MODIFIED Cry1Ca TOXINS USEFUL FOR CONTROL OF INSECT PESTS

Abstract

The subject invention concerns Bacillus thuringiensis modified Cry1Ca insecticidal toxins and the polynucleotide sequences which encode these toxins. Uses in transgenic plants are described as are methods for protecting crops from insect pest damage.

1 . A liquid formulation or bait granule comprising a modified Cry1Ca toxin comprising residues 2 to 68 of SEQ ID NO:2 wherein amino acid residue 54 of SEQ ID NO: 2 is Ala, amino acid residue 57 of SEQ ID NO: 2 is selected from the group consisting of Leu and Met, and amino acid residue 68 of SEQ ID NO: 2 is selected from the group consisting of Val, Phe, and Ile. 
     
     
         2 . A liquid formulation or bait granule comprising a modified Cry1Ca toxin comprising residues 2 to 628 of SEQ ID NO:10 wherein amino acid residue 54 is Ala, amino acid residue 57 is selected from the group consisting of Leu and Met, amino acid residue 68 is selected from the group consisting of Val, Phe, and Ile, amino acid residue 73 is selected from the group consisting of Trp, Ala and Met, amino acid residue 596 is selected from the group consisting of Phe, Met and Ala, and amino acid residue 620 is selected from the group consisting of Leu and Phe. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid formulation or bait granule of  claim 1  further comprising to said modified Cry1Ca toxins a carboxy terminal extension consisting of amino acid residues 629 to 1164 of SEQ ID NO:36. 
     
     
         4 . The liquid formulation or bait granule of  claim 2  further comprising to said modified Cry1Ca toxins a carboxy terminal extension consisting of amino acid residues 629 to 1164 of SEQ ID NO:36. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid formulation or bait granule of  claim 1  further comprising to said modified Cry1Ca toxins an amino terminal extension consisting of amino acid residues 1 to 74 of SEQ ID NO:40. 
     
     
         6 . The liquid formulation or bait granule of  claim 2  further comprising to said modified Cry1Ca toxins an amino terminal extension consisting of amino acid residues 1 to 74 of SEQ ID NO:40. 
     
     
         7 . The liquid formulation or bait granule of  claim 3  further comprising to said modified Cry1Ca toxins an amino terminal extension consisting of amino acid residues 1 to 74 of SEQ ID NO:40. 
     
     
         8 . The liquid formulation or bait granule of  claim 4  further comprising to said modified Cry1Ca toxins an amino terminal extension consisting of amino acid residues 1 to 74 of SEQ ID NO:40. 
     
     
         9 . A liquid formulation or bait granule comprising a modified Cry1Ca toxin chosen from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:32, SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ ID NO:38, and SEQ ID NO:40. 
     
     
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         25 . A method of controlling plant insect pests which comprises allowing susceptible pests to feed on said liquid formulation or bait granule of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         26 . A method of controlling plant insect pests that have developed resistance to other Cry toxins which comprises allowing susceptible pests to feed on said liquid formulation or bait granule of  claim 2 .