9acdbb8c_e_of_Technology_Transfer__OTT___Description
[Subject Matter] Crop Protection (Insecticide) [Docket] 44.07 [Title] NOVEL CADHERIN RECEPTOR PEPTIDE FOR POTENTIATING BT BIOPESTICIDES [Description] 
The USDA has discovered the partial sequence of a gene encoding a protein in the gut of Tenebrio molitor larvae. The protein that it encodes is similar to the receptor for the lepidopteran-active Cry1A toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). We predicted that this protein is the receptor for coleopteran-active Bt toxins, such as Cry3A, in Bt-susceptible coleopteran insects. Our preliminary data supports this claim, and we are in the process of cloning the complete sequence for the gene, expressing the partial sequence for structure/function studies, and developing antibodies for future studies.
ARS : Office of Technology Transfer (OTT)