Small molecule compounds that control plant- and insect-pathogenic nematodes
Inventors
Choe, Andrea • Sternberg, Paul W. • Schroeder, Frank C. • Von Reuss, Stephan H. • Kaplan, Fatma • Teal, Peter A. • Alborn, Hans
Assignees
California Institute of Technology • US Department of Agriculture USDA • Boyce Thompson Institute
Publication Number
US-9534008-B2
Publication Date
2017-01-03
Expiration Date
2032-08-08
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Abstract
The present invention relates to methods of modifying nematode behavior using certain isolated modulator compounds. Also disclosed are methods of promoting or inhibiting reproduction in a nematode population, methods of promoting or inhibiting nematode aggregation at a first location, and methods of treating or preventing parasite infection of a plant.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to methods of modifying nematode behavior through administering isolated modulator compounds, including compounds of Formula I characterized by complex substituents (e.g., R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 with various possible groups) or compounds comprising at least one nucleobase, at least one fatty acid, at least one amino acid, and at least one sugar linked by covalent bonds with a molecular weight of less than about 2,000 g/mol, with the proviso that the nematode is not a Caenorhabditis species.
Problems addressed include the incomplete knowledge of nematode pheromone systems and the need to overcome deficiencies in identification and application of nematode pheromones. Nematodes occupy diverse habitats and exhibit complex behaviors such as aggregation, attraction, repulsion, dauer formation, feeding, and host invasion, but the chemical signaling mechanisms, especially involving ascarosides, have been largely unknown beyond a few species such as C. elegans. This invention proposes structurally diverse small molecule modulator compounds to alter nematode behaviors, including reproduction promotion or inhibition, aggregation control, and parasite infection prevention in plants.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes multiple independent claims focusing on methods of modifying nematode behavior, reproduction, aggregation, and treating or preventing parasite infection of plants, each employing isolated modulator compounds.
Method of modifying nematode behavior using isolated modulator compounds
Administering a composition comprising compounds selected from a vast class including defined chemical Formula I compounds with specific substitutions or compounds containing nucleobase, fatty acid, amino acid, and sugar moieties linked covalently, excluding Caenorhabditis species, to modify nematode behavior.
Method of promoting or inhibiting reproduction in nematodes using specific ascarosides
Administering isolated modulator compounds selected from specific ascarosides (ascr#1, ascr#3, ascr#7, ascr#8, ascr#9, ascr#10, ascr#16, ascr#18, ascr#20, ascr#22) or their combinations to promote or inhibit reproduction in a nematode population in contact with a plant.
Method of controlling nematode aggregation at spaced locations
Contacting a first or a second location (the latter spaced but affecting the first) with one or more isolated modulator compounds selected from a defined group of ascarosides and derivatives (including ascr#1 to ascr#22 variants, icas#9, oscr#10, and their combinations) under conditions effective to promote or inhibit nematode aggregation.
Method of treating or preventing parasite infection in plants using ascarosides
Contacting the plant or a second location spaced from the plant with isolated modulator compounds selected from an extensive group of ascarosides (including ascr#1 to ascr#22 and derivatives) effective to treat or prevent parasite infection where the parasite is a nematode or an insect.
The claims cover methods employing chemically defined isolated modulator compounds, particularly ascarosides and related molecules, for modifying nematode behavior, managing nematode reproduction and aggregation, and preventing parasite infection in plants by employing specific compositions and application strategies.
Stated Advantages
The indole ascarosides identified are potent hermaphrodite attractants and promote aggregation at extremely low (femtomolar) concentrations.
The chemical signaling compounds provide specificity, allowing differential modulation of nematode behaviors such as attraction, repulsion, and dispersal.
The compounds enable modulation of nematode populations including promoting or inhibiting reproduction and aggregation, potentially improving plant protection strategies.
The method enables spatial modulation of nematode aggregation through treatment at locations spaced to influence target sites.
Documented Applications
Modifying nematode behavior such as reproduction, development, dauer formation, aggregation, attraction, repulsion, dispersal, deterrence, feeding, host finding, and host invasion.
Promoting or inhibiting reproduction in nematode populations through administration of specific ascarosides or combinations thereof.
Promoting or inhibiting nematode aggregation at specific locations via direct or indirect compound application.
Treating or preventing parasite infection of plants by contacting plants or spaced locations with isolated modulator compounds active against nematode and insect parasites.
Use in agricultural contexts involving crop plants (including monocots and dicots), ornamental plants, and protection against plant-parasitic nematodes and insects such as root-knot nematodes and pest insects (e.g., European corn borer, beet armyworm).
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