to make many RNA copies of the DNA. These copies can then re-enter the cycle leading to very swift amplification. With proper choice of enzymes, this amplification can be done isothermally without addition of enzymes at each cycle. Because of the cyclical nature of this process, the starting sequence can be chosen to be in the form of either DNA or RNA.
- Methods based on ligation of two (or more) oligonucleotides in the presence of nucleic acid having the sequence of the resulting "di-oligonucleotide", thereby amplifying the di-oligonucleotide may also be used in the amplification of DNA sequences of the present invention.
- the presumptive resistant cultures are then streaked across the phage line. Resistant bacterial cultures show no lysis anywhere in the streak across the phage line after overnight incubation at 30°C.
- the resistance to phage is then reconfirmed by plating a lawn of the resistant culture onto a nutrient agar plate.
- the sensitive strain is also plated in the same manner to serve as the positive control. After drying, a drop of the phage lysate is plated in the center of the plate and allowed to dry. Resistant cultures showed no lysis in the area where the phage lysate has been placed after incubation at 30°C for 24 hours.
- the invention also discloses and claims host cells, both native, and genetically engineered, which express the novel crylC* genes to produce CrylC* polypeptides.
- Preferred examples of bacterial host cells include Bacillus thuringiensis NRRL B-21590, NRRL B-21591,
- NRRL B-21592 NRRL B-21638, NRRL B-21639, NRRL B-21640, NRRL B-21609. and NRRL B-21610.
- Such methods generally involve culturing the host cell (such as Bacillus thuringiensis NRRL B-21590,
- the present invention provides methods for producing a transgenic plant which expresses a nucleic acid segment encoding the novel recombinant crystal proteins of the present invention.
- the process of producing transgenic plants is well-known in the art.
- the method comprises transforming a suitable host cell with one or more DNA segments which contain one or more promoters operatively linked to a coding region that encodes one or more of the novel B. thuringiensis CrylC-R148A, CrylC-R148G, CrylC-R148M, CrylC- R148L, CrylC-R180A, CrylC-R148D, CrylC.499, CrylC563 and CrylC.579 crystal proteins.
- Such a coding region is generally operatively linked to a transcription-terminating region, whereby the promoter is capable of driving the transcription of the coding region in the cell, and hence providing the cell the ability to produce the recombinant protein in vivo.
- the invention also provides for the expression of crystal protein antisense mRNA.
- the use of antisense mRNA as a means of controlling or decreasing the amount of a given protein of interest in a cell is well-known in the art.
- transgenic plant which express a gene or gene segment encoding one or more of the novel polypeptide compositions disclosed herein.
- transgenic plant is intended to refer to a plant that has inco ⁇ orated DNA sequences, including but not limited to genes which are perhaps not normally present, DNA sequences not normally transcribed into RNA or translated into a protein ("expressed"), or any other genes or DNA sequences which one desires to introduce into the non-transformed plant, such as genes which may normally be present in the non-transformed plant but which one desires to either genetically engineer or to have altered expression.
- the genome of a transgenic plant of the present invention will have been augmented through the stable introduction of one or more CrylC- R148A-, CrylC-R148D-, CrylC-R148G, CrylC-R148M, CrylC-R148L, CrylC-R180A- CrylC.499-, CrylC.563-, or CrylC.579-encoding transgenes, either native, synthetically modified, or mutated.
- more than one transgene will be inco ⁇ orated into the genome of the transformed host plant cell. Such is the case when more than one crystal protein- encoding DNA segment is inco ⁇ orated into the genome of such a plant.
- B. thuringiensis crystal proteins either native or recombinantly-engineered inco ⁇ orated and stably expressed in the transformed transgenic plant.
- a preferred gene which may be introduced includes, for example, a crystal protein- encoding a DNA sequence from bacterial origin, and particularly one or more of those described herein which are obtained from Bacillus spp. Highly preferred nucleic acid sequences are those obtained from B. thuringiensis, or any of those sequences which have been genetically engineered to decrease or increase the insecticidal activity of the crystal protein in such a transformed host cell.
- Vectors, plasmids, cosmids, YACs (yeast artificial chromosomes) and DNA segments for use in transforming such cells will, of course, generally comprise either the operons, genes, or gene-derived sequences of the present invention, either native, or synthetically-derived, and particularly those encoding the disclosed crystal proteins.
- These DNA constructs can further include structures such as promoters, enhancers, polylinkers, or even gene sequences which have positively- or negatively-regulating activity upon the particular genes of interest as desired.
- the DNA segment or gene may encode either a native or modified crystal protein, which will be expressed in the resultant recombinant cells, and/or which will impart an improved phenotype to the regenerated plant.
- transgenic plants may be desirable for increasing the insecticidal resistance of a monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous plant, by inco ⁇ orating into such a plant, a transgenic DNA segment encoding a CrylC-R148A, CrylC-R148D, CrylC-R148G, CrylC-R148L, CrylC- R148M, CrylC-R180A, CrylC.499, CrylC.563, and/or CrylC.579 crystal protein which is toxic to lepidopteran insects.
- Particularly preferred plants include grains such as corn, wheat, barley, maize, and oats; legumes such as soybeans; cotton; turf and pasture grasses; ornamental plants; shrubs; trees; vegetables, berries, fruits, and other commercially-important crops including garden and houseplants.
- the present invention also encompasses a seed produced by the transformed plant, a progeny from such seed, and a seed produced by the progeny of the original transgenic plant, produced in accordance with the above process.
- Such progeny and seeds will have one or more crystal protein transgene(s) stably inco ⁇ orated into its genome, and such progeny plants will inherit the traits afforded by the introduction of a stable transgene in Mendelian fashion. All such transgenic plants having inco ⁇ orated into their genome transgenic
- DNA segments encoding one or more CrylC-R148A, CrylC-R148D, CrylC-R148G, CrylC- R148M, CrylC-R148L, CrylC-R180A, CrylC.499, CrylC.563 or CrylC.579 crystal proteins or polypeptides are aspects of this invention.
- Particularly preferred transgenes for the practice of the invention include nucleic acid segments comprising one or more crylC-R148A, crylC- R148D, crylC-R148G, crylC-R148M, crylC-R148L, crylC-R180A, crylC.499, crylC.563 or cry IC.579 gene(s).
- compositions disclosed herein will find particular utility as insecticides for topical and/or systemic application to field crops, grasses, fruits and vegetables, and ornamental plants.
- a composition comprising an insecticidally-effective amount of a CrylC* crystal protein composition.
- the composition preferably comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO:59, or SEQ ID NO:61 or biologically-functional equivalents thereof.
- the insecticide composition may also comprise a CrylC* crystal protein that is encoded by a nucleic acid sequence having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:l, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID
- the insecticide comprises a Bacillus thuringiensis NRRL B-21590, NRRL B-21591,
- compositions which contain a plurality of crystal proteins, either native or modified, for treatment of one or more types of susceptible insects may be desirable to prepare compositions which contain a plurality of crystal proteins, either native or modified, for treatment of one or more types of susceptible insects.
- any formulation methods known to those of skill in the art may be employed using the proteins disclosed herein to prepare such bioinsecticide compositions. It may be desirable to formulate whole cell preparations, cell extracts, cell suspensions, cell homogenates, cell lysates, cell supernatants, cell filtrates, or cell pellets of a cell culture (preferably a bacterial cell culture such as a Bacillus thuringiensis NRRL B-21590,
- the methods for preparing such formulations are known to those of skill in the art, and may include, e.g., desiccation, lyophilization, homogenization, extraction, filtration, centrifugation, sedimentation, or concentration of one or more cultures of bacterial cells, such as Bacillus NRRL B-21590, NRRL B-21591, NRRL B- 21592, NRRL B-21638, NRRL B-21639, NRRL B-21640, NRRL B-21609, or NRRL B-21610 cells, which express the CrylC* peptide(s) of interest.
- bacterial cells such as Bacillus NRRL B-21590, NRRL B-21591, NRRL B- 21592, NRRL B-21638, NRRL B-21639, NRRL B-21640, NRRL B-21609, or NRRL B-21610 cells, which express the CrylC* peptide(s) of interest.
- the bioinsecticide composition comprises an oil flowable suspension comprising lysed or unlysed bacterial cells, spores, or crystals which contain one or more of the novel crystal proteins disclosed herein.
- the cells are B. thuringiensis cells, however, any such bacterial host cell expressing the novel nucleic acid segments disclosed herein and producing a crystal protein is contemplated to be useful, such as Bacillus spp., including B. megaterium, B. subtilis; B. cereus, Escherichia spp., including E. coli, and/or Pseudomonas spp., including P. cepacia, P. aeruginosa, and P. fluorescens.
- the oil flowable suspension may consist of a combination of one or more of the following compositions: lysed or unlysed bacterial cells, spores, crystals, and/or purified crystal proteins.
- the bioinsecticide composition comprises a water dispersible granule or powder.
- This granule or powder may comprise lysed or unlysed bacterial cells, spores, or crystals which contain one or more of the novel crystal proteins disclosed herein.
- Preferred sources for these compositions include bacterial cells such as B. thuringiensis cells, however, bacteria of the genera Bacillus, Escherichia, and Pseudomonas which have been transformed with a DNA segment disclosed herein and expressing the crystal protein are also contemplated to be useful.
- the granule or powder may consist of a combination of one or more of the following compositions: lysed or unlysed bacterial cells, spores, crystals, and/or purified crystal proteins.
- the bioinsecticide composition comprises a wettable powder, spray, emulsion, colloid, aqueous or organic solution, dust, pellet, or collodial concentrate.
- Such a composition may contain either unlysed or lysed bacterial cells, spores, crystals, or cell extracts as described above, which contain one or more of the novel crystal proteins disclosed herein.
- Preferred bacterial cells are B. thuringiensis cells, however, bacteria such as B. megaterium, B. subtilis, B. cereus, E.
- Such dry forms of the insecticidal compositions may be formulated to dissolve immediately upon wetting, or alternatively, dissolve in a controlled-release, sustained-release, or other time-dependent manner.
- a composition may consist of a combination of one or more of the following compositions: lysed or unlysed bacterial cells, spores, crystals, and/or purified crystal proteins.
- the bioinsecticide composition comprises an aqueous solution or suspension or cell culture of lysed or unlysed bacterial cells, spores, crystals, or a mixture of lysed or unlysed bacterial cells, spores, and/or crystals, such as those described above which contain one or more of the novel crystal proteins disclosed herein.
- aqueous solutions or suspensions may be provided as a concentrated stock solution which is diluted prior to application, or alternatively, as a diluted solution ready-to-apply.
- the cellular host containing the Crystal protein gene(s) may be grown in any convenient nutrient medium, where the DNA construct provides a selective advantage, providing for a selective medium so that substantially all or all of the cells retain the B. thuringiensis gene. These cells may then be harvested in accordance with conventional ways. Alternatively, the cells can be treated prior to harvesting.
- compositions comprise B. thuringiensis cells, spores, and/or crystals containing the modified crystal protein(s) of interest
- such compositions may be formulated in a variety of ways. They may be employed as wettable powders, granules or dusts, by mixing with various inert materials, such as inorganic minerals (phyllosilicates, carbonates, sulfates, phosphates, and the like) or botanical materials (powdered corncobs, rice hulls, walnut shells, and the like).
- the formulations may include spreader-sticker adjuvants, stabilizing agents, other pesticidal additives, or surfactants.
- Liquid formulations may be aqueous-based or non-aqueous and employed as foams, suspensions, emulsifiable concentrates, or the like.
- the ingredients may include rheological agents, surfactants, emulsifiers, dispersants, or polymers.
- the novel CrylC-derived mutated crystal proteins may be prepared by native or recombinant bacterial expression systems in vitro and isolated for subsequent field application. Such protein may be either in crude cell lysates, suspensions, colloids, etc., or alternatively may be purified, refined, buffered, and/or further processed, before formulating in an active biocidal formulation.
- Another important aspect of the invention is a method of controlling lepidopteran insects which are susceptible to the novel compositions disclosed herein.
- Such a method generally comprises contacting the insect or insect population, colony, etc., with an insecticidally-effective amount of a CrylC* crystal protein composition.
- the method may utilize CrylC* crystal proteins such as those disclosed in SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8,
- the method may utilize one or more CrylC* crystal proteins which are encoded by the nucleic acid sequences of SEQ ID NO:l, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:l 1, SEQ ID NO:58, or SEQ ID NO:60, or by one or more nucleic acid sequences which hybridize to the sequences of SEQ ID NO: l, SEQ ID NO:
- the amount of the active component(s) are applied at an insecticidally-effective amount, which will vary depending on such factors as, for example, the specific lepidopteran insects to be controlled, the specific plant or crop to be treated, the environmental conditions, and the method, rate, and quantity of application of the insecticidally-active composition.
- the insecticide compositions described may be made by formulating either the bacterial cell, crystal and/or spore suspension, or isolated protein component with the desired agriculturally-acceptable carrier.
- the compositions may be formulated prior to administration in an appropriate means such as lyophilized, freeze-dried, dessicated, or in an aqueous carrier, medium or suitable diluent, such as saline or other buffer.
- the formulated compositions may be in the form of a dust or granular material, or a suspension in oil (vegetable or mineral), or water or oil/water emulsions, or as a wettable powder, or in combination with any other carrier material suitable for agricultural application.
- Suitable agricultural carriers can be solid or liquid and are well known in the art.
- agriculturally-acceptable carrier covers all adjuvants, e.g., inert components, dispersants, surfactants, tackifiers, binders, etc. that are ordinarily used in insecticide formulation technology; these are well known to those skilled in insecticide formulation.
- the formulations may be mixed with one or more solid or liquid adjuvants and prepared by various means, e.g., by homogeneously mixing, blending and/or grinding the insecticidal composition with suitable adjuvants using conventional formulation techniques.
- insecticidal compositions of this invention are applied to the environment of the target lepidopteran insect, typically onto the foliage of the plant or crop to be protected, by conventional methods, preferably by spraying.
- the strength and duration of insecticidal application will be set with regard to conditions specific to the particular pest(s), crop(s) to be treated and particular environmental conditions.
- the proportional ratio of active ingredient to carrier will naturally depend on the chemical nature, solubility, and stability of the insecticidal composition, as well as the particular formulation contemplated.
- insecticidal composition of the invention may be employed in the method of the invention singly or in combination with other compounds, including and not limited to other pesticides.
- the method of the invention may also be used in conjunction with other treatments such as surfactants, detergents, polymers or time-release formulations.
- the insecticidal compositions of the present invention may be formulated for either systemic or topical use.
- concentration of insecticidal composition which is used for environmental, systemic, or foliar application will vary widely depending upon the nature of the particular formulation, means of application, environmental conditions, and degree of biocidal activity.
- the bioinsecticidal composition will be present in the applied formulation at a concentration of at least about 1% by weight and may be up to and including about 99% by weight.
- Dry formulations of the compositions may be from about 1% to about 99% or more by weight of the composition, while liquid formulations may generally comprise from about 1% to about 99% or more of the active ingredient by weight.
- Formulations which comprise intact bacterial cells will generally contain from about 10 to about 10 cells/mg.
- the insecticidal formulation may be administered to a particular plant or target area in one or more applications as needed, with a typical field application rate per hectare ranging on the order of from about 1 g to about 1 kg, 2 kg, 5, kg, or more of active ingredient.
- Modification and changes may be made in the structure of the peptides of the present invention and DNA segments which encode them and still obtain a functional molecule that encodes a protein or peptide with desirable characteristics.
- the following is a discussion based upon changing the amino acids of a protein to create an equivalent, or even an improved, second- generation molecule.
- mutated crystal proteins are contemplated to be useful for increasing the insecticidal activity of the protein, and consequently increasing the insecticidal activity and/or expression of the recombinant transgene in a plant cell.
- the amino acid changes may be achieved by changing the codons of the DNA sequence, according to the codons given in Table 3.
- amino acids may be substituted for other amino acids in a protein structure without appreciable loss of interactive binding capacity with structures such as, for example, antigen-binding regions of antibodies or binding sites on substrate molecules. Since it is the interactive capacity and nature of a protein that defines that protein's biological functional activity, certain amino acid sequence substitutions can be made in a protein sequence, and, of course, its underlying DNA coding sequence, and nevertheless obtain a protein with like properties. It is thus contemplated by the inventors that various changes may be made in the peptide sequences of the disclosed compositions, or corresponding DNA sequences which encode said peptides without appreciable loss of their biological utility or activity. In making such changes, the hydropathic index of amino acids may be considered.
- hydropathic amino acid index in conferring interactive biologic function on a protein is generally understood in the art (Kyte and Doolittle, 1982, inco ⁇ orate herein by reference). It is accepted that the relative hydropathic character of the amino acid contributes to the secondary structure of the resultant protein, which in turn defines the interaction of the protein with other molecules, for example, enzymes, substrates, receptors, DNA, antibodies, antigens, and the like.
- Each amino acid has been assigned a hydropathic index on the basis of their hydrophobicity and charge characteristics (Kyte and Doolittle, 1982), these are: isoleucine (+4.5); valine (+4.2); leucine (+3.8); phenylalanine (+2.8); cysteine/cystine (+2.5); methionine (+1 -9); alanine (+1.8); glycine (-0.4); threonine (-0.7); serine (-0.8); tryptophan (-0.9); tyrosine
- proline (-1.3); proline (-1.6); histidine (-3.2); glutamate (-3.5); glutamine (-3.5); aspartate (-3.5); asparagine (-3.5); lysine (-3.9); and arginine (-4.5).
- amino acids may be substituted by other amino acids having a similar hydropathic index or score and still result in a protein with similar biological activity, i.e., still obtain a biological functionally equivalent protein.
- substitution of amino acids whose hydropathic indices are within ⁇ 2 is preferred, those which are within +1 are particularly preferred, and those within ⁇ 0.5 are even more particularly preferred.
- hydrophilicity values have been assigned to amino acid residues: arginine (+3.0); lysine (+3.0); aspartate (+3.0 ⁇ 1); glutamate (+3.0 ⁇ 1); serine (+0.3); asparagine (+0.2); glutamine (+0.2); glycine (0); threonine (-0.4); proline (-0.5 ⁇ 1); alanine (-0.5); histidine (-0.5); cysteine (-1.0); methionine (-1.3); valine (- 1.5); leucine (-1.8); isoleucine (-1.8); tyrosine (-2.3); phenylalanine (-2.5); tryptophan (-3.4).
- an amino acid can be substituted for another having a similar hydrophilicity value and still obtain a biologically equivalent, and in particular, an immunologically equivalent protein.
- substitution of amino acids whose hydrophilicity values are within ⁇ 2 is preferred, those which are within ⁇ 1 are particularly preferred, and those within ⁇ 0.5 are even more particularly preferred.
- amino acid substitutions are generally therefore based on the relative similarity of the amino acid side-chain substituents, for example, their hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, charge, size, and the like.
- Exemplary substitutions which take various of the foregoing characteristics into consideration are well known to those of skill in the art and include: arginine and lysine; glutamate and aspartate; serine and threonine; glutamine and asparagine; and valine, leucine and isoleucine.
- FIG. 1 Schematic diagram of the CrylC crystal protein from B. thuringiensis. a helices are depicted by the rectangles and are labeled according to the convention adopted by Li et al, (1991). Adopting the convention of Li et al, the present inventors have designated helix two as comprising two portions helix 2a and helix 2b.
- FIG. 2 Shown are the structural maps of pEG315, pEG916, pEG359, and pl54.
- pTZ19u E. coli phagemid vector pTZ19u
- cat chloramphenicol (Cml) acetyltransferase gene
- ori43 and ori60 B. thuringiensis plasmid replication origins
- crylC crylC insecticidal crystal protein gene.
- Ag Agel
- Ba BamHI
- Bb Bbul
- Bg BgUl
- Bin Blnl
- S Sail
- X Xhol.
- the 1 kb scale refers to only the crylC gene segment.
- crylC crylC insecticidal crystal protein gene.
- Ag Agel
- Asp Aspin
- Bb Bbul
- Bg BglU
- E EcoRl
- H HmdIII
- Sm Sma .
- the 1 kb scale refers to only the crylC gene segment.
- FIG. 4. Depicted is a flow chart indicating the mutations contained within the crylC gene encoded by pEG359 and the mutations contained within the crylC.563, cry IC.579, and cry IC.499 genes generated by random mutagenesis.
- FIG. 5. Shown is the PCRTM-mediated mutagenesis procedure used to generate the mutant crylC.499, cry IC.56 , and crylC.579 genes in strains EG11747, EG1 1740, and EG11746, respectively.
- FIG. 6. Shown is the alignment of a loop region of 24 related Cryl proteins.
- FIG. 7. Structural maps of the cry/C-encoding plasmids pEG348 and pEG348 ⁇ .
- pTZ19u E. coli phagemid vector pTZ19u
- tet tetracycline resistance gene
- ori60 B. thuringiensis plasmid replication origin
- crylC crylC insecticidal crystal protein gene
- FIG. 10 Shown is the overlap extension PCRTM procedure used to generate CrylC-
- FIG. 11 Shown is the overlap extension PCRTM procedure used to generate CrylC- R148D combinatorial mutants with amino acid substitutions in loop ⁇ 5-6.
- the asterisk denotes mutations inco ⁇ orated into the crylC gene sequence.
- the PCRTM with the flanking primers H and L yielded a sub-population of fragments encoding mutations in loop ⁇ 5-6 and lacking the Nhel site derived from the pEG943 template.
- Mutagenesis experiments with cryl genes have failed to identify mutant crystal proteins with improved broad-spectrum insecticidal activity, that is, with improved toxicity towards a range of insect pest species. Since agricultural crops are typically threatened by more than one insect pest species at any given time, desirable mutant crystal proteins are preferably those that exhibit improvements in toxicity towards multiple insect pest species. Previous failures to identify such mutants may be attributed to the choice of sites targeted for mutagenesis. Sites within domain 2 and domain 3 have been the principal targets of previous Cryl mutagenesis efforts, primarily because these domains are believed to be important for receptor binding and in determining insecticidal specificity (Aronson et al, 1995; Chen et al.
- the present inventors reasoned that the toxicity of Cryl proteins, and specifically the toxicity of the CrylC protein, may be improved against a broader array of lepidopteran pests by targeting regions involved in ion channel function rather than regions of the molecule directly involved in receptor interactions, namely domains 2 and 3. Accordingly, the inventors opted to target regions within domain 1 of CrylC for mutagenesis in the hopes of isolating CrylC mutants with improved broad spectrum toxicity.
- CrylC mutants are described that show improved toxicity towards several lepidopteran pests, including Spodoptera exigua, Spodoptera frugiperda, Trichoplusia ni, and Heliothis virescens, while maintaining excellent activity against Plutella xylostella.
- At least one, and probably more than one, ⁇ helix of domain 1 is involved in the formation of ion channels and pores within the insect midgut epithelium (Gazit and Shai, 1993; Gazit and Shai, 1995). Rather than target for mutagenesis the sequences encoding the ⁇ helices of domain 1 as others have (Wu and Aronson, 1992; Aronson et al, 1995; Chen et al, 1995), the present inventors opted to target exclusively sequences encoding amino acid residues adjacent to or lying within the predicted loop regions of CrylC that separate these ⁇ helices.
- Amino acid residues within these loop regions or amino acid residues capping the end of an ⁇ helix and lying adjacent to these loop regions may affect the spatial relationships among these ⁇ helices. Consequently, the substitution of these amino acid residues may result in subtle changes in tertiary structure, or even quaternary structure, that positively impact the function of the ion channel.
- Amino acid residues in the loop regions of domain 1 are exposed to the solvent and thus are available for various molecular interactions. Altering these amino acids could result in greater stability of the protein by eliminating or occluding protease-sensitive sites. Amino acid substitutions that change the surface charge of domain 1 could alter ion channel efficiency or alter interactions with the brush border membrane or with other portions of the toxin molecule, allowing binding or insertion to be more effective.
- the inventors were able to produce synthetic crystal proteins which retained or even enhanced insecticidal activity against lepidopteran insects.
- base substitutions are made in crylC codons in order to change the particular codons with the loop regions of the polypeptides, and particularly, in those loop regions between ⁇ -helices.
- changes in three such amino acids within the loop region between ⁇ -helices 3 and 4 of domain 1 produced modified crystal proteins with enhanced insecticidal activity.
- the insecticidal activity of a crystal protein ultimately dictates the level of crystal protein required for effective insect control.
- the potency of an insecticidal protein should be maximized as much as possible in order to provide for its economic and efficient utilization in the field.
- the increased potency of an insecticidal protein in a bioinsecticide formulation would be expected to improve the field performance of the bioinsecticide product.
- increased potency of an insecticidal protein in a bioinsecticide formulation may promote use of reduced amounts of bioinsecticide per unit area of treated crop, thereby allowing for more cost-effective use of the bioinsecticide product.
- the production of crystal proteins with improved insecticidal activity can be expected to improve plant resistance to susceptible insect pests.
- the most effective crystal protein against the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua is the CrylC protein, yet the toxicity of this toxin towards S. exigua is ⁇ 40-fold less than the toxicity of CrylAe towards the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens, and ⁇ 50-fold less than the toxicity of
- the novel mutagenesis strategies of the present invention focus on generating amino acid substitutions at positions near or within the predicted loop regions connecting the ⁇ -helices of domain 1. These loop regions are shown in the schematic of crystal protein domains shown in FIG. 1. In mutating specific residues within these loop regions, the inventors were able to produce synthetic crystal proteins which retained or possessed enhanced insecticidal activity against certain lepidopteran pests, including the beet armyworm, S. exigua.
- base substitutions are made in crylC codons in order to change the particular codons encoding amino acids within or near the predicted loop regions between the ⁇ -helices of domain 1.
- changes in three such amino acids within the loop region between ⁇ -helices 3 and 4 of domain 1 produced modified crystal proteins with enhanced insecticidal activity (CrylC.499, CrylC.563, CrylC.579).
- an alanine substitution for an arginine residue within or adjacent to the loop region between ⁇ -helices 4 and 5 produced a modified crystal protein with enhanced insecticidal activity (CrylC-R148A).
- the B. thuringiensis strains described herein may be cultured using standard known media and fermentation techniques. Upon completion of the fermentation cycle, the bacteria may be harvested by first separating the B. thuringiensis spores and crystals from the fermentation broth by means well known in the art.
- the recovered B. thuringiensis spores and crystals can be formulated into a wettable powder, a liquid concentrate, granules or other formulations by the addition of surfactants, dispersants, inert carriers and other components to facilitate handling and application for particular target pests.
- the formulation and application procedures are all well known in the art and are used with commercial strains of B. thuringiensis (HD-1) active against Lepidoptera, e.g., cate ⁇ illars. 4.3 RECOMBINANT HOST CELLS FOR EXPRESSING THE CRYIC* GENES
- the nucleotide sequences of the subject invention can be introduced into a wide variety of microbial hosts. Expression of the toxin gene results, directly or indirectly, in the intracellular production and maintenance of the pesticide. With suitable hosts, e.g., Pseudomonas, the microbes can be applied to the sites of lepidopteran insects where they will proliferate and be ingested by the insects. The result is a control of the unwanted insects. Alternatively, the microbe hosting the toxin gene can be treated under conditions that prolong the activity of the toxin produced in the cell. The treated cell then can be applied to the environment of target pest(s). The resulting product retains the toxicity of the B. thuringiensis toxin.
- suitable hosts e.g., Pseudomonas
- the microbes can be applied to the sites of lepidopteran insects where they will proliferate and be ingested by the insects. The result is a control of the unwanted insects.
- Suitable host cells where the pesticide-containing cells will be treated to prolong the activity of the toxin in the cell when the then treated cell is applied to the environment of target pest(s), may include either prokaryotes or eukaryotes, normally being limited to those cells which do not produce substances toxic to higher organisms, such as mammals. However, organisms which produce substances toxic to higher organisms could be used, where the toxin is unstable or the level of application sufficiently low as to avoid any possibility or toxicity to a mammalian host. As hosts, of particular interest will be the prokaryotes and the lower eukaryotes, such as fungi.
- Illustrative prokaryotes both Gram-negative and Gram-positive, include Enter obacteriaceae, such as Escherichia, Erwinia, Shigella, Salmonella, and Proteus; Bacillaceae; Rhizobiceae, such as Rhizobium; Spir ⁇ llaceae, such as photobacterium, Zymomonas, Serratia, Aeromonas, Vibrio, Desulfovibrio, Spirillum; Lactobacillaceae;
- Pseudomonadaceae such as Pseudomonas and Acetobacter; Azotobacteraceae, Actinomycetales, and Nitrobacteraceae.
- fungi such as Phycomycetes and Ascomycetes, which includes yeast, such as Saccharomyces and Schizosaccharomyces; and Basidiomycetes yeast, such as Rhodotorula, Aureobasidium, Sporobolomyces, and the like. Characteristics of particular interest in selecting a host cell for pu ⁇ oses of production include ease of introducing the B.
- Characteristics of interest for use as a pesticide microcapsule include protective qualities for the pesticide, such as thick cell walls, pigmentation, and intracellular packaging or formation of inclusion bodies; leaf affinity; lack of mammalian toxicity; attractiveness to pests for ingestion; ease of killing and fixing without damage to the toxin; and the like. Other considerations include ease of formulation and handling, economics, storage stability, and the like.
- Host organisms of particular interest include yeast, such as Rhodotorula sp., Aureobasidium sp., Saccharomyces sp., and Sporobolomyces sp.; phylloplane organisms such as Pseudomonas sp., Erwinia sp. and Flavobacterium sp.; or such other organisms as Escherichia,
- Lactobacillus sp. Bacillus sp., Streptomyces sp., and the like.
- Specific organisms include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Bacillus thuringiensis, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus cereus, Streptomyces lividans and the like.
- Treatment of the microbial cell e.g., a microbe containing the B.
- thuringiensis toxin gene can be by chemical or physical means, or by a combination of chemical and/or physical means, so long as the technique does not deleteriously affect the properties of the toxin, nor diminish the cellular capability in protecting the toxin.
- chemical reagents are halogenating agents, particularly halogens of atomic no. 17-80. More particularly, iodine can be used under mild conditions and for sufficient time to achieve the desired results.
- aldehydes such as formaldehyde and glutaraldehye
- anti- infectives such as zephiran chloride and cetylpyridinium chloride
- alcohols such as isopropyl and ethanol
- histologic fixatives such as Lugol's iodine, Bouin's fixative, and Helly's fixatives, (see e.g., Humason, 1967); or a combination of physical (heat) and chemical agents that preserve and prolong the activity of the toxin produced in the cell when the cell is administered to the host animal.
- Examples of physical means are short wavelength radiation such as ⁇ -radiation and X-radiation, freezing, UV irradiation, lyophilization, and the like.
- the cells employed will usually be intact and be substantially in the proliferative form when treated, rather than in a spore form, although in some instances spores may be employed.
- the B. thuringiensis toxin gene is introduced via a suitable vector into a microbial host, and said host is applied to the environment in a living state, it is essential that certain host microbes be used.
- Microorganism hosts are selected which are known to occupy the "phytosphere” (phylloplane, phyllosphere, rhizosphere, and/or rhizoplane) of one or more crops of interest.
- microorganisms are selected so as to be capable of successfully competing in the particular environment (crop and other insect habitats) with the wild-type microorganisms, provide for stable maintenance and expression of the gene expressing the polypeptide pesticide, and, desirably, provide for improved protection of the pesticide from environmental degradation and inactivation.
- microorganisms are known to inhabit the phylloplane (the surface of the plant leaves) and/or the rhizosphere (the soil surrounding plant roots) of a wide variety of important crops. These microorganisms include bacteria, algae, and fungi.
- microorganisms such as bacteria, e.g., genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Erwinia, Serratia, Klebsiella, Zanthomonas, Streptomyces, Rhizobium, Rhodopseudomonas, Methylophilius, Agrobacterium, Acetobacter, Lactobacillus, Arthrobacter, Azotobacter, Leuconostoc, and Alcaligenes; fungi, particularly yeast, e.g., genera Saccharomyces, Cryptococcus, Kluyveromyces, Sporobolomyces, Rhodotorula, and Aureobasidium.
- phytosphere bacterial species as Pseudomonas syringae, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Serratia marcescens, Acetobacter xylinum, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, Xanthomonas campestris, Rhizobium melioti, Alcaligenes eutrophus, and Azotobacter vinlandii; and phytosphere yeast species such as Rhodotorula rubra, R. glutinis, R. marina, R. aurantiaca, Cryptococcus albidus, C. diffluens, C.
- Cryl and Cryl are synonymous, as are the designations “CryIC” and “CrylC.”
- the inventors have utilized the generic term CrylC* to denote any and all CrylC variants which comprise amino acid sequences modified in the loop region of domain 1.
- crylC* is meant to denote any and all nucleic acid segments and/or genes which encode such modified CrylC* proteins.
- Cryl* is meant to denote any and all Cryl variants which comprise amino acid sequences modified in the loop region of domain 1.
- cryl * is meant to denote any and all nucleic acid segments and/or genes which encode such modified Cryl * proteins.
- nucleic acid sequences include and are not limited to DNA (including and not limited to genomic or extragenomic DNA), genes, RNA (including and not limited to mRNA and tRNA), nucleosides, and suitable nucleic acid segments either obtained from native sources, chemically synthesized, modified, or otherwise prepared by the hand of man.
- DNA including and not limited to genomic or extragenomic DNA
- genes including and not limited to mRNA and tRNA
- RNA including and not limited to mRNA and tRNA
- nucleosides including and not limited to mRNA and tRNA
- suitable nucleic acid segments either obtained from native sources, chemically synthesized, modified, or otherwise prepared by the hand of man.
- Insecticidal activity toxicity towards insects.
- Insecticidal specificity the toxicity exhibited by a crystal protein towards multiple insect species.
- Intraorder specificity the toxicity of a particular crystal protein towards insect species within an Order of insects (e.g., Order Lepidoptera).
- Interorder specificity the toxicity of a particular crystal protein towards insect species of different Orders (e.g., Orders Lepidoptera and Diptera).
- LC 50 the lethal concentration of crystal protein that causes 50% mortality of the insects treated.
- LC 95 the lethal concentration of crystal protein that causes 95% mortality of the insects treated.
- Promoter A recognition site on a DNA sequence or group of DNA sequences that provide an expression control element for a structural gene and to which RNA polymerase specifically binds and initiates RNA synthesis (transcription) of that gene.
- Regeneration The process of growing a plant from a plant cell (e.g. , plant protoplast or explant).
- a plant cell e.g. , plant protoplast or explant.
- Structural gene A gene that is expressed to produce a polypeptide. Transformation: A process of introducing an exogenous DNA sequence (e.g., a vector, a recombinant DNA molecule) into a cell or protoplast in which that exogenous DNA is inco ⁇ orated into a chromosome or is capable of autonomous replication.
- exogenous DNA sequence e.g., a vector, a recombinant DNA molecule
- Transformed cell A cell whose DNA has been altered by the introduction of an exogenous DNA molecule into that cell.
- Transgenic cell Any cell derived or regenerated from a transformed cell or derived from a transgenic cell.
- exemplary transgenic cells include plant calli derived from a transformed plant cell and particular cells such as leaf, root, stem, e.g., somatic cells, or reproductive (germ) cells obtained from a transgenic plant.
- Transgenic plant A plant or progeny thereof derived from a transformed plant cell or protoplast, wherein the plant DNA contains an introduced exogenous DNA molecule not originally present in a native, non-transgenic plant of the same strain.
- the terms "transgenic plant” and “transformed plant” have sometimes been used in the art as synonymous terms to define a plant whose DNA contains an exogenous DNA molecule. However, it is thought more scientifically correct to refer to a regenerated plant or callus obtained from a transformed plant cell or protoplast as being a transgenic plant, and that usage will be followed herein.
- Vector A DNA molecule capable of replication in a host cell and/or to which another
- DNA segment can be operatively linked so as to bring about replication of the attached segment.
- Plasmids, phagemids, cosmids, phage, virus, YACs, and BACs are all exemplary vectors.
- DNA sequence information provided by the invention allows for the preparation of relatively short DNA (or RNA) sequences having the ability to specifically hybridize to gene sequences of the selected polynucleotides disclosed herein.
- nucleic acid probes of an appropriate length are prepared based on a consideration of a selected crystal protein gene sequence, e.g., a sequence such as that shown in SEQ ID NO:l, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO: 11 , SEQ ID NO:58, or SEQ ID
- nucleic acid probes to specifically hybridize to a crystal protein- encoding gene sequence lends them particular utility in a variety of embodiments.
- the probes may be used in a variety of assays for detecting the presence of complementary sequences in a given sample.
- oligonucleotide primers it is advantageous to use oligonucleotide primers.
- the sequence of such primers is designed using a polynucleotide of the present invention for use in detecting, amplifying or mutating a defined segment of a crystal protein gene from B. thuringiensis using PCRTM technology. Segments of related crystal protein genes from other species may also be amplified by PCRTM using such primers.
- a preferred nucleic acid sequence employed for hybridization studies or assays includes sequences that are complementary to at least a 14 to 30 or so long nucleotide stretch of a crystal protein-encoding sequence, such as that shown in SEQ ID NO: l, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:l l, SEQ ID NO:58, or SEQ ID NO:60.
- a size of at least 14 nucleotides in length helps to ensure that the fragment will be of sufficient length to form a duplex molecule that is both stable and selective.
- Molecules having complementary sequences over stretches greater than 14 bases in length are generally preferred, though, in order to increase stability and selectivity of the hybrid, and thereby improve the quality and degree of specific hybrid molecules obtained.
- Such fragments may be readily prepared by, for example, directly synthesizing the fragment by chemical means, by application of nucleic acid reproduction technology, such as the PCRTM technology of U. S. Patents 4,683,195, and 4,683,202, herein inco ⁇ orated by reference, or by excising selected DNA fragments from recombinant plasmids containing appropriate inserts and suitable restriction sites.
- a particularly preferred oligonucleotide is the 63-mer identified in SEQ ID NO: 18.
- the oligonucleotide is particularly preferred for preparation of mutagenized nucleic acid sequences to produce toxins with improved properties.
- Mutagenic oligonucleotides may be prepared with known or random substitutions, by methods well-known to those of skill in the art. Such oligonucleotides may be provided by commercial firms that perform custom syntheses.
- a nucleotide sequence of the invention can be used for its ability to selectively form duplex molecules with complementary stretches of the gene.
- relatively stringent conditions for example, one will select relatively low salt and/or high temperature conditions, such as provided by about 0.02 M to about 0.15 M NaCI at temperatures of about
- an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide of the present invention.
- an expression vector is an isolated and purified DNA molecule comprising a promoter operatively linked to an coding region that encodes a polypeptide of the present invention, which coding region is operatively linked to a transcription- terminating region, whereby the promoter drives the transcription of the coding region.
- operatively linked means that a promoter is connected to an coding region in such a way that the transcription of that coding region is controlled and regulated by that promoter.
- Means for operatively linking a promoter to a coding region are well known in the art.
- the recombinant expression of DNAs encoding the crystal proteins of the present invention is preferable in a Bacillus host cell.
- Preferred host cells include
- B. thuringiensis B. megaterium, B. cereus, B. subtilis, and related bacilli, with B. thuringiensis host cells being highly preferred.
- Promoters that function in bacteria are well-known in the art.
- An exemplary and preferred promoter for the Bacillus crystal proteins include any of the known crystal protein gene promoters, including native crystal protein encoding gene promoters.
- mutagenized or recombinant crystal protein-encoding gene promoters may be engineered by the hand of man and used to promote expression of the novel gene segments disclosed herein.
- the recombinant expression of DNAs encoding the crystal proteins of the present invention is performed using a transformed Gram-negative bacterium such as an E. coli or Pseudomonas spp. host cell.
- a transformed Gram-negative bacterium such as an E. coli or Pseudomonas spp. host cell.
- Promoters which function in high-level expression of target polypeptides in E. coli and other Gram-negative host cells are also well-known in the art.
- a promoter is selected that has the ability to drive expression in plants. Promoters that function in plants are also well known in the art.
- promoters that are inducible, viral, synthetic, constitutive as described (Poszkowski et al, 1989; Odell et al, 1985), and temporally regulated, spatially regulated, and spatio-temporally regulated
- a promoter is also selected for its ability to direct the transformed plant cell's or transgenic plant's transcriptional activity to the coding region.
- Structural genes can be driven by a variety of promoters in plant tissues. Promoters can be near-constitutive, such as the CaMV 35S promoter, or tissue-specific or developmentally specific promoters affecting dicots or monocots.
- the promoter is a near-constitutive promoter such as CaMV 35S
- increases in polypeptide expression are found in a variety of transformed plant tissues (e.g., callus, leaf, seed and root).
- the effects of transformation can be directed to specific plant tissues by using plant integrating vectors containing a tissue-specific promoter.
- tissue-specific promoter is the lectin promoter, which is specific for seed tissue.
- the Lectin protein in soybean seeds is encoded by a single gene (Lei) that is only expressed during seed maturation and accounts for about 2 to about 5% of total seed mRNA.
- the lectin gene and seed-specific promoter have been fully characterized and used to direct seed specific expression in transgenic tobacco plants (Vodkin et al, 1983; Lindstrom et al, 1990.)
- An expression vector containing a coding region that encodes a polypeptide of interest is engineered to be under control of the lectin promoter and that vector is introduced into plants using, for example, a protoplast transformation method (Dhir et al, 1991).
- the expression of the polypeptide is directed specifically to the seeds of the transgenic plant.
- a transgenic plant of the present invention produced from a plant cell transformed with a tissue specific promoter can be crossed with a second transgenic plant developed from a plant cell transformed with a different tissue specific promoter to produce a hybrid transgenic plant that shows the effects of transformation in more than one specific tissue.
- tissue-specific promoters are corn sucrose synthetase 1 (Yang et al, 1990), corn alcohol dehydrogenase 1 (Vogel et al, 1989), corn light harvesting complex (Simpson,
- Preferred promoters are the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV 35S) promoter and the S-E9 small subunit RuBP carboxylase promoter.
- CaMV 35S cauliflower mosaic virus
- RuBP carboxylase promoter S-E9 small subunit RuBP carboxylase promoter.
- the choice of which expression vector and ultimately to which promoter a polypeptide coding region is operatively linked depends directly on the functional properties desired, e.g., the location and timing of protein expression, and the host cell to be transformed. These are well known limitations inherent in the art of constructing recombinant DNA molecules.
- a vector useful in practicing the present invention is capable of directing the expression of the polypeptide coding region to which it is operatively linked.
- Typical vectors useful for expression of genes in higher plants are well known in the art and include vectors derived from the tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens described (Rogers et al, 1987). However, several other plant integrating vector systems are known to function in plants including pCaMVCN transfer control vector described (Fromm et al, 1985). Plasmid pCaMVCN (available from Pharmacia, Piscataway, NJ) includes the cauliflower mosaic virus CaMV 35S promoter.
- the vector used to express the polypeptide includes a selection marker that is effective in a plant cell, preferably a drug resistance selection marker.
- a drug resistance selection marker is the gene whose expression results in kanamycin resistance; i.e., the chimeric gene containing the nopaline synthase promoter, Tn5 neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptll) and nopaline synthase 3' non-translated region described (Rogers et al, 1988).
- RNA polymerase transcribes a coding DNA sequence through a site where polyadenylation occurs. Typically, DNA sequences located a few hundred base pairs downstream of the polyadenylation site serve to terminate transcription. Those DNA sequences are referred to herein as transcription-termination regions. Those regions are required for efficient polyadenylation of transcribed messenger RNA (mRNA).
- mRNA messenger RNA
- DNA segment are then joined by hydrogen bonding between the complementary homopolymeric tails to form recombinant DNA molecules.
- a coding region that encodes a polypeptide having the ability to confer insecticidal activity to a cell is preferably a CrylC-R148A, CrylC-R180A, CrylC.563, CrylC.579 or CrylC.499 B. thuringiensis crystal protein-encoding gene.
- such a polypeptide has the amino acid residue sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, or SEQ ID NO::12, respectively, or a functional equivalent of those sequences.
- a coding region comprising the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:l, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO: 1 1 , SEQ ID NO:58, or SEQ ID NO:60 is also preferred.
- nucleic acid sequences contemplated herein also have a variety of other uses. For example, they also have utility as probes or primers in nucleic acid hybridization embodiments.
- nucleic acid segments that comprise a sequence region that consists of at least a 14 nucleotide long contiguous sequence that has the same sequence as, or is complementary to, a 14 nucleotide long contiguous DNA segment of SEQ ID NO:l, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:l l, SEQ ID NO:58, or SEQ ID NO:60 will find particular utility. Longer contiguous identical or complementary sequences, e.g., those of about 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000 etc. (including all intermediate lengths and up to and including full-length sequences will also be of use in certain embodiments.
- nucleic acid probes to specifically hybridize to crystal protein- encoding sequences will enable them to be of use in detecting the presence of complementary sequences in a given sample.
- sequence information for the preparation of mutant species primers, or primers for use in preparing other genetic constructions.
- Nucleic acid molecules having sequence regions consisting of contiguous nucleotide stretches of 10-14, 15-20, 30, 50, or even of 100-200 nucleotides or so, identical or complementary to DNA sequences of SEQ ID NO:l, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:l l, SEQ ID NO:58, or SEQ ID NO:60 are particularly contemplated as hybridization probes for use in, e.g., Southern and Northern blotting.
- Smaller fragments will generally find use in hybridization embodiments, wherein the length of the contiguous complementary region may be varied, such as between about 10-14 and about 100 or 200 nucleotides, but larger contiguous complementarity stretches may be used, according to the length complementary sequences one wishes to detect.
- the use of a hybridization probe of about 14 nucleotides in length allows the formation of a duplex molecule that is both stable and selective. Molecules having contiguous complementary sequences over stretches greater than 14 bases in length are generally preferred, though, in order to increase stability and selectivity of the hybrid, and thereby improve the quality and degree of specific hybrid molecules obtained.
- fragments may also be obtained by other techniques such as, e.g., by mechanical shearing or by restriction enzyme digestion.
- Small nucleic acid segments or fragments may be readily prepared by, for example, directly synthesizing the fragment by chemical means, as is commonly practiced using an automated oligonucleotide synthesizer.
- fragments may be obtained by application of nucleic acid reproduction technology, such as the PCRTM technology of U. S. Patents 4,683,195 and 4,683,202 (each inco ⁇ orated herein by reference), by introducing selected sequences into recombinant vectors for recombinant production, and by other recombinant DNA techniques generally known to those of skill in the art of molecular biology.
- nucleic acid reproduction technology such as the PCRTM technology of U. S. Patents 4,683,195 and 4,683,202 (each inco ⁇ orated herein by reference)
- the nucleotide sequences of the invention may be used for their ability to selectively form duplex molecules with complementary stretches of DNA fragments.
- one will desire to employ varying conditions of hybridization to achieve varying degrees of selectivity of probe towards target sequence.
- relatively stringent conditions e.g., one will select relatively low salt and/or high temperature conditions, such as provided by about 0.02 M to about 0.15 M NaCI at temperatures of about 50°C to about 70°C.
- Such selective conditions tolerate little, if any, mismatch between the probe and the template or target strand, and would be particularly suitable for isolating crystal protein-encoding DNA segments.
- hybridization conditions can be readily manipulated, and thus will generally be a method of choice depending on the desired results.
- an appropriate means such as a label
- a wide variety of appropriate indicator means are known in the art, including fluorescent, radioactive, enzymatic or other ligands, such as avidin/biotin, which are capable of giving a detectable signal.
- fluorescent label or an enzyme tag such as urease, alkaline phosphatase or peroxidase, instead of radioactive or other environmental undesirable reagents.
- colorimetric indicator substrates are known that can be employed to provide a means visible to the human eye or spectrophotometrically, to identify specific hybridization with complementary nucleic acid- containing samples.
- the hybridization probes described herein will be useful both as reagents in solution hybridization as well as in embodiments employing a solid phase.
- the test DNA or RNA
- the selected conditions will depend on the particular circumstances based on the particular criteria required (depending, for example, on the G+C content, type of target nucleic acid, source of nucleic acid, size of hybridization probe, etc.). Following washing of the hybridized surface so as to remove nonspecifically bound probe molecules, specific hybridization is detected, or even quantitated, by means of the label.
- the present invention provides novel polypeptides that define a whole or a portion of a B. thuringiensis CrylC-R180A, CrylC-R148A, CrylC-R148D, CrylC-R148L, CrylC-R148M,
- the invention discloses and claims a purified CrylC-R148A protein.
- the CrylC-R148A protein comprises an 1189-amino acid sequence, which is given in SEQ ID NO:2.
- the invention discloses and claims a purified CrylC-R148D protein.
- the CrylC-R148D protein comprises an 1189-amino acid sequence, which is given in SEQ ID NO:4.
- the invention discloses and claims a purified CrylC-R180A protein.
- the CrylC-R180A protein comprises an 1189-amino acid sequence, which is given in SEQ ID NO:6.
- the invention discloses and claims a purified CrylC.563 protein.
- the CrylC.563 protein comprises an 1189-amino acid sequence, which is given in SEQ ID NO:8.
- the invention discloses and claims a purified CrylC.579 protein.
- the CrylC.579 protein comprises an 1189-amino acid sequence, which is given in SEQ ID NO: 1
- the invention discloses and claims a purified CrylC.499 protein.
- the CrylC.499 protein comprises an 1189-amino acid sequence, which is given in SEQ ID NO:12. 4.9 NOMENCLATURE OF CRY* PROTEINS
- the inventors have arbitrarily assigned the designations CrylC-R148A, CrylC-R148D, CrylC-R148L, CrylC-R148M, CrylC-R148G, CrylC-R180A, CrylC.563, CrylC.579 and CrylC.499 to the novel proteins of the invention.
- crylC- R148A, crylC-R148D, crylC-R148L, crylC-R148M, crylC-RI48G, cryIC-R180A, crylC.563, cry IC.579 and cry IC 499 have been assigned to the novel nucleic acid sequences which encode these polypeptides, respectively.
- a bacterium, a yeast cell, or a plant cell or a plant transformed with an expression vector of the present invention is also contemplated.
- a transgenic bacterium, yeast cell, plant cell or plant derived from such a transformed or transgenic cell is also contemplated.
- Means for transforming bacteria and yeast cells are well known in the art. Typically, means of transformation are similar to those well known means used to transform other bacteria or yeast such as E. coli or Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- Methods for DNA transformation of plant cells include Agrobacterium-med ⁇ ated plant transformation, protoplast transformation, gene transfer into pollen, injection into reproductive organs, injection into immature embryos and particle bombardment. Each of these methods has distinct advantages and disadvantages. Thus, one particular method of introducing genes into a particular plant strain may not necessarily be the most effective for another plant strain, but it is well known which methods are useful for a particular plant strain. There are many methods for introducing transforming DNA segments into cells, but not all are suitable for delivering DNA to plant cells. Suitable methods are believed to include virtually any method by which DNA can be introduced into a cell, such as by Agrobacterium infection, direct delivery of DNA such as, for example, by PEG-mediated transformation of protoplasts (Omirulleh et al.
- acceleration methods include, for example, microprojectile bombardment and the like.
- Technology for introduction of DNA into cells is well-known to those of skill in the art.
- Electroporation can be extremely efficient and can be used both for transient expression of clones genes and for establishment of cell lines that carry integrated copies of the gene of interest. Electroporation, in contrast to calcium phosphate-mediated transfection and protoplast fusion, frequently gives rise to cell lines that carry one, or at most a few, integrated copies of the foreign DNA.
- Such cells would then be recipient to DNA transfer by electroporation, which may be carried out at this stage, and transformed cells then identified by a suitable selection or screening protocol dependent on the nature of the newly inco ⁇ orated DNA.
- electroporation which may be carried out at this stage, and transformed cells then identified by a suitable selection or screening protocol dependent on the nature of the newly inco ⁇ orated DNA.
- a further advantageous method for delivering transforming DNA segments to plant cells is microprojectile bombardment.
- particles may be coated with nucleic acids and delivered into cells by a propelling force.
- Exemplary particles include those comprised of tungsten, gold, platinum, and the like.
- An advantage of microprojectile bombardment in addition to it being an effective means of reproducibly stably transforming monocots, is that neither the isolation of protoplasts (Cristou et al, 1988) nor the susceptibility to Agrobacterium infection is required.
- An illustrative embodiment of a method for delivering DNA into maize cells by acceleration is a Biolistics Particle Delivery System, which can be used to propel particles coated with DNA or cells through a screen, such as a stainless steel or Nytex screen, onto a filter surface covered with corn cells cultured in suspension. The screen disperses the particles so that they are not delivered to the recipient cells in large aggregates. It is believed that a screen intervening between the projectile apparatus and the cells to be bombarded reduces the size of projectiles aggregate and may contribute to a higher frequency of transformation by reducing damage inflicted on the recipient cells by projectiles that are too large.
- cells in suspension are preferably concentrated on filters or solid culture medium.
- immature embryos or other target cells may be arranged on solid culture medium.
- the cells to be bombarded are positioned at an appropriate distance below the macroprojectile stopping plate.
- one or more screens are also positioned between the acceleration device and the cells to be bombarded.
- the number of cells in a focus which express the exogenous gene product 48 hours post- bombardment often range from 1 to 10 and average 1 to 3.
- bombardment transformation one may optimize the prebombardment culturing conditions and the bombardment parameters to yield the maximum numbers of stable transformants.
- Physical factors are those that involve manipulating the DNA microprojectile precipitate or those that affect the flight and velocity of either the macro- or microprojectiles.
- Biological factors include all steps involved in manipulation of cells before and immediately after bombardment, the osmotic adjustment of target cells to help alleviate the trauma associated with bombardment, and also the nature of the transforming DNA, such as linearized DNA or intact supercoiled plasmids. It is believed that pre-bombardment manipulations are especially important for successful transformation of immature embryos.
- TRFs trauma reduction factors
- Agrobacterium-mediated transfer is a widely applicable system for introducing genes into plant cells because the DNA can be introduced into whole plant tissues, thereby bypassing the need for regeneration of an intact plant from a protoplast.
- the use of Agrob ⁇ cterium-med ⁇ ated plant integrating vectors to introduce DNA into plant cells is well known in the art. See, for example, the methods described (Fraley et ⁇ l, 1985; Rogers et ⁇ l, 1987). Further, the integration of the Ti-DNA is a relatively precise process resulting in few rearrangements. The region of DNA to be transferred is defined by the border sequences, and intervening DNA is usually inserted into the plant genome as described (Shmann et ⁇ l, 1986; Jorgensen et ⁇ l, 1987).
- Modern Agrobacterium transformation vectors are capable of replication in E. coli as well as Agrobacterium, allowing for convenient manipulations as described (Klee et al, 1985).
- recent technological advances in vectors for Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer have improved the arrangement of genes and restriction sites in the vectors to facilitate construction of vectors capable of expressing various polypeptide coding genes.
- the vectors described (Rogers et ⁇ l., 1987), have convenient multi-linker regions flanked by a promoter and a polyadenylation site for direct expression of inserted polypeptide coding genes and are suitable for present pu ⁇ oses.
- Agrobacterium containing both armed and disarmed Ti genes can be used for the transformations. In those plant strains where Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is efficient, it is the method of choice because of the facile and defined nature of the gene transfer.
- Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of leaf disks and other tissues such as cotyledons and hypocotyls appears to be limited to plants that Agrobacterium naturally infects.
- Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is most efficient in dicotyledonous plants. Few monocots appear to be natural hosts for Agrobacterium, although transgenic plants have been produced in asparagus using Agrobacterium vectors as described (Bytebier et al, 1987). Therefore, commercially important cereal grains such as rice, corn, and wheat must usually be transformed using alternative methods. However, as mentioned above, the transformation of asparagus using Agrobacterium can also be achieved (see, for example, Bytebier et al, 1987).
- a transgenic plant formed using Agrobacterium transformation methods typically contains a single gene on one chromosome. Such transgenic plants can be referred to as being heterozygous for the added gene.
- heterozygous usually implies the presence of a complementary gene at the same locus of the second chromosome of a pair of chromosomes, and there is no such gene in a plant containing one added gene as here, it is believed that a more accurate name for such a plant is an independent segregant, because the added, exogenous gene segregates independently during mitosis and meiosis.
- transgenic plant that is homozygous for the added structural gene; . e. , a transgenic plant that contains two added genes, one gene at the same locus on each chromosome of a chromosome pair.
- a homozygous transgenic plant can be obtained by sexually mating (selfing) an independent segregant transgenic plant that contains a single added gene, germinating some of the seed produced and analyzing the resulting plants produced for enhanced carboxylase activity relative to a control (native, non-transgenic) or an independent segregant transgenic plant. It is to be understood that two different transgenic plants can also be mated to produce offspring that contain two independently segregating added, exogenous genes.
- Plants that are homozygous for both added, exogenous genes that encode a polypeptide of interest can produce plants that are homozygous for both added, exogenous genes that encode a polypeptide of interest.
- Back-crossing to a parental plant and out-crossing with a non-transgenic plant are also contemplated. Transformation of plant protoplasts can be achieved using methods based on calcium phosphate precipitation, polyethylene glycol treatment, electroporation, and combinations of these treatments (see, e.g., Potrykus et al, 1985; Lorz et al, 1985; Fromm et al, 1985; Uchimiya et al, 1986; Callis et al, 1987; Marcotte et al, 1988).
- DNA is carried through the cell wall and into the cytoplasm on the surface of small metal particles as described (Klein et al, 1987; Klein et al, 1988; McCabe et al, 1988).
- the metal particles penetrate through several layers of cells and thus allow the transformation of cells within tissue explants.
- the reference provides an exhaustive list of tables to guide molecular geneticists in preparing synthetic gene sequences which encode the polypeptides of the invention, and which are expressed in transformed plant cells in a suitable fashion to permit synthesis of the polypeptide of interest inplanta.
- Diehn et al. (1996) details the modification of prokaryotic-derived gene sequences necessary to permit expression in plants.
- Iannacone et al. (1997) describe the transformation of egg plant with a genetically engineered B. thuringiensis gene encoding a cry3 class endotoxin. Utilizing sequences which avoid polyadenylation sequences, ATTA sequences, and splicing sites a synthetic gene was constructed which permitted expression of the encoded toxin inplanta. Expression of heterologous proteins in transgenic tobacco has been described by
- F ⁇ tterer and Hohn describe the effects of mRNA sequence, leader sequences, polycistronic messages, and internal ribosome binding site motis, on expression in plants. Modification of such sequences by construction of synthetic genes permitted expression of viral mRNAs in transgenic plant cells.
- RNA synthesis may not occur at a high frequency. This could, for example, be caused by the premature termination of RNA during transcription or due to unexpected mRNA processing during transcription. Second, full-length RNA synthesis may not occur at a high frequency. This could, for example, be caused by the premature termination of RNA during transcription or due to unexpected mRNA processing during transcription. Second, full-length RNA synthesis may not occur at a high frequency. This could, for example, be caused by the premature termination of RNA during transcription or due to unexpected mRNA processing during transcription. Second, full-length
- RNA may be produced in the plant cell, but then processed (splicing, polyA addition) in the nucleus in a fashion that creates a nonfunctional mRNA. If the RNA is not properly synthesized, terminated and polyadenylated, it cannot move to the cytoplasm for translation. Similarly, in the cytoplasm, if mRNAs have reduced half lives (which are determined by their primary or secondary sequence) inisufficient protein product will be produced. In addition, there is an effect, whose magnitude is uncertain, of translational efficiency on mRNA half-life. In addition, every RNA molecule folds into a particular structure, or perhaps family of structures, which is determined by its sequence. The particular structure of any RNA might lead to greater or lesser stability in the cytoplasm.
- RNA stability is probably also a determinant of mRNA processing in the nucleus. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict, and nearly impossible to determine, the structure of any RNA (except for tRNA) in vitro or in vivo. However, it is likely that dramatically changing the sequence of an RNA will have a large effect on its folded structure It is likely that structure er se or particular structural features also have a role in determining RNA stability.
- RNAs that have the potential for having a specific effect on RNA stability.
- a desire to optimize expression of the disclosed nucleic acid segments in planta is by alteration of the bacterial gene to remove sequences or motifs which decrease expression in a transformed plant cell.
- the process of engineering a coding sequence for optimal expression in planta is often referred to as "plantizing" a DNA sequence.
- Particularly problematic sequences are those which are A+T rich.
- B. thuringiensis has an A+T rich genome, native crystal protein gene sequences must often be modified for optimal expression in a plant.
- the sequence motif ATTTA (or AUUUA as it appears in RNA) has been implicated as a destabilizing sequence in mammalian cell mRNA (Shaw and Kamen, 1986). Many short lived mRNAs have A+T rich 3' untranslated regions, and these regions often have the ATTTA sequence, sometimes present in multiple copies or as multimers (e.g., ATTT ATTTA). Shaw and Kamen showed that the transfer of the 3' end of an unstable mRNA to a stable RNA (globin or VA1) decreased the stable RNA's half life dramatically.
- a pentamer of ATTTA had a profound destabilizing effect on a stable message, and that this signal could exert its effect whether it was located at the 3' end or within the coding sequence.
- the number of ATTTA sequences and/or the sequence context in which they occur also appear to be important in determining whether they function as destabilizing sequences.
- Shaw and Kamen showed that a trimer of ATTTA had much less effect than a pentamer on mRNA stability and a dimer or a monomer had no effect on stability (Shaw and Kamen, 1987).
- multimers of ATTTA such as a pentamer automatically create an A+T rich region. This was shown to be a cytoplasmic effect, not nuclear.
- the ATTTA sequence may be present in only a single copy, but it is often contained in an A+T rich region. From the animal cell data collected to date, it appears that ATTTA at least in some contexts is important in stability, but it is not yet possible to predict which occurrences of ATTTA are destabiling elements or whether any of these effects are likely to be seen in plants.
- RNA degradation may begin in some cases with nucleolytic attack in A+T rich regions. It is not clear if these cleavages occur at ATTTA sequences.
- mRNAs that have differential stability depending on the cell type in which they are expressed or on the stage within the cell cycle at which they are expressed. For example, histone mRNAs are stable during DNA synthesis but unstable if DNA synthesis is disrupted. The 3' end of some histone mRNAs seems to be responsible for this effect (Pandey and Marzluff, 1987). It does not appear to be mediated by ATTTA, nor is it clear what controls the differential stability of this mRNA.
- Another example is the differential stability of IgG mRNA in B lymphocytes during B cell maturation (Genovese and Milcarek, 1988).
- a final example is the instability of a mutant ⁇ -thallesemic globin mRNA. In bone marrow cells, where this gene is normally expressed, the mutant mRNA is unstable, while the wild-type mRNA is stable. When the mutant gene is expressed in HeLa or
- the mutant mRNA shows no instability (Lim et al, 1992). These examples all provide evidence that mRNA stability can be mediated by cell type or cell cycle specific factors. Furthermore this type of instability is not yet associated with specific sequences. Given these uncertainties, it is not possible to predict which RNAs are likely to be unstable in a given cell. In addition, even the ATTTA motif may act differentially depending on the nature of the cell in which the RNA is present. Shaw and Kamen (1987) have reported that activation of protein kinase C can block degradation mediated by ATTTA.
- polyadenylate string to the 3' end is common to most eukaryotic mRNAs, both plant and animal.
- the currently accepted view of polyA addition is that the nascent transcript extends beyond the mature 3' terminus. Contained within this transcript are signals for polyadenylation and proper 3' end formation. This processing at the 3' end involves cleavage of the mRNA and addition of polyA to the mature 3' end.
- This processing at the 3' end involves cleavage of the mRNA and addition of polyA to the mature 3' end.
- consensus sequences that apparently are involved in polyA addition and 3' end cleavage.
- the same consensus sequences seem to be important to both of these processes.
- These signals are typically a variation on the sequence AAT AAA.
- sequences up to 50 to 100 bp 3' to the putative polyA signal are also required; i.e., a gene that has a normal AATAAA but has been replaced or disrupted downstream does not get properly polyadenylated (Gil and Proudfoot, 1984; Sadofsky and Alwine, 1984; McDevitt et al, 1984). That is, the polyA signal itself is not sufficient for complete and proper processing. It is not yet known what specific downstream sequences are required in addition to the polyA signal, or if there is a specific sequence that has this function. Therefore, sequence analysis can only identify potential polyA signals.
- AATAAA is by far the most common signal identified in mRNAs upstream of the polyA, but at least four variants have also been found (Wickens and Stephenson, 1984). In plants, not nearly so much analysis has been done, but it is clear that multiple sequences similar to AATAAA can be used.
- the plant sites in Table 4 called major or minor refer only to the study of Dean et al (1986) which analyzed only three types of plant gene.
- the designation of polyadenylation sites as major or minor refers only to the frequency of their occurrence as functional sites in naturally occurring genes that have been analyzed. In the case of plants this is a very limited database.
- the present invention provides a method for preparing synthetic plant genes which genes express their protein product at levels significantly higher than the wild-type genes which were commonly employed in plant transformation heretofore.
- the present invention also provides novel synthetic plant genes which encode non-plant proteins.
- B. thuringiensis genes As described above, the expression of native B. thuringiensis genes in plants is often problematic. The nature of the coding sequences of B. thuringiensis genes distinguishes them from plant genes as well as many other heterologous genes expressed in plants. In particular,
- B. thuringiensis genes are very rich (-62%) in adenine (A) and thymine (T) while plant genes and most other bacterial genes which have been expressed in plants are on the order of 45-55% A+T.
- nucleotide sequences found in a gene from one organism where they may play no role except to code for a particular stretch of amino acids, have the potential to be recognized as gene control elements in another organism (such as transcriptional promoters or terminators, polyA addition sites, intron splice sites, or specific mRNA degradation signals). It is perhaps su ⁇ rising that such misread signals are not a more common feature of heterologous gene expression, but this can be explained in part by the relatively homogeneous A+T content (-50%) of many organisms. This A+T content plus the nature of the genetic code put clear constraints on the likelihood of occurrence of any particular oligonucleotide sequence. Thus, a gene from E. coli with a 50% A+T content is much less likely to contain any particular A+T rich segment than a gene from B. thuringiensis.
- structural gene which codes for the S-endotoxin are modified by removal of ATTTA sequences and putative polyadenylation signals by site directed mutagenesis of the DNA comprising the structural gene. It is most preferred that substantially all the polyadenylation signals and ATTTA sequences are removed although enhanced expression levels are observed with only partial removal of either of the above identified sequences. Alternately if a synthetic gene is prepared which codes for the expression of the subject protein, codons are selected to avoid the ATTTA sequence and putative polyadenylation signals.
- putative polyadenylation signals include, but are not necessarily limited to, AATAAA, AATAAT, AACCAA, ATATAA, AATCAA, ATACTA, ATAAAA, ATGAAA, AAGCAT, ATTAAT, ATACAT, AAAATA, ATTAAA, AATTAA, AATACA and CATAAA.
- codons are preferably utilized which avoid the codons which are rarely found in plant genomes.
- the selected DNA sequence is scanned to identify regions with greater than four consecutive adenine (A) or thymine (T) nucleotides.
- the A+T regions are scanned for potential plant polyadenylation signals.
- the nucleotide sequence of this region is preferably altered to remove these signals while maintaining the original encoded amino acid sequence.
- the second step is to consider the about 15 to about 30 or so nucleotide residues surrounding the A+T rich region identified in step one.
- the region should be examined for polyadenylation signals. Alteration of the region based on polyadenylation signals is dependent upon (1) the number of polyadenylation signals present and (2) presence of a major plant polyadenylation signal.
- the extended region is examined for the presence of plant polyadenylation signals.
- the polyadenylation signals are removed by site-directed mutagenesis of the DNA sequence.
- the extended region is also examined for multiple copies of the ATTTA sequence which are also removed by mutagenesis. It is also preferred that regions comprising many consecutive A+T bases or G+C bases are disrupted since these regions are predicted to have a higher likelihood to form hai ⁇ in structure due to self-complementarity. Therefore, insertion of heterogeneous base pairs would reduce the likelihood of self-complementary secondary structure formation which are known to inhibit transcription and/or translation in some organisms. In most cases, the adverse effects may be minimized by using sequences which do not contain more than five consecutive A+T or G+C.
- the expression of the encoded crystal protein . e. , a bacterial crystal protein or polypeptide having insecticidal activity against lepidopterans
- a suitable host cell such as a plant cell
- a recombinant crylC* gene-containing segment By transforming a suitable host cell, such as a plant cell, with a recombinant crylC* gene-containing segment, the expression of the encoded crystal protein ( . e. , a bacterial crystal protein or polypeptide having insecticidal activity against lepidopterans) can result in the formation of insect-resistant plants.
- Transgenic plants are then regenerated from transformed embryonic calli that express the insecticidal proteins.
- transgenic plants may also be accomplished using other methods of cell transformation which are known in the art such as Agrobacterium-mediated DNA transfer (Fraley et ⁇ l., 1983).
- DNA can be introduced into plants by direct DNA transfer into pollen (Zhou et ⁇ l., 1983; Hess, 1987; Luo et ⁇ l, 1988), by injection of the DNA into reproductive organs of a plant (Pena et ⁇ l, 1987), or by direct injection of DNA into the cells of immature embryos followed by the rehydration of desiccated embryos (Neuhaus et al, 1987; Benbrook et ⁇ /., 1986).
- the regeneration, development, and cultivation of plants from single plant protoplast transformants or from various transformed explants is well known in the art (Weissbach and Weissbach, 1988).
- This regeneration and growth process typically includes the steps of selection of transformed cells, culturing those individualized cells through the usual stages of embryonic development through the rooted plantlet stage. Transgenic embryos and seeds are similarly regenerated. The resulting transgenic rooted shoots are thereafter planted in an appropriate plant growth medium such as soil.
- the development or regeneration of plants containing the foreign, exogenous gene that encodes a polypeptide of interest introduced by Agrobacterium from leaf explants can be achieved by methods well known in the art such as described (Horsch et al, 1985). In this procedure, transformants are cultured in the presence of a selection agent and in a medium that induces the regeneration of shoots in the plant strain being transformed as described (Fraley et al, 1983).
- This procedure typically produces shoots within two to four months and those shoots are then transferred to an appropriate root-inducing medium containing the selective agent and an antibiotic to prevent bacterial growth. Shoots that rooted in the presence of the selective agent to form plantlets are then transplanted to soil or other media to allow the production of roots.
- the regenerated plants are self-pollinated to provide homozygous transgenic plants, as discussed before. Otherwise, pollen obtained from the regenerated plants is crossed to seed-grown plants of agronomically important, preferably inbred lines. Conversely, pollen from plants of those important lines is used to pollinate regenerated plants.
- a transgenic plant of the present invention containing a desired polypeptide is cultivated using methods well known to one skilled in the art.
- a transgenic plant of this invention thus has an increased amount of a coding region (e.g., a crylC* gene) that encodes the CrylC* polypeptide of interest.
- a preferred transgenic plant is an independent segregant and can transmit that gene and its activity to its progeny.
- a more preferred transgenic plant is homozygous for that gene, and transmits that gene to all of its offspring on sexual mating.
- Seed from a transgenic plant may be grown in the field or greenhouse, and resulting sexually mature transgenic plants are self-pollinated to generate true breeding plants. The progeny from these plants become true breeding lines that are evaluated for, by way of example, increased insecticidal capacity against lepidopteran insects, preferably in the field, under a range of environmental conditions.
- CrylC mutants containing substitutions in multiple loop regions may be constructed via a number of techniques. For instance, sequences of highly related genes can be readily shuffled using the PCR-based technique described by Stemmer (1994). Alternatively, if suitable restriction sites are available, the mutations of one crylC gene may be combined with the mutations of a second crylC gene by routine subcloning methodologies. If a suitable restriction site is not available, one may be generated by oligonucleotide directed mutagenesis using any number of procedures known to those skilled in the art.
- crylC mutants may be combined by simply using one crylC mutant as a template for oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis using any number of protocols such as those described herein.
- RIBOZYMES Ribozymes are enzymatic RNA molecules which cleave particular mRNA species.
- the inventors contemplate the selection and utilization of ribozymes capable of cleaving the RNA segments of the present invention, and their use to reduce activity of target mRNAs in particular cell types or tissues.
- RNA phosphodiester bonds Six basic varieties of naturally-occurring enzymatic RNAs are known presently. Each can catalyze the hydrolysis of RNA phosphodiester bonds in trans (and thus can cleave other
- enzymatic nucleic acids act by first binding to a target RNA. Such binding occurs through the target binding portion of a enzymatic nucleic acid which is held in close proximity to an enzymatic portion of the molecule that acts to cleave the target RNA. Thus, the enzymatic nucleic acid first recognizes and then binds a target RNA through complementary base-pairing, and once bound to the correct site, acts enzymatically to cut the target RNA. Strategic cleavage of such a target RNA will destroy its ability to direct synthesis of an encoded protein. After an enzymatic nucleic acid has bound and cleaved its RNA target, it is released from that RNA to search for another target and can repeatedly bind and cleave new targets.
- ribozyme The enzymatic nature of a ribozyme is advantageous over many technologies, such as antisense technology (where a nucleic acid molecule simply binds to a nucleic acid target to block its translation) since the concentration of ribozyme necessary to affect a therapeutic treatment is lower than that of an antisense oligonucleotide.
- This advantage reflects the ability of the ribozyme to act enzymatically.
- a single ribozyme molecule is able to cleave many molecules of target RNA.
- the ribozyme is a highly specific inhibitor, with the specificity of inhibition depending not only on the base pairing mechanism of binding to the target RNA, but also on the mechanism of target RNA cleavage.
- the enzymatic nucleic acid molecule may be formed in a hammerhead, hai ⁇ in, a hepatitis ⁇ virus, group I intron or RNaseP RNA (in association with an RNA guide sequence) or Neurospora VS RNA motif. Examples of hammerhead motifs are described by Rossi et al.
- RNA regions and that it have nucleotide sequences within or surrounding that substrate binding site which impart an RNA cleaving activity to the molecule.
- ribozyme constructs need not be limited to specific motifs mentioned herein.
- the invention provides a method for producing a class of enzymatic cleaving agents which exhibit a high degree of specificity for the RNA of a desired target.
- the enzymatic nucleic acid molecule is preferably targeted to a highly conserved sequence region of a target mRNA such that specific treatment of a disease or condition can be provided with either one or several enzymatic nucleic acids.
- Such enzymatic nucleic acid molecules can be delivered exogenously to specific cells as required.
- the ribozymes can be expressed from DNA or RNA vectors that are delivered to specific cells.
- Small enzymatic nucleic acid motifs (e.g., of the hammerhead or the hai ⁇ in structure) may be used for exogenous delivery.
- catalytic RNA molecules can be expressed within cells from eukaryotic promoters (e.g., Scanlon et al, 1991 ; Kashani-Sabet et al, 1992; Dropulic et al, 1992; Weerasinghe et al, 1991 ; Ojwang et al, 1992; Chen et al, 1992; Sarver et al, 1990).
- eukaryotic promoters e.g., Scanlon et al, 1991 ; Kashani-Sabet et al, 1992; Dropulic et al, 1992; Weerasinghe et al, 1991 ; Ojwang et al, 1992; Chen et al, 1992; Sarver et al, 1990.
- ribozymes can be augmented by their release from the primary transcript by a second ribozyme (Draper et al, Int. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. WO 93/23569, and Sullivan et al, Int. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. WO 94/02595, both hereby inco ⁇ orated in their totality by reference herein; Ohkawa et o/., 1992; Taira et ⁇ /., 1991 ; Ventura et al, 1993).
- Ribozymes may be added directly, or can be complexed with cationic lipids, lipid complexes, packaged within liposomes, or otherwise delivered to target cells.
- the RNA or RNA complexes can be locally administered to relevant tissues ex vivo, or in vivo through injection, aerosol inhalation, infusion pump or stent, with or without their inco ⁇ oration in biopolymers.
- Ribozymes may be designed as described in Draper et al. (Int. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. WO
- ribozymes can also be optimized for delivery. While specific examples are provided, those in the art will recognize that equivalent RNA targets in other species can be utilized when necessary. Hammerhead or hai ⁇ in ribozymes may be individually analyzed by computer folding
- binding arm lengths can be chosen to optimize activity. Generally, at least 5 bases on each arm are able to bind to, or otherwise interact with, the target RNA.
- Ribozymes of the hammerhead or hai ⁇ in motif may be designed to anneal to various sites in the mRNA message, and can be chemically synthesized.
- the method of synthesis used follows the procedure for normal RNA synthesis as described in Usman et al. (1987) and in Scaringe et al. (1990) and makes use of common nucleic acid protecting and coupling groups, such as dimethoxytrityl at the 5'-end, and phosphoramidites at the 3'-end. Average stepwise coupling yields are typically >98%.
- Hai ⁇ in ribozymes may be synthesized in two parts and annealed to reconstruct an active ribozyme (Chowrira and Burke, 1992).
- Ribozymes may be modified extensively to enhance stability by modification with nuclease resistant groups, for example, 2'-amino, 2'-C-allyl, 2'-flouro, 2'-o-methyl, 2'-H (for a review see Usman and Cedergren, 1992). Ribozymes may be purified by gel electrophoresis using general methods or by high pressure liquid chromatography and resuspended in water. Ribozyme activity can be optimized by altering the length of the ribozyme binding arms, or chemically synthesizing ribozymes with modifications that prevent their degradation by serum ribonucleases (see e.g., Int. Pat. Appl. Publ. No.
- Ribozymes may be administered to cells by a variety of methods known to those familiar to the art, including, but not restricted to, encapsulation in liposomes, by iontophoresis, or by inco ⁇ oration into other vehicles, such as hydrogels, cyclodextrins, biodegradable nanocapsules, and bioadhesive microspheres.
- ribozymes may be directly delivered ex vivo to cells or tissues with or without the aforementioned vehicles.
- the RNA/vehicle combination may be locally delivered by direct inhalation, by direct injection or by use of a catheter, infusion pump or stent.
- routes of delivery include, but are not limited to, intravascular, intramuscular, subcutaneous or joint injection, aerosol inhalation, oral (tablet or pill form), topical, systemic, ocular, intraperitoneal and/or intrathecal delivery. More detailed descriptions of ribozyme delivery and administration are provided in Sullivan et al. (Int. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. WO 94/02595) and Draper et al. (Int. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. WO 93/23569) which have been inco ⁇ orated by reference herein.
- RNA polymerase I RNA polymerase I
- RNA polymerase II RNA polymerase II
- RNA polymerase III RNA polymerase III
- Transcripts from pol II or pol III promoters will be expressed at high levels in all cells; the levels of a given pol II promoter in a given cell type will depend on the nature of the gene regulatory sequences (enhancers, silencers, etc.) present nearby.
- Prokaryotic RNA polymerase promoters may also be used, providing that the prokaryotic RNA polymerase enzyme is expressed in the appropriate cells (Elroy-Stein and Moss, 1990; Gao and Huang, 1993; Lieber et al, 1993; Zhou et al, 1990). Ribozymes expressed from such promoters can function in mammalian cells (e.g. Kashani-Saber et al,
- transcription units can be inco ⁇ orated into a variety of vectors for introduction into mammalian cells, including but not restricted to, plasmid DNA vectors, viral DNA vectors (such as adenovirus or adeno-associated vectors), or viral RNA vectors (such as retroviral, semliki forest virus, Sindbis virus vectors).
- viral DNA vectors such as adenovirus or adeno-associated vectors
- viral RNA vectors such as retroviral, semliki forest virus, Sindbis virus vectors.
- Ribozymes of this invention may be used as diagnostic tools to examine genetic drift and mutations within cell lines or cell types. They can also be used to assess levels of the target RNA molecule. The close relationship between ribozyme activity and the structure of the target . RNA allows the detection of mutations in any region of the molecule which alters the base- pairing and three-dimensional structure of the target RNA. By using multiple ribozymes described in this invention, one may map nucleotide changes which are important to RNA structure and function in vitro, as well as in cells and tissues. Cleavage of target RNAs with ribozymes may be used to inhibit gene expression and define the role (essentially) of specified gene products in particular cells or cell types. 4.14 ISOLATING HOMOLOGOUS GENE AND GENE FRAGMENTS
- genes and ⁇ -endotoxins according to the subject invention include not only the full- length sequences disclosed herein but also fragments of these sequences, or fusion proteins, which retain the characteristic insecticidal activity of the sequences specifically exemplified herein.
- insecticidal ⁇ -endotoxins can be identified and obtained through several means.
- the specific genes, or portions thereof, may be obtained from a culture depository, or constructed synthetically, for example, by use of a gene machine. Variations of these genes may be readily constructed using standard techniques for making point mutations. Also, fragments of these genes can be made using commercially available exonucleases or endonucleases according to standard procedures. For example, enzymes such as Bal31 or site-directed mutagenesis can be used to systematically cut off nucleotides from the ends of these genes. Also, genes which code for active fragments may be obtained using a variety of other restriction enzymes. Proteases may be used to directly obtain active fragments of these ⁇ -endotoxins.
- Equivalent ⁇ -endotoxins and/or genes encoding these equivalent ⁇ -endotoxins can also be isolated from Bacillus strains and/or DNA libraries using the teachings provided herein.
- antibodies to the ⁇ -endotoxins disclosed and claimed herein can be used to identify and isolate other ⁇ -endotoxins from a mixture of proteins. Specifically, antibodies may be raised to the portions of the ⁇ -endotoxins which are most constant and most distinct from other B. thuringiensis ⁇ -endotoxins. These antibodies can then be used to specifically identify equivalent ⁇ -endotoxins with the characteristic insecticidal activity by immunoprecipitation, enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA), or Western blotting.
- ELISA enzyme linked immunoassay
- a further method for identifying the ⁇ -endotoxins and genes of the subject invention is through the use of oligonucleotide probes.
- These probes are nucleotide sequences having a detectable label.
- the probe's detectable label provides a means for determining in a known manner whether hybridization has occurred. Such a probe analysis provides a rapid method for identifying formicidal ⁇ -endotoxin genes of the subject invention.
- nucleotide segments which are used as probes according to the invention can be synthesized by use of DNA synthesizers using standard procedures.
- the particular probe is labeled with any suitable label known to those skilled in the art, including radioactive and non-radioactive labels.
- Typical radioactive labels include
- a probe labeled with a radioactive isotope can be constructed from a nucleotide sequence complementary to the DNA sample by a conventional nick translation reaction, using a DNase and DNA polymerase. The probe and sample can then be combined in a hybridization buffer solution and held at an appropriate temperature until annealing occurs. Thereafter, the membrane is washed free of extraneous materials, leaving the sample and bound probe molecules typically detected and quantified by autoradiography and/or liquid scintillation counting.
- Non-radioactive labels include, for example, ligands such as biotin or thyroxine, as well as enzymes such as hydrolases or peroxidases, or the various chemiluminescers such as luciferin, or fluorescent compounds like fluorescein and its derivatives.
- the probe may also be labeled at both ends with different types of labels for ease of separation, as, for example, by using an isotopic label at the end mentioned above and a biotin label at the other end.
- Duplex formation and stability depend on substantial complementarity between the two strands of a hybrid, and, as noted above, a certain degree of mismatch can be tolerated.
- the probes of the subject invention include mutations (both single and multiple), deletions, insertions of the described sequences, and combinations thereof, wherein said mutations, insertions and deletions permit formation of stable hybrids with the target polynucleotide of interest. Mutations, insertions, and deletions can be produced in a given polynucleotide sequence in many ways, by methods currently known to an ordinarily skilled artisan, and perhaps by other methods which may become known in the future. The potential variations in the probes listed is due, in part, to the redundancy of the genetic code. Because of the redundancy of the genetic code, i. e.
- nucleotide triplet can be used for most of the amino acids used to make proteins. Therefore different nucleotide sequences can code for a particular amino acid.
- the amino acid sequences of the B. thuringiensis ⁇ -endotoxins and peptides can be prepared by equivalent nucleotide sequences encoding the same amino acid sequence of the protein or peptide. Accordingly, the subject invention includes such equivalent nucleotide sequences. Also, inverse or complement sequences are an aspect of the subject invention and can be readily used by a person skilled in this art.
- proteins of identified structure and function may be constructed by changing the amino acid sequence if such changes do not alter the protein secondary structure (Kaiser and Kezdy, 1984).
- the subject invention includes mutants of the amino acid sequence depicted herein which do not alter the protein secondary structure, or if the structure is altered, the biological activity is substantially retained.
- the invention also includes mutants of organisms hosting all or part of a ⁇ -endotoxin encoding a gene of the invention. Such mutants can be made by techniques well known to persons skilled in the art.
- UV irradiation can be used to prepare mutants of host organisms.
- mutants may include asporogenous host cells which also can be prepared by procedures well known in the art.
- pEG916 is a pEG853 derivative (also described by Baum et al, 1990) containing the same crylC gene fragment and a 3' transcription terminator region derived from the cry IF gene described by Chambers et al. (1991).
- pEG345 (FIG. 3) is a pEG597 derivative (also described by Baum et al, 1990) that contains the crylC gene from B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai strain 7.29, described by Sanchis et al. (1989) and disclosed in the European Pat. Appl. No. EP 295156A1 and Intl. Pat. Appl. Publ.
- a frame-shift mutation was introduced into the crylC gene of pEG916 at codon 118.
- the glutamic acid residue (E) at this position is predicted to lie within or immediately adjacent to the loop region between ⁇ helices 3 and 4 of CrylC domain 1, the target site for random mutagenesis.
- This mutated gene can be used as a template for oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis using a mutagenic primer that corrects the frame-shift mutation, thus ensuring that the majority of clones recovered encoding full-length protoxin molecules will have inco ⁇ orated the mutagenic oligonucleotide.
- the frame-shift mutation was introduced by a PCRTM-mediated mutagenesis protocol using the oligonucleotide primers A, B, and C and pEG916 (FIG. 2) as the DNA template.
- the mutagenesis protocol described by (Michael, 1994) relies on the use of a thermostable ligase to inco ⁇ orate a phosphorylated mutagenic oligonucleotide into an amplified DNA fragment.
- the DNA sequence of these primers is shown below:
- Primer A (SEQ ID NO: 15) 5'-CCCGATCGGCCGCATGC- 3' Primer B: (SEQ ID NO:16) 5'-GCATTTAAAGAATGGGAAGGGATCCTAGGAATCCAGCAACCAGGACCAGAG- 3' Primer C: (SEQ ID NO:17)
- the mutagenic oligonucleotide, primer B was designed to inco ⁇ orate a BamHI and Blnl restriction site in addition to the frame-shift mutation at codon 118 (FIG. 4).
- the product obtained from the PCRTM was resolved by electrophoresis of an agarose-TAE gel and purified using the Geneclean II Kit (Bio 101, Inc., La Jolla, CA) following the manufacturer's suggested protocol.
- the purified DNA fragment was digested with the restriction enzymes Agel and Bbul.
- pEG916 was also digested with the restriction enzymes ⁇ 4gel and Bbul and the restricted DNA fragments resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis and the vector fragment purified as described above.
- the amplified DNA fragment and the pEG916 vector fragment were ligated together with T4 ligase, and the ligation reaction used to transform the acrystalliferous B. thuringiensis strain EG10368 (described in U. S. Patent 5,322,687) to Cml resistance, using the electroporation procedure described by Mettus and Macaluso (1990). Individual transformants were selected and many were determined to be acrystalliferous by phase-contrast microscopy of the sporulated cultures. Recombinant plasmids were isolated from B. thuringiensis transformants using the alkaline lysis procedure described by Maniatis et al (1982).
- pEG359 The recombinant plasmid inco ⁇ orating the frame-shift mutation and the BamHI and Blnl sites was designated pEG359 (FIG. 2 and FIG. 4).
- pEG359 was introduced into the E. coli host strain DH5 ⁇ by transformation using frozen competent cells and procedures obtained from GIBCO BRL (Gaithersburg, MD). pEG359, purified from E.
- the resulting plasmid contains a deletion of the crylC gene sequences downstream of the unique Bglll site in crylC.
- N (20, 21, 23, 28, 29. 31, 32, and 39) 82% A; 6% G, C, T,
- N (24, 27, 30, 33, and 36) 82% T; 6% G, C, A. Numbers in parentheses correspond to the positions above in SEQ ID NO: 18, wherein the first G is position number 1.
- the mutagenic primer D corrects the frame-shift mutation and eliminates the BamHI and
- the Megaprimer was first synthesized by PCRTM amplification of pEG315 DNA (FIG. 2) using the mutagenic primer D and the opposing primer C (FIG. 5). The resulting amplified DNA fragment was purified by gel electrophoresis as described above and used in a second PCRTM using primers A and C and pi 54 as the template. Because the pi 54 template contains a deletion of the region complementary to primer C (FIG.
- initiation of the PCRTM first requires extension of the Megaprimer to allow annealing of primer A to the mutagenic strand, thus ensuring that most of the amplified product obtain from the PCRTM inco ⁇ orates the mutagenic DNA.
- the resulting PCRTM product was isolated and purified following gel electrophoresis in agarose and IX TAE as described above.
- the amplified DNA fragment was digested with the restriction enzymes Agel and Bbul, to provide sticky ends suitable for cloning, and with the enzymes BamHI and Blnl to eliminate any residual pi 54 template DNA.
- pEG359 was digested with Agel and Bbul and the vector fragment ligated to the restricted amplified DNA preparation. The ligation reaction was used to transform the E. coli SureTM (Stratagene Cloning Systems, La Jolla, CA) strain to ampicillin
- Amp resistance (Amp R ) using a standard transformation procedure. Amp R colonies were scraped from plates and growth for 1-2 hr at 37°C in Luria Broth with 50 ⁇ g/ml of Amp. Plasmid DNA was isolated from this culture using the alkaline lysis procedure described above and used to transform B. thuringiensis EG10368 to Cml resistance (Cml R ) by electroporation. Transformants were plated on starch agar plates containing 5 ⁇ g/ml Cml and incubated at 25-
- Arginine residues within potential loop regions of CrylC domain 1 were replaced by alanine residues using oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis.
- the elimination of these arginine residues may reduce the proteolysis of toxin protein by trypsin-like proteases in the lepidopteran midgut since trypsin is known to cleave peptide bonds immediately C-terminal to arginine and lysine.
- the arginine residues at amino acid positions 148 and 180 in the CrylC amino acid sequence were replaced with alanine residues.
- the PCRTM-mediated mutagenesis protocol used relies on the use of a thermostable ligase to inco ⁇ orate a phosphorylated mutagenic oligonucleotide into an amplified DNA fragment.
- the mutagenesis of R148 employed the mutagenic primer E (SEQ ID NO: 19) and the flanking primers A (SEQ ID NO: 19).
- Primer F (SEQ ID NO:20)
- Primer G (SEQIDNO:21) 5'-GAGATTCTGTAATTTTTGGAGAAGCATGGGGGTTGACAACGATAAATGTC-3'
- the products obtained from the PCRTM were purified following agarose gel electrophoresis using the Geneclean II® procedure and reamplified using the opposing primers A and F and standard PCRTM procedures.
- the resultant PCRTM products were digested with the restriction enzymes Bbul and Agel.
- the restricted fragments were resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis in IX TAE, the pEG315 vector fragment purified using the
- EG10368 to Cml R using the electroporation procedure described by Mettus and Macaluso (1990). Transformants were selected on Luria plates containing 3 ⁇ g/ml Cml. Approximately 75% of the EG10368 transformants generated by the R148 mutagenesis had lost the Asull site, indicating that the mutagenic oligonucleotide primer E had been inco ⁇ orated into the crylC gene. One transformant, designated EG11811, was chosen for further study. Approximately
- the mutagenesis of R148 was repeated using the crylC gene contained in plasmid pEG345.
- Plasmid pEG345 (FIG. 2) contains the crylC gene from B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai strain 7.29 (Sanchis et al, 1989; Eur. Pat. Application EP 295156A1; Intl. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. WO 88/09812).
- the mutagenesis of R148 employed the mutagenic primer E (SEQ ID No: 19), the flanking primers H (SEQ ID NO:52) and F (SEQ ID NO:20), and plasmid pEG345 as the source of the crylC DNA template.
- Primer E was designed to eliminate an Asull site within the wild-type crylC sequence.
- crylC template DNA was obtained from a PCRTM using the opposing primers H and F and plasmid pEG345 as a template. This DNA was then used as the template for a PCRTM- mediated mutagenesis reaction that employed the flanking primers H and F and the mutagenic oligonucleotide E, using the procedure described by Michael (1994).
- the resultant PCRTM products were digested with the restriction enzymes Bbul and Agel.
- the restricted DNA fragments were resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis in IX TAE and the amplified crylC fragment was purified using the Geneclean II procedure.
- plasmid pEG345 was digested with the restriction enzymes Bbul and Agel, resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis in IX TAE and the pEG345 vector fragment purified using the Geneclean II procedure.
- the purified DNA fragments were ligated together using T4 ligase and used to transform E. coli DH5 ⁇ using a standard transformation procedure. Transformants were selected on Luria plates containing 50 ⁇ g/ml Amp. Approximately 50% of the DH5 ⁇ transformants generated by the R148 mutagenesis had lost the Asull site, indicating that the mutagenic oligonucleotide primer E had been inco ⁇ orated into the crylC gene.
- Plasmid DNA from one transformant was used to transform B. thuringiensis EG10368 to Cml , using the electroporation procedure described by Mettus and Macaluso (1990). Transformants were selected on Luria plates containing 3 ug/ml chloramphenicol. One of the transformants was designated EG1 1822.
- arginine residue at amino acid position 148 was also replaced with random amino acids.
- This mutagenesis of R148 employed the mutagenic primer I (SEQ ID No: 53), the flanking primers H (SEQ ID NO:52) and F (SEQ ID NO:20), and plasmid pEG345 as the source of the crylC DNA template.
- Primer I was also designed to eliminate an Asull site within the wild-type crylC sequence:
- N (31,32,33) 25% A, 25% C, 25% G, 25% T crylC template DNA was obtained from a PCRTM using the opposing primers H and F and plasmid pEG345 as a template. This DNA was then used as the template for a PCRTM- mediated mutagenesis reaction that employed the flanking primers H and F and the mutagenic oligonucleotide I, using the procedure described by Michael (1994). The resultant PCRTM products were digested with the restriction enzymes Bbul and Agel. The restricted DNA fragments were resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis in IX TAE and the amplified cryIC fragment was purified using the Geneclean II procedure.
- plasmid pEG345 was digested with the restriction enzymes Bbul and Agel, resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis in IX TAE and the pEG345 vector fragment purified using the Geneclean II ® procedure. The purified DNA fragments were ligated together using T4 ligase and used to transform E. coli
- DH5 ⁇ to ampicillin resistance using a standard transformation procedure.
- Transformants were selected on Luria plates containing 50 ug/ml ampicillin. The DH5 ⁇ transformants were pooled together and plasmid DNA was prepared using the alkaline lysis procedure. Plasmid DNA from the DH5 ⁇ transformants was used to transform B. thuringiensis EG10368 to Cml , using the electroporation procedure described by Mettus and Macaluso (1990). Transformants were selected that exhibited an opaque phenotype on starch agar plates containing 3 ug/ml chloramphenicol, indicating crystal protein production. Approximately 90% of the opaque EG10368 transformants generated by the R148 mutagenesis had lost the Asull site, indicating that the mutagenic oligonucleotide primer I had been inco ⁇ orated into the crylC gene.
- EG10368 transformants containing mutant crylC genes were grown in C2 medium, described by Donovan et al. (1988), for 3 days at 25°C or until fully sporulated and lysed.
- the spore-Cry IC crystal suspensions recovered from the spent C2 cultures were used for bioassay evaluation against neonate larvae of Spodoptera exigua and 3rd instar larvae of Plutella xylostella.
- EG 10368 transformants harboring CrylC mutants generated by random mutagenesis were grown in 2 ml of C2 medium and evaluated in one-dose bioassay screens. Each culture was diluted with 10 ml of 0.005% Triton X-100" and 25 ⁇ l of these dilutions were seeded into an additional 4 ml of 0.005 % Triton X-100 to achieve the appropriate dilution for the bioassay screens. Fifty ⁇ l of this dilution were topically applied to 32 wells containing 1.0 ml artificial diet per well (surface area of 175 mm ). A single neonate larvae (S. exigua) or 3rd instar larvae (P.
- xylostella was placed in each of the treated wells and the tray was covered by a clear perforated mylar strand.
- Larval mortality was scored after 7 days of feeding at 28-30°C and percent mortality expressed as ratio of the number of dead larvae to the total number of larvae treated.
- the putative CrylC variants in strains EG11740, EG11746, and EG11747 were designated CrylC.563, CrylC.579, and CrylC.499, respectively.
- EG1 1740, EG11746, and EG11747, as well as EG11726 (which contains the wild-type crylC gene from strain EG6346) were grown in C2 medium for 3 days at 25°C. The cultures were centrifuged and the spore/crystal pellets were washed three times in 2X volumes of distilled- deionized water. The final pellet was suspended in an original volume of 0.005% TritonX-100 and crystal protein quantified by SDS-PAGE as described by Brussock and Currier (1990). The procedure was modified to eliminate the neutralization step with 3M HEPES.
- ⁇ -endotoxin concentrations of the spore/ crystal preparations were prepared by serial dilution in 0.005% Triton X-100 and each concentration was topically applied to wells containing 1.0 ml of artificial diet. Larval mortality was scored after 7 days of feeding at 23-30°C (32 larvae for each ⁇ - endotoxin concentration). Mortality data was expressed as LC 50 and LC 95 values, in accordance with the technique of Daum (1970), the concentration of CrylC protein (ng/well) causing 50% and 95% mortality, respectively (Table 5, Table 6, and Table 7).
- CrylC mutant strains EG11811 CrylC R148A
- EG11815 CrylC R180A
- the insecticidal activities of CrylC and CrylC R180A against S. exigua and P. xylostella were not significantly different, however, CrylC R148A exhibited a 3.6-fold lower
- the CrylC mutant strains EG1 1811 (CrylC R148A), EG1 1740 (CrylC.563), and EG11726 (producing wildtype CrylC) were similarly cultured and evaluated in bioassays using neonate larvae of Trichoplusia ni.
- the insecticidal activities of CrylC R148A and CrylC .563 against T. ni exhibited a lower LC 50 and LC 95 against T. ni when compared to EG11726 (Table 8).
- EG10368 transformants harboring random mutants at position R148 of CrylC were evaluated in bioassay in a one-dose screen against S. exigua as described above. Five CrylC mutants were identified with improved activity over wild-type CrylC. The mutants were then evaluated in eight-dose bioassay against 5 * . exigua as described above. All five CrylC mutants gave a significantly lower LC 50 than wild-type CrylC (Table 10), comparable to EG11822 (R148A). One mutant, designated EG11832 (CrylC-R148D) gave a significantly lower LC 50 and LC 95 than EG 11822, indicating further improved toxicity towards S. exigua.
- Plasmids obtained from the transformants were introduced into the E. coli host strain DH5 ⁇ TM by competent cell transformation and used as templates for
- the strain harboring the crylC-R148D gene was designated EG1 1832.
- the nucleotide sequence of the crylC-R148D gene is shown in SEQ ID NO:3, and the amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO:4.
- the nucleotide substitutions C442G, G443A, and A444C yield the codon GAC, encoding aspartic acid.
- the CrylC-R148D mutant EG11832 exhibits a -6.5-fold lower LC 50 and a -8-fold lower LC 95 in bioassay against S. exigua when compared to the wild- type CrylC strain.
- crylC mutants of the present invention are summarized in Table 11. TABLE 11 SUMMARY OF CRYIC* STRAINS
- the B. thuringiensis host strain EG4923-4 may be used as a host strain for the native and mutant crylC genes of the present invention.
- Strain EG4923-4 contains three cryl Ac genes and one cry2A gene on native plasmids and exhibits excellent insecticidal activity against a variety of lepidopteran pests.
- the recombinant plasmids containing cry IC and crylC-R148A were designated pEG348 (FIG. 7) and pEG1641 (FIG. 8), respectively, and were similar in structure to the cryl plasmids described in U. S. Patent 5,441,884 (specifically inco ⁇ orated herein by reference).
- Strain EG4923-4 transformants containing plasmids pEG348 and pEG1641 were isolated on Luria plates containing 10 ⁇ g/ml tetracycline.
- Recombinant plasmid DNAs from the transformants were isolated by the alkaline lysis procedure described by Baum (1995) and confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis. The plasmid arrays of the transformants were further confirmed by the Eckhardt agarose gel analysis procedure described by Gonzalez Jr. et al, (1982). The EG4923-4 recombinant derivatives were designated EG4923-4/pEG348 and
- Patent 5,441,884 results in the deletion of non-5, thuringiensis DNA or foreign DNA elements from the crystal protein- encoding recombinant plasmids.
- the resulting recombinant B. thuringiensis strains are free of foreign DNA elements, a desirable feature for genetically engineered strains destined for use as bioinsecticides for spray-on application.
- Strains EG4923-4/pEG348 and EG4923-4/pEG1641 were modified using this in vivo site-specific recombination (SSR) system to generate two new strains (Table 12), designated EG7841-1 (alias EG11730) and EG7841-2 (alias EG11831).
- SSR site-specific recombination
- the recombinant plasmids in strains EG7841-1 and EG7841-2 were designated pEG348 ⁇ and pEG 1641 ⁇ , respectively.
- crylC-R148A gene on pEG1639 and the crylC-R148D gene on pEG1642 were used as templates for additional mutagenesis studies aimed at achieving further improvements in insecticidal activity.
- the lysine residue at position 219 (K219) was replaced with an alanine residue, using the PCRTM-based mutagenesis protocol described by Michael (1994) and the mutagenic oligonucleotide primer J: Primer J: (SEQ ID NO:62) 5'-CGGGGATTAAATAATTTACCGGCTAGCACGTATCAAGATTGGATAAC-3' Primer J also inco ⁇ orates a unique Nhel site (underlined above) that can be used to distinguish the original gene from the mutant gene by restriction enzyme analysis.
- the PCRTM- mediated mutagenesis reactions employed the flanking primers H (SEQ ID NO:52) and F (SEQ ID NO:20), the mutagenic oligonucleotide primer J (SEQ ID NO:62), and pEG1639 (crylC- R148A) as a template.
- 5 units of Taq ExtenderTM (Stratagene) were included to improve the efficiency of amplification with Taq polymerase.
- the amplified products from the mutagenesis reaction were resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis and the amplified DNA fragment inco ⁇ orating the mutagenic oligonucleotide primer J was excised from the gel and purified using the Geneclean II® procedure. This DNA fragment was cleaved with the restriction endonucleases Bbul and Agel.
- crylC plasmid pEG345 (FIG. 3) was cleaved with Bbul and Agel, treated with calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase (Boehringer Mannheim Co ⁇ .), and the resulting DNA fragments resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis.
- the larger vector fragment was excised from the gel and purified using the Geneclean II® procedure.
- the pEG345 vector fragment was subsequently ligated to the amplified crylC fragment recovered from the mutagenesis reaction and the ligation products used to transform E.
- Plasmid DNAs were prepared from the broth cultures using the alkaline lysis method, digested with the restriction enzyme Nhel, and resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis to distinguish clones inco ⁇ orating the mutagenic sequence of primer J and therefore encoding the alanine substitution at position 219. Inco ⁇ oration of the mutant sequence into crylC-R148A was confirmed by DNA sequence analysis. Plasmid DNAs from four recombinant E. coli clones were used to transform the acrystalliferous B. thuringiensis strain EG10368 to chloramphenicol resistance using electroporation.
- Plasmid DNAs were prepared from broth cultures of selected ampicillin resistant clones using the alkaline lysis method, digested with the restriction enzyme Nhel, and resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis to distinguish clones inco ⁇ orating the mutagenic sequence of primer J and therefore encoding the alanine substitution at position 219. Inco ⁇ oration of the mutant sequence into crylC-R148D was confirmed by DNA sequence analysis. Recombinant plasmids from three mutant clones were used to transform the acrystalliferous B. thuringiensis strain EG 10368 to chloramphenicol resistance using electroporation.
- EG12121 was designated pEG943 (FIG. 9).
- Strains EG12115 (CrylC wild-type), EG 11822 (CrylC-R148A), EG12111 (CrylC- R148A K219A), EG11832 (CrylC-R148D), and EG12121 (CrylC-R148D K219A) were grown in C2 medium as described in Example 4.
- the spore-Cry IC crystal suspensions recovered from the spent C2 cultures were used for bioassay evaluation against neonate larvae of Spodoptera exigua and Trichoplusia ni as described in Example 4. In two sets of replicated eight-dose bioassays against S.
- Additional combinatorial mutants were constructed using crylC-R148D K219A, contained on pEG943, as a template for PCRTM-mediated mutagenesis.
- a modification of the overlap extension PCRTM procedure (Horton et al, 1989) was used to generate these combinatorial mutants (FIG. 10). Briefly, a PCRTM was performed using pEG943 as a template and the opposing primers H (SEQ ID NO:52) and F (SEQ ID NO:20).
- the amplified DNA fragment contained the R148D mutation as well as the unique Nhel restriction site marking the nucleotide substitutions encoding the K219A mutation in loop ⁇ 6-7.
- This PCR was performed using Taq polymerase and Taq ExtenderTM and following the protocol recommended by Stratagene.
- a second DNA fragment was amplified by the PCRTM using pEG943 as a template and the mutagenic oligonucleotide primer K (SEQ ID NO:63) and the opposing primer L (SEQ ID NO:64).
- the PCRTM was performed using the thermostable polymerase Deep VentTM and following the protocol recommended by New England Biolabs, Inc.
- Primer K (SEQ ID NO:63) 5'-CGGGGATTAAATAATTTACCGAAANNAACGTATCAAGATTGGATAAC-3'
- Primer L (SEQ ID NO:64) 5'-GGATAGCACTCATCAAAGGTACC-3'
- the mutagenic primer K inco ⁇ orated mutations in the codon for serine (S) at position 220 of CrylC.
- Six different amino acid substitutions are predicted from the mutagenesis procedure: arginine (R), alanine (A), glutamic acid (E), glutamine (Q), glycine (G), and proline (P).
- the mutagenic primer K also eliminates the unique Nhel site in pEG943 and restores the lysine residue at position 219.
- crylC clones inco ⁇ orating this primer and containing substitutions at S220 can be distinguished from the template crylC-R148A K219A gene by the loss of the Nhel site.
- the amplified DNA fragments were purified following agarose gel electrophoresis using the Geneclean II® procedure.
- To perform the overlap extension PCRTM approximately equimolar amounts of the two DNA fragments were mixed together and amplified using the flanking primers H (SEQ ID NO:52) and L (SEQ ID NO:64). Annealing of complementary strands from the two DNA fragments allows for extension from their 3' ends (FIG. 10). Fully extended strands can then serve as templates for amplification using the flanking primers.
- the resulting amplified DNA fragment was purified following agarose gel electrophoresis using the Geneclean II® procedure and digested with the restriction endonucleases Bbul and Agel.
- the Bbul- Agel restriction fragment containing the 5' portion of the crylC gene was purified following agarose gel electrophoresis using the Geneclean II® procedure.
- the crylC plasmid, pEG943, (FIG. 9) was cleaved with Bbul, Nhel, and Agel, treated with calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase, and the resulting DNA fragments resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis.
- the vector fragment was excised from the gel and purified using the Geneclean II® procedure.
- the pEG943 vector fragment was subsequently ligated to the amplified crylC fragments recovered from the overlap extension PCRTM and the ligation products used to transform E. coli SureTM cells (Stratagene) to ampicillin resistance using electroporation.
- E. coli SureTM cells (Stratagene)
- Several hundred ampicillin resistant colonies were harvested from Luria plates containing 50 ⁇ g/ml ampicillin, suspended in 10 ml of Luria broth containing 50 ⁇ g/ml ampicillin, and allowed to grow at 37°C for 1 hour with agitation.
- Recombinant plasmids from the culture were isolated using the alkaline lysis procedure. Approximately 0.1 -1.0 microgram of the cry7C plasmid preparation was digested with
- Nhel to linearize plasmid molecules harboring the Nhel site of pEG943.
- the plasmid preparation was then used to transform the acrystalliferous B. thuringiensis strain EG10650 to chloramphenicol resistance using electroporation. Because linear DNAs do not transform B. thuringiensis efficiently, this Nhel cleavage step ensures that virtually all of the clones recovered from the transformation encode substitutions at position 220 and lysine at position 219.
- N (17) 33.3% C; 33.3% G; 33.3% A Position 218: Primer N (SEQ ID NO:66) 5'-CGGGGATTAAATAATTTANNAAAAAGCACGTATCAAGATTGGATAAC-3'
- Table 15 lists the CrylC mutants expected from the mutagenesis procedure.
- N (29) 25% C; 25% G; 25% A; 25% T A PCRTM using the opposing primers H (SEQ ID NO:52) and F (SEQ ID NO:20) and plasmid pEG943 as a template was first performed to generate a DNA fragment containing the R148D and K219A mutations as well as the unique Nhel restriction site marking the K219A mutation (FIG. 10).
- PCRs were run using a mutagenic primer (e.g., primer R) and the opposing primer L (SEQ ID NO: 64) (FIG. 11). The amplified DNA fragments were purified following agarose gel electrophoresis using the Geneclean II® procedure.
- EGl 0650 transformants containing mutant crylC genes were grown in C2 medium, the spore-crystal protein suspensions recovered, and one-dose bioassays performed against neonate larvae of S. exigua and T. ni as described in Example 4.
- Strain EGl 1832 (CrylC-R148D) was used as the control strain in these bioassays. Dilutions of the spore-crystal suspensions were typically adjusted to obtain 20-40% mortality with strain EGl 1832.
- Replicated one-dose screens of the CrylC-R148D combinatorial mutants identified several mutants with increased mortality. Sixteen of these mutants were grown again in C2 medium and their CrylC crystal proteins quantified as described in Example 4.
- RNA polymerase enzyme messenger RNA
- mRNA messenger RNA
- 3' non-translated region which adds polyadenylate nucleotides to the 3' end of the RNA.
- Transcription of DNA into mRNA is regulated by a region of DNA usually referred to as the "promoter".
- the promoter region contains a sequence of bases that signals RNA polymerase to associate with the DNA and to initiate the transcription of mRNA using one of the
- DNA strands as a template to make a corresponding strand of RNA.
- promoters which are active in plant cells have been described in the literature. Such promoters may be obtained from plants or plant viruses and include, but are not limited to, the nopaline synthase (NOS) and octopine synthase (OCS) promoters (which are carried on tumor-inducing plasmids of Agrobacterium tumefaciens), the cauliflower mosaic virus
- Crom 19S and 35S promoters
- ssRUBISCO ribulose 1 ,5-bisphosphate carboxylase
- FMV Figwort Mosaic Virus
- the particular promoter selected should be capable of causing sufficient expression of the enzyme coding sequence to result in the production of an effective amount of protein.
- One set of preferred promoters are constitutive promoters such as the CaMV35S or FMV35S promoters that yield high levels of expression in most plant organs (U. S. Patent No. 5,378,619, specifically incorporated herein by reference).
- Another set of preferred promoters are root enhanced or specific promoters such as the CaMV derived 4 as-1 promoter or the wheat POX1 promoter (U. S. Patent No. 5,023,179, specifically incorporated herein by reference; Hertig et al, 1991).
- the root enhanced or specific promoters would be particularly preferred for the control of corn rootworm (Diabroticus spp.) in transgenic corn plants.
- the promoters used in the DNA constructs (i.e. chimeric plant genes) of the present invention may be modified, if desired, to affect their control characteristics.
- the CaMV35S promoter may be ligated to the portion of the ssRUBISCO gene that represses the expression of ssRUBISCO in the absence of light, to create a promoter which is active in leaves but not in roots.
- the resulting chimeric promoter may be used as described herein.
- the phrase "CaMV35S" promoter thus includes variations of CaMV35S promoter, e.g., promoters derived by means of ligation with operator regions, random or controlled mutagenesis, etc.
- the promoters may be altered to contain multiple
- the RNA produced by a DNA construct of the present invention also contains a 5' non-translated leader sequence.
- This sequence can be derived from the promoter selected to express the gene, and can be specifically modified so as to increase translation of the mRNA.
- the 5' non-translated regions can also be obtained from viral RNA's, from suitable eucaryotic genes, or from a synthetic gene sequence.
- the present invention is not limited to constructs wherein the non-translated region is derived from the 5' non-translated sequence that accompanies the promoter sequence.
- an intron should also be included in the DNA expression construct. This intron would typically be placed near the
- This intron could be obtained from, but not limited to, a set of introns consisting of the maize hsp70 intron (U. S. Patent No. 5,424,412; specifically incorporated herein by reference) or the rice Actl intron (McElroy et al, 1990). As shown below, the maize hsp70 intron is useful in the present invention.
- the 3' non-translated region of the chimeric plant genes of the present invention contains a polyadenylation signal which functions in plants to cause the addition of adenylate nucleotides to the 3' end of the RNA.
- Examples of preferred 3' regions are (1) the 3' transcribed, non-translated regions containing the polyadenylate signal of Agrobacterium tumor- inducing (Ti) plasmid genes, such as the nopaline synthase (NOS) gene and (2) plant genes such as the pea ssRUBISCO E9 gene (Fischhoff et al , 1987).
- Ti Agrobacterium tumor- inducing
- NOS nopaline synthase
- plant genes such as the pea ssRUBISCO E9 gene (Fischhoff et al , 1987).
- a chimeric transgene containing a structural coding sequence of the present invention can be inserted into the genome of a plant by any suitable method such as those detailed herein.
- Suitable plant transformation vectors include those derived from a Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens, as well as those disclosed, e.g., by Herrera-Estrella (1983), Bevan (1983), Klee
- cry* variants disclosed herein For efficient expression of the cry* variants disclosed herein in transgenic plants, the gene encoding the variants must have a suitable sequence composition (Diehn et al, 1996). To place a cry* gene in a vector suitable for expression in monocotyledonous plants
- the vector is digested with appropriate enzymes such as Nc l and EcoRl.
- appropriate enzymes such as Nc l and EcoRl.
- the larger vector band of approximately 4.6 kb is then electrophoresed, purified, and ligated with T4 D ⁇ A ligase to the appropriate restriction fragment containing the plantized cry* gene.
- the ligation mix is then transformed into E. coli, carbenicillin resistant colonies recovered and plasmid D ⁇ A recovered by D ⁇ A miniprep procedures.
- the D ⁇ A may then be subjected to restriction endonuclease analysis with enzymes such as Ncol and EcoRl (together), Notl, and Pstl to identify clones containing the cry* gene coding sequence fused to the hsp70 intron under control of the enhanced CaMV35S promoter).
- enzymes such as Ncol and EcoRl (together), Notl, and Pstl to identify clones containing the cry* gene coding sequence fused to the hsp70 intron under control of the enhanced CaMV35S promoter).
- the restriction fragment from pMO ⁇ 33708 containing the lysine oxidase coding sequence fused to the hsp70 intron under control of the enhanced CaMV35S promoter may be isolated by gel electrophoresis and purification. This fragment can then be ligated with a vector such as pMON30460 treated with Notl and calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase (pMO ⁇ 30460 contains the neomycin phosphotransferase coding sequence under control of the CaMV35S promoter). Kanamycin resistant colonies may then be obtained by transformation of this ligation mix into E.
- Gazit and Shai "The assembly and organization of the ⁇ 5 and ⁇ 7 helices from the pore-forming domain of Bacillus thuringiensis ⁇ -endotoxin, " J. Biol. Chem., 270:2571-2578, 1995. Gazit and Shai, "Structural and functional characterization of the ⁇ 5 segment of Bacillus thuringiensis ⁇ -endotoxin," Biochemistry, 32:3429-3436, 1993. Ge, Rivers, Milne, Dean, "Functional domains of Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal crystal proteins: refinement of Heliothis virescens and Trichoplusia ni specificity domains on
- Hertig et al "Sequence and tissue-specific expression of a putative peroxidase gene from wheat
- Kessler et al In: RNA Processing, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, p. 85, 1988. Klee et al, Bio/Technology, 3:637, 1985.
- Peferoen "A Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal crystal protein with a high activity against members of the family Noctuidae," Appl Environ. Microbiol, 62:80-86, 1996.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (8)
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APAP/P/1999/001542A AP9901542A0 (en) | 1996-11-27 | 1997-11-26 | DNA encoding lepidopteran-active delta-endotoxins and its use. |
JP52491798A JP2001506490A (en) | 1996-11-27 | 1997-11-26 | DNA encoding lepidopteran-active delta-endotoxin and uses thereof |
EA199900503A EA199900503A1 (en) | 1996-11-27 | 1997-11-26 | DNA ENCODING ACTIVE DELTA-ENDOTOXINS OF SCALVAL INSECTS AND ITS USE |
IL13008297A IL130082A0 (en) | 1996-11-27 | 1997-11-26 | Dna encoding lepidopteran-active delta-endotoxins and its use |
BR9713555-0A BR9713555A (en) | 1996-11-27 | 1997-11-26 | DNA encoding active delta-endotoxins for lepidopterans and their use |
CA002272847A CA2272847A1 (en) | 1996-11-27 | 1997-11-26 | Dna encoding lepidopteran-active delta-endotoxins and its use |
AU53717/98A AU745431B2 (en) | 1996-11-27 | 1997-11-26 | DNA encoding lepidopteran-active delta-endotoxins and its use |
EP97950819A EP0942929A1 (en) | 1996-11-27 | 1997-11-26 | Dna encoding lepidopteran-active delta-endotoxins and its use |
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US08/757,536 US5942664A (en) | 1996-11-27 | 1996-11-27 | Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1C compositions toxic to lepidopteran insects and methods for making Cry1C mutants |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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EP0942929A1 (en) | 1999-09-22 |
EA199900503A1 (en) | 2000-02-28 |
US6033874A (en) | 2000-03-07 |
US5942664A (en) | 1999-08-24 |
US20030195336A1 (en) | 2003-10-16 |
IL130082A0 (en) | 2000-02-29 |
ID23695A (en) | 2000-05-11 |
AU5371798A (en) | 1998-06-22 |
JP2001506490A (en) | 2001-05-22 |
US20030101482A1 (en) | 2003-05-29 |
US7256017B2 (en) | 2007-08-14 |
AP9901542A0 (en) | 1999-06-30 |
US6313378B1 (en) | 2001-11-06 |
BR9713555A (en) | 2000-01-25 |
US20040221334A1 (en) | 2004-11-04 |
CO4930292A1 (en) | 2000-06-27 |
US5914318A (en) | 1999-06-22 |
US6423828B1 (en) | 2002-07-23 |
US6809078B2 (en) | 2004-10-26 |
CA2272847A1 (en) | 1998-06-04 |
AR010662A1 (en) | 2000-06-28 |
US6825006B2 (en) | 2004-11-30 |
US6153814A (en) | 2000-11-28 |
TR199901179T2 (en) | 1999-11-22 |
AU745431B2 (en) | 2002-03-21 |
US6177615B1 (en) | 2001-01-23 |
CN1245502A (en) | 2000-02-23 |
ZA9710431B (en) | 1998-06-10 |
OA11258A (en) | 2003-07-22 |
US20050155103A1 (en) | 2005-07-14 |
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