Method of controlling insects
AssigneeMonsanto Company
InventorsDavid R. Corbin, John T. Greenplate, Michael G. Jennings, John P. Purcell, Robert D. Sammons
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Abstract
3-Hydroxysteroid oxidase controls insects, particularly lepidopteran and boll weevil. Genes encoding for this enzyme may be cloned into vectors for transformation of plant-colonizing microorganisms, thereby providing a method of controlling insect infestation.
Claims21
In a method of controlling plant insect pests by applying to the plant environment or plant seed an insecticidally effective amount of a protein toxin for ingestion by the insect, the improvement comprising applying to the plant environment or plant seed a plant-colonizing microorganism genetically engineered to contain and express a heterologous gene comprising a DNA sequence encoding 3-hydroxysteroid oxidase in an amount effective for controlling insect infestation, wherein the insect is a boll weevil or a lepidopteran.
A composition for use in controlling insect infestation of a plant, the composition comprising a genetically transformed plant-colonizing microorganism capable of expressing in a plant environment an insecticidally effective amount of 3-hydroxysteroid oxidase.
A genetically transformed plant-colonizing microorganism comprising a heterologous gene comprising a promoter operable in the microorganism and a structural DNA sequence encoding 3-hydroxysteroid oxidase.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.