Bacillus thuringiensis apr and npr genes, apr and npr B.t. strains, and method of use
US5759538A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jun 2, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12N9/54
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention is based on the discovery, isolation, sequencing and characterization of two protease genes present in Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.). One is an alkaline protease gene generally designated "apr. " The other is a neutral protease gene generally designated "npr." The invention also includes genetically disabling the apr and the npr genes to reduce proteolytic activity of the proteases encoded by the genes, and using the disabled genes in insecticidal B.t. constructs along with one or more B.t. protein toxin genes. These resulting B.t. constructs are useful for the enhanced production of B.t. toxin protein. The B.t. toxin protein recovered from the fermentation production of these B.t. constructs also exhibits improved stability with respect to its insecticidal activity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.