# US 12,180,498 B2 · Insecticidal proteins > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,180,498 B2 - Document ID: US12180498B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/768,605 - Filed: 2020-10-13 - Published: 2023-03-23 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2019-10-14 - Assignees: Syngenta Crop Protection AG - Applicants: Syngenta Crop Protection AG - Inventors: Clarence Michael Reynolds - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12180498B2 ## CPC - A01N 63/50: Isolated enzymes; Isolated proteins (peptides A01N37/46) - C12N 15/8286: {for insect resistance} - A01N 63/60: Isolated nucleic acids - C07K 14/195: from bacteria - Y02A 40/146: Genetically Modified [GMO] plants, e.g. transgenic plants - A01N: PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF (preservation of food or foodstuff A23); BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES (preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes which kill or prevent the growth or proliferation of unwanted organisms A61K); PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS - 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) - Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE ## Abstract Compositions and methods for controlling insect pests are disclosed. In particular, novel insecticidal proteins having toxicity to at least coleopteran insect pests are provided. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the novel insecticidal proteins are also provided. Methods of making the insecticidal proteins and methods of using the insecticidal proteins and nucleic acids encoding the insecticidal proteins of the disclosure, for example in transgenic plants to confer protection from insect damage, are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a protein that is toxic to an insect pest, wherein the nucleotide sequence (a) encodes a protein comprising an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5-21; or (b) comprises any one of SEQ ID NOs: 28, 33-44, and 48; or (c) is a synthetic sequence of (a) or (b) that has codons optimized for expression in a transgenic organism. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein the insecticidal protein comprises an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5-21. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein the nucleotide sequence comprises any one of SEQ ID NOs: 28, 33-44, and 48. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein the synthetic nucleotide sequence comprises any one of SEQ ID NOs: 28, 33-44, and 48. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A chimeric gene comprising a heterologous promoter operably linked to the nucleic acid molecule of claim 1. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The chimeric gene of claim 5, wherein the heterologous promoter is a plant expressible promoter. ### Claim 7 A protein that is toxic to an insect pest, wherein the protein comprises (a) an amino acid sequence that comprises any of SEQ ID NOs: 5-21; or (b) an amino acid sequence that is encoded by a nucleotide sequence comprising any of SEQ ID NOs: 28, 33-44, and 48. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) A recombinant vector comprising the chimeric gene of claim 5. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A host cell comprising the recombinant vector of claim 8, wherein the host cell is a bacterial cell or plant cell. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A transgenic plant or plant part comprising the plant cell of claim 9. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The transgenic plant or plant part of claim 10 that is a transgenic maize plant or plant part. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) An insecticidal composition comprising the protein of claim 7 and an agriculturally acceptable carrier. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) A method for producing an insecticidal protein, comprising culturing the host cell of claim 9 or an organism comprising the host cell under conditions in which the host cell produces the insecticidal protein. ### Claim 14 (depends on 5) A method of producing a transgenic plant or plant part having enhanced insect resistance compared to a control plant or plant part, comprising: (a) introducing into a plant or plant part the chimeric gene of claim 5, wherein the insecticidal protein is expressed in the plant or plant part, thereby producing a plant or plant part with enhanced insect-resistance. ### Claim 15 (depends on 7) A method of controlling an insect pest comprising, delivering to the insect pest or an environment thereof an effective amount of the insecticidal protein of claim 7. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the insecticidal protein is delivered through a transgenic plant or by topical application of an insecticidal composition comprising the insecticidal protein. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the insect pest is a coleopteran insect pest. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the coleopteran insect pest is a Diabrotica species. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the Diabrotica species is selected from the group consisting of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, Diabrotica barberi, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi and Diabrotica zeae.