National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences

Kazuei Mita

Masahiko Watanabe

Takahiro Kikawada

Takashi Okuda

Keiko Kadono

An objective of the present invention is to provide polynucleotides encoding insect desiccation resistance proteins, and uses thereof cDNA libraries were produced fromlarvae in a desiccated state, aEST database was constructed, and genes encoding LEA proteins were isolated. This resulted in the successful isolation of three types of novel gene encoding LEA-like proteins (PvLEA1, PvLEA2, and PvLEA3.) When secondary structure predictions and motif searches were performed on the proteins deduced from each of the genes, all three proteins had &#x3b1;-helix-rich structures and LEA_4 motifs, which are characteristic of LEA proteins. Moreover, the recombinant proteins synthesized from PvLEA1, 2 and 3 genes were heat soluble even when boiling, so that PvLEA1, 2 and 3 proteins have highly hydrophilic property as well as plant LEA proteins. Therefore, the three isolated genes were found to be novel-derived LEA genes. Furthermore, introduction of these PvLEA 1, 2 and 3 genes into animal cells successfully conferred desiccation resistance to the cells. The present invention provides the first example of LEA genes isolated from insects.

Insect desiccation resistance genes and uses thereof

An objective of the present invention is to provide polynucleotides encoding insect desiccation resistance proteins, and uses thereof. cDNA libraries were produced fromlarvae in a desiccated state, aEST database was constructed, and genes encoding LEA proteins were isolated. This resulted in the successful isolation of three types of novel gene encoding LEA-like proteins. When secondary structure predictions and motif searches were performed on the proteins deduced from each of the genes, all three proteins had &#x3b1;-helix-rich structures and LEA_4 motifs, which are characteristic of LEA proteins. Moreover, the recombinant proteins synthesized from these genes were heat soluble even when boiling, so that these proteins have hydrophilic properties as high as plant LEA proteins. Therefore, the three isolated genes were found to be novel-derived LEA genes. Furthermore, introduction of these genes into animal cells successfully conferred desiccation resistance to the cells.

An objective of the present invention is to provide polynucleotides encoding insect desiccation resistance proteins, and uses thereof. cDNA libraries were produced fromlarvae in a desiccated state, aEST database was constructed, and genes encoding LEA proteins were isolated. This resulted in the successful isolation of three types of novel gene encoding LEA-like proteins. When secondary structure predictions and motif searches were performed on the proteins deduced from each of the genes, all three proteins had &#x3b1;-helix-rich structures and LEA_4 motifs, which are characteristic of LEA proteins. Moreover, the recombinant proteins synthesized from these genes were heat soluble even when boiling, so that these proteins have hydrophilic property as high as plant LEA proteins. Therefore, the three isolated genes were found to be novel-derived LEA genes. Furthermore, introduction of these genes into animal cells successfully conferred desiccation resistance to the cells.

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Tsukuba, Japan

Kazuei Mita