Expression of Cry3B Insecticidal Protein in Plants

Abstract

The present invention discloses methods and compositions comprising a group of novel expression cassettes which provide significantly improved levels of accumulation of Coleopteran inhibitory Cry3B and Cry3B variant amino acid sequences when these are expressed in plants. The preferred embodiments of the invention provide at least up to ten fold higher levels of insect controlling protein relative to the highest levels obtained using prior compositions. In particular, transgenic maize expressing higher levels of a protein designed to exhibit increased toxicity toward Coleopteran pests deliver superior levels of insect protection and are less likely to sponsor development of populations of target insects that are resistant to the insecticidally active protein.

1 .- 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . A transgenic corn plant for controlling coleopteran insect pest infestation, said plant comprising a Cry3B protein the amino acid sequence of which is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:10 and SEQ ID NO:16, and wherein said plant is supplemented with an insecticidally effective amount of a protein different from said Cry3B, said different protein being selected from the group consisting of a Cry3A, a Cry3D, a CryET33 and CryET34, a CryET70, a CryET29, a Cry6A, a Cry6B, a Cry8B, an insecticidal acyl lipid hydrolase, a VIP1, a VIP3, and variants thereof. 
     
     
         49 . The transgenic corn plant of  claim 48  wherein said coleopteran insect pest is a  Diabrotica  species. 
     
     
         50 . The transgenic corn plant of  claim 48  wherein said protein different from said Cry3B is a Cry3A variant. 
     
     
         51 . A seed of the plant of  claim 50  which gives rise to plants comprising the Cry3B protein and the Cry3A variant.