| abstract |
The subject invention relates to insecticidal toxin complex (~TC~) fusion proteins and to polynucleotides that encode these fusion proteins. The subject invention also includes polynucleotides that encode the subject TC fusion proteins, and vectors comprising said polynucleotides. In some embodiments, the invention provides a fusion protein comprising a Class A protein, a Class B protein, and a Class C TC protein fused together to form a single protein. In some other embodiments, the invention provides a fusion protein comprising a Class B and a Class C TC proteins fused together. In the latter embodiments, the BC or CB fusion protein can be used to enhance or potentiate the anti-insect activity of a ~Toxin A~ or Class A protein. Heretofore, there was no expectation that such fusion proteins would properly function and retain their activity when fused together. The subject invention advantageously reduces the number of genes needed to transform plants. Thus, the subject invention also includes plants, cells (bacterial and plant cells for example), and seeds that comprise said polynucleotides. Said plants can produce fusion proteins of the subject invention, which convey insect resistance to said plants. The subject invention also includes methods of controlling pests (preferably insects and other plant pests) with fusion proteins of the subject invention. |