Patent · US Expired

Method for inhibiting insects with an insect cadherin ectodomain

US7396813B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
3References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 21, 2005
Grant dateJul 8, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 4, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02A40/146
  • WIPO fieldBiotechnology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The subject invention pertains to the use of peptide fragments of cadherins (including cadherin-like proteins). The subject invention includes a cell (and use thereof) comprising a polynucleotide that expresses the peptide fragment. The subject invention includes methods of feeding the peptides to insects. In preferred embodiments, the peptides are fed to target insects together with one or more insecticidal proteins, preferably (but not limited to) B.t. Cry proteins. When used in this manner, the peptide fragment can not only enhance the apparent toxin activity of the Cry protein against the insect species that was the source of the receptor but also against other insect species. Preferably, the cadherin is a Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) insecticidal crystal protein (Cry) toxin receptor. Preferably, the peptide fragment is a binding domain of the receptor. In some preferred embodiments, the peptide is the binding domain nearest to the membrane proximal ectodomain. Corresponding domains are identifiable in a variety of B.t. toxin receptors.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.