E.i. Dupont De Nemours and Company

Pioneer Hi-bred International, Inc.

James F Wong

Billy Fred McCutchen

Rafael Herrmann

Albert Laurence Lu

Andre R Abad

James Kevin Presnail

Janet Ann Rice

Ronald D Flannagan

Cao-Guo Yu

Cao Guo Yu

Janet A Rice

Billy F Mccutchen

Hua Dong

Eric J Schepers

Howard P Hershey

André Abad

Edward J Ralston

Carol D Katayama

Timothy D Stoner

Rebecca E Cahoon

Carl R Simmons

Leslie T Harvell

Pedro A Navarro Acevedo

Zude Weng

Jian-Ming Lee

Rafael Herman

Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding insect protoxins modified to comprise at least one proteolytic activation site that is sensitive to a plant protease or an insect gut protease are provided. Cleavage of the modified protoxin at the proteolytic activation site by a protease produces an active insect toxin. Methods of using the modified insect protoxin nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides they encode to protect a plant from an insect pest are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention further provide modified insect protoxin compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.

Nucleic acid molecules encodng a cathepsin L-like cysteine protease

Plant activation of insect toxin

In particular aspects of the invention, nucleic acid molecules encoding novel proteases identified in the midgut of(i.e., western corn rootworm) are provided. The nucleotide sequences encode novel cysteine proteases that belong to the cathepsin L-like subfamily of proteases. Variants and fragments of the nucleotide sequences that encode polypeptide sequences that possess proteolytic activity are further disclosed. Methods of using the nucleic acid sequences that encode novel proteases to protect a plant from an insect pest are provided. Particular embodiments also provide vectors, expression cassettes and transformed host cells comprising a protease nucleic acid of the invention.

Nucleic acid molecules encoding cysteine proteases

Exogenous proteases for plant activation of insect toxin

Methods of creating and enhancing insect resistance in plants by introducing non-plant lipases into plants are provided. Plants with enhanced insect resistance and seed from plants thereof are provided. DNA sequences encoding insecticidal lipases and insecticidal lipase gene products that are useful in the practice of this invention are also provided. The compositions and methods of the invention may be used in a variety of agricultural systems for controlling pests, including propagating lineages of insect-resistant crops and targeting expression of these insecticidal lipases to plant organs that are particularly susceptible to infestation, such as roots and leaves.

Methods of using non-plant insecticidal lipase encoding nucleic acids in transgenic plants

Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. The invention provides mutagenized nucleic acids that have been engineered to encode pesticidal polypeptides having increased resistance to proteolytic degradation by a plant protease. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding pesticidal polypeptides modified to comprise a proteolytic protection site that confers resistance to degradation or proteolytic inactivation by a plant protease are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention provide expression cassettes and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds. These compositions find use in methods for protecting a plant from a pest.

Genes encoding plant protease-resistant pesticidal proteins and method of their use

Methods of using non-plant lipase encoding nucleic acids

Methods and compositions for modulating development and defense responses are provided. Nucleotide sequences encoding defensin proteins are provided. The sequences can be used in expression cassettes for modulating development, developmental pathways, and defense responses. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided.

Defensin polynucleotides and methods of use

Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. The invention provides mutagenized nucleic acids that have been engineered to encode pesticidal polypeptides having increased resistance to proteolytic degradation by a plant protease. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding pesticidal polypeptides modified to comprise a proteolytic protection site that confers resistance to degradation or proteolytic inactivation by a plant protease are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention provide pesticidal polypeptide compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests. Novel plant proteases, sequences encoding these proteases, and methods for their use are also provided.

Genes encoding proteins with pesticidal activity

Plant activation of Cry8Bb1 by insertion of a plant protease-sensitive site

Methods of using non-plant encoding nucleic acids

This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a defensin which shares a high degree of sequence identity with the disclosed sequences from , and Argiope spp. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the defensin, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the defensin in a transformed host cell.

Arthropod defensins of Scolopendra canidens, Vaejovis carolinianus, and Argiope spp.

This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding scorpion toxins that are Na-channel modifiers. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a substantial portion of the Na-channel modifier, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the Na-channel modifier in a transformed host cell.

Scorpion toxins

This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding scorpion toxins that are K-channel modifiers. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a substantial portion of the K-channel modifier, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the K-channel modifier in a transformed host cell.

Scorpian toxins

Growing community of inventors

Johnston, IA, United States of America

James F Wong