Abstract: Disclosed are novel synthetically-modified B. thuringiensis chimeric crystal proteins having improved insecticidal activity against coleopteran, dipteran and lepidopteran insects. Also disclosed are the nucleic acid segments encoding these novel peptides. Methods of making and using these genes and proteins are disclosed as well as methods for the recombinant expression, and transformation of suitable host cells. Transformed host cells and transgenic plants expressing the modified endotoxin are also aspects of the invention.

Abstract: The Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki HD-73 crystal protein gene was cloned into pBR322. E. coli cells harboring this recombinant plasmid produced a 130 kD protoxin that was toxic to Manduca sexta (tobacco hornworm) larvae. Plasmids having the 3′-end of the protoxin gene deleted where also constructed. E. coli cells harboring these deleted plasmids produced an active, soluble 68 kD toxin, provided that the 3′-deletion had not removed sequences encoding the 68 kD toxin. The invention provides methods to produce 68 kD toxin protein by constructing partial protoxin genes encoding the toxin followed by expression of the genes in living cells. Useful plasmids and cells are also provided.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns materials and methods useful in the control of pests and, particularly, plant pests. More specifically, the subject invention provides plant-optimized, polynucleotide sequences that encode pesticidal toxins (full-lengthand truncated). Truncated polynucleotide sequences can be used to produce truncated toxins or for the production of fusion (or chimeric) genes and proteins. The polynucleotide sequences of the subject invention have certain modifications, compared to wild-type sequences, that make them particularly well-suited for optimized expression in plants. Using techniques known to those skilled in the art, the polynucleotide sequences described herein can be used to transform plants in order to confer pest resistance upon the plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated polynucleotides and the proteins encoded thereby, and to their use in controlling lamellicorn beetles (Scarabaeidae). In addition, the invention relates to a method of producing those proteins. The polynucleotides of the invention encode proteins that are identical to or at least related to the crystal proteins characteristic of Bacillus popilliae and that are suitable for the inhibition of the feeding activity and/or for the destruction of adult and/or larval scarabaeids, especially Melolontha species and species closely related thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are novel Bacillus thuringiensis isolates, pesticidal toxins, genes, and nucleotide probes and primers for the identification of genes encoding toxins active against pests. The primers are useful in PCR techniques to produce gene fragments which are characteristic of genes encoding these toxins. The subject invention provides entirely new families of toxins from Bacillus isolates.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, nucleic acids, and cells for expressing an exogenous gene in a mammalian cell, involving (i) introducing into the cell a complement-resistant non-mammalian DNA virus (e.g., a baculovirus), optionally having an altered coat protein, the genome of which virus carries an exogenous gene, and (ii) growing the cell under conditions such that the gene is expressed.

Abstract: A method for modifying a foreign nucleotide sequence for enhanced accumulation of its protein product in a monocotyledonous plant and/or increasing the frequency of obtaining transgenic monocotyledonous plants which accumulate useful amounts of a transgenic protein by reducing the frequency of the rare and semi-rare monocotyledonous codons in the foreign gene and replacing them with more preferred monocotyledonous codons is disclosed. In addition, a method for enhancing the accumulation of a polypeptide encoded by a nucleotide sequence in a monocotyledonous plant and/or increasing the frequency of obtaining transgenic monocotyledonous plants which accumulate useful amounts of a transgenic protein by analyzing the coding sequence in successive six nucleotide fragments and altering the sequence based on the frequency of appearance of the six-mers as to the frequency of appearance of the rarest 284, 484, and 664 six-mers in monocotyledonous plants is provided.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns the discovery of Bacillus thuringiensis isolates with advantageous activity against weevils. In preferred embodiments of the invention, B.t. isolates, or toxins therefrom, are used to control alfalfa weevils, boll weevils, and/or rice water weevils. The toxins can be administered to the pests through a variety of methods including the transformation of bacteria or plants to produce the weevil-active toxins.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel synthetically-modified B. thuringiensis nucleic acid segments encoding &dgr;-endotoxins having insecticidal activity against lepidopteran insects. Also disclosed are synthetic crystal proteins encoded by these novel nucleic acid sequences. Methods of making and using these genes and proteins are disclosed as well as methods for the recombinant expression, and transformation of suitable host cells. Transformed host cells and transgenic plants expressing the modified endotoxin are also aspects of the invention. Also disclosed are methods for modifying, altering, and mutagenizing specific loop regions between the &agr; helices in domain 1 of these crystal proteins, including Cry1C, to produce genetically-engineered recombinant cry* genes, and the proteins they encode which have improved insecticidal activity. In preferred embodiments, novel Cry1C* amino acid segments and the modified cry1C* nucleic acid sequences which encode them are disclosed.