Patents by Inventor James K. Presnail

James K. Presnail has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7825294
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include an amino acid sequence, and variants and fragments thereof, for an antipathogenic polypeptide that was isolated from a fungal fermentation broth. Nucleic acid molecules that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention, and antipathogenic domains thereof, are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antipathogenic polypeptide of the invention. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a transformed microorganism comprising a nucleic acid of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, I. A. Ellanskaya, Jacob T. Gilliam, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, James K Presnail, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
  • Patent number: 7772370
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include novel amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from microbial fermentation broths. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antipathogenic polypeptide of the invention. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a transformed microorganism comprising a nucleic acid of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc, E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Glen Dahlbacka, Irina Elleskaya, Natalia Ellanskaya, legal representative, Rafael Herrmann, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
  • Patent number: 7700832
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from fungal fermentation broths. Nucleic acids that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antipathogenic polypeptide of the invention. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a transformed microorganism comprising a nucleic acid of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Virginia C. Crane, Irina Ellanskaya, Natalia Ellanskaya, legal representative, Jacob T. Gilliam, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, James K. Presnail, Eric J. Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
  • Publication number: 20100031391
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include an amino acid sequence, and variants and fragments thereof, for an antipathogenic polypeptide that was isolated from a fungal fermentation broth. Nucleic acid molecules that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention, and antipathogenic domains thereof, are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antipathogenic polypeptide of the invention. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a transformed microorganism comprising a nucleic acid of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du PONT de NEMOURS and COMPANY, The Regents of The University of California
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, I.A. Ellanskaya, Jacob T. Gilliam, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, James K. Presnail, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
  • Publication number: 20090317891
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du PONT de NEMOURS and COMPANY
    Inventors: Andre Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Rafael Hermann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, James F. Wong, Cao-Guo Yu
  • Patent number: 7629449
    Abstract: In particular aspects of the invention, nucleic acid molecules encoding novel proteases identified in the midgut of Diabrotica virgfera virgfera (i.e., western corn rootworm) are provided. The nucleotide sequences encode novel cysteine proteases that belong to the cathepsin L-like subfamily of proteases. Variants and fragments of the nucleotide sequences that encode polypeptide sequences that possess proteolytic activity are further disclosed. Methods of using the nucleic acid sequences that encode novel proteases to protect a plant from an insect pest are provided. Particular embodiments also provide vectors, expression cassettes and transformed host cells comprising a protease nucleic acid of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Andre R. Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, James F. Wong, Cao-Guo Yu
  • Publication number: 20090265818
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which employ a silencing element that, when ingested by a pest, such as a pest from the Lepidoptera order, they are capable of decreasing the expression of a target sequence in the pest. In specific embodiments, the decrease in expression of the target sequence controls the pest and thereby the methods and compositions are capable of limiting damage to a plant. The present invention provides target polynucleotides encoding polypeptides from specific protein families and various target polynucleotides set forth in SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, or 50 or active variants and fragments thereof, wherein a decrease in expression of one or more the sequences in the target pest controls the pest (i.e., has insecticidal activity).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, Michael Lassner, Albert L. Lu, Mark Nelson, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice
  • Publication number: 20090264351
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include novel amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from microbial fermentation broths. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antipathogenic polypeptide of the invention. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a transformed microorganism comprising a nucleic acid of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Glen Dahlbacka, Irina Ellanskaya, Natalia Ellanskaya, Rafael Herrmann, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
  • Publication number: 20090260106
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include novel amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from microbial fermentation broths. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antipathogenic polypeptide of the invention. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a transformed microorganism comprising a nucleic acid of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Glen Dahlbacka, Irina Ellenskaya, Natalia Ellanskaya, Rafael Herrmann, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
  • Patent number: 7601810
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acids encoding plant cyclotides. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the plant cyclotides, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in the production of altered levels of plant cyclotides in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Clement W. K. Waine
  • Patent number: 7598346
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions including amino acid sequences isolated from fungal fermentation broths and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Virginia C. Crane, Irina Ellanskaya, Natalia Ellanskaya, legal representative, Jacob T. Gilliam, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, James K. Presnail, Eric J. Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
  • Patent number: 7589176
    Abstract: The invention relates to antifungal compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a fungal pathogen. Compositions including antifungal polypeptides isolated from a fungal fermentation broth are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Irina Ellanskaya, Natalia Ellanskaya, legal representative, Jacob T. Gilliam, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, James K. Presnail, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
  • Patent number: 7589177
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acids encoding plant cyclotides. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the plant cyclotides, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in the production of altered levels of plant cyclotides in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company
    Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Clement W. K. Waine
  • Publication number: 20090192117
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which employ a silencing element that, when ingested by a pest, such as a pest from the Lygus genus, they are capable of decreasing the expression of a target sequence in the pest. In specific embodiments, the decrease in expression of the target sequence controls the pest and thereby the methods and compositions are capable of limiting damage to a plant. The present invention provides various target polynucleotides from specific polypeptide families as disclosed herein, and further provides target polynucleotides set forth in SEQ ID NOS:1-21 or active variants thereof, wherein a decrease in expression of one or more the sequences in the target pest controls the pest (i.e., has insecticidal activity). Further provided are silencing elements which when ingested by the pest decrease the level of the target polypeptide and thereby control the pest. In specific embodiment, the pest is Lygus Hesperus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, Michael Lassner, Albert L. Lu, Mark E. Nelson, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice
  • Publication number: 20090192116
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which employ a silencing element that, when ingested by a pest, such as a pest from the Aphididae family, they are capable of decreasing the expression of a target sequence in the pest. In specific embodiments, the decrease in expression of the target sequence controls the pest and thereby the methods and compositions are capable of limiting damage to a plant. The present invention provides target polynucleotides for specific protein classes and also target polynucleotides as set forth in SEQ ID NOS:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or active variants or fragments thereof, wherein a decrease in expression of one or more the sequences in the target pest controls the pest (i.e., has insecticidal activity). Further provided are silencing elements which when ingested by the pest decrease the level of the target polypeptide and thereby control the pest. In specific embodiment, the pest is Aphis glycines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, Michael Lassner, Albert L. Lu, Mark Nelson, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice
  • Patent number: 7556936
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Andre R. Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, James F. Wong, Cao-Guo Yu
  • Publication number: 20090089895
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from fungal fermentation broths. Nucleic acids that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antipathogenic polypeptide of the invention. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a transformed microorganism comprising a nucleic acid of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du PONT de NEMOURS and COMPANY, The Regents of The University of California
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Virginia C. Crane, Irina Ellanskaya, Jacob T. Gilliam, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, James K. Presnail, Eric J. Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani, Natalia Ellanskaya
  • Publication number: 20090011999
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for orally active Androctonus amoreuxi pesticidal polypeptides. Compositions include novel Androctonus amoreuxi pesticidal polypeptides and biologically active variants thereof. Further provided are methods for modulating the pesticide resistance of plants by expressing the sequences disclosed herein. One method comprises stably transforming into the genome of a plant cell a nucleotide sequence of the present invention operably linked to a heterologous promoter and regenerating a stably transformed plant that expresses the nucleotide sequence. An additional method comprises incorporating a nucleotide sequence of the present invention operably linked to a heterologous promoter into a microorganism and applying said microorganism to the environment of a plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: E.I.du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, James F.H. Wong
  • Patent number: 7442855
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acids encoding plant cyclotides. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the plant cyclotides, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in the production of altered levels of plant cyclotides in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont De Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Clement W. K. Waine
  • Publication number: 20080200415
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du PONT de NEMOURS and COMPANY
    Inventors: Andre Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, James F. Wong, Cao-Guo Yu