Insecticidal proteins

Abstract

Compositions and methods for controlling plant pests are disclosed. In particular, novel engineered hybrid insecticidal proteins having toxicity to at least European corn borer are provided. By fusing unique combinations of complete or partial variable regions and conserved blocks of at least two different Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry proteins or a modified Cry proteins a hybrid insecticidal protein having activity against at least European corn borer is designed. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the novel hybrid proteins are also provided. Methods of making the hybrid proteins and methods of using the hybrid proteins and nucleic acids encoding the hybrid proteins of the invention, for example in transgenic plants to confer protection from insect damage are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An engineered hybrid insecticidal protein comprising in an N-terminus to C-terminus direction an N-terminal region of a Cry1Ab protein fused to a C-terminal region of a Cry3A protein, wherein at least one crossover position between the Cry1Ab protein and the Cry3A protein is located in conserved block 3, wherein the engineered hybrid insecticidal protein is active against European corn borer and (a) comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity to SEQ ID NO:46; or (b) is encoded by a nucleotide sequence having at least 95% identity to SEQ ID NO:45. 
     
     
         2 . The engineered hybrid insecticidal protein according to  claim 1 , wherein the Cry3A is a Cry3Aa or a modified Cry3Aa. 
     
     
         3 . The engineered hybrid insecticidal protein according to  claim 2 , wherein (a) the Cry3Aa comprises SEQ ID NO:68 or SEQ ID NO:135, or (b) the modified Cry3Aa comprises SEQ ID NO:70, and wherein the Cry1Ab comprises SEQ ID NO:72. 
     
     
         4 . The engineered hybrid insecticidal protein according  claim 3 , wherein a crossover position between Cry1Ab and Cry3A or Cry1Ab and modified Cry3A is located in conserved block 3 immediately following an amino acid corresponding to Leu476 of SEQ ID NO:72. 
     
     
         5 . The engineered hybrid insecticidal protein according  claim 4 , wherein a crossover position between Cry1Ab and Cry3A or Cry1Ab and modified Cry3A is located in conserved block 3 immediately following Leu476 of SEQ ID NO:72. 
     
     
         6 . The engineered hybrid insecticidal protein according to  claim 1 , wherein the protein comprises SEQ ID NO:46. 
     
     
         7 . The engineered hybrid insecticidal protein according to  claim 1 , wherein the nucleotide sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:45. 
     
     
         8 . An insecticidal composition comprising the engineered hybrid insecticidal protein according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A method of controlling insect pests, comprising delivering to the insect pests an effective amount of the engineered insecticidal protein according to  claim 1 .