Mycogen Corporation

Mark Thompson

George E Schwab

Gregory A Bradfisch

Kenneth Edwin Narva

August J Sick

Jewel M Payne

H Ernest Schnepf

Guy A Cardineau

Mark E Knuth

Judy Muller-Cohn

Jenny M Fu

Brian A Stockhoff

Edward R Wilcox

Frank H Gaertner

David L Edwards

Paul Culver

The subject invention pertains to . toxins active against pests. More specifically, the subject invention pertains to truncated Cry6A toxins. These activated toxins are particularly effective for controlling coleopteran pests such as the corn rootworm and the alfalfa weevil.

Bacillus thuringiensis toxins with improved activity

The subject invention concerns materials and methods useful in the control of pests and, particularly, plant pests. More specifically, the subject invention concerns novel genes and pesticidal toxins referred to as 86A1(b) and 52A1(b). In preferred embodiments, the subject toxins are used for controlling flea beetles of the genus Phyllotreta. Using the genes described herein, the transformation of plants can be accomplished using techniques known to those skilled in the art. In addition, the subject invention provides toxin genes optimized for expression in plants.

Bacillus thuringiensis toxins and genes for controlling coleopteran pests

The subject invention concerns materials and methods useful in the control of pests and, particularly, the plant pests. More specifically, the subject invention concerns novel genes and pesticidal toxins referred to as 86A1(b) and 52A1(b). In preferred embodiments, the subject toxins are used for controlling flea beetles of the genus Phyllotreta. Using the genes described herein, the transformation of plants can be accomplished using techniques known to those skilled in the art. In addition, the subject invention provides toxin genes optimized for expression in plants.

The subject invention pertains to B.t. toxins active against pests. More specifically, the subject invention pertains to truncated Cry6A toxins. These activated toxins are particularly effective for controlling coleopteran pests such as the corn rootworm and the alfalfa weevil.

The invention concerns novel hybrid pesticidal toxins. These toxins are expressed as the fusion protein of a chimeric gene. Specifically exemplified is a novel B.t. hybrid toxin. These novel toxins have increased toxicity against target pests. The invention also concerns a process for preparing a hybrid virus having an altered insect host range.

Hybrid pesticidal toxins

Bacillus thuringiensis isolates, toxins, and genes for controlling

Bacillus thuringiensis .delta.-endotoxin

Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin expression in Pseudomonads can be improved by modifying the gene encoding the Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin. Chimeric genes are created by replacing the segment of the Bacillus thuringiensis gene encoding a native protoxin with a segment encoding a different protoxin. Exemplified herein is the cryIF/cryI(b) chimera wherein the native cryIF protoxin segment has been substituted by the cryIA(b) protoxin segment, to yield improved expression of the cryIF toxin in Pseudomonads. The invention also concerns novel genes and plasmids.

.beta.-Endotoxin expression in pseudomonas fluorescens

Disclosed are compositions and processes for controlling lepidopteran pests. These compositions comprise synergistic combinations of a CryIF chimeric and CryIA(c) chimeric Bacillus thuringiensis .delta.-endotoxin. These compositions have been found to exhibit excellent activity against lepidopteran pests.

Pesticidal compositions

An improved Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) delta-endotoxin is created by the modification of the gene encoding the toxin. The toxicity of a B.t. toxin was improved by replacing the native protoxin segment with an alternate protoxin segment by constructing a chimeric toxin gene.

Bacillus thuringiensis delta-endotoxin

Delta-endotoxin expression in pseudomonas fluorescens

The invention concerns a novel isolate of Bacillus thuringiensis which has activity against protozoans. Thus, this isolate, designated PS81F, or the purified protein toxin, or inclusion bodies from this isolate, can be used to treat humans and animals hosting a parasitic protozoan. Further, the gene encoding the toxin can be transferred to a suitable host via a biological vector, e.g., a plasmid or virus.

Bacillus thuringiensis anti-giardia treatment

This invention concerns novel gene probes which can be used to identify DNA from Bacillus thuringiensis microbes which encode protein endotoxins. The invention probes greatly facilitate the search for useful microbes hosting genes which encode toxins.

Growing community of inventors

Del Mar, CA, United States of America

Mark Thompson