Brown marmorated and harlequin stink bug pheromone enzyme synthesis and uses thereof

Inventors

THOLL, DOROTHEA • LANCASTER, JASON

Assignees

Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties Inc • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Abstract

Described herein are engineered polynucleotides and vectors capable of encoding one or more engineered harlequin and/or brown marmorated stink bug pheromone synthesis enzymes. Also described herein are engineered harlequin and/or brown marmorated stink bug pheromone synthesis enzymes. Also described herein are methods of making modified plants capable of expressing one or more harlequin and/or brown marmorated stink bug pheromone synthesis enzymes.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to an engineered polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide that is 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 4 and a heterologous regulatory element operatively coupled to the polynucleotide. The engineered polynucleotide includes the specific sequence identity constraint and the regulatory element is configured to be operatively coupled to the polynucleotide as part of the engineered construct.

The construct is further described such that it encodes a polypeptide with an identity constraint of 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2. In that refinement, the engineered polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide that is 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2.

The disclosure also relates to engineered terpene pheromone biosynthesis systems for stink bugs, including brown marmorated stink bug and harlequin stink bug. The systems include engineered IDS-type TPS/TPS enzymes, engineered polynucleotides, and pathway components including isomerases and cytochrome P450 enzymes, in connection with pheromone-related terpene products and characterization approaches.

Engineered cells, including plant cells, and engineered plants suitable for use as trap crops are also described as part of managing stink bug infestations. Supporting technical context includes functional and biochemical characterization of enzyme activity, gene expression and tissue localization analyses, functional interference data, and general vector and regulatory element frameworks for engineered constructs.

Claims Coverage

The consolidated claim coverage identifies two inventive features across the independent and dependent claim content: a heterologously regulated engineered polynucleotide with a strict sequence identity requirement, and a dependent identity constraint on the encoded polypeptide.

Overall, the claim coverage centers on an engineered polynucleotide defined by 100% identity to SEQ ID NO: 4 with an operatively coupled heterologous regulatory element, and a dependent refinement requiring the encoded polypeptide to be 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications