Insecticidal proteins

摘要

Compositions and methods for controlling plant pests are disclosed. In particular, novel engineered hybrid insecticidal proteins (eHIPs) having toxicity to at least corn rootworm are provided. By fusing unique combinations of complete or partial variable regions and conserved blocks of at least two different Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry proteins or a modified Cry proteins an eHIP having activity against corn rootworm is designed. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the novel eHIPs are also provided. Methods of making the eHIPs and methods of using the eHIPs and nucleic acids encoding the eHIPs of the invention, for example in transgenic plants to confer protection from insect damage are also disclosed.

主权项

1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an engineered hybrid insecticidal protein comprising in an N-terminus to C-terminus direction an N-terminal region of a Cry3A protein fused to a C-terminal region of a Cry1Aa or Cry1Ab protein, wherein at least one crossover position between the Cry3A protein and the Cry1Aa or Cry1Ab protein is located in conserved block 2, conserved block 3 or variable region 4, and optionally comprising:
(a) at the C-terminus a protoxin tail region of a Bt Cry protein; or (b) at the N-terminus a peptidyl fragment; or (c) both (a) and (b),wherein the engineered hybrid insecticidal protein has at least 80% identity to SEQ ID NO:64 and has insecticidal activity against western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera).