A viral gene inducing toxicity in insect cells: increased efficacy through protein engineering

Texas Tech University System Office of Technology Commercialization
posted on 07/15/2011

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Invention Description:

This technology provides an improved means to control insects, involving a biological control method to induce toxicity in targeted insects using iridoptin.  It can be used to induce high levels of apoptosis and inhibition of host pertain synthesis in insect cells.  It is the first viral toxin against non-lepidopteran insects and is distinct from existing bacterial toxins, such as Bacillus thuringiensis toxins, which are not effective against most beetles, including the boll weevil, and the Baculoviridae, which is the main group of viruses currently used as biological control agents. 

Market Applications:

Iridoptin will have use in the control of agricultural pests.  It will increase productivity and reduce disease transfer by vectors and household pests.  It may have applications in cancer therapy and other medical applications where apoptosis is critical to removal of certain cells.

Features, Benefits, & Advantages:

• Improved biological control methods remove the adverse side effects presented from chemical control to beneficial insects and groundwater.

• The use of iridoptin is more efficient in inducing apoptosis and inhibiting host protein synthesis than earlier discovered viral proteins.

• The economic impact of boll weevils, aphids, silver leaf whiteflies, and noctuids is estimated at $3.7 billion annually for the U.S. alone.

Intellectual Property:

U.S. Patent application 12/205.857 filed on 09/06/2008.  Applications also filed for Brazil and China.  

Development Stage:

This technology is part of an active and ongoing research project. It is available for licensing.