Abstract: The disclosure provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding polypeptides having pesticidal activity against insect pests, including Lepidopteran and Coleopteran. Particular embodiments of the disclosure provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, pesticidal compositions, DNA constructs, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the embodiments. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.

Abstract: The disclosure provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding polypeptides having pesticidal activity against insect pests, including Lepidopteran and Coleopteran. Particular embodiments of the disclosure provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, pesticidal compositions, DNA constructs, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the embodiments. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.

Abstract: The invention provides Bacillus thuringiensis toxins having pesticidal activity against insect pests, including Lepidoptera. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated pesticidal proteins and pesticidal compositions. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding insect protoxins modified to comprise at least one proteolytic activation site that is sensitive to a plant protease or an insect gut protease are provided. Cleavage of the modified protoxin at the proteolytic activation site by a protease produces an active insect toxin. Methods of using the modified insect protoxin nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides they encode to protect a plant from an insect pest are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention further provide modified insect protoxin compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding ?-endotoxins having pesticidal activity against insect pests, including Lepidoptera. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, pesticidal compositions, expression cassettes, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the invention. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding Cry9 ?-endotoxins having pesticidal activity against insect pests, including Lepidoptera. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, expression cassettes, and transformed plants comprising a nucleic acid of the invention.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. The invention provides mutagenized nucleic acids that have been engineered to encode pesticidal polypeptides having increased resistance to proteolytic degradation by a plant protease. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding pesticidal polypeptides modified to comprise a proteolytic protection site that confers resistance to degradation or proteolytic inactivation by a plant protease are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention provide expression cassettes and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds. These compositions find use in methods for protecting a plant from a pest.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding insect protoxins modified to comprise at least one proteolytic activation site that is sensitive to a plant protease or an insect gut protease are provided. Cleavage of the modified protoxin at the proteolytic activation site by a protease produces an active insect toxin. Methods of using the modified insect protoxin nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides they encode to protect a plant from an insect pest are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention further provide modified insect protoxin compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding insect protoxins modified to comprise at least one proteolytic activation site that is sensitive to a plant protease or an insect gut protease are provided. Cleavage of the modified protoxin at the proteolytic activation site by a protease produces an active insect toxin. Methods of using the modified insect protoxin nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides they encode to protect a plant from an insect pest are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention further provide modified insect protoxin compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. The invention provides mutagenized nucleic acids that have been engineered to encode pesticidal polypeptides having increased resistance to proteolytic degradation by a plant protease. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding pesticidal polypeptides modified to comprise a proteolytic protection site that confers resistance to degradation or proteolytic inactivation by a plant protease are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention provide pesticidal polypeptide compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests. Novel plant proteases, sequences encoding these proteases, and methods for their use are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding insect protoxins modified to comprise at least one proteolytic activation site that is sensitive to a plant protease or an insect gut protease are provided. Cleavage of the modified protoxin at the proteolytic activation site by a protease produces an active insect toxin. Methods of using the modified insect protoxin nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides they encode to protect a plant from an insect pest are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention further provide modified insect protoxin compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding insect protoxins modified to comprise at least one proteolytic activation site that is sensitive to a plant protease or an insect gut protease are provided. Cleavage of the modified protoxin at the proteolytic activation site by a protease produces an active insect toxin. Methods of using the modified insect protoxin nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides they encode to protect a plant from an insect pest are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention further provide modified insect protoxin compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for identifying novel genes that share regions of homology with known genes from target groups of genes of interest are provided. The methods comprise systematically designing oligonucleotide primers that are specific for regions of homology within the nucleotide sequences of a target group of known genes and performing successive rounds of PCR amplification of nucleic acid material from an organism of interest. The PCR steps are intended to identify and amplify nucleic acids comprising both known and novel genes. Nucleic acid molecules comprising known genes are detected and eliminated from further consideration by dot blot analysis using oligonucleotide probes specific for the known genes in the target group. Potentially novel genes are subjected to further sequence analysis to confirm novelty and assayed for biological activity.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, novel polynucleotides and the pesticidal polypeptides they encode are provided. Methods of using the novel polynucleotides and pesticidal polypeptides of the invention to protect a plant from an insect pest are further provided. Particular embodiments of the invention provide pesticidal compositions and formulations, DNA constructs, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, novel polynucleotides and the pesticidal polypeptides they encode are provided. Methods of using the novel polynucleotides and pesticidal polypeptides of the invention to protect a plant from an insect pest are further provided. Particular embodiments of the invention provide pesticidal compositions and formulations, DNA constructs, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for identifying novel pesticidal gene homologues are provided. Specifically, the methods of the invention comprise systematically designing oligonucleotide primers that are specific for a pesticidal gene of interest and performing successive rounds of PCR amplification of nucleic acid material from a microorganism, particularly a Bacillus thuringiensis strain, to identify novel homologues of known pesticidal genes. Oligonucleotide primers that can be used to practice the present methods are further disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, novel polynucleotides and the pesticidal polypeptides they encode are provided. Methods of using the novel polynucleotides and pesticidal polypeptides of the invention to protect a plant from an insect pest are further provided. Particular embodiments of the invention provide pesticidal compositions and formulations, DNA constructs, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.

Abstract: Methods of creating and enhancing insect resistance in plants by introducing non-plant lipases into plants are provided. Plants with enhanced insect resistance and seed from plants thereof are provided. DNA sequences encoding insecticidal lipases and insecticidal lipase gene products that are useful in the practice of this invention are also provided. The compositions and methods of the invention may be used in a variety of agricultural systems for controlling pests, including propagating lineages of insect-resistant crops and targeting expression of these insecticidal lipases to plant organs that are particularly susceptible to infestation, such as roots and leaves.

Abstract: Methods of creating and enhancing insect resistance in plants by introducing non-plant lipases into plants are provided. Plants with enhanced insect resistance and seed from plants thereof are provided. DNA sequences encoding insecticidal lipases and insecticidal lipase gene products that are useful in the practice of this invention are also provided. The compositions and methods of the invention may be used in a variety of agricultural systems for controlling pests, including propagating lineages of insect-resistant crops and targeting expression of these insecticidal lipases to plant organs that are particularly susceptible to infestation, such as roots and leaves.

Abstract: Methods of creating and enhancing insect resistance in plants by introducing non-plant lipases into plants are provided. Plants with enhanced insect resistance and seed from plants thereof are provided. DNA sequences encoding insecticidal lipases and insecticidal lipase gene products that are useful in the practice of this invention are also provided. The compositions and methods of the invention may be used in a variety of agricultural systems for controlling pests, including propagating lineages of insect-resistant crops and targeting expression of these insecticidal lipases to plant organs that are particularly susceptible to infestation, such as roots and leaves.