Document Type and Number:
United States Patent 6270760
Link to this page:
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6270760.html
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for producing an integrant(s) of Bacillus thuringiensis. The invention further relates to such integrants, compositions comprising such integrants, as well as methods for controlling a pest(s) using these compositions.
Inventors:
Adams, Lee Fremont (Davis, CA, US)
Thomas, Michael David (Davis, CA, US)
Sloma, Alan P. (Davis, CA, US)
Widner, William R. (Davis, CA, US)
Jorgensen, Steen Troels (Allerod, DK)
Jorgensen, Per Lin.ang. (Copenhagen, DK)
Diderichsen, Brge Krag (Birkerod, DK)
Application Number:
872571
Filing Date:
06/10/1997
Publication Date:
08/07/2001
Assignee:
Valent BioSciences, Inc. (Libertyville, IL)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
435/252.31
International Classes:
A01N 063/00, C12N 001/21
Field of Search:
424/93.2 435/252.31
Foreign References:
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0127328 |
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0342633 |
Nov, 1989 |
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WO9107481 |
May, 1991 |
WO. |
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9425611 |
Nov, 1994 |
WO. |
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9502695 |
Jan, 1995 |
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Other References:
Gamel, et al., "Characterization and properties of a
novel plasmid vector for Bacillus thuringiensis displaying compatibility with
host plasmids", Gene, 1:17-26 (1992).
Gawron-Burke, et al., "Genetic Manipulation of Bacillus thuringiensis
Insecticidal Crystal Protein Genes in Bacteria", Genetic Engineering,
33:237-263 (1991).
Klier, et al., "Mating Between Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus
thuringiensis and Transfer of Cloned Crystal Genes", Mol Gem Genet,
191:257-262 (1983).
Lereclus, et al., "Transformation and expression of a cloned
.delta.-endotoxin gene in Bacillus thuringiensis", FEMS Microbiology
Letters, 60:211-217 (1989).
Mettus, et al., "Expression of Bacillus thuringiensis .delta.-Endotoxin
Genes during Vegetative Growth", Applied and Environment Microbiology,
56(4):1128-1134 (1990).
Schurter, et al., "Efficient transformation of Bacillus thuringiensis and
B. cereus via electroporation: Transformation of acrystalliferous strains with
a cloned delta-endotoxin gene", Mol Gen Genet, 218:177-181 (1989).
Baum et al. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., Nov. 1990, p 3420-3428 vol. 56.*
Arantesn et al., Gene 108 (1991) 115-119.*
Hofemeista et al, Mol Gen Genet., (1987) 189: 58-68.
Primary Examiner:
Schwartzman, Robert A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Rockey, Milnamow & Katz, Ltd.
Parent Case Data:
This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 08/377,892, filed Jan. 25, 1995, now abandoned which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 08/274,608, filed Jul. 13, 1994, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/092,338, filed Jul. 15, 1993, now abandoned. This application is also a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/853,701, filed May 26, 1992 now abandoned.
Claims:
What is claimed is:
1. A method for controlling a pest, the method comprising the step of exposing
the pest to a pest-controlling effective amount of a pesticidal composition
comprising (a) an integrant of Bacillus thuringiensis or spore thereof which
produces at least one heterologous crystal delta-endotoxin in said integrant,
wherein said integrant is produced by a method comprising the steps of: (i)
introducing into a cell of a host Bacillus thuringiensis strain a first DNA
vector comprising a first origin of replication and at least one functional
gene encoding at least one factor required for plasmid replication from said
first origin of replication, a second DNA vector comprising a second origin of
replication but lacking a functional gene encoding a factor required for
plasmid replication from the second origin of replication and a DNA sequence
encoding a Bacillus thuringiensis delta-endotoxin, a DNA sequence homologous
with a region of the genome of said host strain, and a selectable marker and
(ii) culturing the cell of step (i) under selective conditions leading to the
loss of the first DNA vector and integration of the second DNA vector into the
genome of the host cell by homologous recombination, and (b) a pesticidally
acceptable carrier.
2. The method of claim 1 in which the integrant is an integrant of Bacillus
thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki.
3. The method of claim 1 in which the integrant is an integrant of a cry-
strain.
4. The method of claim 1 in which the heterologous delta-endotoxin is a CryIC
protein.
5. The method of claim 1 in which the integrant has all of the identifying
characteristics of strain EMCC0122, deposited with the NRRL, having an
accession number of NRRL B-21386.
6. The method of claim 1 in which the integrant has greater pesticidal activity
than a corresponding parental strain by producing a larger quantity of a
crystal delta-endotoxin as compared to said corresponding parental strain.
7. The method according to claim 1 in which the delta-endotoxin produced is
active against an insect pest.
8. The method according to claim 1 in which the delta-endotoxin produced is
active against an insect pest of the order Lepidoptera.
Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to methods for obtaining an integrant(s) of Bacillus
thuringiensis. The invention further relates to such integrant(s), or spores
thereof, compositions comprising such integrant(s), as well as methods for
controlling a pest(s) using these compositions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pests may be controlled using either chemical pesticides or biopesticides.
However, because of their broad spectrum of activity, chemical pesticides may
destroy non-target organisms such as beneficial insects and parasites and
predators of destructive pests. Additionally, chemical pesticides are
frequently toxic to animals and humans. Furthermore, targeted pests frequently
develop resistance when repeatedly exposed to such substances.
Biopesticides make use of naturally occurring pathogens to control insect,
fungal and weed infestations of crops. An example of a biopesticide is a
bacterium which produces a substance toxic to the infesting pest. A biopesticide
is generally less harmful to non-target organisms and the environment as a
whole than chemical pesticides.
The most widely used biopesticide is Bacillus thuringiensis. Bacillus
thuringiensis is a motile, rod-shaped, gram-positive bacterium that is widely
distributed in nature, especially in soil and pest-rich environments. During
sporulation, Bacillus thuringiensis produces a parasporal crystal inclusion(s)
which is toxic upon ingestion to susceptible larvaea. The inclusion(s) may vary
in shape, number, and composition. They are comprised of one or more proteins
called delta-endotoxins, which may range in size from 27-140 kDa. The
delta-endotoxins are generally converted by proteases in the larval gut into
smaller (truncated) toxic polypeptides, causing midgut destruction, and
ultimately, death of the pest (Hofte and Whiteley, 1989, Microbiol. Rev.
53:242-255).
The delta-endotoxins are encoded by cry (crystal protein) genes. The cry genes
have been divided into six classes and several subclasses based on relative
amino acid homology and pesticidal specificity. The six major classes are
Lepidoptera-specific (cryI), Lepidoptera- and Diptera-specific (cryII),
Coleoptera-specific (cryIII), Diptera-specific (cryIV) (Hofte and Whiteley,
1989, Microbiol. Rev. 53:242-255), Coleoptera- and Lepidoptera-specific
(referred to as cryV genes by Tailor et al., 1992, Mol. Microbiol.
6:1211-1217); and Nematode-specific (referred to as cryV and cryVI genes by
Feitelson et al., 1992, Bio/Technology 10:271-275). Several Bacillus
thuringiensis crystal delta-endotoxins are also reportedly pesticidal to Acari,
Hymenoptera, Phthiraptera, Platyhelminthes, Homoptera, Blattodea, and Protozoa.
Delta-endotoxins have been produced by recombinant DNA methods. The
delta-endotoxins produced by recombinant DNA methods may or may not be in
crystal form. Various cry genes have been cloned, sequenced, and expressed in
various hosts, e.g., E. coli (Schnepf et al., 1987, J. Bacteriol.
169:4110-4118) and Bacillus subtilis (Shivakumar et al., 1986,J. Bacteriol.
166:194-204).
Amplification of cry genes has been achieved in Bacillus subtilis. The
delta-endotoxin gene of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD73 has been
cloned into Bacillus subtilis using an integrative plasmid and amplified
(Calogero et al., 1989, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 55:446-453). However, no
increase in crystal size was observed as compared to Bacillus thuringiensis
subsp. kurstaki HD73. Furthermore, no difference in pesticidal activity was
reported.
The level of expression of delta-endotoxin genes appears to be dependent on the
host cell used (Skivakamar et al., 1989, Gene 79:21-31). For example,
Skivakumar et al. found significant differences in the expression of the cryIIA
and cryIIA delta-endotoxin genes of Bacillus thuingiensis subsp. kurstaki in
Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus megaterium. The cryIA gene was expressed when
present on a multicopy vector in Bacillus megaterium, but not in Bacillus
subtilis. The cryIIA gene was expressed in both hosts, but at a higher level in
Bacillus megaterium. Sections of Bacillus megaterium cells expressing these
delta-endotoxin genes were examined by electron microscopy; the presence of
large bipyramidal crystals in these cells was detected. However, there is no
indication that these crystals are any larger than crystals found in Bacillus
thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki which normally contain these genes. Results from
bioassays of the Bacillus megaterium cells expressing these delta-endotoxin
genes indicate that there was no increase in pesticidal activity as compared to
Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki. Indeed, five times the concentration of
Bacillus megaterium than Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki was required to
obtain the same insect killing effect.
In the prior art methods, a host cell is transformed with a recombinant DNA
vector carrying a DNA sequence encoding a delta-endotoxin and DNA replication
sequences. The expression of the delta-endotoxin is dependent on the
replication of the recombinant DNA vector in the host. When, for the purpose of
producing a desired polypeptide by recombinant DNA procedures, bacterial cells
are transformed with a recombinant plasmid vector which carries inserted
genetic information coding for the delta-endotoxin, it has often been observed
that such plasmids become unstable even though they may, in themselves, be
stably inherited in the cell. This instability may either take the form of
unstable maintenance of the plasmid in the cells so that the plasmid will
eventually be lost from a cell population, or so that the DNA coding for the
protein in question may be deleted from the plasmid. A traditional way of
solving the former problem has been to grow the transformed cells under
selection pressure, that is, typically in the presence of an antibiotic to
which the cells in question have been made resistant due to the presence of a
gene coding for a product mediating resistance to that antibiotic on the
plasmid transformed to the cells. This approach, however, is neither
economically feasible in large-scale production due to the high cost of the
antibiotics in question, nor is it desirable for environmental reasons. The use
of antibiotics in culture media also makes it more difficult to obtain product
approval from health authorities and the like.
It has previously been suggested that plasmids could be stabilized by inserting
into them a DNA sequence encoding a partitioning function which ensures the
even distribution of plasmids to progeny cells on cell division. An alternative
method of achieving the stable inheritance of cloned DNA sequences is to
provide for the integration of such DNA sequences in the genome of the host
bacterium. Integration of DNA sequences present on plasmid vectors may take
place by the so-called "crossing-over" procedure, e.g. as described
by A. Campbell, Advances Genet. 11, 1962, pp. 101-145. According to this
procedure, the plasmid vector is provided with a DNA sequence which is
homologous to a region on the bacterial genome, or alternatively with two
homologous sequences placed on either side of the heterologous DNA sequence to
be integrated. In a subsequent recombination event, the homologous sequence and
adjacent sequences on the vector are integrated into the host genome at the
region of homology.
In some cases, however, it has been found that the integrated DNA sequences are
deleted from the cells in the absence of selection pressure, for instance by a
similar type of homologous recombination event as that responsible for the
integration of the DNA. In particular, it has previously been observed that
recombination between homologous DNA sequences is stimulated in the proximity
of replicative DNA present on or near the DNA integrated in the host cell
genome, cf. Ph. Noirot et al., J. Mol. Biol. 196, 1987, pp. 39-48; and M. Young
and S. D. Ehrlich, J. Bacteriol. 171(5), May 1989, pp. 2653-2656.
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide stable integration
of DNA sequences into genomic DNA, e.g. the chromosome, of bacterial,
particularly Bacillus thuringiensis host cells. It is also an object of the
invention to create integrants of Bacillus thuringiensis strains which produce
sufficient quantities of delta-endotxins. Such integrants may be useful in
broadening the host range of Bacillus thuringiensis and obtaining more
effective formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods for obtaining an integrant of Bacillus
thuringiensis which produces at least one heterologous crystal delta-endotoxn.
The integrant is obtained by
(a) introducing into a cell of a host Bacillus thuringiensis strain (i) a first
DNA vector comprising a first origin of replication and at least one functional
gene encoding at least one factor required for plasmid replication from said
first origin of replication, and with (ii) a second DNA vector comprising a
second origin of replication but lacking a functional gene encoding a factor
required for plasmid replication from the second origin of replication, as well
as a DNA sequence encoding a Bacillus thuringiensis delta-endotoxin, a DNA
sequence that is homologous with a region of the genome of said host stain, and
a selectable marker and
(b) culturing the cell of step (a) under selective conditions leading to the loss
of the first DNA vector and integration of said second DNA vector into the
genome of said host cell by homologous recombination.
In a specific embodiment, the host Bacillus thuringiensis strain is a cry-
strain.
The invention further relates to said integrant. The DNA sequence encoding the
Bacillus thuingiensis delta-endotoxin may be a heterologous DNA sequence. In
one embodiment, the integrant may in addition to comprising a heterologous
crystal delta-endotoxin may also comprise a homologous crystal delta-endotoxin,
a delta-endotoxin which is endogenously produced by the host Bacillus
thuringiensis strain. In another embodiment, the integrant may produce more
than one heterologous Bacillus thuringiensis delta-endotoxin. In another
embodiment, a larger quantity of a crystal delta-endotoxin with greater
pesticidal activity and optionally a larger crystal size as a result of gene
amplification or hyperexpression is produced as compared to the corresponding
parental strain.
The invention also relates to a pesticidal composition comprising such an
integrant and a pesticidally acceptable carrier as well as methods for
controlling a pest(s) using such a composition.
Definitions
"Integrant" as defined herein is a Bacillus thuringiensis strain
containing an additional DNA segment (generally, a cry gene, antibiotic
resistance gene, and plasmid-associated DNA) inserted into the genome of said
strain by homologous recombination.
A "heterologous DNA sequence" as defined herein is a DNA sequence
which does not naturally occur in the host Bacillus thuringiensis cell.
A "genome" as defined herein is all DNA, both chromosomal and
plasmid, within a Bacillus thuringiensis cell.
"Parental strain" as defined herein is the strain that is the source
of the heterologus DNA sequence encoding the Bacillus thuringiesis
delta-endotoxin.
"Greater pesticidal activity" as defined herein means at least 1.25
times more activity against a pest, through killing or stunting of the growth
of the pest, than the corresponding parental strain. In a preferred embodiment,
the pesticidal activity of the integrant is between about 1.5 to about 10 times
greater than the pesticidal activity of the corresponding parental Bacillus
thuringiensis strain.
"Larger quantity" as defined herein means that the integrant produces
at least 1.25 times the amount of a crystal delta-endotoxin as the parental
strain.
"Larger crystal size" as defined herein means that the largest face
of the crystal of the integrant has at least 1.2 times the surface area or
volume of the crystal of the parental strain.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 shows a map of plasmid pDN3000.
FIG. 2 shows a map of plasmid pE194.sup.ts.
FIG. 3 shows a map of plasmid pPL1975.
FIG. 4 shows a map of plasmid pET235.
FIG. 5 shows a map of plasmid pCP115.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Methods for Obtaining Integrants
The integrant of the present invention can be obtained by a
"two-plasmid" integration system. This system relies on a first or
helper plasmid, which comprises an origin of replication and at least one
functional gene encoding at least one factor requried for plasmid replication,
e.g., a temperature sensitive replication protein which functions in trans, and
a second vector or an integrative plasmid, which cannot replicate in the
absence of the helper plasmid. The integrative plasmid of the present invention
comprises (i) a cry gene, (ii) a region of homology with the host genome (for
example, the 16S rRNA gene or the phospholipase C gene or cry gene itself), and
(iii) a selectable marker. The first plasmid may also comprise a DNA sequence
which encodes a selectable marker, e.g., an antibiotic resistance marker which
differs from that encoded by the helper plasmid. The helper plasmid may be added
before or simultaneously with the integrative plasmid.
In a specific embodiment, the helper plasmid is introduced, by electroporation,
into the desired host, including but not limited to Bacillus thuringiensis
subsp. kurstaki, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai, Bacillus thuringiensis
subsp. galleriae, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. entomocidus, Bacillus
thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. thuringiensis,
Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. alesti, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. canadiensis,
Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. darmstadiensis, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp.
dendrolimus, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. finitimus, Bacillus thuringiensis
subsp. kenyae, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. morrisoni, Bacillus thuringiensis
subsp. subtoxicus, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. toumanoffi, Bacillus
thuringiensis subsp. toumanoffi, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. pondicheriensis,
Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. shandogiensis, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp.
sotto, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. nigeriae, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp.
yunnanensis, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. dakota, Bacillus thuringiensis
subsp. indiana, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. tohokuensis, Bacillus
thuringiensis subsp. kumamotoensis, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. tochigiensis,
Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. thompsoni, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp.
wuhanensis, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kyushuensis, Bacillus thuringiensis
subsp. ostriniae, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. tolworthi, Bacillus
thuringiensis subsp. pakistani, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. japonensis,
Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. colmeri, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp.
pondicheriensis, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. shandongiensis, Bacillus
thuringiensis subsp. neoleonensis, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. coreanensis, Bacillus
thuringiensis subsp. silo, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. mexcanensis, and
Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis and maintained by the addition of a
selection agent, for example, an antibiotic such as erytromycin, a temperature
which permits proper functioning of the temperature sensitive Rep protein
(e.g., 30.degree. C.). Then, the integrative plasmid lacking a functional
replication protein (e.g., Rep protein) is introduced into the same host
strain, and maintained by selection with a selecting agent, e.g.,
chloramphenicol. Selection with chloramphenicol alone is sufficient to maintain
both plasmids because the integrative plasmid cannot exist without the helper
plasmid. Growth at a higher temperature, e.g., 37.degree. C., does not permit
replication of the helper plasmid. In the absence of the helper plasmid, the
integrative plasmid, encoding chloramphenicol resistance, also cannot
replicate. Therefore, the only way that the host cell can maintain resistance
to chloramphenicol is by integration of the integrative plasmid by a Campbell
recombination event at the region of homology that it shares with the Bacillus
thuringiensis genome. Consequently, the DNA is integrated into the genome of
the host strain. in a specific embodiment the host strain is a cry-strain. In a
most specific embodiment, the host strain is a Bacius thuringiensis subsp.
kurstaki strain.
The DNA sequence encoding a delta-endotoxin may be selected from the group
including, but not limited to, a cryI, cryII, cryIII, cryIV, cryV, or cryVI
gene. In one embodiment, the DNA sequence encoding the delta-endotoxin
comprises the cryIC gene. The cryIC gene encodes a delta-endotoxin specific for
lepidopteran pests. The DNA sequence comprising the cryIC gene may be obtained
from a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai. In a most specific
embodiment, the cryIC DNA sequence is obtained from Bacillus thuringiensis
subsp. aizawai strain EMCC0087.
The plasmids may be introduced into the host Bacillus thuringiensis strain by
procedures known in the art, e.g., electroporation, protoplasting of cells,
transduction, chemical transformation, and regeneration (Macaluso and Mettus,
1991, J. Bacteriol. 173:1353-1356; Crawford et al., 1987, J. Bacteriol.
169:5423-5428; and Battisti et al., 1985, J. Bacteriol. 162:543-550).
Simultaneous growth at a suitable temperature, e.g., 37.degree. C. or higher,
and antibiotic pressure selects for integration of the plasmid into the genome
of the host cell by recombination with a homologous region of the genome of the
host cell. The cell, which in its genome carries the integrated DNA construct,
is grown in a medium with increasing amounts of an agent that selects for the
selectable marker, e.g., media containing an antibiotic, thereby amplifying the
selectable marker and, necessarily, the cry gene as well (Albertini and
Galizzi, 1985, J. Bacteriol. 162:1203-1211).
In a preferred embodiment, the DNA encoding the delta-endotoxin is amplified in
the integrant In a specific embodiment, such amplification occurs by
transferring the integrant to medium comprising greater amounts of an agent
that selects for the selectable marker. This step may be repeated several times
with increasing amounts of the agent selecting for the selectable marker.
The integrant of the present invention may be cultured using media and
fermentation techniques known in the art (see, for example, Rogoff et al.,
1969, J. Invertebrate Path. 14:122-129; Dulmage et al., 1971, J. Invertebrate
Path. 18:353-358; Duinage et al., in Microbial Control of Pests and Plant
Diseases, H. D. Burges (ed.), Academic Press, New York, 1980). Upon completion
of the fermentation cycle, the Bacillus thuringiensis crystal
delta-endotoxin(s) and spores can be harvested from the fermentation broth by
means well known in the art, e.g., centrifugation.
Purification of the spores or delta-endotoxins produced by the integrant strain
of the present invention can be carried out by various procedures known in the
art including, but not limited to, ultrafiltration, differential extraction,
density gradient centrifugation, chromatography, or other techniques for
protein and/or particle purification.
The activity of the crystal delta-endotoxin or spores of the integrant strain
of the present invention against various pests may be bioassayed using
procedures known in the art, such as artificial diet incorporation, artificial
diet overlay, leaf painting, leaf dip, foliar spray, and aquatic assay.
Compositions
The integrant Bacillus thuringiensis strains, crystal delta-endotoxins and/or
spores of the invention, can be formulated into a pesticidal composition(s),
that is, for example, a suspension, a dispersion, an aqueous emulsion, a
dusting powder, a dispersible powder, an emulsifiable concentrate, an aerosol
or micro or macroencapulated granules or any other formulation that gives
controlled release of Bacillus thuringiensis. Such compositions may be obtained
by the addition of a surface active agent, e.g., a dispersing agent,
emulsifying agent or wetting agent, or an inert carrier or other component to
facilitate handling and application for particular target pests.
Suitable surface-active agents include anionic compounds such as a carboxylate,
for example, a metal carboxylate of a long chain fatty acid; a N-acylsarcosinate;
mono or di-esters of phosphoric acid with fatty alcohol ethoxylates or salts of
such esters; fatty alcohol sulphates such as sodium dodecyl sulphate, sodium
octadecyl sulphate or sodium cetyl sulphate; ethoxylated fatty alcohol
sulphates; ethoxylated alkylphenol sulphates; lignin sulphonates; petroleum
sulphonates; alkyl aryl sulphonates such as alkyl-benzene sulphonates or lower
alkylnaphthalene sulphonates, e.g., butyl-naphthalene sulphonate; salts or
sulphonated naphthalene-formaldehyde condensates or salts of polyacrylic acid;
salts of sulphonated phenol-formaldehyde condensates; or more complex
sulphonates such as the amide sulphonates, e.g., the sulphonated condensation
product of oleic acid and N-methyl taurine or the dialkyl sulphosuccinates, e.g.,
the sodium sulphonate or dioctyl succinate. Non-ionic agents include
condensation products of fatty acid esters, fatty alcohols, fatty acid amides
or fatty-alkyl- or alkenyl-substituted phenols with ethylene oxide and/or
propylene oxide, fatty esters of polyhydric alcohol ethers, e.g., sorbitan
fatty acid esters, condensation products of such esters with ethylene oxide,
e.g., polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, block copolymers of ethylene
oxide and propylene oxide, acetylenic glycols such as 2,4,7,9-tetraethyl-5-decyn-4,7-diol,
or ethoxylated acetylenic glycols. Examples of a cationic surface-active agent
include, for instance, an aliphatic mono-, di-, or polyamine as an acetate,
naphthenate or oleate; an oxygen-containing amine such as an amine oxide of
polyoxyethylene alkylamine; an amide-linked amine prepared by the condensation
of a carboxylic acid with a di- or polyamine; or a quaternary ammonium salt.
Examples of inert materials include inorganic minerals such as phyllosilicates,
carbonates, sulfates, phosphates; organic materials such as sugar, starches, or
cyclodextrins; or botanical materials such as powdered corncobs, rice hulls,
walnut shells, cornmeal, pelleted grains, and cellulosic fibers.
The compositions of the present invention can be in a suitable form for direct
application or as a concentrate or primary composition which requires dilution
with a suitable quantity of water or other diluent before application. The
pesticidal concentration will vary depending upon the nature of the particular
formulation, specifically, whether it is a concentrate or to be used directly.
The composition contains 0.1% to 99%, preferably 0.1% to 95% of the integrant,
mutant or variant of the present invention, 1 to 98% of a solid or liquid inert
carrier, and 0 to 50%, preferably 0. 1% to 50% of a surfactant. These
compositions will be administered at about 0.01 lb-5.0 lb per acre when in dry
form and at about 0.01 pt-10 pts per acre when in liquid form.
In a further embodiment, the integrants of the present invention can be treated
prior to formulation to prolong the pesticidal activity when the cells are
applied to the environment of a target pest. Such treatment can be by chemical
and/or physical means as long as the treatment does not deleteriously affect
the properties of the composition(s). Examples of chemical reagents include,
but are not limited to, halogenating agents; aldehydes such as formaldehyde and
glutaraldehyde; anti-infectives, such as zephiran chloride; alcohols, such as
isopropranol and ethanol; histological fixatives, such as Bouin's fixative and
Helly's fixative (see, for example, Humason, Animal Tissue Techniques, W. H.
Freeman and Co., 1967); preservatives; UV sunscreens; spray adjuvants
(humectants); antifoams; and stickers.
The compositions of the invention can be applied directly to the plant by, for
example, spraying or dusting at the time when the pest has begun to appear on
the plant or before the appearance of pests as a protective measure. Plants to
be protected within the scope of the present invention include, but are not
limited to, cereals (wheat, barley, rye, oats, rice, sorghum and related
crops), beet (sugar beet and fodder beet), drupes, pomes and soft fruit
(apples, pears, plums, peaches, almonds, cherries, strawberries, raspberries,
and blackberries, tomatoes), leguminous plants (beans, lentils, peas,
soybeans), oil plants (rape, mustard, poppy, olives, sunflowers, coconuts,
castor oil plants, cocoa beans, groundnuts), cucumber plants (cucumber,
marrows, melons), fibre plants (cotton, flax, hemp, jute), citrus fruit
(oranges, lemons, grapefruit, mandarins), vegetables (spinach, lettuce,
asparagus, cabbages and other brassicae, carrots, onions, potatoes, paprika),
lauraceae (avocados, cinnamon, camphor), deciduous trees and conifers
(linden-trees, yew-trees, oak-trees, alders, poplars, birch-trees, firs,
larches, pines), or plants such as maize, tobacco, nuts, coffee, sugar cane,
tea, vines hops, bananas and natural rubber plants, as well as ornamentals. The
preferred mode of application is by foliar spraying. It is generally important
to obtain good control of pests in the early stages of plant growth as this is
the time when the plant can be most severely damaged. The spray or dust can
conveniently contain another insecticide or pesticide, e.g., fungicide, grass
herbicide or fertilizer, if this is thought necessary. In a preferred
embodiment, the composition of the invention is applied directly to the plant.
The compositions of the present invention may be effective against pests of the
order Lepidoptera, e.g., Achroia grisella, Acleris gloverana, Acleris variana,
Adoxophyes orana, Agrotis epsilon, Alabama argillacea, Alsophila pometaria,
Amyelois transitella, Anagasta kuehniella, Anarsia lineatella, Anisota senatoria,
Antheraea pernyi, Anticarsia gemmatalis, Archips sp., Argyrotaenia sp., Athetis
mindara, Bombyx mori, Bucculatrix thurberiella, Cadra cautella, Choristoneura
sp., Cochylis hospes, Colias eurytheme, Corcyra cephalonica, Cydia
latiferreanus, Cydia pomonella, Datana integerrima, Dendrolimus sibericus,
Desmiafuneralis, Diaphania hyalinata, Diaphania nitidalis, Diatraea
grandiosella, Diatraea saccharalis, Ennomos subsignaria, Eoreuma loftini,
Ephestia elutella, Erannis tiliaria, Estigmene acrea, Eulia salubricola,
Eupocoellia ambiguella, Eupoecilia ambiguella, Euproctis chrysorrhoea, Euxoa
messoria, Galleria mellonella, Grapholita molesta, Harrisina americana,
Helicoverpa subflexa, Helicoverpa zea, Heliothis virescens, Hemileuca oliviae,
Homoeosoma electellum, Hyphantria cunea, Keiferia Iycopersicella,
Lambdinafiscellariafiscellaria, Lambdinafiscellaria lugubrosa, Leucoma salicis,
Lobesia botrana, Loxostege sticticalis, Lymantria dispar, Macalla thyrsisalis,
Malacosoma sp., Mamestra brassicae, Mamestra configurata, Manduca
quinquemaculata, Manduca sexta, Maruca testulalis, Melanchra picta, Operophtera
brumata, Orgyja sp., Ostrinia nubilalis, Paleacrita vernata, Papilio
cresphontes, Pectinophora gossypiella, Phryganidia californica, Phyllonorycter
blancardella, Pieris napi, Pieris rapae, Plathypena scabra, Platynota
flouendana, Platynota sultana, Platyptilia carduidactyla, Plodia
interpunctella, Plutella xylostella, Pontia protodice, Pseudaletia unipuncta,
Pseudoplusia includens, Sabulodes aegrotata, Schizura concinna, Sitotroga
cerealella, Spilonota ocellana, Spodoptera sp., Syngraphafalcifera,
Thaurnstopoea pityocampa, Tineola bisselliella, Trichoplusia ni, Udea
rubigalis, Xylomyges curialis, Yponomeuta padella;. The compositions of the
invention may also be effective against insect pests of the order Coleoptera,
e.g., Leptinotarsa sp., Acanthoscelides obtectus, Callosobruchus chinensis,
Epilachna varivestis, Pyrrhalta luteola, Cylas formicarius elegantulus,
Listronotus oregonensis, Sitophilus sp., Cyclocephala borealis, Cyclocephala
immaculata, Macrodactylus subspinosus, Popilliajaponica, Rhizotrogus majalis,
Alphitobius diaperinus, Palorus ratzeburgi, Tenebrio molitor, Tenebrio
obscurus, Tribolium castaneum, Tribolium confusum, Tribolius destructor,
Diptera, e.g., Aedes sp., Andes vittatus, Anastrepha ludens, Anastrepha
suspensa, Anopheles barberi, Anopheles quadrimaculatus, Armigeres subalbatus,
Calliphora stygian, Calliphora vicina, Ceratitis capitata, Chironomus tentans,
Chrysomya rufifacies, Cochliomyia macellaria, Culex sp., Culiseta inornata,
Dacus oleae, Delia antiqua, Delia platura, Delia radicum, Drosophila
melanogaster, Eupeodes corollae, Glossina austeni, Glossina brevipalpis,
Glossina fuscipes, Glossina morsitans centralis, Glossina morsitans morsitans,
Glossina morsitans submorsitans, Glossina pallidipes, Glossina palpalis
gambiensis, Glossina palpalis palpalis, Glossina tachinoides, Haemagogus
equinus, Haematobia irritans, Hypoderma bovis, Hypoderma lineatum, Leucopis
ninae, Lucilia cuprina, Lucilia sericata, Lutzomyia longlpaipis, Lutzomyia
shannoni, Lycoriella mali, Mayetiola destructor, Musca autwnnalis, Musca
domestica, Neobellieria sp., Nephrotoma suturalis, Ophyra aenescens, PhaenicIa
sericata, Phlebotomus sp., Phormia regina, Sabethes cyaneus, Sarcophaga
bullata, Scatophaga stercorarIa, Stomaxys calcitrans, Toxorhynchites
amboinensis, Tripteroides bambusa; Acari, e.g., Oligonychus pratensis,
Panonychus ulmi, Tetranychus urticae; Hymenoptera, e.g., Iridomyrmex humilis,
Solenopsis invicta; Isoptera, e.g., Reticulitermes hesperus, Reticulitermes
flavipes, Coptotermes formosanus, Zootermopsis angusticollis, Neotermes
connexus, Incisiterines minor, Incisitermes immigrans; Siphonaptera, e.g.,
Ceratophyllus gallinae, Ceratophyllus niger, Nosopsyllusfasciatus, Leptopsylla
segnis, Ctenocephalides canis, Ctenocephalides felis, Echicnophaga gallinacea,
Pulex irritans, Xenopsylla cheopis, Xenopsylla vexabilis, Tunga penetrans; and
Tylenchida, e.g., Melodidogyne incognita, Pratylenchus penetrans.
The following examples are presented by way of illustration, not by way of
limitation.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Bacterial Strains and Plasmids
Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai EMCC0087 has been deposited with the NRRL
and assigned an accession number NRRL B-21147. bacillus thuringiensis subsp.
kurstaki 4D7 and 4D9 (cry- HD-1) are obtained from the Bacillus Genetic Stock
Center at Ohio State University. Escherichia coli GM48 dam- dcm- is disclosed
in Yanish-Perron et al., 1985, Gene 33:103-119. E. coli GM272 (Raleigh etal.,
1988, Nucl. Acids Res. 16:1563-1575; dam- dcm- hsd-) is obtained from New
England Biolabs. Plasmid pBR322 may be obtained through commercial sources.
Plasmid pMIll IOD is disclosed in Youngman et al., 1984, Plasmid 12:1-9.
Plasmid pE194.sup.ts is shown in FIG. 2 and is also disclosed in Villafane et
al., 1987, J. Bact. 169:4822-4829. Plasmid pCP1 15 is disclosed in Price and
Doi, 1985, Mol. Gen. Genet. 201:88-95 and is shown in FIG. 5.
Plasmid pPL1975 is shown in FIG. 3. The following procedure is used to
construct pPL1975. Plasmid pDN3000 is constructed by restricting pUC19
(Yanisch-Perron et. al., 1985, Gene 33:103-119) with EcoRI and inserting the
following oligonucleotide sequence (prepared by the phosphoamidite method
described by Beaucage and Caruthers, 1981, Tetrehedron Let. 22: 1859-1869, on
an automatic DNA synthesizer) (SEQ ID NOS:1 and 2)
5'-AATTGATCAAGCTTTAAATGCATGCTAGCAACGCGGCCGCCAACCTCGAGATCTCATG-3'
3'-CTAGTTCGAAATTTACGTACGATCGTTGCGCCGGCGGTTGGAGCTCTAGAGTACTTAA-5'
into the linearized pUC19 followed by ligation. The ligation mixture is then
used to transform competent E. coli SJ6 cells and transformants are selected on
LB plates containing 100 ug/ml ampicillin. The orientation of the inserted
linker in pDN3000 is as indicated by the orientation of the restriction sites
in FIG. 1.
Plasmid pPL1975 is constructed by inserting from pEl95.sup.ts the MboI
restriction fragment containing the DNA from position 1 to 1585 into the BglI
site of pDN3000. The ligation mixture is then used to transform competent E.
coli SJ6 cells and transformants are selected on LB plates containing 100 ug/mi
ampicillin. The orientation of these two fragments is as indicated in FIG. 3.
pPL1975 thus contains a functional E. coli replication origin and a pE194.sup.ts
DNA fragment comprising an intact plus origin (+ori pE194.sup.ts) and a
truncated repF gene (repF') (Villafane et al., 1987, J. Bact. 169:4822-4829).
EXAMPLE 2
Preparation of Genomic DNA
Genomnic DNA from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai EMCC0087 is prepared by
inoculating 2 ml LB (Luria-Bertani broth) in a 15.times.1.5 cm screw-capped
test tube with a Bacillus thuringiensis colony. After overnight incubation at
37.degree. C. without shaking, the entire tube contents are transferred to a 1
L flask containing 250 ml LB and grown for 6 hours at 37.degree. C. with
shaking at 300 rpm. Flask contents are harvested at 8000 rpm in a GSA rotor,
and the resulting pellet is resuspended in 20 ml TE buffer (10 mM Tris, pH 7.9,
1 mM EDTA) in a 25 ml Corex centrifuge tube. Approximately 20 mg solid lysozyme
is added and the tube contents are mixed by gentle inversion. After a 10 minute
incubation at 37.degree. C., 1 ml 0.5 M EDTA and 0.5 ml 2 M Tris, pH 7.9 are
added. The tube contents are again mixed by gentle inversion and allowed to
incubate for an additional 15 minutes. Subsequently, 200 .mu.l RNase A (10
mg/ml) is added, followed by a 15 minute incubation at 37.degree. C. and
addition of 2.3 ml of 10% SDS. Proteinase K (2 mg) is added, and the tube
contents are incubated for 2 hrs. at 50.degree. C., split into two Corex tubes,
and extracted at least two times with phenol and two times with
phenol/chloroform. Genomic DNA is precipitated with 1/10 volume of sodium
acetate and 2.5 volumes of 95% ethanol, and resuspended in approximately 5 ml
of TE buffer.
EXAMPLE 3
Construction of Plasmid pET235
A size-selected library of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai EMCC0087 DNA
fragments is created by digestion of genomic DNA with EcoRI, gel electrophoresis,
excision of fragments 6 kb and larger, and release from the agarose by
electroelution. After ligation of the fragments into the EcoRI site of pBR322
and transformation into E. coli strain XL-1 Blue MRF' (Stratagene Cloning
Systems; Jerpseth et al., 1992, Strategies 5[3]:81), the 8-kb EcoRI fragment
bearing the cryIC gene is cloned by colony blot hybridization as previously
described (Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Cold
Spring Harbor, N.Y.), probing with a DNA fragment corresponding to nucleotides
869 to 1175 of the cryIC gene (Honee et al., 1988, Nucleic Acids Research
16:6240) with the addition of four nucleotides (CGGG) to the 5' end to create a
functional BarnHI site. This probe is generated by PCR amplification of Bacillus
thuringiensis subsp. aizawai EMCC0087 genomic DNA and is shown below as SEQ ID
NO:3.
5'-CGGGATCCACAGTTACAGTCTGTAGCTCAATTACCTACPTTTTAACGTTA
TGGAGAGCAGCCGAATTAGAAATCCFCATTTATTTGATATATTGAATAA
TCTTACAATCTTTACGGATTGGTTTAGTGTFGGACGCAATTTTTTATTGG
GGAGGACATCGAGTAATATCTAGCCTTATATAGGAGGTGGTAACATAACA
TCTCCTATATATGGAAGAGAGGCGAACCAGGAGCCTCCAAGATCCTTTA
CTTTTAATGGACCGGTATTTAGGACTTTATCAAATCCTACTTTACGATT
ATTACAGCAACCTTGGCC-3'
The phospholipase C (plc) gene of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki 4D7 is
PCR amplified using primers containing BamHI sites. The primers are shown
below:
5'-TTGGATCCAGGGAAATATTATTTATACGTCTATAAATAT-3' (SEQ ID NO:4)
5'-TTGGATCCGAATAAAAAATCATGTGGAAACTTCATAG-3' (SEQ ID NO:5). The amplified
fragment is digested with BamHI and inserted into the BamHI site of pCP115. The
850 bp EcoRI-BamHI fragment containing the 3' half of the plc gene is then
inserted between the EcoRI and BamHI sites of PL1975. Plasmid pET231 is
constructed by insertion of the 8-kb EcoRI fragment bearing the cryIC gene into
the EcoRI site of pNNB 11. Plasmid pET235 (see FIG. 1) is constructed by
insertion of the cat-bearing 1.5-kb BamHI fragment of pMI1101D into the BamHI
site of pET231.
EXAMPLE 4
Integration and Amplification of Plasmid pET235
E. coli cells are electroporated with a Bio-Rad Gene Pulser as described by the
manufacturer. Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki 4D9 cells are prepared for
electroporation by the method of Macaluso and Mettus (1991, J. Bacteriol.
173:1353-1356). However, unlike their procedure, no electrical modifications
are made to the Gene Pulser, instead, cells are placed in a 0.2 cm cuvette and
electroporated at 800 ohms, 25 uF, and 1600 volts (8000 volts per cm). Plasmid
DNA for electroporation is prepared in E. coli GM272 (dam-dcm-hsd-), which
generally yields higher efficiencies for transformation of Bacillus
thuringiensis than does plasmid DNA prepared from GM48 (dam-dcm-). Bacillus
thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki 4D9 is transformed with pE194.sup.ts, and
colonies are selected on LB plates containing 5 .mu.g erythromycin per ml.
Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki 4D9 bearing helper plasmid pE194.sup.ts
is transformed with pET235, and colonies are selected on LB plates containing
10 .mu.g chloramphenicol per ml. Integrants are formed by incubating the
transformants at 37.degree. C. to cure them of pE194.sup.ts. Erythromycin
sensitive colonies are subsequently serially plated at 30 and 60 .mu.g
choramphenicol per ml. Integrant EMCCO122 is selected based on crystal size as
determined by phase-contrast light microscopy as described supra.
EXAMPLE 5
Determination of Crystal Size of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki 4D9
cryIC Integrant EMCC0122
Crystal measurements are made by photographing spore/crystal preparations with
a Zeiss Axioscope, and then printing the negatives at a final magnification of
approximately 2000.times.. Measurements of the crystals in millimeters are made
with a ruler, and then normalized to the average length of the spores in each
photo to account for any differences in photo enlargement. Assuming that a
mature endospore is approximately 1 .mu.m in its longest diameter, then the
crystals have the dimensions indicated in Table 1.
The results are shown in Table 1, infra.
TABLE 1 Crystal Dimensions of cryIC Integrant EMCC0122 Crystal Crystal Crystal Number Length Range Width Range Volume Meas- Sample (.mu.m) (.mu.m) (.mu.m) (.mu.m) (.mu.m.sup.3) ured EMCC0122 1.0 .+-. 0.74 .+-. 0.60 .+-. 0.45-0.76 0.12 .+-. 20 0.17 1.4 0.083 0.055
EXAMPLE 6
Cultivation of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki 4D9 cryIC Integrant
EMCCO122
A subculture of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki 4D9 cryIC integrant
EMCCO122, maintained as a 40% glycerol stock stored at -80.degree. C., is used
to inoculate 250 ml baffled shake flasks containing 50 ml of P/Y medium, having
the following composition.
Citric acid 1.0 g/l KH2 PO4 1.3 g/l CaCl2 · H2 O 0.33 g/l MgSO4 · 7H2 O 0.67 g/l Maltrin-100 20 g/l Yeast Extract 10 g/l Peptone 15.3 g/l Trace metals 0.3 ml/l
The pH of the medium is adjusted to 7.0 using 10 N NaOH.
After inoculation, shake flasks are inoculated at 30.degree. C. on a rotary
shaker with 250-rpm shaking for 72 hours. The whole cultures are stabilized by
addition of 10 mg potassium sorbate, 3 mg sodium benzoate, and 0.5 mg methyl
paraben per ml culture, adjusted to pH 4.5 with 30% H3 PO4 and stored
at 5.degree. C.
EXAMPLE 7
Bioassay of Crystal Delta-endotoxins from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp.
kurstaki 4D9 cryIC Integrant EMCC0122 against Spodoptera exigua
The potency of the Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki cryIC integrant
EMCC0122 is determined by diet incorporation bioassay using third instar
Spodoptera exzgua larvae.
The Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki integrant EMCC0122 whole broth from
EXAMPLE 6 is serially diluted to establish the range of potency. A reference
standard, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai EMCC0087 cultivated as
described in EXAMPLE 6, is also run.
Standard artificial diet composed of water, agar, sugar, casein, wheat germ,
methyl paraben, sorbic acid, linseed oil, cellulose, salts, and vitamins are
prepared in a 20 liter kettle. This provides enough diet to test 10 to 12
samples with seven different concentrations of a test substance. The Bacillus
thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki integrant EMCC0122 whole broth preparation is
serially diluted to give 16 mnl aliquots. Each aliquot is added to 184 g of
molten diet The mixture is subsequently homogenized and then poured into a
plastic tray bearing 40 individual wells. Three control trays are prepared for
each batch of diet. Once the diet has cooled and solidified, one third instar
Spodoptera exigua larva is added to each well, and the trays are covered with a
perforated sheet of clear mylar. The trays are placed on racks and incubated
for four days at 28.degree. C. and 65% humidity.
After four days, insect mortality is rated. Each tray is given a sharp blow
against a table top, and larvae that do not move are counted as dead. Per cent
mortality is calculated and the data is analyzed via parallel probit analysis.
LC50 values, LC90 values, the slope of the regression lines, coefficient of
variation (CV), and potencies in Spodoptera Units (SU) are determined. Samples
are run a mimum of 3 times or until three potencies are within 20% of a
calculated mean for each sample.
The results are shown in Table 2, infra. The potency of EMCC0122 is
approximately 2 times that of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai EMCC0087.
TABLE 2 Potency of cryIC Integrant EMCC0122 on Spodoptera exigua Sample LC50 LC90 Slope CV SU EMCC0087 3127 16922 2.1 10.2 750 EMCC0122 2074 8021 2.2 9.7 1671
DEPOSIT OF MICROORGANISMS
The following strains of Bacillus thuringiensis have been deposited in the
Agricultural Research Service Patent Culture Collection, Northern Regional
Research Laboratory (NRRL), 1815 University Street, Peoria, Ill., 61604, USA.
Strain Accession Number Deposit Date EMCC0087 NRRL B-21147 October 6, 1993 EMCC0122 NRRL B-21386 January 19, 1995
The strains have been deposited under conditions that assure that access to the
culture will be available during the pendency of this patent application to one
determined by the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks to be entitled thereto
under 37 C.F.R. .sctn.1.14 and 35 U.S.C. .sctn.122. The deposit represents a
substantially pure culture of each deposited strain. The deposit is available as
required by foreign patent laws in countries in which counterparts of the
subject application, or its progeny are filed. However, it should be understood
that the availability of a deposit does not constitute a license to practice
the subject invention in derogation of patent rights granted by governmental
action.
Further, the subject culture deposit will be stored and made available to the
public in accordance with the provisions of the Budapest Treaty for the Deposit
of Microorganisms, i.e., it will be stored with all the care necessary to keep
it viable and uncontaminated for a period of at least five years after the most
recent request for the furnishing of a sample of the deposit, and in any case,
for a period of at least 30 (thirty) years after the date of deposit or for the
enforceable life of any patent which may issue disclosing the culture. The
depositor acknowledges the duty to replace the deposit should the depository be
unable to furnish a sample when requested, due to the condition of the deposit.
All restrictions on the availability to the public of the subject culture
deposit will be irrevocably removed upon the granting of a patent disclosing
it.
The invention described and claimed herein is not to be limited in scope by the
specific embodiments herein disclosed, since these embodiments are intended as
illustrations of several aspects of the invention. Any equivalent embodiments
are intended to be within the scope of this invention. Indeed, various
modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein
will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing
description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of
the appended claims.
Various references are cited herein, the disclosures of which are incorporated
by reference in their entireties.
SEQUENCE LISTING (1) GENERAL INFORMATION: (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 5 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 1: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 58 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (A) ORGANISM: not provided (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:1 AATTGATCAA GCTTTAAATG CATGCTAGCA ACGCGGCCGC CAACCTCGAG ATCTCATG 58 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 2: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 58 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (A) ORGANISM: not provided (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2 AATTCATGAG ATCTCGAGGT TGGCGGCCGC GTTGCTAGCA TGCATTTAAA GCTTGATC 58 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 3: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 311 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (A) ORGANISM: not provided (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:3 CGGGATCCAC AGTTACAGTC TGTAGCTCAA TTACCTACTT TTAACGTTAT GGAGAGCAGC 60 CGAATTAGAA ATCCTCATTT ATTTGATATA TTGAATAATC TTACAATCTT TACGGATTGG 120 TTTAGTGTTG GACGCAATTT TTATTGGGGA GGACATCGAG TAATATCTAG CCTTATAGGA 180 GGTGGTAACA TAACATCTCC TATATATGGA AGAGAGGCGA ACCAGGAGCC TCCAAGATCC 240 TTTACTTTTA ATGGACCGGT ATTTAGGACT TTATCAAATC CTACTTTACG ATTATTACAG 300 CAACCTTGGC C 311 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 4: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 39 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (A) ORGANISM: not provided (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:4 TTGGATCCAG GGAAATATTA TTTATACGTC TATAAATAT 39 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 5: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 37 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (A) ORGANISM: not provided (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:5 TTGGATCCGA ATAAAAAATC ATGTGGAAAC TTCATAG 37