# US 11,441,156 B2 · Pathogen resistant compositions, organisms, systems, and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,441,156 B2 - Document ID: US11441156B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/843,519 - Filed: 2020-04-08 - Published: 2020-10-22 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2015-07-15 - Assignees: The Texas A&M University System - Applicants: The Texas A&M University System - Inventors: T. Erik Mirkov; Kranthi Kiran Mandadi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11441156B2 ## CPC - C12N 15/8279: {for biotic stress resistance, pathogen resistance, disease resistance} - C07K 14/415: from plants - C12N 15/8281: {for bacterial resistance} - C12N: MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA (microbiological testing media C12Q1/00) - C07K: PEPTIDES (peptides in foodstuffs A23; obtaining protein compositions for foodstuffs, working-up proteins for foodstuffs A23J; preparations for medicinal purposes A61K; peptides containing beta-lactam rings C07D; cyclic dipeptides not having in their molecule any other peptide link than those which form their ring, e.g. piperazine-2,5-diones, C07D; ergot alkaloids of the cyclic peptide type C07D519/02; macromolecular compounds having statistically distributed amino acid units in their molecules, i.e. when the preparation does not provide for a specific; but for a random sequence of the amino acid units, homopolyamides and block copolyamides derived from amino acids C08G69/00; macromolecular products derived from proteins C08H1/00; preparation of glue or gelatine C09H; single cell proteins, enzymes C12N; genetic engineering processes for obtaining peptides C12N15/00; compositions for measuring or testing processes involving enzymes C12Q; investigation or analysis of biological material G01N33/00) ## Abstract The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to pathogen resistant plants, compositions, organisms, systems, and methods. For example, a composition may comprise a heterologous peptide (e.g., a defensin peptide) and/or a nucleic acid (e.g., a defensin nucleic acid). A pathogen resistant plant may comprise, in some embodiments, a heterologous defensin peptide and/or an expressible nucleic acid encoding a heterologous defensin peptide. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A citrus or potato plant comprising at least one heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide comprising a first heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide, wherein the amino acid sequence of the first heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 32, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 33, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 34, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 35, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 36, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 37, or at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 38, and wherein the Spinach oleracea defensin peptide has anti-microbial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in the citrus or potato plant. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The citrus or potato plant according to claim 1, wherein the amino acid sequence of the first heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide is at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37, or at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38, and wherein the Spinach oleracea defensin peptide has anti-microbial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in the citrus or potato plant. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The citrus or potato plant according to claim 1, wherein the amino acid sequence of the first heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide is 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38, and wherein the Spinach oleracea defensin peptide has anti-microbial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in the citrus or potato plant. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The citrus or potato plant according to claim 1 further comprising a second heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide, wherein the amino acid sequence of the second heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 32, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 33, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 34, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 35, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 36, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 37, or at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 38, and wherein the Spinach oleracea defensin peptide has anti-microbial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in the citrus or potato plant. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The citrus or potato plant according to claim 4, wherein the amino acid sequence of the second heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide is at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37, or at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38, and wherein the Spinach oleracea defensin peptide has anti-microbial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in the citrus or potato plant. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The citrus or potato plant according to claim 4, wherein the amino acid sequence of the second heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide is 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38, and wherein the Spinach oleracea defensin peptide has anti-microbial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in the citrus or potato plant. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The citrus or potato plant according to claim 4, wherein the amino acid sequence of the first heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide and the amino acid sequence of the second heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide are different. ### Claim 8 A citrus or potato plant comprising at least one heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin nucleic acid comprising a first heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin nucleic acid, wherein the nucleic acid sequence of the first heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin nucleic acid is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 46, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 47, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 48, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 49, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 50, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 51, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 52, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 53, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 54, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 55, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 56, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 57, or at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 58, and wherein the Spinach oleracea defensin peptide has anti-microbial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in the citrus or potato plant. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The citrus or potato plant according to claim 8, wherein the nucleic acid sequence of the first heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin nucleic acid is at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 46, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 47, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 48, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 49, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 50, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 51, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 52, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 53, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 54, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 55, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 56, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 57, or at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 58, and wherein the Spinach oleracea defensin peptide has anti-microbial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in the citrus or potato plant. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The citrus or potato plant according to claim 8, wherein the nucleic acid sequence of the first heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin nucleic acid is 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46, 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47, 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 48, 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 49, 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50, 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51, 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52, 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53, 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54, 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 55, 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 56, 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 57, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58, and wherein the Spinach oleracea defensin peptide has anti-microbial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in the citrus or potato plant. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The citrus or potato plant according to claim 8, further comprising a second heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin nucleic acid, wherein the nucleic acid sequence of the second heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin nucleic acid is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 46, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 47, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 48, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 49, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 50, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 51, or at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 52, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 53, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 54, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 55, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 56, at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 57, or at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 58, and wherein the Spinach oleracea defensin peptide has anti-microbial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in the citrus or potato plant. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The citrus or potato plant according to claim 8 further comprising a second heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin nucleic acid, wherein the nucleic acid sequence of the second heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin nucleic acid is at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 46, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 47, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 48, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 49, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 50, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 51, or at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 52, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 53, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 54, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 55, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 56, at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 57, or at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 58, and wherein the Spinach oleracea defensin peptide has anti-microbial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in the citrus or potato plant. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The citrus or potato plant according to claim 8 further comprising a second heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin nucleic acid, wherein the nucleic acid sequence of the second heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin nucleic acid is 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 46, 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 47, 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 48, 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 49, 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 50, 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 51, 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 52, 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 53, 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 54, 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 55, 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 56, 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 57, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 58, and wherein the Spinach oleracea defensin peptide has anti-microbial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in the citrus or potato plant. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The citrus or potato plant according to claim 11, wherein the nucleic acid sequence of the first heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin nucleic acid and the nucleic acid sequence of the second heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin nucleic acid are different. ### Claim 15 A composition comprising at least one heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide comprising a first heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide, wherein the amino acid sequence of the first heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 32, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 33, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 34, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 35, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 36, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 37, or at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 38, and wherein the Spinach oleracea defensin peptide has anti-microbial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in a citrus or potato plant. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The composition according to claim 15, wherein the amino acid sequence of the first heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide is at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37, or at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38, and wherein the Spinach oleracea defensin peptide has anti-microbial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in a citrus or potato plant. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The composition according to claim 15, wherein the amino acid sequence of the first heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide is 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38, and wherein the Spinach oleracea defensin peptide has anti-microbial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in a citrus or potato plant. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The composition according to claim 15 further comprising a second heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide, wherein the amino acid sequence of the second heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 32, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 33, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 34, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 35, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 36, at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 37, or at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 38, and wherein the Spinach oleracea defensin peptide has anti-microbial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in a citrus or potato plant. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The composition according to claim 18, wherein the amino acid sequence of the second heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide is at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36, at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37, or at least 98% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38, and wherein the Spinach oleracea defensin peptide has anti-microbial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in a citrus or potato plant. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The composition according to claim 18, wherein the amino acid sequence of the second heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide is 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36, 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38, and wherein the Spinach oleracea defensin peptide has anti-microbial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in a citrus or potato plant. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The composition according to claim 18, wherein the amino acid sequence of the first heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide and the amino acid sequence of the second heterologous Spinach oleracea defensin peptide are different.