Zeneca Limited

Edward Joseph Vonarx

Margaret Isabel Tyler

Merlin Evelyn Howden

Ronald Keith Atkinson

The invention relates to insect viruses and plants which express an exogenous polypeptide derived from spiders of the genus Atrax or Hadronyche, which polypeptide is toxic to insects. The polypeptide has a molecular weight of approximately 4000 amu,) containing 36-37 Gino acids, and is capable of forming three intrachain disulfide bridges. Polyiucleotides which encode the polypeptide, insectidoidal compositions and methods of controlling insect infestation of crops are also included.

Insecticidal toxins derived from funnel web (atrax or hadronyche) spiders

The invention relates to toxins from venom of Australian funnel web spider species. Eight toxins are specifically exemplified. The toxins have a molecular weight of approximately 4000 amu., containing 36-37 amino acids, and are capable of forming 3 intrachain disulphide bridges. Polynucleotides which encode the toxins, insect viruses and plants which express the toxins and variants of the toxins are also included.

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Jan Juc, Australia

Edward Joseph Vonarx