Chromobacterium subtsugae genome

This application is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US2015/046045, filed on Aug. 20, 2015 which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/049,016, filed Sep. 11, 2014. All of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

This instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted in ASCII format via EFS-Web. Said ASCII copy is named MBI-203-0006-US-PR1_ST25.txt and is 24,039,565 bytes in size.

The present disclosure is in the field of biopesticides; in particular bacterial pesticides, their genes and their gene products.

Chromobacterium subtsugae In 2000, a purple-pigmented bacterium (PRAA4-1) was isolated from forest soil in Maryland (Martin et al., 2004). In initial screens, this bacterium was found to be toxic to Colorado potato beetle and other insect pests (Martin et al., 2007a). Additional work with the isolate revealed activity gainst mites, grubs, diverse beetle species, aphids and plant parasitic nematodes, among other plant pests (Martin et al., 2007b, US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0100236 A1).

Proteases and Insect Control Proteases have the ability to target and destroy essential proteins and tissues of insects. Plants have naturally evolved to express proteases to protect against insects. Insect predators also produce protease in their venom, which contributes to mortality. Proteases have been identified as important insecticidal agents for control of insects in agriculture.

Proteases with insecticidal activity fall into three general categories: cysteine proteases, metalloproteases and serine proteases. Proteases of these classes target the midgut, cuticle and hemocoel. The peritrophic matrix of the midgut is an ideal target for insect control because it lines and protects the midgut epithelium from food particles, digestive enzymes and pathogens; in addition to acting as a biochemical barrier (Hegedus at al., 2009). Enhancins are zinc metalloproteases expressed by baculoviruses that facilitate nucleopolyhedrovirus infections in lepidopterans (Lepore et al., 1996). These proteases promote the infection of lepidopteran larvae by digesting the invertebrate intestinal mucin protein of the peritrophic matrix, which in turn promotes infection of the midgut epithelium (Wang and Granados, 1997). Homologs of enhancin genes found in baculovirus have been identified in the genomes of Yersinia pestis, Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus cereus (Galloway et al., 2005; Hajaij-Ellouze et al., 2006).

Plant cysteine proteases also demonstrate activity against lepidopteran larvae. Cysteine proteases in the latex of the papaya and wild fig trees are essential in the defense against various lepidopteran larvae. Toxicity to the larvae was lost when the latex was washed or when the leaves were treated with a cysteine protease-inhibitor, indicating that the defense may be due to the high concentration of cysteine proteases in the latex (Konno et al., 2004).

Proteases that target the cuticle are also important in insect control. The cuticle covers the entire outside of the insect as well as some invaginations of internal structures. The cuticle is composed of a waxy epicuticle, an exocuticle and an endocuticle that consist of protein, lipid and chitin (Harrison and Bonning 2010). Fungal infection of insects by Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana occurs when the fungal spores germinate on the cuticle, forming structures for penetration of the cuticle by a variety of enzymes, including proteases (Freimoser at al., 2003; Cho et al., 2006). One notable serine protease produced by M. anisopliae, PR1A, digests the cuticle and plays an essential role in penetration (St. Leger et al. 1987). A clone of M. anisopliae was engineered to contain additional copies of the pr1a gene and showed 25% more kill of tobacco hornworm than the wild-type (St Leger et al., 1996). B. basianna was also engineered to express the M. anisopliae PR1A protease and demonstrated increased toxicity of larvae of the Masson's pine caterpillar, Dendrolimus punctatus, and the wax moth, Galleria mellonella (Lu et al., 2008).

The basement membrane of insects consists of proteins that surround the tissue and contribute to a variety of functions from structural support to barriers for viruses. Three potential basement membrane-degrading proteins were evaluated using Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV). This baculovirus was engineered to express two vertebrate metalloproteases, rat stromelysin and human geatinase A, as well as the fruit fly cathepsin L, ScathL. The ScathL protease demonstrated the best baculovirus activity. The median survival time of infected tobacco budworm larvae was reduced by 50% when compared to wild-type infected larvae (Harrison and Bonning, 2001). This data supports the idea that proteases expressed in viruses have the ability to access the basement membrane of insects, which generally functions as a barrier to viruses. A previous report identified two basement membrane proteins of imaginal discs of fruit fly larvae that are susceptible to hydrolysis by cathepsin L (Homma and Natori, 1996). Purified ScathL protease was also toxic to a variety of insect pests when it was injected into the hemocoel. The purified protease demonstrated similar melanization, mortality and hemolymph protease activity in lepidopteran larvae as was seen ScathL expressed baculovirus infections (Li et al., 2008). Basement membrane damage is cause by purified ScathL protease both in vivo and in vitro (Tang et al., 2007; Philip et al. 2007).

Arthropod predators have also been shown to contain basement membrane cleaving proteases in their venom. One example is the parasitic wasp, Eulophus pennicornis, in which 3 metalloproteinases (EpMP1-3) were identified in the venom glands. Recombinant EpMP3 was injected into the hemocoel of Lacanobia oleracea larvae and resulted in significant mortality, or impaired development and growth in surviving larvae (Price et al., 2009). Social aphid soldier nymphs produce a toxic cathepsin B protease (cysteine protease) in their intestines. The protease is orally excreted into enemies and demonstrates insecticidal activity (Kutsukake et al., 2008).

A protease isolated from the bacterium, Xenorhabdus nematophilia, has been shown to suppress antibacterial peptides involved in insect immune response, making the insect susceptible to the pathogenetic process (Caldas et al., 2002). The enterobacterium, Photorhabdus luminscense, has been shown to be pathogenic to a broad spectrum of insects. The genome sequence of this bacterium identified genes related to toxicity, including proteases (Duchaud et al., 2003).

The use of proteases as insecticides has been of interest to plant modifications as well. Basement-membrane degrading proteases have been characterized and engineered for transgenic insecticidal protocols, with the goal of developing transgenic plants that are resistant to insect pests (U.S. Pat. No. 6,673,340, Harrison and Bonning, 2004). Proteases in the gut of insects have been shown to affect the impact of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry insecticidal proteins. Some proteases activate Cry proteins by processing them from a protoxin to a toxic form. Insect toxins have been modified to comprise proteolytic activation sites with the goal of incorporating this modification into transformed plants, plant cells and seeds. Cleavage of these sites by the insect gut protease results in an active insect toxin within the gut of the pest (U.S. Pat. No. 7,473,821, Abad et al., 2009).

Insecticidal Activity of Chitinases Chitinases expedite insecticidal activity by puncturing the insect midgut lining and degrading the insect cuticle. Degradation of these membranes exposes the insects to pathogens, to other insecticidal compounds, and/or to plant defenses.

Chitinases hydrolyze the structural polysaccharide chitin, a linear homopolymer of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranoside, linked by β-1→4-linkages, which is a component of the exoskeleton and gut lining of insects. Chitinases are classified as either family 18 or family 19 glycosyl hydrolases. Family 18 chitinases are widespread, found in bacteria, plants, and animals; while family 19 chitinases are mainly found in plants (Henrissat and Bairoch, 1993). In insects, Chitinases play a role in molting (Samuels and Reynolds, 1993, Merzendorfer and Zimoch, 2003).

Chitinases alone show some insecticidal activity. Chitinase from Serretia marcenscens was found to be toxic to seventh instar Galleria mellonella larvae (Lysenk, 1976). Transgenic plants which express insect chitinases have been shown to have increased resistance to insect pests. Tobacco plants were transformed with cDNA encoding a Manduca sexta chitinase. Leaves from these transgenic plants were infested with Heliothis virescens larvae. After 3 weeks it was found that chitinase positive leaves had less larval biomass and feeding damage than chitinase negative leaves. It is possible that the activity of the chitinases render insects more susceptible to plant defenses (Ding, et al., 1997).

Insect cuticles provide a physical barrier to protect the insect form pathogens or other environmental hazards, and are composed primarily of chitin (Kramer, et al., 1995). Entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauvaria bassiana, Beauvaria amorpha, Verticillium lecanii, and Aspergillus flavus all secrete chitinases to break down the cuticle and enter the insect host (St Leger, et al., 1986, 1992, Campos, et al. 2005). According to Kim, et al., chitinase-containing supernatants of Beauveria bassina were toxic to Aphis gossypii adults. However, when these supernatants were treated with an excess of chitin to inhibit the activity of the fungal chitinases, this mortality was significantly reduced, suggesting that chitinase plays an integral role in breaking down the cuticle and facilitating infection (Kim, et al. 2010). Chitinases have also been isolated from the venom of the endoparasitic wasp Chelonus sp., where they possibly help the venom penetrate the defenses of chitin protected prey (Krishnan, et al., 1994).

The peritrophic membrane, which lines the insect midgut, is another primarily-chitin-composed barrier that protects insects from pathogens. Any enzyme that can puncture this membrane has potential as a bioinsecticide (Wang and Granados, 2001). Hubner, et al. demonstrated that malarial parasites excrete chitinases to penetrate the peritrophic membrane in mosquitoes (Hubner, et al., 1991), and Shahabuddin, et al. confirmed that inhibition of chitinase with allosamidin is sufficient to prevent the malarial parasite Plasmodium gallinaceum from crossing the peritrophic membrane of Anopheles freeborni. Also, the addition of exogenous chitinase from Streptomyces griseus during the development of the Anopheles freeborni midgut prevented the formation of the peritrophic membrane (Shahabuddin, et al., 1993). This demonstrates that chitinases can break down the peritrophic membrane. Regev, et al. used E. coli to express Serratia marcescens endochitinase ChiA and confirmed with electron microscopy that Spodoptera littoralis larvae exposed to the endochitinase exhibited perforations in the peritrophic membrane (Regev, et al., 1996).

Because of the ability of chitinase to perforate the peritrophic membrane, endochitinases have also been shown to increase the insecticidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Choristoneura fumiferana larvae reared on Agies balsamea treated with a mixture of a diluted commercial formulation of Bt and chitinase were killed more quickly than larvae reared on foliage treated with just Bt alone (Smirnoff, 1973). A mixture of a low concentration of Bt and S. marcenscens chitinase also resulted in higher mortality of Spodoptera littoralis larvae than Bt alone (Sheh et al., 1983). It is believed that this synergistic effect is due to puncturing of the peritrophic lining of the insect gut by the chitinase, facilitating the penetration of Bt spores into the insect. (Smirnoff, 1973).

Yen-Tc, an ABC type protein that is both necessary and sufficient for the entomopathogenicity of Yersinia entomophaga in the insect Costelytra zealandica, contains two family 18 chitinases, making it the first insecticidal toxin complex identified to incorporate chitinases. It is hypothesized that the chitinases are responsible for breaking down peritrophic membrane and exposing the midgut epithelial cells to the toxin. However, the chitinases may only be active in regions of the midgut with a relatively neutral pH (Busby, 2012).

Chitinases are also integral to the activity of some insect viruses. Hatwin, et al. created mutants of the Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) that lacked the gene for chitinase. Usually, this virus causes liquefaction of the host larvae, facilitating the spread of the virus. This liquefaction did not occur when Trichoplusia ni larvae were infected with the chitinase negative virus. It was also confirmed that the AcMNPV chitinase is active under the alkaline conditions of the insect midgut (Hatwin, et al. 1997). A recombinant version of the same Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus that expressed a Haemaphysalis longicornis chitinase was found to have bioarcaricidal activity against Haemaphysalis longicornis nymphs (Assegna, et al. 2006).

Rhs-like Genes Encode Insecticidal Toxins The rhs (rearrangement hotspot) gene family was first identified in E. coli. These genes confer chromosomal rearrangements by homologous exchange (Lin et al., 1984). They are 2 to 12 kb in size and exhibit a long core with a short tip. The core sequences are GC rich and highly conserved, but the tip sequences are GC-poor and highly variable. They encode proteins that have a large core domain and a short C-terminal tip domain. The protein core domain is hydrophilic and contains YD-repeats (Jackson et al., 2009). The Rhs proteins are capable of interacting with bacterial cell surfaces and binding to specific ligands (Wang et al., 1998). While the function of the Rhs proteins remains unknown (Hill et al., 1994), the structure is important because the YD repeats and highly conserved sequences resemble rhs and rhs-like genes encoding insecticidal toxins produced by bacteria.

Photorhabdus luminescens is a mutualistic symbiont of the nematodes from the Heterorhabditae family. The nematode infects the insect and injects the bacterium into the hemocoel of the insect. The bacterium then secretes toxins that kill the insect (Frost et al., 1997). Bowen et al. (1998), purified a high molecular weight protein associated with oral and injectable insecticidal toxicity that targets insects. In another study, Bowen et al. (1998) used high performance liquid chromatography to separate this protein into four toxin complexes (tc) termed, Tca, Tcb, Tcc, and Tcd encoded by the tc loci (Bowen et al., 1998). Waterfield et al. (2001) analyzed recombinant expression of the tc genes in E. coli to understand oral toxicity of Tc proteins. They found that without tccC-like homologs, they could not recover oral toxicity in E. coli. These authors concluded that TccC is involved in activation of toxin secretion. Furthermore, an amino acid sequence analysis revealed TccC and TccC-like proteins have a highly conserved core and highly variable extension. This structure bears resemblance to rhs-like elements (Waterfield N R, Bowen D J, Fetherston J D, Perry R D, and ffrench-Constant, R H, 2001). This similarity suggests that TccC-like and Rhs proteins share an ancient role in toxin mobility and activation for the Enterobacteriaceae family (ffrench-Constant, R et al, 2003).

Another microbe, Serratia entomophila, has insecticidal activity that targets New Zealand grass grub, Costelytra zealandica, and causes amber disease (Grimont et al., 1988). The virulence of S. entomophila is linked to a large plasmid called amber disease-associated plasmid (pADAP) (Glare et al., 1993). Hurst et al. analyzed the mutagenesis and the nucleotide sequence of pADAP to understand how it confers pathogenicity to grass grub. They found that pADAP encodes three genes responsible for the symptoms of amber disease, sepA, sepB, and sepC. All three genes are required for pathogenicity because a mutation in these genes abolishes amber disease. They illustrated that proteins encoded by the sep genes are similar to the proteins encoded by the insecticidal toxin complexes of P. luminescens. For example, the first 680 amino acids of SepC and TccC show a strong similarity. Furthermore, this region resembles the rhs elements of E. coli. The sepC gene is smaller than Rhs elements, but it encodes a hydrophilic protein core with nine Rhs peptide variants. Based on the similarity between the sep and tc genes, Hurst et al. concludes that these products are part of a new group of insecticidal toxins (Hurst et al., 2000).

Harada et al. discovered that, Pantoea stewartii ssp. DC283 is an aggressive pathogen that infects aphids (Harada et al., 1996). The aphid ingests the bacterium and DC283 is able to aggregate in the gut and cause death of the aphid. Stavrinides et al. performed a mutagenesis screen and discovered that the ucp1 (you cannot pass) locus is responsible for the virulence of DC283. Analysis of the ucp1 gene sequence revealed similarities to the Rhs protein family. ucp1 gene is smaller than the genes encoding RHS/YD proteins and does not have a ligand binding YD repeat, but it has conserved 5′-cores, non-homologous 3′ends, and it is a membrane bound protein. These structural similarities suggest enteric plant colonizers have the genetic ability to colonize insect hosts. Furthermore, the similarities between the ucp1 and rhs genes suggest that rhs-like genes have potential insecticidal activity (Stavrinides et al., 2010).

The present disclosure provides the nucleotide sequence of the genome of the bacterium Chromobacterium subtsugae. Isolation and partial characterization of this bacterium is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,244,607. Also provided are the nucleotide sequences of open reading frames in C. subtsugae; i.e., C. subtsugae gene sequences. Additionally provided are amino acid sequences of polypeptides encoded by the Chromobacterium subtsugae genome.

The present disclosure also provides isolated nucleic acids (e.g., DNA, RNA, nucleic acid analogues) comprising C. subtsugae genomic sequences, gene sequences, fragments thereof, and or mutant variants. Also provided are nucleic acid vectors (e.g., plasmid vectors, viral vectors), including expression vectors, comprising nucleic acids having C. subtsugae genome sequences, gene sequences, regulatory sequences and/or fragments thereof. Exemplary bacterial vectors include, but are not limited to, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Rhizobium sp. NGR234, Sinorhizobium meliloti, and Mesorhizobium loti.

Exemplary viral vectors include, but are not limited to, cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV), pea early browning virus (PEBV), bean pod mottle virus (BPMV), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), apple latent spherical virus (ALSV), tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), potato virus X, brome mosaic virus (BMV) and barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV).

Cells transfected with the foregoing nucleic acids or vectors are also provided. Such cells can be plant cells, insect cells, mammalian cells, bacterial cells, or fungal cells (e.g., yeast). Plants comprising cells (plant or otherwise) that have been transfected with the foregoing nucleic acids or vectors, seeds from said plants, and the progeny of said plants are also provided. Transfected bacterial cells can include Agrobacteria (e.g., Agrobacterium tumefaciens ), Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium meliloti, and Mesorhizobium loti. Insect vectors (e.g., Homalodisca vitripennis, the glassy-winged sharpshooter) comprising nucleic acid vectors which themselves comprise C. subtsugae sequences, are also provided.

In additional embodiments, polypeptides encoded by the C. subtsugae genome are provided. Functional fragments of C. subtsugae polypeptides, and conservatively substituted variants of C. subtsugae polypeptides, are also provided.

In further embodiments, plants comprising one or more isolated nucleic acids comprising C. subtsugae genomic sequences, gene sequences and/or fragments thereof are provided. These isolated nucleic acids can be present on the exterior of the plant or internally.

In additional embodiments, plants comprising one or more nucleic acid vectors, wherein said vector or vectors comprise C. subtsugae genome sequences, gene sequences and/or fragments thereof, are provided. Said vectors can be present on the exterior of the plant or internally.

In yet additional embodiments, plants comprising one or more C. subtsugae polypeptides are provided. Said C. subtsugae polypeptides can be present on the exterior of the plant or internally.

Also provided are plants comprising one or more functional fragments and/or one or more conservatively substituted variants of a C. subtsugae polypeptide or polypeptides. Said fragments and/or conservatively substituted variants can be present on the exterior of the plant or internally.

Progeny of the aforementioned plants are also provided. In addition, seeds from the aforementioned plants, and from their progeny, are provided.

Also disclosed herein are methods for controlling pests; e.g., methods for modulating pest infestation in a plant. Such pests can be, for example, insects, fungi, nematodes, mites, moths or aphids. The methods include application of a nucleic acid comprising a C. subtsugae genome sequence, gene sequence, or fragment thereof to a plant, either internally or externally. Additional methods include application of a C. subtsugae polypeptide, or fragment thereof, or conservatively substituted variant thereof, to a plant, either internally or externally.

Also provided are pesticidal (e.g., insecticidal) compositions comprising nucleic acids and/or polypeptides encoded by the C. subtsugae genome. Such compositions can optionally include other insecticides or pesticides, either naturally-occurring or man-made.

Also provided is a computer-readable medium comprising the sequence information of any of the nucleotide or amino acid sequences disclosed herein (i.e., any of SEQ ID NOs 1-8960) or any fragment thereof. Also provided are computerized systems and computer program products containing the nucleic acids and polypeptide sequences disclosed herein on a computer-readable medium, for use in, for example, sequence analysis and comparison.

Accordingly, disclosed herein, inter alia, are the following embodiments: (1) An isolated nucleic acid having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-4533. Nucleic acids as disclosed herein can be DNA, RNA, or any nucleic acid analogue known in the art. (2) An isolated nucleic acid having 10 or more contiguous nucleotides of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. Nucleic acids as disclosed herein can be DNA, RNA, or any nucleic acid analogue known in the art. (3) An isolated nucleic acid having 10 or more contiguous nucleotides of the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-4533. Nucleic acids as disclosed herein can be DNA, RNA, or any nucleic acid analogue known in the art. (4) An isolated nucleic acid comprising a C. subtsugae regulatory sequence. (5) The nucleic acid of embodiment 4, wherein the regulatory sequence is a promoter or an operator. (6) The nucleic acid of embodiment 4, wherein the regulatory sequence is a transcription terminator. (7) An isolated nucleic acid comprising a sequence that is complementary to the sequence of any of the nucleic acids of embodiments 1-6. (8) A nucleic acid vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid of any of embodiments 1-7. (9) The nucleic acid vector of embodiment 8, wherein the vector is an expression vector. (10) An isolated polypeptide having the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 4534-8960. (11) An isolated polypeptide having 10 or more contiguous amino acids of the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 4534-8960. (12) A functional fragment of the polypeptide of embodiment 10. (13) A conservatively substituted variant of the polypeptide of embodiment 10. (14) A polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 75% homology to the sequences of any of embodiments 10-13. (15) An isolated nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide according to any of embodiments 10-14. (16) An isolated nucleic acid comprising a sequence that is complementary to the sequence of the nucleic acid of embodiment 15. (17) An isolated nucleic acid comprising a sequence having at least 75% homology to the sequences of any of embodiments 1-7, 15 or 16, or to either of the vectors of embodiments 8 or 9. (18) A cell comprising the isolated nucleic acid of any of embodiments 1-7, 15 or 16, or with the nucleic acid vector of either of embodiments 8 or 9. Such cells can be, e.g., plant cells, insect cells, bacterial cells (e.g., Agrobacterium ) or fungal cells (e.g., yeast). (19) A plant comprising one or more cells according to embodiment 18. (20) The plant of embodiment 19 wherein the cell is a plant cell. (21) The plant of embodiment 20 wherein the cell is of the same species as the plant. (22) The progeny of the plant of any of embodiments 19-21. (23) A seed from the plant of any of embodiments 19-22. (24) A plant comprising one or more nucleic acids according to any of embodiments 1-7 or 15-17, or one or more of the nucleic acid vectors of embodiments 8 or 9. (25) The plant of embodiment 24, wherein the nucleic acid or vector is present on the exterior of the plant. (26) The plant of embodiment 24, wherein the nucleic acid or vector is present in the interior of the plant. (27) The plant of embodiment 26, wherein the nucleic acid or vector is intracellular. (28) The progeny of the plant of embodiment 27. (29) A seed from the plant of either of embodiments 27 or 28. (30) A plant comprising one or more polypeptides according to any of embodiments 10-14. (31) The plant of embodiment 30, wherein the polypeptide is present on the exterior of the plant. (32) The plant of embodiment 30, wherein the polypeptide is present in the interior of the plant. (33) The plant of embodiment 32, wherein the polypeptide is intracellular. (34) A method for modulating pest infestation in a plant, the method comprising contacting a plant or a plant part with a composition comprising one or more nucleic acids according to any of embodiments 1-7 or 15-17, or one or more of the nucleic acid vectors of embodiments 8 or 9, or one or more polypeptides according to any of embodiments 10-14. (35) The method of embodiment 34, wherein said contacting comprises one of the following: (a) applying the composition to the plant; (b) applying the composition to the substrate in which the plant is growing; (c) applying the composition to the root zone of the plant; or (d) dipping the roots of the plant into the composition prior to planting. (36) The method of embodiment 35, wherein said applying comprises one of the following: (a) applying the composition to plants or turf as a soil or root drench; (b) applying via irrigation; or (c) contacting a seed with the composition. (37) The method of embodiment 34, wherein the pest is selected from the group consisting of insects, fungi, nematodes, bacteria and mites. (38) The method of embodiment 34, wherein the composition is applied to the exterior of the plant. (39) The method of embodiment 34, wherein the composition is applied to the interior of the plant. (40) The method of embodiment 39, wherein the nucleic acid or the vector or the polypeptide is intracellular. (41) A pesticidal composition comprising one or more nucleic acids according to any of embodiments 1-7 or 15-17, or a vector according to either of embodiments 8 or 9. (42) A pesticidal composition comprising one or more polypeptides according to any of embodiments 10-14. (43) The pesticidal composition of either of embodiments 41 or 42, wherein the composition is an insecticide. (44) The pesticidal composition of any of embodiments 41-43, further comprising a second pesticide. (45) The pesticidal composition of embodiment 44, wherein the second pesticide is an insecticide. (46) A computer-readable medium comprising the sequence information of any of SEQ ID NOs:1-8960. (47) A computer-readable medium comprising the sequence information of any of the nucleic acids of embodiments 1-7 or 15-17, or the vectors of either of embodiments 8 or 9. (48) A computer-readable medium comprising the sequence information of any of the polypeptides of embodiments 10-14. (49) A nucleic acid that hybridizes, under high-stringency conditions, to the nucleic acid of any of embodiments 1-7 or 15-17. (50) The nucleic acid of any of embodiments 1-7 or 15-17, further comprising a heterologous nucleotide sequence. (51) The nucleic acid of embodiment 50, wherein said heterologous nucleotide sequence is a regulatory sequence. (52) The nucleic acid of embodiment 50, wherein said heterologous nucleotide sequence encodes a heterologous polypeptide. (53) The polypeptide of any of embodiments 10-14, further comprising a heterologous amino acid sequence. (54) An antibody that binds to the polypeptide of any of embodiments 10-14.

Accordingly, disclosed herein, inter alia, are the following embodiments:

Practice of the present disclosure employs, unless otherwise indicated, standard methods and conventional techniques in the fields of agriculture, plant molecular biology, entomology, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, recombinant DNA and related fields as are within the skill of the art. Such techniques are described in the literature and thereby available to those of skill in the art. See, for example, Alberts, B. et al., “Molecular Biology of the Cell,” 5 th edition, Garland Science, New York, N.Y., 2008; Voet, D. et al. “Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecular Level,” 3 rd edition, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, N.J., 2008; Sambrook, J. et al., “Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual,” 3 rd edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2001; Ausubel, F. et al., “Current Protocols in Molecular Biology,” John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1987 and periodic updates; Glover, DNA Cloning: A Practical Approach, volumes I and II, IRL Press (1985), volume III, IRL Press (1987); Perbal, A Practical Guide to Molecular Cloning, John Wiley & Sons (1984); Rigby (ed.), The series “Genetic Engineering” (Academic Press); Setlow & Hollaender (eds.), The series “Genetic Engineering: Principles and Methods,” Plenum Press; Gait (ed.), Oligonucleotide Synthesis: A Practical Approach, IRL Press (1984, 1985); Eckstein (ed.) Oligonucleotides and Analogues: A Practical Approach, IRL Press (1991); Hames & Higgins, Nucleic Acid Hybridization: A Practical Approach, IRL Press (1985); Hames & Higgins, Transcription and Translation: A Practical Approach, IRL Press (1984); B. Buchanan, W. Gruissem & R. Jones (eds.) “Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Plants,” Wiley (2002) and the series “Methods in Enzymology,” Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. The disclosures of all of the foregoing references illustrate methods and compositions in the relevant arts.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is included therein. Smaller ranges are also included. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges are also included therein, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Polynucleotides and Oligonucleotides A polynucleotide is a polymer of nucleotides, and the term is meant to embrace smaller polynucleotides (fragments) generated by fragmentation of larger polynucleotides. The terms polynucleotide and nucleic acid encompass both RNA and DNA, as well as single-stranded and double-stranded polynucleotides and nucleic acids. Polynucleotides also include modified polynucleotides and nucleic acids, containing such modifications of the base, sugar or phosphate groups as are known in the art.

An oligonucleotide is a short nucleic acid, generally DNA and generally single-stranded. Generally, an oligonucleotide will be shorter than 200 nucleotides, more particularly, shorter than 100 nucleotides, most particularly, 50 nucleotides or shorter.

Modified bases and base analogues, e.g., those able to form Hoogsteen and reverse Hoogsteen base pairs with the naturally-occurring bases, are known in the art. Examples include, but are not limited to, 8-oxo-adenosine, pseudoisocytidine, 5-methyl cytidine, inosine, 2-aminopurine and various pyrrolo- and pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives. Similarly, modified sugar residues or analogues, for example 2′-O-methylribose or peptide nucleic acid backbones, can also form a component of a modified base or base analogue. See, for example, Sun and Helene (1993) Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 3:345-356. Non-nucleotide macromolecules capable of any type of sequence-specific interaction with a polynucleotide are useful in the methods and compositions disclosed herein. Examples include, but are not limited to, peptide nucleic acids, minor groove-binding agents and antibiotics. New modified bases, base analogues, modified sugars, sugar analogues, modified phosphates and phosphate analogues capable of participating in duplex or triplex formation are available in the art, and are useful in the methods and compositions disclosed herein.

Homology and Identity of Nucleic Acids and Polypeptides “Homology” or “identity” or “similarity” as used herein in the context of nucleic acids and polypeptides refers to the relationship between two polypeptides or two nucleic acid molecules based on an alignment of the amino acid sequences or nucleic acid sequences, respectively. Homology and identity can each be determined by comparing a position in each sequence which may be aligned for purposes of comparison. For example, a “reference sequence” can be compared with a “test sequence.” When a position in the reference sequence is occupied by the same base or amino acid at an equivalent position in the test sequence, then the molecules are identical at that position; when the equivalent position is occupied by a similar amino acid residue (e.g., similar in steric and/or electronic nature), then the molecules can be referred to as homologous (similar) at that position. The relatedness of two sequences, when expressed as a percentage of homology/similarity or identity, is a function of the number of identical or similar amino acids at positions shared by the sequences being compared. In comparing two sequences, the absence of residues (amino acids or nucleic acids) or presence of extra residues, in one sequence as compared to the other, also decreases the identity and homology/similarity.

As used herein, the term “identity” refers to the percentage of identical nucleotide or amino acid residues at corresponding positions in two or more sequences when the sequences are aligned to maximize sequence matching, i.e., taking into account gaps and insertions. Identity can be readily calculated by known methods, including but not limited to those described in Computational Molecular Biology, Lesk, A. M., ed., Oxford University Press, New York, 1988; Biocomputing: Informatics and Genome Projects, Smith, D. W., ed., Academic Press, New York, 1993; Computer Analysis of Sequence Data, Part I, Griffin, A. M., and Griffin, H. G., eds., Humana Press, New Jersey, 1994; Sequence Analysis in Molecular Biology, von Heinje, G., Academic Press, 1987; and Sequence Analysis Primer, Gribskov, M. and Devereux, J., eds., M Stockton Press, New York, 1991; and Carillo, H., and Lipman, D., SIAM J. Applied Math., 48: 1073 (1988). Methods to determine identity are designed to give the highest degree of match between the sequences tested. Moreover, methods to determine identity are codified in publicly available computer programs. Computer program methods to determine identity between two sequences include, but are not limited to, the GCG program package (Devereux et al. (1984) Nucleic Acids Research 12:387), BLASTP, BLASTN, and FASTA (Altschul et al. (1990) J. Molec. Biol. 215:403-410; Altschul et al. (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389-3402). The BLAST X program is publicly available from NCBI and other sources. See, e.g., BLAST Manual, Altschul, S., et al., NCBI NLM NIH Bethesda, Md. 20894; Altschul et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410. The well known Smith-Waterman algorithm can also be used to determine identity.

For sequence comparison, typically one sequence acts as a reference sequence, to which one or more test sequences are compared. Sequences are generally aligned for maximum correspondence over a designated region, e.g., a region at least about 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 or more amino acids or nucleotides in length, and the region can be as long as the full-length of the reference amino acid sequence or reference nucleotide sequence. When using a sequence comparison algorithm, test and reference sequences are input into a computer program, subsequence coordinates are designated, if necessary, and sequence algorithm program parameters are designated. The sequence comparison algorithm then calculates the percent sequence identity for the test sequence(s) relative to the reference sequence, based on the designated program parameters.

Examples of algorithms that are suitable for determining percent sequence identity are the BLAST and BLAST 2.0 algorithms, which are described in Altschul et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410 and Altschul et al. (1977) Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389-3402, respectively. Software for performing BLAST analyses is publicly available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (visited Dec. 27, 2012). Further exemplary algorithms include ClustalW (Higgins et al. (1994) Nucleic Acids Res. 22:4673-4680), available at www.ebi.ac.uk/Tools/clustalw/index.html (visited Dec. 27, 2012).

Sequence identity between two nucleic acids can also be described in terms of annealing, reassociation, or hybridization of two polynucleotides to each other, mediated by base-pairing. Hybridization between polynucleotides proceeds according to well-known and art-recognized base-pairing properties, such that adenine base-pairs with thymine or uracil, and guanine base-pairs with cytosine. The property of a nucleotide that allows it to base-pair with a second nucleotide is called complementarity. Thus, adenine is complementary to both thymine and uracil, and vice versa; similarly, guanine is complementary to cytosine and vice versa. An oligonucleotide or polynucleotide which is complementary along its entire length with a target sequence is said to be perfectly complementary, perfectly matched, or fully complementary to the target sequence, and vice versa. Two polynucleotides can have related sequences, wherein the majority of bases in the two sequences are complementary, but one or more bases are noncomplementary, or mismatched. In such a case, the sequences can be said to be substantially complementary to one another. If two polynucleotide sequences are such that they are complementary at all nucleotide positions except one, the sequences have a single nucleotide mismatch with respect to each other.

Conditions for hybridization are well-known to those of skill in the art and can be varied within relatively wide limits. Hybridization stringency refers to the degree to which hybridization conditions disfavor the formation of hybrids containing mismatched nucleotides, thereby promoting the formation of perfectly matched hybrids or hybrids containing fewer mismatches; with higher stringency correlated with a lower tolerance for mismatched hybrids. Factors that affect the stringency of hybridization include, but are not limited to, temperature, pH, ionic strength, and concentration of organic solvents such as formamide and dimethylsulfoxide. As is well known to those of skill in the art, hybridization stringency is increased by higher temperatures, lower ionic strengths, and lower solvent concentrations. See, for example, Ausubel et al., supra; Sambrook et al., supra; M. A. Innis et al. (eds.) PCR Protocols, Academic Press, San Diego, 1990; B. D. Hames et al. (eds.) Nucleic Acid Hybridisation: A Practical Approach, IRL Press, Oxford, 1985; and van Ness et al., (1991) Nucleic Acids Res. 19:5143-5151.

Thus, in the formation of hybrids (duplexes) between two polynucleotides, the polynucleotides are incubated together in solution under conditions of temperature, ionic strength, pH, etc., that are favorable to hybridization, i.e., under hybridization conditions. Hybridization conditions are chosen, in some circumstances, to favor hybridization between two nucleic acids having perfectly-matched sequences, as compared to a pair of nucleic acids having one or more mismatches in the hybridizing sequence. In other circumstances, hybridization conditions are chosen to allow hybridization between mismatched sequences, favoring hybridization between nucleic acids having fewer mismatches.

The degree of hybridization between two polynucleotides, also known as hybridization strength, is determined by methods that are well-known in the art. A preferred method is to determine the melting temperature (T m ) of the hybrid duplex. This is accomplished, for example, by subjecting a duplex in solution to gradually increasing temperature and monitoring the denaturation of the duplex, for example, by absorbance of ultraviolet light, which increases with the unstacking of base pairs that accompanies denaturation. T m is generally defined as the temperature midpoint of the transition in ultraviolet absorbance that accompanies denaturation. Alternatively, if T m s are known, a hybridization temperature (at fixed ionic strength, pH and solvent concentration) can be chosen that is below the T m of the desired duplex and above the T m of an undesired duplex. In this case, determination of the degree of hybridization is accomplished simply by testing for the presence of duplex polynucleotide.

Hybridization conditions are selected following standard methods in the art. See, for example, Sambrook, et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, (1989) Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. For example, hybridization reactions can be conducted under stringent conditions. An example of stringent hybridization conditions is hybridization at 50° C. or higher in 0.1×SSC (15 mM sodium chloride/1.5 mM sodium citrate). Another example of stringent hybridization conditions is overnight incubation at 42° C. in a solution: 50% formamide, 5×SSC (0.75 M NaCl, 75 mM trisodium citrate), 50 mM sodium phosphate (pH7.6), followed by washing in 0.1×SSC at about 65° C. Optionally, one or more of 5× Denhardt's solution, 10% dextran sulfate, and/or 20 mg/ml heterologous nucleic acid (e.g., yeast tRNA, denatured, sheared salmon sperm DNA) can be included in a hybridization reaction. Stringent hybridization conditions are hybridization conditions that are at least as stringent as the above representative conditions, where conditions are considered to be at least as stringent if they are at least about 80% as stringent, typically at least 90% as stringent as the above specific stringent conditions.

The term “substantially identical” refers to identity between a first amino acid sequence that contains a sufficient or minimum number of amino acid residues that are i) identical to, or ii) conservative substitutions of, aligned amino acid residues in a second amino acid sequence such that the first and second amino acid sequences share a common structural domain and/or common functional activity. For example, amino acid sequences that contain a common structural domain having at least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 99.5% identity to an amino acid sequence as disclosed herein (i.e., SEQ ID NOs:4534-8960) are termed substantially identical. In the context of nucleotide sequence, the term “substantially identical” is used herein to refer to a first nucleic acid sequence that contains a sufficient or minimum number of nucleotides that are identical to aligned nucleotides in a second nucleic acid sequence such that the first and second nucleotide sequences encode a polypeptide having common functional or structural activity, or encode a common structural polypeptide domain or a common functional polypeptide activity.

The term “homology” describes a mathematically based comparison of sequence similarities which is used to identify genes or proteins with similar functions or motifs. A reference nucleotide or amino acid sequence (e.g., a sequence as disclosed herein) is used as a “query sequence” to perform a search against public databases to, for example, identify other family members, related sequences or homologues. Such searches can be performed using the NBLAST and XBLAST programs (version 2.0) of Altschul et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410. BLAST nucleotide searches can be performed with the NBLAST program, score=100, wordlength=12 to obtain nucleotide sequences homologous to a reference nucleotide sequence. BLAST amino acid searches can be performed with the XBLAST program, score=50, wordlength=3 to obtain amino acid sequences homologous to a reference amino acid sequence. To obtain gapped alignments for comparison purposes, Gapped BLAST can be utilized as described in Altschul et al. (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389-3402. When utilizing the BLAST and Gapped BLAST programs, the default parameters of the respective programs (e.g., XBLAST and BLAST) can be used (see the world wide web at: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

Nucleic acids and polynucleotides of the present disclosure encompass those having an nucleotide sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99% or 100% identical to any of SEQ ID NOs:2-4533.

Nucleotide analogues and amino acid analogues are known in the art. Accordingly, nucleic acids (i.e., SEQ ID NOs:1-4533X) comprising nucleotide analogues and polypeptides (i.e., SEQ ID NOs:4534-8960) comprising amino acid analogues are also encompassed by the present disclosure.

Conservative Substitutions and Functional Fragments In comparing amino acid sequences, residue positions which are not identical can differ by conservative amino acid substitutions. Conservative amino acid substitutions refer to the interchangeability of residues having similar side chains. For example, a group of amino acids having aliphatic side chains is glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine; a group of amino acids having aliphatic-hydroxyl side chains is serine and threonine; a group of amino acids having amide-containing side chains is asparagine and glutamine; a group of amino acids having aromatic side chains is phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan; a group of amino acids having basic side chains is lysine, arginine, and histidine; and a group of amino acids having sulfur-containing side chains is cysteine and methionine. With respect to a reference polypeptide sequence, a test polypeptide sequence that differs only by conservative substitutions is denoted a “conservatively substituted variant” of the reference sequence.

A “functional fragment” of a protein, polypeptide or nucleic acid is a protein, polypeptide or nucleic acid whose sequence is not identical to the full-length protein, polypeptide or nucleic acid, yet retains the same function as the full-length protein, polypeptide or nucleic acid. A functional fragment can possess more, fewer, or the same number of residues as the corresponding native molecule, and/or can contain one ore more amino acid or nucleotide substitutions. Methods for determining the function of a nucleic acid (e.g., coding function, ability to hybridize to another nucleic acid) are well-known in the art. Similarly, methods for determining protein function are well-known. For example, the DNA-binding function of a polypeptide can be determined, for example, by filter-binding, electrophoretic mobility-shift, or immunoprecipitation assays. See Ausubel et al., supra. The ability of a protein to interact with another protein can be determined, for example, by co-immunoprecipitation, two-hybrid assays or complementation, either genetic and biochemical. See, for example, Fields et al. (1989) Nature 340:245 246; U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,245 and PCT WO 98/44350.

Typically, a functional fragment retains at least 50% of the activity or function of the polypeptide. In some embodiments, a functional fragment retains at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99% or 100% of the activity or function of the polypeptide.

A functional fragment of a polypeptide can include conservative amino acid substitutions (with respect to the native polypeptide sequence) that do not substantially alter the activity or function of the polypeptide. The term “conservative amino acid substitution” refers to grouping of amino acids on the basis of certain common structures and/or properties. With respect to common structures, amino acids can be grouped into those with non-polar side chains (glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, proline, phenylalanine and tryptophan), those with uncharged polar side chains (serine, threonine, asparagine, glutamine, tyrosine and cysteine) and those with charged polar side chains (lysine, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid and histidine). A group of amino acids containing aromatic side chains includes phenylalanine, tryptophan and tyrosine. Heterocyclic side chains are present in proline, tryptophan and histidine. Within the group of amino acids containing non-polar side chains, those with short hydrocarbon side chains (glycine, alanine, valine. leucine, isoleucine) can be distinguished from those with longer, non-hydrocarbon side chains (methionine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan). Within the group of amino acids with charged polar side chains, the acidic amino acids (aspartic acid, glutamic acid) can be distinguished from those with basic side chains (lysine, arginine and histidine).

A functional method for defining common properties of individual amino acids is to analyze the normalized frequencies of amino acid changes between corresponding proteins of homologous organisms (Schulz, G. E. and R. H. Schirmer, Principles of Protein Structure, Springer-Verlag, 1979). According to such analyses, groups of amino acids can be defined in which amino acids within a group are preferentially substituted for one another in homologous proteins, and therefore have similar impact on overall protein structure (Schulz, G. E. and R. H. Schirmer, supra). According to this type of analysis, conservative amino acid substitution” refers to a substitution of one amino acid residue for another sharing chemical and physical properties of the amino acid side chain (e.g., charge, size, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity). Following are examples of amino acid residues sharing certain chemical and/or physical properties: (i) amino acids containing a charged group, consisting of Glu, Asp, Lys, Arg and His, (ii) amino acids containing a positively-charged group, consisting of Lys, Arg and His, (iii) amino acids containing a negatively-charged group, consisting of Glu and Asp, (iv) amino acids containing an aromatic group, consisting of Phe, Tyr and Trp, (v) amino acids containing a nitrogen ring group, consisting of His and Trp, (vi) amino acids containing a large aliphatic non-polar group, consisting of Val, Leu and Ile, (vii) amino acids containing a slightly-polar group, consisting of Met and Cys, (viii) amino acids containing a small-residue group, consisting of Ser, Thr, Asp, Asn, Gly, Ala, Glu, Gln and Pro, (ix) amino acids containing an aliphatic group consisting of Val, Leu, Ile, Met and Cys, and (x) amino acids containing a hydroxyl group consisting of Ser and Thr.

Certain “conservative substitutions” may include substitution within the following groups of amino acid residues: gly, ala; val, ile, leu; asp, glu; asn, gln; ser, thr; lys, arg; and phe, tyr.

Thus, as exemplified above, conservative substitutions of amino acids are known to those of skill in this art and can be made generally without altering the biological activity or function of the resulting molecule. Those of skill in this art also recognize that, in general, single amino acid substitutions in non-essential regions of a polypeptide do not substantially alter biological activity. See, e.g., Watson, et al., “Molecular Biology of the Gene,” 4th Edition, 1987, The Benjamin/Cummings Pub. Co., Menlo Park, Calif., p. 224.

Polypeptides of the present disclosure encompass those having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 or more amino acid substitutions compared to an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NOs:4534-8960, e.g., conservative amino acid substitutions. Amino acid residues that can be substituted can be located at residue positions that are not highly conserved. The ordinarily skilled artisan will appreciate that, based on location of the active sites and/or on homology to related proteins, a protein will tolerate substitutions, deletions, and/or insertions at certain of its amino acid residues, without significant change in its overall physical and chemical properties.

Polypeptides of the present disclosure encompass those having an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99% or 100% identical to any of the polypeptides shown in SEQ ID NOs:4534-8960.

C. subtsugae nucleic acids The present disclosure provides the entire nucleotide sequence of the C. subtsugae genome (SEQ ID NO:1). This genome contains 4,705,004 bp, which includes 4,415 protein-coding sequences (i.e., open reading frames or ORFs) and 118 functional RNA sequences.

Also provided are nucleotide sequences of open reading frames (ORFs) encoding C. subtsugae genes and nucleotide sequences of functional RNA molecules (e.g., rRNAs, tRNAs) (SEQ ID NOs:2-4533) as disclosed in Table 1. Nucleic acids comprising these sequences are also provided. Fragments of the C. subtsugae genome and/or fragments of C. subtsugae gene sequences are also provided. Such fragments are 10 or more, 25 or more, 50 or more, 75 or more, 100 or more 200 or more, 500 or more, or 1,000 or more nucleotides in length. Nucleic acids having a sequence that is 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 99.9% identical to the aforementioned sequences are also provided. The nucleic acids disclosed herein can be either DNA or RNA, and can be either single-stranded or double-stranded. Nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences that are complementary to the aforementioned sequences are also provided, as are nucleic acids that hybridize to the aforementioned nucleic acids under stringent conditions.

Fragments of the C. subtsugae genome that encode polypeptides (i.e., open reading frames or ORFs) are provided. C. subtsugae ORFs encode secreted proteins that include, inter alia, proteases, chitinases, rhs (rearrangement hotspot) proteins, lipases, phospholipases, esterases, toxins, proteins involved in iron metabolism, proteins involved in phosphate metabolism, proteins involved in plant growth, and proteins involved in biosynthesis of fimbria and pili. Genome fragments that encode protein clusters, e.g., those involved in non-ribosomal peptide synthesis (NRPS), and other biosynthetic clusters, are also provided. C. subtsugae ORFs also encode transmembrane proteins that include, inter alia, transporters, proteases, toxins, antibiotics and proteins that confer antibiotic resistance. Additional fragments of the C. subtsugae genome encode functional RNA molecules, such as, for example, rRNAs and tRNAs. Yet additional fragments of the C. subtsugae genome comprise transcriptional and translational regulatory sequences such as promoters, operators, terminators ribosome binding sites, etc.

Additional C. subtsugae ORFs encode proteins that confer insecticide activity, miticide activity, nematicide activity, algaecide activity or can be used in bioremediation methods.

Additional C. subtsugae ORFs encode proteins that participate in the synthesis of metabolites that confer insecticide activity, miticide activity, nematicide activity, algaecide activity or can be used in bioremediation methods.

The subject nucleic acids can optionally comprise heterologous nucleotide sequences. Such heterologous nucleotide sequences can be regulatory sequences, such as promoters, operators, enhancers, terminators and the like; or can encode heterologous amino acid (i.e., polypeptide) sequences.

For example, a heterologous regulatory sequence can be joined in operative linkage to a C. subtsugae protein-encoding sequence (i.e. ORF) to provide regulated expression of a C. subtsugae protein. Such constructs can be used, e.g., for regulated expression and/or overexpression of pesticidal C. subtsugae proteins (e.g., chitinases, lipases, proteases) in a host cell. Such constructs can also be used for regulated expression and/or overexpression of an enzyme encoded by the C. subtsugae genome that catalyzes the synthesis of a pesticidal metabolite (or an intermediate in the synthesis of a pesticidal metabolite). Host cells can be chosen to facilitate expression and/or purification of cloned C. subtsugae proteins.

In additional embodiments, a C. subtsugae regulatory sequence can be joined in operative linkage with a heterologous coding sequence (e.g., ORF) to provide regulated expression of a heterologous protein in, e.g., C. subtsugae or another host. Such a protein can be for example, a pesticidal protein not encoded by the C. subtsugae genome or an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of a pesticidal metabolite. Such an enzyme can be encoded by the C. subtsugae genome or encoded by a heterologous organism.

The present disclosure also provides polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding any of the polypeptide sequences disclosed herein. Such a polynucleotide has a nucleotide sequence that is at least 70% (e.g., at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99% or 100%) identical to a contiguous sequence of a nucleic acid that encodes any of the polypeptides disclosed herein. The percentage identity is based on the shorter of the sequences compared. Well known programs such as BLASTN (2.0.8) (Altschul et al. (1997) Nucl. Acids. Res. 25:3389-3402) using default parameters and no filter can be employed to make a sequence comparison. Nucleic acid sequence identity (e.g. between two different polynucleotides encoding identical amino acid sequences) can be lower than the percent of amino acid sequence identity due to degeneracy of the genetic code.

Examples of nucleic acid sequences in a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of the present disclosure can be found among SEQ ID NOs:2-4533. These nucleic acid sequences can also be provided in an expression vector (see below).

C. subtsugae polypeptides and proteins The present disclosure provides the amino acid sequences of proteins encoded by the C. subtsugae genome, as well as polypeptides comprising said amino acid sequences (i.e., SEQ ID NOs:4534-8960). Functional fragments and conservatively-substituted variants of said polypeptides are also provided. In addition, fragments of the polypeptides disclosed herein that do not retain function are also provided and are useful, e.g., as epitopes for production of antibodies. Such fragments are 4 or more, 10 or more, 25 or more, 50 or more, 75 or more, 100 or more 200 or more, 500 or more, or 1,000 or more amino acids in length.

The present disclosure also provides a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 99.5% identical to a contiguous sequence of a polypeptide as disclosed herein. The percentage identity is based on the shorter of the sequences compared. Methods for determining degree of polypeptide sequence identity are well-known in the art.

The subject polypeptides can include amino acid sequences derived from any of SEQ ID NOs:4534-8960 further comprising heterologous amino acid sequences. Such polypeptides can be fusion proteins, such as a fusion protein containing epitope tags, purification tags, and/or detectable labels. A fusion protein can optionally include a linker sequence between the heterologous sequences and the C. subtsugae amino acid sequence. Methods for producing fusion proteins are well-known in the art. Other heterologous elements and exemplary fusion proteins are described in more detail below.

Exemplary polypeptides containing heterologous elements may include myc and/or His 6 tags and may optionally include flanking linker sequences.

Polypeptides of the present disclosure further encompass those that are joined to a reporter polypeptide, e.g., a fluorescent protein, and/or conjugated to a molecule. The molecule conjugated to the polypeptide can be a carrier molecule or a moiety that facilitates delivery and/or increases the half-life of the subject polypeptide.

Polypeptides of the present disclosure can be produced by any suitable method, including recombinant and non-recombinant methods (e.g., chemical synthesis). The subject polypeptide can be prepared by solid-phase synthesis methods well-known in the art, (e.g., Fmoc- or t-Boc chemistry), such as those described by Merrifield (1963) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 85:2149 and Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol 35: Peptide Synthesis Protocols.

It should be noted that the polypeptides of the present disclosure can also contain additional elements, such as a detectable label, e.g., a radioactive label, a fluorescent label, a biotin label, an immunologically detectable label (e.g., a hemagglutinin (HA) tag, a poly-Histidine tag) and the like. Additional elements can be provided (e.g., in the form of fusion polypeptides) to facilitate expression (e.g. N-terminal methionine and/or a heterologous signal sequence to facilitate expression in host cells), and/or isolation (e.g., biotin tag, immunologically detectable tag) of the polypeptides of the disclosure through various methods. The polypeptides can also optionally be immobilized on a support through covalent or non-covalent attachment.

Isolation and purification of the subject polypeptides can be accomplished according to methods known in the art. The term “isolated” is intended to mean that a compound (e.g. polypeptide or polynucleotide) is separated from all or some of the components that accompany it in nature. “Isolated” also refers to the state of a compound separated from all or some of the components that accompany it during manufacture (e.g., chemical synthesis, recombinant expression, culture medium, and the like).

For example, a polypeptide according to the present disclosure can be isolated from a lysate of cells that have been genetically modified to express the subject polypeptide, from a cell culture medium, or from a synthetic reaction mixture. Isolation can additionally be achieved by immunoaffinity purification, which generally involves contacting a sample with an antibody (optionally immobilized) that specifically binds to an epitope of the polypeptide, washing to remove non-specifically bound material, and eluting specifically bound polypeptide. Isolated polypeptide can be further purified by dialysis and other methods normally employed in protein purification, e.g. metal chelate chromatography, ion-exchange, and size exclusion.

Secreted proteins C. subtsugae sequences were examined for the presence of a signal sequence, indicative of secreted proteins. C. subtsugae proteins containing a signal sequence are disclosed in this section.

Tables 2-4 provide examples of C. subtsugae ORFs encoding potentially secreted proteins known to act against insects.

Table 5 provides examples of C. subtsugae ORFs encoding secreted proteins with homology to various insect toxins.

Table 6 provides examples of C. subtsugae ORFs encoding potentially secreted proteins with effects on insect metabolism.

Table 7 provides examples of C. subtsugae ORFs encoding potentially secreted proteins with effects on plant growth promotion

Table 8 provides an example of a C. subtsugae ORF encoding a secreted protein involved in degradation of organic phosphate. Such proteins are useful, for example, for bioremediation.

Genes involved in synthesis of pili and fimbriae Table 9 provides examples of C. subtsugae ORFs encoding proteins with possible involvement in host interactions, in particular, biogenesis of pili and fimbriae. Some of these proteins contain a signal peptide (as indicated in the right-most column of the table) and are therefore likely to be secreted. Others, which do not contain a signal sequence, may be intracellular or transmembrane proteins.

Transmembrane proteins C. subtsugae sequences were examined for the presence of a transmembrane domain, indicative of proteins that are displayed on the cell surface. C. subtsugae proteins containing a transmembrane domain are disclosed in this section.

Table 10 provides examples of C. subtsugae ORFs encoding transmembrane transporter proteins.

Table 11 provides examples of C. subtsugae ORFs encoding transmembrane proteases.

Table 12 provides examples of C. subtsugae ORFs encoding transmembrane toxins.

Table 13 provides examples of C. subtsugae ORFs encoding antibiotics and proteins involved in antibiotic resistance.

Homologues The present disclosure also provides methods of obtaining homologues of the fragments of the C. subtsugae genome disclosed herein, and homologues of the proteins encoded by the ORFs disclosed herein. Specifically, by using the nucleotide and amino acid sequences disclosed herein as a probe or as primers, and techniques such as PCR cloning and colony/plaque hybridization, one skilled in the art can obtain said homologues. Such homologues can be obtained from any organism; e.g., other species of Chromobacterium or other bacteria.

Antibodies, Detection Methods, Kits Also provided are antibodies which selectively bind a protein or polypeptide fragment encoded by the C. subtsugae genome. Such antibodies, in addition, can comprise a detectable label and/or be attached to a solid support. Such antibodies include both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Also provided are hybridomas which produce the above-described monoclonal antibodies.

In additional embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of identifying test samples derived from cells that express one or more of the ORFs disclosed herein, or homologues thereof. Such methods comprise incubating a test sample with one or more of the antibodies of the present disclosure, or one or more fragments of the C. subtsugae genome, under conditions which allow a skilled artisan to determine if the sample contains the ORF (or portion thereof) or product produced therefrom.

In additional embodiments, kits are provided which contain the necessary reagents to carry out the above-described assays. Specifically, provided herein is a compartmentalized kit designed to receive, in close confinement, one or more containers which comprises: (a) a first container comprising one of the antibodies, or one of the C. subtsugae genome fragments of the present disclosure; and (b) one or more other containers comprising one or more of the following: wash reagents, reagents capable of detecting presence of bound antibodies or reagents capable of detecting presence of hybridized nucleic acids.

Using the isolated proteins disclosed herein, the present disclosure further provides methods of obtaining and identifying agents capable of binding to a protein encoded by a C. subtsugae ORF. Specifically, such agents include antibodies (described above), peptides, carbohydrates, pharmaceutical agents and the like. Such methods comprise the steps of: (a) contacting an agent with an isolated protein encoded by one of the ORFs disclosed herein; and (b) determining whether the agent binds to said protein. Methods for detecting protein-protein binding are well-known in the art and include, for example, filter-binding, immunoprecipitation, two-hybrid assays, gel retardation and reporter subunit complementation. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,503,977 and 5,585,245; Fields et al. (1989) Nature 340:245-247; Bai et al. (1996) Meth. Enzymol. 273:331-347 and Luo et al. (1997) BioTechniques 22:350-352.

Vectors For embodiments in which a polypeptide is produced using recombinant techniques, the methods can involve any suitable construct and any suitable host cell, which can be a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell (e.g. a bacterial host cell, a yeast host cell, a plant host cell, an insect host cell, or a cultured mammalian host cell). Methods for introducing genetic material into host cells are well-known in the art and include, for example, biolistics, transformation, electroporation, lipofection, conjugation, calcium phosphate co-precipitation and the like. The method for transfer can be selected so as to provide for stable expression of the introduced polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid. The polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid can be provided as an inheritable episomal element (e.g., plasmid) or can be genomically integrated.

Viral vectors can also be used for cloning and expression of the nucleic acids disclosed herein. Exemplary plant viral vectors include cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV), pea early browning virus (PEBV), bean pod mottle virus (BPMV), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), apple latent spherical virus (ALSV), tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), potato virus X, brome mosaic virus (BMV) and barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV).

Additional vectors can be used for expression of C. subtsugae polypeptide sequences in non-plant organisms. These include prokaryotic cloning vectors (e.g., pBR322, pUC, bacteriophage lambda), fungal vectors (e.g., yeast 2-micron plasmid), insect cloning vectors (e.g., baculovirus) and mammalian vectors (e.g., SV40).

Suitable vectors for transferring a polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid can vary in composition. Integrative vectors can be conditionally replicative or suicide plasmids, bacteriophages, and the like. The constructs can include various elements, including for example, promoters, selectable genetic markers (e.g., genes conferring resistance to antibiotics, for example, instance neomycin, G418, methotrexate, ampicillin kanamycin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, or gentamycin), origins of replication (to promote replication in a host cell, e.g., a bacterial host cell), and the like. The choice of vector depends upon a variety of factors such as the type of cell in which propagation is desired and the purpose of propagation. Certain vectors are useful for amplifying and making large amounts of the desired DNA sequence. Other vectors are suitable for expression of protein in cells. Still other vectors are suitable for transfer and expression in cells in a whole animal or plant. The choice of appropriate vector is well within the skill of the art. Many such vectors are available commercially.

The vector used can be an expression vector based on episomal plasmids containing selectable drug resistance markers and elements that provide for autonomous replication in different host cells. Vectors are amply described in numerous publications well known to those in the art, including, e.g., Short Protocols in Molecular Biology, (1999) F. Ausubel, et al., eds., Wiley & Sons. Vectors may provide for expression of the nucleic acids encoding the subject polypeptide, may provide for propagating the subject nucleic acids, or both.

Constructs can be prepared by, for example, inserting a polynucleotide of interest into a construct backbone, typically by means of DNA ligase attachment to a cleaved restriction enzyme site in the vector. Alternatively, the desired nucleotide sequence can be inserted by homologous recombination or site-specific recombination, or by one or more amplification methods (e.g., PCR). Typically homologous recombination is accomplished by attaching regions of homology to the vector on the flanks of the desired nucleotide sequence, while site-specific recombination can be accomplished through use of sequences that facilitate site-specific recombination (e.g., cre-lox, att sites, etc.). Nucleic acid containing such sequences can be added by, for example, ligation of oligonucleotides, or by polymerase chain reaction using primers comprising both the region of homology and a portion of the desired nucleotide sequence.

For expression of the polypeptide of interest, an expression cassette can be employed. Thus, the present disclosure provides a recombinant expression vector comprising a subject nucleic acid. The expression vector can provide transcriptional and translational regulatory sequences, and can also provide for inducible or constitutive expression, wherein the coding region is operably placed under the transcriptional control of a transcriptional initiation region (e.g., a promoter, enhancer), and transcriptional and translational termination regions. These control regions may be native to the C. subtsugae genome, or can be derived from exogenous sources. As such, control regions from exogenous sources can be considered heterologous elements that are operably linked to the nucleic acid encoding the subject polypeptide. In general, the transcriptional and translational regulatory sequences can include, but are not limited to, promoter sequences, operator sequences, ribosomal binding sites, transcriptional start and stop sequences, translational start and stop sequences, polyadenylation sites and enhancer or activator sequences. Promoters can be either constitutive or inducible, and can be a strong constitutive promoter (e.g., T7 promoter, SP6 promoter, and the like).

Exemplary plant regulatory sequences, which can be used in the recombinant constructs disclosed herein, include constitutive promoters such as the CaMV 19S and 35S promoters and those from genes encoding actin or ubiquitin. Alternatively, regulated promoters such as chemically-regulated promoters (e.g., tetracycline-regulated) and wound-inducible promoters (expressed at wound sites and at sites of phytopathogenic infection) can also be used. In additional embodiments, promoters can be tissue-specific (e.g., specifying expression in roots, leaves, flowers, inflorescences) and/or temporally regulated (e.g., specifying expression in seedlings).

Additional promoters for use in plant cells have been described. See, for example, Stanford et al. (1989) Mol. Gen. Genet. 215: 200-208; Xu et al. (1993) Plant Molec. Biol. 22: 573-588; Logemann et al. (1989) Plant Cell 1: 151-158; Rohrmeier & Lehle (1993) Plant Molec. Biol. 22: 783-792; Firek et al. (1993) Plant Molec. Biol. 22: 129-142 and Warner et al. (1993) Plant J. 3: 191-201.

Consensus plant translation initiation sequences (i.e., ribosome-binding sites) have been described by Joshi (1987) Nucleic Acids Res. 15:6643-6653 and in the Clontech Catalogue 1993/1994, page 210.

Expression vectors generally have convenient restriction sites located near the promoter sequence to provide for the insertion of nucleic acid sequences encoding proteins of interest. A selectable marker operative in the expression host can be present to facilitate selection of cells containing the vector. In addition, the expression construct can include additional elements. For example, the expression vector can have one or two replication systems, thus allowing it to be maintained, for example, in plant or insect cells for expression and in a prokaryotic host for cloning and amplification. In addition, the expression construct can contain a selectable marker gene to allow the selection of transformed host cells. Selection genes are well-known in the art and vary depending on the host cell used.

Expression vectors provided herein contain the aforementioned nucleic acids and/or polynucleotides. Such expression vectors can contain promoters (e.g., T7 promoter, T3 promoter, SP6 promoter, E. coli RNA polymerase promoter, lac promoter and its derivatives, tac promoter, trp promoter, the arabinose-inducible P BA D promoter, the L-rhamnose-inducible rhaP BAD promoter, bacteriophage lambda promoters (e.g., P L ), CMV promoter, SV40 promoter, PGK promoter, EF-1alpha promoter), operators, transcription termination signals (e.g., SV40 termination signal), splice sites (e.g., SV40 splice sites, beta-globin splice site), ribosome binding sites, signal sequences (e.g., immunoglobulin kappa signal sequence), epitopes tags (e.g., myc, FLAG), purification tags (e.g., His 6 ), replication origins and drug selection markers. Linker sequences, encoding linker amino acids and/or comprising restriction enzyme recognition sites, or any other type of linker sequence, can also be operably linked to the nucleic acid encoding the subject polypeptide present in the vectors disclosed herein.

Cosmid libraries can be prepared by methods known in the art. See, for example, Maniatis et al. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. Cold Spring Harbor Press, 2 nd edition, 1989 and Sambrook et al., 2001. Such a library can be used for sequence-based screening and for any type functional screening of cells, or of supernatants, whole cell broths, cell-free lysates, or extracts derived from the cells. High throughput biological assays for herbicidal screening, enzymatic activities, anti-cancer activity, etc. are known in the art and described in the literature. See also Examples 7-11 herein.

Host cells The present disclosure further contemplates recombinant host cells containing an exogenous polynucleotide. Said polynucleotide can comprise one or more fragments of the C. subtsugae genome as disclosed herein, or can encode one or more of the polypeptides of the present disclosure. Host cells can be procaryotic (e.g., bacterial) or eucaryotic (e.g., yeast, insect, mammalian). The host can also be a synthetic cell.

In certain embodiments, the host cell is a microorganism. Suitable microorganisms are those capable of colonizing plant tissue (e.g. root, stems, leaves, flowers, internally and on the surface), or the rhizosphere, in such manner that they come in contact with insect pests. Some of the host microorganisms can also be capable of colonizing the gut of an insect pest, and be capable of being transmitted from one insect to another. Host microorganisms can also colonize the gut and body surface of a plant pest. The host cell can also be used as a microbial factory for the production of C. subtsugae proteins, or for production of one or more compounds produced by the activity of C. subtsugae proteins such as, for example, peptides, lipids, lipopeptides, glycoproteins, secondary metabolites, antibiotics and small organic compounds.

Gram-negative microorganisms suitable for heterologous expression include: Escherichia coli (e.g., E. coli K12, E. coli BL21), Pseudomonas sp. (e.g. Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida, Psuedomonas aurantiaca, Psuedomonas aureofaciens, Psuedomonas protegens ), Enterobacter sp. (e.g. Enterobacter cloacae ), and Serratia sp. Exemplary E. coli strains include E. coli BL21 and E. coli K12 for routine expression. Other E. coli strains, for more specialized purposes, are those which display protease deficiency (BL21-B838) and those which overexpress membrane proteins such as the BL21 derivative DE3, C41 (DE3) and C43 (DE3).

Methods for high-level expression of heterologous proteins in E. coli are known and include (a) IPTG-induction methods, (b) auto-induction methods, and (c) high cell-density IPTG-induction methods. See, for example, Sivashanmugam et al. (2009).

Gram-positive microorganisms suitable for heterologous expression include Bacillus sp. (e.g., Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus ), and Streptomyces sp. One advantage of using Bacillus as an expression host is that members of this genus produce spores, which provide formulations with better stability and longer shelf life. Expression systems based on Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus subtilis are commercially available from MoBiTec (Germany). Nucleotide sequences of interest can be expressed in Bacillus megaterium using under the control of the promoter of the xylose operon.

Fungal microorganisms suitable for heterologous expression include Trichoderma sp., Gliocadium, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Pichia pastoris. Heterologous DNA can be introduced into filamentous fungi by protoplast-mediated transformation using polyethylene glycol (PEG) or by electroporation-based methods. Particle bombardment is another method that has been successfully used to transform fungal cells.

Methods and compositions for transformation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are well-known in the art. For example, a nucleic acid can be cloned into a suitable vector (e.g., the YES vectors (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.), under the control of an inducible promoter such as GAL1, and the CYC1 terminator, and expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The resulting cells can be tested for the desired activity, or for protein expression.

Heterologous expression can also be conducted in other yeast species (Jeffries et al., 2010), such as Pichia pastoris, Hansenula polymorpha, Arxula adenivorans and Yarrowia lipolytica. Transformation of Pichia pastoris can be achieved with the use of a commercial kit, such as the PichiaPink Expression System (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.), the Pichia Classic Protein Expression System or the Pichia GlycoSwitch (for glycosylated proteins) (Research Corporation Technologies, Tucson, Ariz.). For transformation of the yeasts Pichia pastoris or Hansenula. polymorpha, electroporation can also be used.

In certain embodiments, non-pathogenic symbiotic bacteria, which are able to live and replicate within plant tissues (i.e., endophytes), or non-pathogenic symbiotic bacteria, which are capable of colonizing the phyllosphere or the rhizosphere (i.e., epiphytes) are used. Such bacteria include bacteria of the genera Agrobacterium, Alcaligenes, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Clavibacter, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Flavobacter, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Serratia, Streptomyces and Xanthomonas.

Symbiotic fungi, such as Trichoderma and Gliocladium can also be used as hosts for propagation and/or expression of the sequences disclosed herein.

Formulations and Pesticidal Compositions The present disclosure provides pesticidal (e.g., insecticidal) compositions and formulations comprising the nucleic acids and polypeptides disclosed herein.

A “pest” is an organism (procaryotic, eucaryotic or Archael) that increases mortality and/or slows, stunts or otherwise alters the growth of a plant. Pests include, but are not limited to, nematodes, insects, fungi, bacteria, and viruses.

A “pesticide” as defined herein, is a substance derived from a biological product, or a chemical substance, that increases mortality and/or inhibits the growth rate of plant pests. Pesticides include but are not limited to nematocides, insecticides, herbicides, plant fungicides, plant bactericides, and plant viricides.

A “biological pesticide” as defined herein is a microorganism with pesticidal properties.

A “pesticidal composition” is a formulation comprising a pesticide and optionally one or more additional components. Additional components include, but are not limited to, solvents (e.g., amyl acetate, carbon tetrachloride, ethylene dichloride; kerosene, xylene, pine oil, and others listed in EPA list 4a and 4b etc.), carriers, (e.g., organic flour, Walnut shell flour, wood bark), pulverized mineral (sulfur, diatomite, tripolite, lime, gypsum talc, pyrophyllite), clay (attapulgite bentonites, kaolins, volcanic ash, and others listed in EPA list 4a and 4b), stabilizers, emulsifiers (e.g., alkaline soaps, organic amines, sulfates of long chain alcohols and materials such as alginates, carbohydrates, gums, lipids and proteins, and others listed in EPA list 4a and 4b), surfactants (e.g., those listed in EPA list 4a and 4b), anti-oxidants, sun screens, a second pesticide, either chemical or biological (e.g., insecticide, nematicide, miticide, algaecide, fungicide, bactericide), an herbicide an/or an antibiotic.

A “carrier” as defined herein is an inert, organic or inorganic material, with which the active ingredient is mixed or formulated to facilitate its application to plant or other object to be treated, or its storage, transport and/or handling.

Pesticidal compositions as disclosed herein are useful for modulating pest infestation in a plant. The term “modulate” as defined herein is used to mean to alter the amount of pest infestation or rate of spread of pest infestation. Generally, such alteration is a lowering of the degree and/or rate and/or spread of the infestation.

The term “pest infestation” as defined herein, is the presence of a pest in an amount that causes a harmful effect including a disease or infection in a host population or emergence of an undesired weed in a growth system. Exemplary plant pests include, but are not limited to, mites (e.g., Tetranychus urticae (Two-spotted spider mite)), fruit flies (e.g., Drosophila suzukii, Drosophila melanogaster ), house flies (e.g., Musca domestica ), arachnids (e.g., Acari spp.), root maggots ( Anthomyidae spp., e.g. Cabbage Root Maggots), aphids (e.g., Myzus persicae (green peach aphid)), Triozidae spp. (e.g., potato psyllid ( Bactericera cockerelli )), beetles ( Tenebrionidae spp., e.g., litter beetles ( Alphitobius diaperinus )), grubs (e.g., white grub ( Cyclocephala lurida ), Southern Masked Chafer ( Rhizotrogus majalis ), Japanese beetle ( Popillia japonica ) larvae, black vine weevil ( Otiorhyncus sulcatus ) larvae, Oriental beetle ( Anomala orientalis ) larvae, scarabs (e.g., Scarabaeidae spp.), nematodes (e.g., Root-knot nematode ( Meloidogyne spp.)), fungi, bacteria, and various plant viruses, for example, Tobacco mosaic virus, Tomato spotted wilt virus, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus, Cucumber mosaic virus, Potato virus Y, Cauliflower mosaic virus, African cassava mosaic virus, Plum pox virus, Brome mosaic virus, Potato virus X, Citrus tristeza virus, Barley yellow dwarf virus, Potato leaf roll virus and Tomato bushy stunt virus.

Pesticidal compositions, as disclosed herein, can be used either for prophylactic or modulatory purposes. When provided prophylactically, the compositions(s) are provided in advance of any symptoms of infestation. The prophylactic administration of the composition(s) serves to prevent, attenuate, or decrease the rate of onset of any subsequent infection or infestation. When provided for modulatory purposes, the composition(s) are provided at (or shortly after) the onset of an indication of infection or infestation. Modulatory administration of the compound(s) serves to attenuate the pathological symptoms of the infection or infestation and to increase the rate of recovery.

Additional methods can be employed to control the duration of action. Controlled-release can be achieved through the use of polymers to complex or absorb one or more of the components of the composition. The controlled delivery may be exercised by selecting appropriate macromolecules (for example polyesters, polyamino acids, polyvinyl, pyrrolidone, ethylenevinylacetate, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, or protamine, sulfate) and the concentration of macromolecules as well as the methods of incorporation in order to control release. Another possible method to control the duration of action by controlled release preparations is to incorporate compositions as disclosed herein into particles of a polymeric material such as polyesters, polyamino acids, hydrogels, poly(lactic acid) or ethylene vinylacetate copolymers. Alternatively, instead of incorporating these compositions into polymeric particles, it is possible to entrap these materials in microcapsules prepared, for example, by coacervation techniques or by interfacial polymerization, for example, hydroxymethylcellulose or gelatine-microcapsules and poly(methylmethacylate) microcapsules, respectively, or in colloidal delivery systems, for example, liposomes, albumin microspheres, microemulsions, nanoparticles, and nanocapsules or in macroemulsions. Such techniques are known in the art.

Pesticidal compositions as disclosed herein, (e.g., pesticidal toxins) can be produced by expression of selected Chromobacterium substugae genome sequences in heterologous hosts suitable for lab scale, pilot scale and manufacturing scale fermentation (e.g., E. coli, Psuedomonas sp., yeast, etc.). Toxins can be produced by fermentation procedures known in the art using the heterologous host and formulated directly, or after extraction and purification of the toxin from the fermentation broth. The formulation can include live cells or non-viable cells.

The pesticidal compositions disclosed herein can be formulated in any manner. Non-limiting formulation examples include, but are not limited to, emulsifiable concentrates (EC), wettable powders (WP), soluble liquids (SL), aerosols, ultra-low volume concentrate solutions (ULV), soluble powders (SP), microencapsulates, water dispersed granules, flowables (FL), microemulsions (ME), nano-emulsions (NE), etc. In any of the formulations described herein, the percentage of the active ingredient is within a range of 0.01% to 99.99%. Detailed description of pesticide formulations can be found in the Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology.; Knowles, A. 2005. New Developments in Crop Protection Product Formulation, Agrow Reports, London, UK; Valkenburg, W. van (ed.) 1973, Pesticide Formulation, Marcel Dekker, New York, USA; Knowles, D. A. (ed.) 1998, Chemistry and Technology of Agrochemical Formulations, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, the Netherlands.

Powder and Dust formulations These are simple formulations that usually contain 0.1-25% of the active ingredient. However, higher concentrations of active ingredient can be used depending on the potency and particular application. The pesticide toxin is mixed with a solid carrier, preferably of small particle size. Solid carriers can include: silicate clays (e.g., attapulgite, bentonites, volcanic ash, montmorillionite, kaolin, talc, diatomites, etc.), carbonates (e.g., calcite, dolomite, etc), synthetics (precipitated silica, fumed silica, etc.), ground botanicals (e.g., corn cob grits, rice hulls, coconut shells, etc.), organic flour (e.g., Walnut shell flour, wood bark, etc.) or pulverized mineral (e.g., Sulphur, diatomite, tripolite, lime, gypsum talc, pyrophyllite, etc.). The inert ingredients used in dust formulations can also come from those listed in EPA Inert List 4a (www.epa.gov/opprd001/inerts/inerts_list4Acas.pdf) for conventional formulations and 4b (www.epa.gov/opprd001/inerts/inerts_list4Bname.pdf) for organic formulations. Small particle size can be achieved by mixing the active ingredient with the carrier and pulverizing in a mill. Dusts are defined as having a particle size less than 100 microns; and with increase in particle size the toxicity of the formulation decreases. In the selection of a dust formulation its compatibility, fineness, bulk density, flow ability, abrasiveness, absorbability, specific gravity and cost should be taken into consideration. Exemplary dust formulations are provided in Table 14

A dust formulation can also be prepared from a dust concentrate (e.g., 40% active ingredient, 5% stabilizer, 20% silica, 35% magnesium carbonate) added at 1-10% to a 1:1 organic filler/talc combination.

The dust formulation is used as a contact powder (CP) or tracking powder (TP) against crawling insects.

A dust formulation with high flowability can be applied by pneumatic equipments in greenhouses.

Granular and pellet formulations The pesticidal toxin is applied in liquid form to coarse particles of porous material (e.g., clay, walnut shells, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, corn cobs, attapulgite, montmorillioinite, kaolin, talc, diatomites, calcite, dolomite, silicas, rice hulls, coconut shells, etc.). The granules or pellets can be water dispersible, and can be formed by extrusion (for pesticidal actives with low water solubility), agglomeration or spray drying. Granules can also be coated or impregnated with a solvent-based solution of the pesticidal toxin. The carrier particles can be selected from those listed in EPA Inert List 4a (www.epa.gov/opprd001/inerts/inerts_list4Acas.pdf) for conventional formulations and 4b (www.epa.gov/opprd001/inerts/inerts_list4Bname.pdf) for organic formulations. The active ingredient can be absorbed by the carrier material or coated on the surface of the granule. Particle size can vary from 250 to 1250 microns (0.25 mm to 2.38 mm) in diameter. The formulations usually contain 2 to 10 percent concentration of the toxicant. The granules are applied in water or whorls of plant or to soil at the rate of 10 kg/ha. Granular formulations of systemic insecticides are used for the control of sucking and soil pest by application to soil. Whorl application is done for the control of borer pests of crops such as sorghum, maize and sugarcane, etc. These types of formulations reduce drift and allow for slower release of the pesticidal composition.

Granular pesticides are most often used to apply chemicals to the soil to control weeds, fire ants, nematodes, and insects living in the soil or for absorption into plants through the roots. Granular formulations are sometimes applied by airplane or helicopter to minimize drift or to penetrate dense vegetation. Once applied, granules release the active ingredient slowly. Some granules require soil moisture to release the active ingredient. Granular formulations also are used to control larval mosquitoes and other aquatic pests. Granules are used in agricultural, structural, ornamental, turf, aquatic, right-of-way, and public health (biting insect) pest control operations.

Application of granular formulations is common in pre-emergence herbicides or as soil insecticides for direct application and incorporation into soil or other solid substrates where plants grow. Granules or pellets can also be applied in-furrow. Granules are commonly used for application to water, such as in flooded rice paddies.

A typical granule formulation includes (%w/w) 1-40% active ingredient, 1-2% stabilizer, 0-10% resin or polymer, 0-5% surfactant, 0-5% binder and is made up to 100% with the carrier material.

Wettable Powder Formulations

Wettable powder is a powdered formulation which yields a rather stable suspension when diluted with water. It is formulated by blending the pesticidal agent with diluents such as attapulgite, a surface active agent and auxiliary materials such as sodium salts of sulfo acids. Optionally stickers are added to improve retention on plants and other surfaces. Wettable powders can be prepared by mixing the pesticidal toxin (10-95%) with a solid carrier, plus 1-2% of a surface-active agent to improve suspensibility. The overall composition of the formulation includes the active ingredient in solid form (5.0-75%), an anionic dispersant and an anionic or nonionic wetting agent.

A typical example of a wettable powder formulation includes 10-80% active ingredient, 1-2% wetting agents (e.g., benzene sulphonates, naphthalene sulphonates, aliphatic suplhosuccinates, aliphatic alcohol etoxylates, etc.), 2-5% dispersing agent (e.g., lignosulphonates, naphthalene sulphonate-formaldehyde condensates, etc.), and 0.1-1% antifoaming agent (e.g., isopar M (Exxon/Mobil)), made up to 100% with an inert filler or carrier (e.g., diatomaceous earth, silica, etc.).

Emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulations These are concentrated pesticide formulation containing an organic solvent and a surfice-active agent to facilitate emulsification with water. When EC formulations are sprayed on plant parts, the solvent evaporates quickly, leaving a deposit of toxin from which water also evaporates. Exemplary emulsifying agents in insecticide formulations include alkaline soaps, organic amines, sulfates of long chain alcohols and materials such as alginates, carbohydrates, gums, lipids and proteins. Emulsifying agents can be selected from those listed in EPA Inert List 4a (www.epa.gov/opprd001/inerts/inerts_list4Acas.pdf) for conventional formulations and 4b (www.epa.gov/opprd001/inerts/inerts_list4Bname.pdf) for organic formulations.

Solution formulations A solution formulation is a concentrated liquid pesticide formulation that can be used directly, or require dilution in the case of a soluble concentrate. Soluble concentrates and solutions are water- or solvent-based mixtures with complete miscibility in water.

A typical example of a solution concentrate formulation includes 20-70% active ingredient, 5-15% wetting agent, 5-10% antifreeze, and is made up to 100% with water or a water miscible solvent.

Depending on the nature and stability of the pesticidal toxin, a solution formulation can optionally include thickeners, preservatives, antifoam, pH buffers, UV screens, etc.

Aerosol and fumigant formulations In an insecticidal aerosol, the toxin is suspended as minute particles having sizes ranging from 0.1 to 50 microns in air as a fog or mist. This is achieved by burning the toxin or vaporizing it by heating. The toxicant dissolved in a liquefied gas, if released through small hole, may cause the toxicant particles to float in air with the rapid evaporation of the released gas.

A chemical compound, which is volatile at ambient temperatures and sufficiently toxic, is known as a fumigant. Fumigants generally enter an insect via its tracheal system. Fumigants are used for the control of insect pests in storage bins, buildings and certain insects and nematodes in the soil. Most fumigants are liquids held in cans or tanks and often comprise mixtures of two or more gases. Alternatively, phosphine or hydrogen phosphide gas can be generated in the presence of moisture from a tablet made up of aluminium phosphide and ammonium carbonate. The advantage of using a fumigant is that sites that are not easily accessible to other chemicals can be reached with fumigants, due to the penetration and dispersal of the gas. Commonly used fumigants are EDCT, methyl bromide, aluminium phosphide and hydrocynic acid.

Formulation in Fertilizers Mixtures A fertilizer mixture can be manufactured by addition of an insecticidal composition, as disclosed herein, to a chemical fertilizer, or by spreading the composition directly on the fertilizer. Fertilizer mixtures are applied at the regular fertilizing time and provide both plant nutrients and control of soil insects. In an exemplary fertilizer formulation, urea (2% solution) is mixed with an insecticidal composition and sprayed for supply of nitrogen to the plant and for realizing effective pest control.

Formulation as Poison Baits. Poison baits consist of a base or carrier material attractive to the pest species and a chemical toxicant in relatively small quantities. The poison baits are used for the control of fruit flies, chewing insects, wireworms, white grubs in the soil, household pests, rats in the field and slugs. These formulations are useful for situations in which spray application is difficult. A common base used in dry baits is wheat bran moistened with water and molasses. For the control of fruit sucking moths fermenting sugar solution or molasses with a toxin is used.

Formulations for seed treatments Seed treatments include application of a pesticidal composition, optionally in combination with other bioactive, antagonistic or symbiotic agents, to the surface of a seed prior to sowing. The pesticidal toxins, proteins, and/or compounds disclosed herein can be formulated for seed treatments in any of the following modes: dry powder, water slurriable powder, liquid solution, flowable concentrate or emulsion, emulsion, microcapsules, gel, or water dispersible granules; or can be applied to seeds by spraying on the seed before planting.

In the case of a dry powder, the active ingredient is formulated similarly to a wettable powder, but with the addition of a sticking agent, such as mineral oil, instead of a wetting agent. For example: one kg of purified talc powder (sterilized for 12 h), 15 g calcium carbonate, and 10 g carboxymethyl cellulose are mixed under aseptic conditions following the method described by Nandakumar et al (2001). Protein, nucleic acid suspensions or organisms expressing these are mixed in a 1:2.5 ratio (suspension to dry mix) and the product is shade dried to reduce moisture content to 20-35%.

The compositions can be in the form of a liquid, gel or solid.

A solid composition can be prepared by suspending a solid carrier in a solution of active ingredient(s) and drying the suspension under mild conditions, such as evaporation at room temperature or vacuum evaporation at 65° C. or lower. For liquid compositions, the active ingredient can be dissolved in a suitable carrier or solvent.

A composition can comprise gel-encapsulated active ingredient(s). Such gel-encapsulated materials can be prepared by mixing a gel-forming agent (e.g., gelatin, cellulose, or lignin) with a composition comprising one or more nucleic acids and/or polypeptides as disclosed herein, and optionally a second pesticide or herbicide; and inducing gel formation of the agent.

The composition can additionally comprise a surfactant to be used for the purpose of emulsification, dispersion, wetting, spreading, integration, disintegration control, stabilization of active ingredients, and improvement of fluidity or rust inhibition. In a particular embodiment, the surfactant is a non-phytotoxic non-ionic surfactant which preferably belongs to EPA List 4B. In another particular embodiment, the nonionic surfactant is polyoxyethylene (20) monolaurate. The concentration of surfactants can range between 0.1-35% of the total formulation, e.g., from 5-25%. The choice of dispersing and emulsifying agents, such as non-ionic, anionic, amphoteric and cationic dispersing and emulsifying agents, and the amount employed, is determined by the nature of the composition and the ability of the agent to facilitate the dispersion of the composition.

Formulations comprising microorganisms Pesticidal compositions as set forth above can be combined with a microorganism. The microorganism can be a plant growth promoter. Suitable microorganisms include, but are not limited to, Bacillus sp. (e.g., Bacillus firmus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus subtilis ), Paecilomyces sp. ( P. lilacinus ), Pasteuria sp. ( P. penetrans ), Pseudomonas sp., Brevabacillus sp., Lecanicillium sp., Ampelomyces sp., Pseudozyma sp., Streptomyces sp ( S. bikiniensis, S. costaricanus, S. avermitilis ), Burkholderia sp., Trichoderma sp., Gliocladium sp., avermectin, Myrothecium sp., Paecilomyces spp., Sphingobacterium sp., Arthrobotrys sp., Chlorosplenium sp., Neobulgaria sp., Daldinia sp., Aspergillus sp., Chaetomium sp., Lysobacter sp., Lachnum papyraceum, Verticillium suchlasporium, Arthrobotrys oligospora, Verticillium chlamydosporium, Hirsutella rhossiliensis, Pochonia chlamydosporia, Pleurotus ostreatus, Omphalotus olearius, Lampteromyces japonicas, Brevudimonas sp., Muscodor sp., Photorhabdus sp., and Burkholderia sp. Agents obtained or derived from such microorganisms can also be used in combination with the pesticidal nucleic acids and polypeptides disclosed herein.

Formulations comprising second pesticides Pesticidal compositions as set forth above can be combined with a a second pesticide (e.g., nematocide, fungicide, insecticide, algaecide, miticide, or bactericide). Such an agent can be a natural oil or oil-product having fungicidal, bactericidal, nematicidal, acaricidal and/or insecticidal activity (e.g., paraffinic oil, tea tree oil, lemongrass oil, clove oil, cinnamon oil, citrus oil, rosemary oil, pyrethram). Furthermore, the pesticide can be a single site anti-fungal agent which may include but is not limited to benzimidazole, a demethylation inhibitor (DMI) (e.g., imidazole, piperazine, pyrimidine, triazole), morpholine, hydroxypyrimidine, anilinopyrimidine, phosphorothiolate, quinone outside inhibitor, quinoline, dicarboximide, carboximide, phenylamide, anilinopyrimidine, phenylpyrrole, aromatic hydrocarbon, cinnamic acid, hydroxyanilide, antibiotic, polyoxin, acylamine, phthalimide, benzenoid (xylylalanine); a demethylation inhibitor selected from the group consisting of imidazole, piperazine, pyrimidine and triazole (e.g.,bitertanol, myclobutanil, penconazole, propiconazole, triadimefon, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, diniconazole, fenbuconazole, hexaconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole), myclobutanil, an anthranilic diamide (e.g., chlorantranilipole) and a quinone outside inhibitor (e.g., strobilurin). The strobilurin may include but is not limited to azoxystrobin, kresoxim-methoyl or trifloxystrobin. In yet another particular embodiment, the anti-fungal agent is a quinone, e.g., quinoxyfen (5,7-dichloro-4-quinolyl 4-fluorophenyl ether). The anti-fungal agent can also be derived from a Reynoutria extract.

The fungicide can also be a multi-site non-inorganic, chemical fungicide selected from the group consisting of chloronitrile, quinoxaline, sulphamide, phosphonate, phosphite, dithiocarbamate, chloralkythios, phenylpyridin-amine, and cyano-acetamide oxime.

The composition can, as noted above, further comprise an insecticide. The insecticide can include but is not limited to avermectin, Bt (e.g., Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki ), neem oil, spinosads, Burkholderia sp. (e.g., as set forth in WO2011/106491), entomopathogenic fungi such a Beauveria bassiana and chemical insecticides including but not limited to organochlorine compounds, organophosphorous compounds, carbamates, pyrethroids, pyrethrins and neonicotinoids.

As noted above, the composition may further comprise a nematocide. This nematocide may include, but is not limited to, avermectin, microbial products such as Biome ( Bacillus firmus ), Pasteuria spp and organic products such as saponins.

Methods for modulating pest infestation Thus, according to the present disclosure, methods for modulating pest infestation in a plant are provided. The methods comprise application to a plant, or to the soil or substrate in which the plant is growing, of a pesticidal composition comprising a nucleic acid as disclosed herein; i.e., any of SEQ ID NOs:1-4533, or any of the nucleic acids of embodiments 1-7, 15-17 and 49-52, or any of the vectors of embodiments 8 and 9.

Additional methods for modulating pest infestation in a plant comprise application, to a plant, or to the soil or substrate in which the plant is growing, of a pesticidal composition comprising a polypeptide as disclosed herein; i.e., any of SEQ ID NOs:4534-8960, or any of the polypeptides of embodiments 10-14 and 53.

When used as biological insect control agents, insecticidal toxins encoded by the C. subtsugae genome can be produced by expression of a C. subtsugae nucleotide sequence in a heterologous host cell capable of expressing the nucleotide sequences. In one embodiment, one or more C. subtsugae nucleotide sequences are inserted into an appropriate expression cassette comprising, e.g., a promoter and a transcriptional termination signal. Expression of the nucleotide sequence(s) can be constitutive or inducible, depending on the promoter and/or external stimuli. In certain embodiments, the cell in which the toxin is expressed is a microorganism, such as a virus, a bacterium, or a fungus.

In certain embodiments, a virus, such as a baculovirus, is engineered to contain a C. subtsugae nucleotide sequence in its genome. Such a recombinant virus can express large amounts of, e.g., an insecticidal toxin after infection of appropriate eukaryotic cells that are suitable for virus replication and expression of the nucleotide sequence. The insecticidal toxin thus produced is used as an insecticidal agent. Alternatively, baculoviruses engineered to include the nucleotide sequence are used to infect insects in vivo and kill them, either by expression of the insecticidal toxin or by a combination of viral infection and expression of the insecticidal toxin.

Thus, the compositions set forth above, comprising C. subtsugae nucleic acids and polypeptides, can be used as pesticides. In particular, the compositions as set forth above can be used as, for example, insecticides and nematicides, alone or in combination with one or more second pesticidal substances as set forth herein.

Specifically, nematodes that may be controlled using the method set forth above include but are not limited to parasitic nematodes such as root-knot, cyst, and lesion nematodes, including but not limited to seed gall nematodes ( Afrina wevelli ), bentgrass nematodes ( Anguina agrostis ), shoot gall nematodes ( Anguina spp.), seed gall nematodes ( Anguina spp., A. amsinckiae, A. balsamophila; A. tritici ), fescue leaf gall nematodes ( A. graminis ), ear-cockle (or wheat gall) nematodes ( Anguina tritici ), bud and leaf (or foliar) nematodes ( Aphelenchoides spp., A. subtenuis ), begonia leaf (or fern, or spring crimp, or strawberry foliar, or strawberry nematodes, or summer dwarf) nematodes ( A. fragariae ), fern nematodes ( A. olesistus ), rice nematodes ( A. oryzae ), currant nematodes ( A. ribes ), black currant (or chrysanthemum) nematodes ( A. ritzemabosi ), chrysanthemum foliar or leaf nematodes ( A. ritzemabosi ), rice white-tip (or spring dwarf, or strawberry bud) nematodes ( A. besseyi ), fungus-feeding (mushroom) nematodes ( Aphelenchoides composticola ), Atalodera spp. ( Atalodera lonicerae, Atalodera ucri ), spine nematodes ( Bakernema variabile ), sting nematodes ( Belonolaimus spp., B. gracilis, B. longicaudatus ), pine wood nematodes ( Bursaphalenchus spp., B. xylophilus, B. mucronatus ), sessile nematodes ( Cacopaurus spp., C. epacris, C. pestis ), amaranth cyst nematodes ( Cactodera amaranthi ), birch cyst nematodes ( C. betulae ), cactus cyst nematodes ( C. cacti ), estonian cyst nematodes ( C. estonica ), Thorne's cyst nematodes ( C. thornei ), knotweed cyst nematodes ( C. weissi ), ring nematodes ( Criconema spp.), spine nematodes ( Criconema spp., C. civellae, C. decalineatum, C. spinalineatum ), ring nematodes ( Criconemella axeste, C. curvata, C. macrodora, C. parva ), ring nematodes ( Criconemoides spp., C. citri, C. simile ), spine nematodes ( Crossonema fimbriatum ), eucalypt cystoid nematodes ( Cryphodera eucalypti ), bud, stem and bulb nematodes ( Ditylenchus spp., D. angustus, D. dipsaci, D. destructor, D. intermedius ), Mushroom spawn nematodes ( D. myceliophagus ), awl nematodes ( Dolichodorus spp., D. heterocephalus, D. heterocephalous ), spear nematodes ( Dorylaimus spp.), stunt nematodes ( Geocenamus superbus ), cyst nematodes ( Globodera spp.), yarrow cyst nematodes ( G. achilleae ), milfoil cyst nematodes ( G. millefolii ), apple cyst nematodes ( G. mali ), white cyst potato nematodes ( G. pallida ), golden nematodes ( G. rostochiensis ), tobacco cyst nematodes ( G. tabacum ), Osborne's cyst nematodes ( G. tabacum solanacearum ), horsenettle cyst nematodes ( G. tabacum virginiae ), pin nematodes ( Gracilacus spp., G. idalimus ), spiral nematodes ( Helicotylenchus spp., H. africanus, H. digonicus, H. dihystera, H. erythrinae, H. multicinctus, H. paragirus, H. pseudorobustus, H. solani, H. spicaudatus ), sheathoid nematodes ( Hemicriconemoides spp., H. biformis, H. californianus, H. chitwoodi, H. floridensis, H. wessoni ),sheath nematodes ( Hemicycliophora spp., H. arenaria, H. biosphaera, H. megalodiscus, H. parvana, H. poranga, H. sheri, H. similis, H. striatula ), cyst nematodes ( Heterodera spp.), almond cyst nematodes ( H. amygdali ), oat (or cereal) cyst nematodes ( H. avenae ), Cajanus (or pigeon pea) cyst nematodes ( H. cajani ), bermudagrass (or heart-shaped, or Valentine) cyst nematodes ( H. cardiolata ), carrot cyst nematodes ( H. carotae ), cabbage cyst nematodes or brassica root eelworm ( H. cruciferae ), nutgrass (or sedge) cyst nematodes ( H. cyperi ), Japanese cyst nematodes ( H. elachista ), fig (or ficus, or rubber) cyst nematodes ( H. fici ), galeopsis cyst nematodes ( H. galeopsidis ), soybean cyst nematodes ( H. glycines ), alfalfa root (or pea cyst) nematodes ( H. goettingiana ), buckwheat cyst nematodes ( H. graduni ), barley cyst nematodes ( H. hordecalis ), hop cyst nematodes ( H. humuli ), Mediterranean cereal (or wheat) cyst nematodes ( H. latipons ), lespedeza cyst nematodes ( H. lespedezae ), Kansas cyst nematodes ( H. longicolla ), cereals root eelworm or oat cyst nematodes ( H. major ), grass cyst nematodes ( H. mani ), lucerne cyst nematodes ( H. medicaginis ), cyperus (or motha) cyst nematodes ( Heterodera mothi ), rice cyst nematodes ( H. oryzae ), Amu-Darya (or camel thorn cyst) nematodes ( H. oxiana ), dock cyst nematodes ( H. rosii ), rumex cyst nemtodes ( H. rumicis ), sugar beet cyst nematodes ( H. schachtii ), willow cyst nematodes ( H. salixophila ), knawel cyst nematodes ( H. scleranthii ), sowthistle cyst nematodes ( H. sonchophila ), tadzhik cyst nematodes ( H. tadshikistanica ), turkmen cyst nematodes ( H. turcomanica ), clover cyst nematodes ( H. trifolii ), nettle cyst nematodes ( H. urticae ), ustinov cyst nematodes ( H. ustinovi ), cowpea cyst nematodes ( H. vigni ), corn cyst nematodes ( H. zeae ), rice root nematodes ( Hirschmanniella spp., H. belli, H. caudacrena, H. gracilis, H. oryzae ), lance nematodes ( Hoplolaimus spp.), Columbia nematodes ( H. columbus ), Cobb's lance nematodes ( H. galeatus ), crown-headed lance nematodes ( H. tylenchiformis ), pseudo root-knot nematodes ( Hypsoperine graminis ), needle nematodes ( Longidorus spp., L. africanus, L. sylphus ), ring nematodes ( Macroposthonia (= Mesocriconema ) xenoplax ), cystoid nematodes ( Meloidodera spp.), pine cystoid nematodes ( M. floridensis ), tadzhik cystoid nematodes ( M. tadshikistanica ), cystoid body nematodes ( Meloidoderita spp.), stunt nematodes ( Merlinius spp., M. brevidens, M. conicus, M. grandis, M. microdorus ), root-knot nematodes ( Meloidogyne spp., M. acronea, M. arenaria, M. artiellia, M. brevicauda, M. camelliae, M. carolinensis, M. chitwoodi, M. exigua, M. graminicola, M. hapla, M. hispanica, M. incognita, M. incognita acrita, M. indica, M. inornata, M. javanica, M. kikuyuensis, M. konaensis, M. mali, M. microtyla, M. naasi, M. ovalis, M. platani, M. querciana, M. sasseri, M. tadshikistanica, M. thamesi ), knapweed nematodes ( Mesoanguina picridis ), Douglas fir nematodes ( Nacobbodera chitwoodi ), false root-knot nematodes ( Nacobbus aberrans, N. batatiformis, N. dorsalis ), sour paste nematodes ( Panagrellus redivivus ), beer nematodes ( P. silusiae ), needle nematodes ( Paralongidorus microlaimus ), spiral nematodes ( Pararotylenchus spp.), stubby-root nematodes ( Paratrichodorus allius, P. minor, P. porosus, P. renifer ), pin nematodes ( Paratylenchus spp., P. baldaccii, P. bukowinensis, P. curvitatus, P. dianthus, P. elachistus, P. hamatus, P. holdemani, P. italiensis, P. lepidus, P. nanus, P. neoamplycephalus, P. similis ), lesion (or meadow) nematodes ( Pratylenchus spp., P. alleni, P. brachyurus, P. coffeae, P. convallariae, P. crenatus, P. flakkensis, P. goodeyi, P. hexincisus, P. leiocephalus, P. minyus, P. musicola, P. neglectus, P. penetrans, P. pratensis, P. scribneri, P. thornei, P. vulnus, P. zeae ), stem gall nematodes ( Pterotylenchus cecidogenus ), grass cyst nematodes ( Punctodera punctate ), stunt nematodes ( Quinisulcius acutus, Q. capitatus ), burrowing nematodes ( Radopholus spp.), banana-root nematodes ( R. similis ), rice-root nematodes ( R. oryzae ), red ring (or coconut, or cocopalm) nematodes ( Rhadinaphelenchus cocophilus ), reniform nematodes ( Rotylenchulus spp., R. reniformis, R. parvus ), spiral nematodes ( Rotylenchus spp., R. buxophilus, R. christiei, R. robustus ), Thorne's lance nematodes ( R. uniformis ), Sarisodera hydrophylla, spiral nematodes ( Scutellonema spp., S. blaberum, S. brachyurum, S. bradys, S. clathricaudatum, S. christiei, S. conicephalum ), grass root-gall nematodes ( Subanguina radicicola ), round cystoid nematodes ( Thecavermiculatus andinus ), stubby-root nematodes ( Trichodorus spp., T. christiei, T. kurumeensis, T. pachydermis, T. primitivus ), vinegar eels (or nematodes) ( Turbatrix aceti ), stunt (or stylet) nematodes ( Tylenchorhynchus spp., T. agri, T. annulatus, T. aspericutis, T. claytoni, T. ebriensis, T. elegans, T. golden, T. graciliformis, T. martini, T. mashhoodi, T. microconus, T. nudus, T. oleraceae, T. penniseti, T. punensis ), citrus nematodes ( Tylenchulus semipenetrans ), and dagger nematodes ( Xiphinema spp., X. americanum, X. bakeri, X. brasiliense, X. brevicolle, X. chambersi, X. coxi, X. diversicaudatum X. index, X. insigne, X. nigeriense, X. radicicola, X. setariae, X. vulgarae, X. vuittenezi ).

Phytopathogenic insects controlled by the methods set forth above include but are not limited to non- Culicidae larvae insects from the order (a) Lepidoptera, for example, Acleris spp., Adoxophyes spp., Aegeria spp., Agrotis spp., Alabama argillaceae, Amylois spp., Anticarsia gemmatalis, Archips spp., Argyrotaenia spp., Autographa spp., Busseola fusca, Cadra cautella, Carposina nipponensis, Chilo spp., Choristoneura spp., Clysia ambiguella, Cnaphalocrocis spp., Cnephasia spp., Cochylis spp., Coleophora spp., Crocidolomia binotalis, Cryptophlebia leucotreta, Cydia spp., Diatraea spp., Diparopsis castanea, Earias spp., Ephestia spp., Eucosma spp., Eupoecilia ambiguella, Euproctis spp., Euxoa spp., Grapholita spp., Hedya nubiferana, Heliothis spp., Hellula undalis, Hyphantria cunea, Keiferia lycopersicella, Leucoptera scitella, Lithocollethis spp., Lobesia botrana, Lymantria spp., Lyonetia spp., Malacosoma spp., Mamestra brassicae, Manduca sexta, Operophtera spp., Ostrinia nubilalis, Pammene spp., Pandemis spp., Panolis flammea, Pectinophora gossypiella, Phthorimaea operculella, Pieris rapae, Pieris spp., Plutella xylostella, Prays spp., Scirpophaga spp., Sesamia spp., Sparganothis spp., Spodoptera spp., Synanthedon spp., Thaumetopoea spp., Tortrix spp., Trichoplusia ni and Yponomeuta spp.; (b) Coleoptera, for example, Agriotes spp., Anthonomus spp., Atomaria linearis, Chaetocnema tibialis, Cosmopolites spp., Curculio spp., Dermestes spp., Diabrotica spp., Epilachna spp., Eremnus spp., Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Lissorhoptrus spp., Melolontha spp., Orycaephilus spp., Otiorhynchus spp., Phlyctinus spp., Popillia spp., Psylliodes spp., Rhizopertha spp-, Scarabeidae, Sitophilus spp., Sitotroga spp., Tenebrio spp., Tribolium spp. and Trogoderma spp.; (c) Orthoptera, for example, Blatta spp., Blattella spp., Gryllotalpa spp., Leucophaea maderae, Locusta spp., Periplaneta spp. and Schistocerca spp.; (d) Isoptera, for example, Reticulitermes spp.; (e) Psocoptera, for example, Liposcelis spp.; (f) Anoplura, for example, Haematopinus spp., Linognathus spp., Pediculus spp., Pemphigus spp. and Phylloxera spp.; (g) Mallophaga, for example, Damalinea spp. and Trichodectes spp.; (h) Thysanoptera, for example, Frankliniella spp., Hercinotnrips spp., Taeniothrips spp., Thrips palmi, Thrips tabaci and Scirtothrips aurantii; (i) Heteroptera, for example, Cimex spp., Distantiella theobroma, Dysdercus spp., Euchistus spp., Eurygaster spp., Leptocorisa spp., Nezara spp., Piesma spp., Rhodnius spp., Sahlbergella singularis, Scotinophara spp. and Tniatoma spp.; (j) Homoptera, for example, Aleurothrixus floccosus, Aleyrodes brassicae, Aonidiella spp., Aphididae, Aphis spp., Aspidiotus spp., Bemisia tabaci, Ceroplaster spp., Chrysomphalus aonidium, Chrysomphalus dictyospermi, Coccus hesperidum, Empoasca spp., Eriosoma larigerum, Erythroneura spp., Gascardia spp., Laodelphax spp., Lecanium corni, Lepidosaphes spp., Macrosiphus spp., Myzus spp., Nephotettix spp., Nilaparvata spp., Paratoria spp., Pemphigus spp., Planococcus spp., Pseudaulacaspis spp., Pseudococcus spp., Psylla spp., Pulvinaria aethiopica, Quadraspidiotus spp., Rhopalosiphum spp., Saissetia spp., Scaphoideus spp., Schizaphis spp., Sitobion spp., Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Trioza erytreae and Unaspis citri; (k) Hymenoptera, for example, Acromyrmex, Atta spp., Cephus spp., Diprion spp., Diprionidae, Gilpinia polytoma, Hoplocampa spp., Lasius spp., Monomorium pharaonis, Neodiprion spp., Solenopsis spp. and Vespa spp.; (l) Diptera, for example, Aedes spp., Antherigona soccata, Bibio hortulanus, Calliphora erythrocephala, Ceratitis spp., Chrysomyia spp., Culex spp., Cuterebra spp., Dacus spp., Drosophila melanogaster, Fannia spp., Gastrophilus spp., Glossina spp., Hypoderma spp., Hyppobosca spp., Liriomyza spp., Lucilia spp., Melanagromyza spp., Musca spp., Oestrus spp., Orseolia spp., Oscinella frit, Pegomyia hyoscyami, Phorbia spp., Rhagoletis pomonella, Sciara spp., Stomoxys spp., Tabanus spp., Tannia spp. and Tipula spp.; (m) Siphonaptera, for example, Ceratophyllus spp. and Xenopsylla cheopis and (n) from the order Thysanura, for example, Lepisma saccharina.

The pesticidal compositions disclosed herein may further be used for controlling crucifer flea beetles ( Phyllotreta spp.), root maggots ( Delia spp.), cabbage seedpod weevil ( Ceutorhynchus spp.) and aphids in oil seed crops such as canola (rape), mustard seed, and hybrids thereof, and also rice and maize. In a particular embodiment, the insect is a member of the Spodoptera, more particularly, Spodoptera exigua, Myzus persicae, Plutella xylostella or Euschistus sp.

Application of an effective pesticidal control amount of a pesticidal composition as disclosed herein is provided. Said pesticidal composition is applied, alone or in combination with another pesticidal substance, in an effective pest control or pesticidal amount. An effective amount is defined as that quantity of pesticidal composition, alone or in combination with another pesticidal substance, that is sufficient to prevent or modulate pest infestation. The effective amount and rate can be affected by pest species present, stage of pest growth, pest population density, and environmental factors such as temperature, wind velocity, rain, time of day and seasonality. The amount that will be within an effective range in a particular instance can be determined by laboratory or field tests.

Methods of application The pesticidal compositions disclosed herein, when used in methods for modulating pest infestation, can be applied using methods known in the art. Specifically, these compositions can be applied to plants or plant parts by spraying, dipping, application to the growth substrate (e.g., soil) around the plant, application to the root zone, dipping roots prior to planting, application to plants as a turf or a drench, through irrigation, or as soil granules. Plants are to be understood as meaning in the present context all plants and plant populations such as desired and undesired wild plants or crop plants (including naturally occurring crop plants). Crop plants can be plants obtained by conventional plant breeding and optimization methods, by biotechnological and genetic engineering methods or by combinations of these methods, including transgenic plants and plant cultivars protectable or not protectable by plant breeders' rights. Plant parts are to be understood as meaning all parts and organs of plants above and below the ground, such as shoot, leaf, flower and root, examples which may be mentioned being leaves, needles, stalks, stems, flowers, fruit bodies, fruits, seeds, roots, tubers and rhizomes. The plant parts also include harvested material, and vegetative and generative propagation material, for example cuttings, tubers, rhizomes, off-shoots and seeds.

Application can be external, (e.g. by spraying, fogging or painting) or internal (e.g., by injection, transfection or the use of an insect vector). When applied internally, the compositions can be intracellular or extracellular (e.g., present in the vascular system of the plant, present in the extracellular space).

Treatment of the plants and plant parts with the compositions set forth above can be carried out directly or by allowing the compositions to act on a plant's surroundings, habitat or storage space by, for example, immersion, spraying, evaporation, fogging, scattering, painting on, injecting. In the case in which the composition is applied to a seed, the composition can be applied to the seed as one or more coats prior to planting the seed using methods known in the art.

Pesticidal compositions as disclosed herein can also be applied to seeds; e.g., as a seed coating. Different adherents (“stickers”) can be used in the manufacture of seed coatings, including, for example, methyl cellulose, alginate, carrageenan and polyvinyl alcohol. The adherent is dissolved in water to a percentage between 1-10% and stored at room temperature before application to the seeds. Seeds are soaked in adherent solution (3 ml/100 seeds) for 15 min, scooped out and mixed with organic matter (1.5 g/100 seeds) in plastic bags and shaken vigorously. This process can also be automated using a seed coating machine.

For priming seeds with compositions as disclosed herein, seeds are soaked in twice the seed volume of sterile distilled water containing bacterial/protein/nucleic acid suspensions or talc formulation (dry formulation) (4-10 g kg −1 of seed, depending on seed size) and incubated at 25±2° C. for 12-24 h. The suspension is then drained off and the seeds are dried under shade for 30 min and used for sowing.

The compositions can also be used as soil amendments, e.g., in combination with a carrier such as a talc formulation. Formulations for soil amendment can also include clays, emulsifiers, surfactants and stabilizers, as are known in the art. For preparation of talc based formulations, one kg of purified talc powder (sterilized for 12 h), 15 g calcium carbonate, and 10 g carboxymethyl cellulose are mixed under aseptic conditions following the method described by Nandakumar et al. (2001). Protein, nucleic acid suspensions or organisms expressing these are mixed in a 1:2.5 ratio (suspension to dry mix) and the product is shade-dried to reduce moisture content to 20-35%.

For soil amendment, formulations (e.g., talc formulations) can be applied at rates between 2.5-10 Kg ha −1 at sowing and/or at different times after emergence, or both, depending on the crops.

The compositions disclosed herein can also be applied to soil using methods known in the art. See, for example, the USDA website at naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/43874/pdf, accessed Feb. 20, 2013. Such methods include but are not limited to fumigation, drip irrigation or chemigation, broadcast application of granules or sprays, soil incorporation (e.g., application of granules), soil drenching, seed treatment and dressing, and bare root dip.

Plant Transformation The nucleic acids disclosed herein can be introduced into, and optionally expressed in, plants, using any of a number of plant transformation techniques. Transformation of plants can be undertaken with a single DNA species or multiple DNA species (i.e., co-transformation).

In certain embodiments, a C. subtsugae protein or polypeptide (e.g., a toxin) is expressed in a plant and provides protection to the plant from insect pests. For example, a nucleotide sequence as disclosed herein can be inserted into an expression cassette, which can optionally be stably integrated into the chromosome of a plant. In certain embodiments, the nucleotide sequence is included in a non-pathogenic self-replicating virus. Plants transformed in accordance with the present disclosure can be monocots or dicots and include but are not limited to, maize, wheat, barley, rye, sweet potato, bean, pea, chicory, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, turnip, radish, spinach, asparagus, onion, garlic, pepper, celery, squash, pumpkin, hemp, zucchini, apple, pear, quince, melon, plum, cherry, apricot, strawberry, papaya, avocado, mango, banana, alfalfa, rice, potato, eggplant, peach, cotton, carrot, tobacco, sorghum, nectarine, sugar beet, sugarcane, sunflower, soybean, tomato, pineapple, grape, raspberry, blackberry, cucumber, Arabidopsis, and woody plants such as coniferous and deciduous trees.

Once the desired nucleotide sequence has been introduced into a particular plant species, it can be propagated in that species, or transferred to other varieties of the same species, particularly including commercial varieties, using traditional breeding techniques.

DNA can be introduced into plant cells through the use of a number of art-recognized methods. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the choice of methods can depend on the type of plant targeted for transformation. Suitable methods for transforming plant cells are as follows.

Agrobacterium -mediated transformation A major method of DNA transfer in plants is Agrobacterium mediated transformation. The natural living soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens is capable of infecting a wide range of plant species, causing Crown Gall diseases. When A. tumefaciens infects a cell, it transfers a copy of its T-DNA, which is a small section of DNA carried on its Ti (Tumor Inducing) plasmid. The T-DNA is flanked by two (imperfect) 25 base pair repeats. Any DNA contained within these borders will be transferred to the host cell. Zupan and Zambriski, 1995. The T-DNA section on the Ti plasmid can be replaced by a transgene attached to an appropriate regulatory sequence(s). Recombinant A. tumeficiens containing a Ti plasmid comprising exogenous nucleotide sequences can then be used to infect cultures of either regenerating cell or protoplasts (i.e., wall-less spherical plant cells). Marker genes such as those coding for antibiotic resistance can be included in the Ti plasmid construct, so that it is possible to select cells that have been transformed by the bacterium. Cell-to-plant regeneration is carried out on the selected cells by standard methods. See, for example, Zupan and Zambriski (1995) and Jones et al. (2005) Plant Methods.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens can used to transform many dicotyledonous plant species with relative ease. Hinchee et al., Biotechnology 6:915-921 (1988). See also Ishida et al., Nature Biotechnology 14:745-750 (June 1996) for a description of maize transformation.

Biolistic delivery This method, also known as “particle bombardment,” involves directly “shooting” a DNA molecule into the recipient plant tissue, using a “gene gun.” Tungsten or gold beads (which are smaller than the plant cells themselves) are coated with the DNA of interest and fired through a stopping screen, accelerated by Helium, into the plant tissue. The particles pass through the plant cells, leaving the DNA inside. This method can be used on both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous species successfully. Transformed tissue can be selected using marker genes such as those encoding antibiotic resistance. Whole plants, containing a copy of the transgene in all cells, can be regenerated from the totipotent transformed cells in culture (Nottingham, 1998), using devices available from Agracetus, Inc. (Madison, Wis.) and Dupont, Inc. (Wilmington, Del.).

Methods for biolistic plant transformation are well-known in the art. See, for example, Sanford et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,050; McCabe et al., Biotechnology 6.923-926 (1988); Weissinger et al., Annual Rev Genet. 22-421-477 (1988); Sanford et al., Particulate Science and Technology 5.27-37 (1987)(onion); Svab et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87-8526-8530 (1990) (tobacco chloroplast); Christou et al., Plant Physiol 87,671-674 (1988) (soybean); McCabe et al., BioTechnology 6.923-926 (1988) (soybean); Klein et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85:4305-4309 (1988) (maize); Klein et al., BioTechnology 6,559-563 (1988) (maize); Klein et al., Plant Physiol. 91,440-444 (1988) (maize); Fromm et al., BioTechnology 8:833-839 (1990); Gordon-Kamm et al., Plant Cell 2: 603-618 (1990) (maize); Koziel et al., Biotechnology 11: 194-200 (1993) (maize); Shimamoto et al., Nature 338: 274-277 (1989) (rice); Christou et al., Biotechnology 9: 957-962 (1991) (rice); Datta et al., BioTechnology 8.736-740 (1990) (rice); European Patent Application EP 0 332 581 (orchardgrass and other Pooideae); Vasil et al., Biotechnology 11: 1553-1558 (1993) (wheat); Weeks et al., Plant Physiol. 102:1077-1084 (1993) (wheat); Wan et al., Plant Physiol. 104:37-48 (1994) (barley); Jahne et al., Theor. Appl. Genet. 89:525-533 (1994) (barley); Umbeck et al., BioTechnology 5:263-266 (1987) (cotton); Casas et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:11212-11216 (December 1993) (sorghum); Somers et al., BioTechnology 10:1589-1594 (December 1992) (oat); Torbert et al., Plant Cell Reports 14:635-640 (1995) (oat); Weeks et al., Plant Physiol. 102:1077-1084 (1993) (wheat); Chang et al., WO 94/13822 (wheat) and Nehra et al., The Plant Journal 5:285-297 (1994) (wheat).

Methods for the introduction of recombinant DNA molecules into maize by microprojectile bombardment can be found in Koziel et al., Biotechnology 11: 194-200(1993), Hill et al., Euphytica 85:119-123 (1995) and Koziel et al., Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 792:164-171 (1996).

Protoplast transformation and other methods Another method for the introduction of nucleic acid molecules into plants is the protoplast transformation method for maize as disclosed in EP 0 292 435. Additional delivery systems for gene transfer in plants include electroporation (Riggs et al., Proc. Natl. Acad, Sci. USA 83,5602-5606 (1986), microinjection (Crossway et al., BioTechniques 4,320-334 (1986), silicon carbide-mediated DNA transfer, direct gene transfer (Paszkowski et al., EMBO J. 3.2717-2722 (1984); Hayashimoto et al., Plant Physiol 93.857-863 (1990) (rice).

Plastid Transformation In another embodiment, a nucleotide sequence as disclosed herein is directly transformed into the genome of a plastid (e.g., chloroplast). Advantages of plastid transformation include the ability of plastids to express bacterial genes without substantial modification of the bacterial sequences, and the ability of plastids to express multiple open reading frames under the control of a single promoter. Plastid transformation technology is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,451,513; 5,545,817 and 5,545,818; in PCT application No. WO 95/16783, and in McBride et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91, 7301-7305.

The basic technique for chloroplast transformation involves introducing regions of cloned plastid DNA flanking a selectable marker, together with the gene of interest, into a suitable target tissue using, e.g., biolistics or protoplast transformation (e.g., calcium chloride or PEG mediated transformation). The 1 to 1.5 kb flanking regions, termed targeting sequences, facilitate homologous recombination with the plastid genome and thus allow the replacement or modification of specific regions of the plastid genome. Initially, point mutations in the chloroplast 16S rRNA and rps12 genes conferring resistance to spectinomycin and/or streptomycin were utilized as selectable markers for transformation (Svab, Z. et al. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87, 8526-8530; Staub, J. M., and Maliga, P. (1992) Plant Cell 4, 39-45); resulting in the production of stable homoplasmic transformants at a frequency of approximately one per 100 bombardments of target leaves. The presence of cloning sites between these markers allowed creation of a plastid targeting vector for introduction of foreign genes. Staub, J. M., and Maliga, P. (1993) EMBO J. 12: 601-606. Substantial increases in transformation frequency were obtained by replacement of the recessive rRNA or r-protein antibiotic resistance genes with a dominant selectable marker, the bacterial AADA gene encoding the spectinomycin-detoxifying enzyme aminoglycoside-3′ adenyltransferase. Svab, Z., and Maliga, P. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90: 913-917. Previously, this marker had been used successfully for high-frequency transformation of the plastid genome of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Goldschmidt-Clermont, M. (1991) Nucl. Acids Res. 19: 4083-4089.

Other selectable markers useful for plastid transformation are known in the art and encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. Typically, approximately 15-20 cell division cycles following transformation are required to reach a homoplastidic state. Plastid expression, in which genes are inserted by homologous recombination into all of the several thousand copies of the circular plastid genome present in each plant cell, takes advantage of the enormous copy number advantage, compared to nuclear genes, to achieve expression levels that can readily exceed 10% of the total soluble plant protein. Thus, in certain embodiments, a nucleotide sequence as disclosed herein is inserted into a plastid targeting vector and transformed into the plastid genome of a desired plant host. Plants homoplastic for plastid genomes containing a nucleotide sequence of interest are obtained, and are capable of high-level expression of the nucleotide sequence.

Magnifection Magnifection is a transient expression process that is based on expression from viral RNA replicons delivered into plant cells systemically using Agrobacterium. This method allows production of recombinant proteins at yields up to 5 g per kg of fresh leaf biomass, which approaches the biological limits for protein expression. Such high yields are possible because of the transient nature of the process, which allows the use of very potent amplicons derived from RNA viruses such as Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) or Potato virus X, without limiting biomass accumulation, which takes place prior to infection. See, e.g., Marillonnet et al. (2005) Nature Biotechnol. 23(6):718-723.

Additional disclosure of methods and compositions for plant genetic engineering is provided in Bircher, J A (ed.) “Plant Chromosome Enginerering: Methods and protocols.” Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 701, Springer Science+Business Media, 2011.

Computerized systems and media Disclosed herein are computer readable media comprising the sequence information of any of the nucleic acids disclosed herein; i.e., any of SEQ ID NOs:1-4533, any of the nucleic acids of embodiments 1-7, 15-17 and 49-52, and any of the vectors of embodiments 8 and 9. In addition, the present disclosure includes computer-readable media comprising the amino acid sequence information of any of the polypeptides disclosed herein; i.e., any of SEQ ID NOs:4534-8960 and any of the polypeptides of embodiments 10-14 and 53. Such media include magnetic, optical, digital, electrical and hybrid media.

Also provided are computerized systems and computer program products containing the nucleic acids and polypeptide sequences disclosed herein on a computer-readable medium. The computer systems can be local systems involving a single computer connected to a database of the sequences disclosed herein, intranet systems, or systems including external computers connected via the Internet. Such systems are used, for example, to facilitate comparisons of the sequences disclosed herein with other known or unknown sequences.

Thus, a variety of computer systems designed to facilitate analyses using the disclosed sequences are provided. Some systems include a memory, a system bus, and a processor. In certain embodiments, the processor is operatively disposed to: (i) compare one or more nucleotide sequences as disclosed herein with one or more second nucleotide sequences; (ii) identify identical or homologous sequences; and (iii) display the identified nucleotide sequence(s).

In additional embodiments, the processor is operatively disposed to: (i) compare one or more polypeptide sequences as disclosed herein with one or more second polypeptide sequences; (ii) identify identical or homologous sequences; and (iii) display the identified polypeptide sequence(s).

Also provided are computer systems that generally include a database and a user interface. The database in such systems comprises sequence records that include an identifier that identifies one or more projects to which each of the nucleotide or amino acid sequence records belong. The user interface permits a user to input identifying information specifying which of the nucleotide or amino acid sequences are to be compared. It is also is also capable of displaying the identified polynucleotide(s) or polypeptide(s).

Still other computer systems include a memory, a system bus, and a processor. The processor in such systems is operatively disposed to: (i) compare one or more polynucleotide sequences as disclosed herein with one or more known sequences to assess sequence similarity between one or more of the polynucleotide sequences as disclosed herein and the one or more known sequences; and (ii) display information concerning the sequence similarity between the one or more of the polynucleotide sequences disclosed herein and the one or more known sequences.

In additional embodiments, computer systems include a memory, a system bus, and a processor. The processor in such systems is operatively disposed to: (i) compare one or more polypeptide sequences as disclosed herein with one or more known sequences to assess sequence similarity between one or more of the polypeptide sequences as disclosed herein and the one or more known sequences; and (ii) display information concerning the sequence similarity between the one or more of the polypeptide sequences disclosed herein and the one or more known sequences.

In addition to the various computer systems for conducting analyses and comparisons, also provided are various computer program products for conducting the analyses and comparisons. Certain of the computer program products include program instructions for analyzing polynucleotide sequences by performing the following: (a) providing or receiving one or more of the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein; (b) providing or receiving a second nucleotide sequence; (c) determining the degree of homology or identity between the first nucleotide sequence and the second nucleotide sequence; and (d) displaying information concerning the degree of homology or identity between the two nucleotide sequences.

In additional embodiments, computer program products include program instructions for analyzing polypeptide sequences by performing the following: (a) providing or receiving one or more of the amino acid sequences disclosed herein; (b) providing or receiving a second amino acid sequence; (c) determining the degree of homology or identity between the first amino acid sequence and the second amino acid sequence; and (d) displaying information concerning the degree of homology or identity between the two amino acid sequences.

Also provided is a computer program product comprising a computer-useable medium and computer-readable program code encoded within the computer-useable medium, wherein the computer-readable program code comprises (a) a database comprising the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein; and (b) effects the following steps with a computer system (i) determining sequence similarity between one or more first nucleotide sequences as disclosed herein as compared to one or more second sequences; and (ii) displaying the sequence similarity between the first and second nucleotide sequences. Furthermore, in any these embodiments, the computer product can include or be operably linked to a user interface, for example to query the database, display information, etc.

Also provided is a computer program product comprising a computer-useable medium and computer-readable program code encoded within the computer-useable medium, wherein the computer-readable program code comprises (a) a database comprising the amino acid sequences disclosed herein; and (b) effects the following steps with a computer system (i) determining sequence similarity between one or more first amino acid sequences as disclosed herein as compared to one or more second amino acid sequences; and (ii) displaying the sequence similarity between the first and second amino acid sequences. Furthermore, in any these embodiments, the computer product can include or be operably linked to a user interface, for example to query the database, display information, etc.

Additional disclosure of computer systems and computer-readable storage media are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,528,289, for the purpose of describing exemplary computer systems and computer-readable media.

Plant Growth Promotion The compositions disclosed herein, in particular, C. subtsugae nucleic acids and polypeptides, can be used to modulate or more particularly promote growth of plants, e.g. crops such as fruit (e.g., strawberry), vegetables (e.g., tomato, squash, pepper, eggplant), grain crops (e.g., soy, wheat, rice, corn), trees, flowers, ornamental plants, shrubs (e.g., cotton, roses), bulb plants (e.g., onion, garlic) vines (e.g., grape vine), and turf (e.g. bermudagrass, Kentucky bluegrass, fescues). The compositions can also be used to modulate the germination of a seed(s) in a plant(s).

C. subtsugae nucleic acids and polypeptides, or a formulated product thereof, can be used alone or in combination with one or more other components as described below, such as growth promoting agents and/or anti-phytopathogenic agents in a tank mix or in a program (sequential application called rotation) with predetermined order and application interval during the growing season. When used in a combination with the above-mentioned products, at a concentration lower than recommended on the product label, the combined efficacy of the two or more products (one of which is the said composition disclosed herein) is, in certain embodiments, greater than the sum of each individual component's effect. Hence, the effect is enhanced by synergism between these two (or more) products, and the risk for the development of pesticide resistance among the plant pathogenic strains is reduced.

The composition can be applied by root dip at transplanting, specifically by treating a fruit or vegetable with the composition by dipping roots of the fruit or vegetable in a suspension of said composition (about 0.25 to about 1.5% and more particularly about 0.5% to about 1.0% by volume) prior to transplanting the fruit or vegetable into the soil.

Alternatively, the composition can be applied by drip or other irrigation system. Specifically, the composition can be injected into a drip irrigation system. In a particular embodiment, the composition is applied in a solution having a concentration of 1×10 8 CFU/mL at a rate of about 11 to about 4 quarts per acre.

In yet another embodiment, the composition can be added as an in-furrow application. Specifically, the composition can be added as an in-furrow spray at planting using nozzles calibrated to deliver a total output of 2-6 gallons/acre. Nozzles can be placed in the furrow opener on the planter so that the pesticide application and seed drop into the furrow are simultaneous.

Mixtures of the disclosed compositions with, for example, a solid or liquid adjuvant are prepared as known in the art. For example, mixtures can be prepared by homogeneously mixing and/or grinding the active ingredients with extenders such as solvents, solid carriers and, where appropriate, surface-active compounds (surfactants). The compositions can also contain additional ingredients such as stabilizers, viscosity regulators, binders, adjuvants as well as fertilizers or other active ingredients in order to obtain additional desired effects.

Combinations with Plant Growth Promoting Agents The compositions disclosed herein can be used in combination with other growth promoting agents such as synthetic or organic fertilizers (e.g., di-ammonium phosphate, in either granular or liquid form), compost teas, seaweed extracts, plant growth hormones such as IAA (indole acetic acid) used in a rooting hormone treatment for transplants either alone or in combination with plant growth regulators such as IBA (indole butyric acid) and NAA (naphthalene acetic acid), and growth promoting microbes, such as, for example, methylotrophs, PPFM (Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrphs), Bacillus spp., Pseudomonads, Rhizobia, and Trichoderma.

Seed Coating Agents The compositions disclosed herein can also be used in combination with seed-coating agents. Such seed coating agents include, but are not limited to, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, chitosan, carboxymethyl chitosan, peat moss, resins and waxes or chemical fungicides or bactericides with either single site, multisite or unknown mode of action.

Anti-Phytopathogenic agents The compositions disclosed herein can also be used in combination with other anti-phytopathogenic agents, such as plant extracts, biopesticides, inorganic crop protectants (such as copper), surfactants (such as rhamnolipids; Gandhi et al., 2007) or natural oils such as paraffin oil and tea tree oil possessing pesticidal properties or chemical fungicides or bactericides with either single site, multisite or unknown mode of action. As defined herein, an “anti-phytopathogenic agent” is an agent that modulates the growth of a plant pathogen, particularly a pathogen causing soil-borne disease on a plant, or alternatively prevents infection of a plant by a plant pathogen. Plant pathogens include but are not limited to fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes and viruses.

An anti-phytopathogenic agent can be a single-site anti-fungal agent which can include but is not limited to benzimidazole, a demethylation inhibitor (DMI) (e.g., imidazole, piperazine, pyrimidine, triazole), morpholine, hydroxypyrimidine, anilinopyrimidine, phosphorothiolate, quinone outside inhibitor, quinoline, dicarboximide, carboximide, phenylamide, anilinopyrimidine, phenylpyrrole, aromatic hydrocarbon, cinnamic acid, hydroxyanilide, antibiotic, polyoxin, acylamine, phthalimide, benzenoid (xylylalanine). In a more particular embodiment, the antifungal agent is a demethylation inhibitor selected from the group consisting of imidazole, piperazine, pyrimidine and triazole (e.g., bitertanol, myclobutanil, penconazole, propiconazole, triadimefon, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, diniconazole, fenbuconazole, hexaconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole). In a most particular embodiment, the antifungal agent is myclobutanil. In yet another particular embodiment, the antifungal agent is a quinone outside inhibitor (e.g., strobilurin). The strobilurin may include but is not limited to azoxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl or trifloxystrobin. In yet another particular embodiment, the anti-fungal agent is a quinone, e.g., quinoxyfen (5,7-dichloro-4-quinolyl4-fluorophenyl ether).

In yet a further embodiment, the fungicide is a multi-site non-inorganic, chemical fungicide selected from the group consisting of chloronitrile, quinoxaline, sulphamide, phosphonate, phosphite, dithiocarbamate, chloralkythios, phenylpyridine-amine, and cyano-acetamide oxime.

In yet a further embodiment, the anti-phytopathogenic agent can be streptomycin, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, copper, or kasugamycin.

Bioremediation The C. subtsugae genome encodes genes involved in the metabolism of, inter alia, phosphorus, iron and aromatic compounds. See, e.g., Table 6 supra. Such genes and their gene products can be used in bioremediation methods. For instance, genes and sequences realted to metal tansport, metal accumulation, degradation of organic compounds, and other metabolite transformation can be engineered into plants with the purpose of applying the transformed plant to bioremediation of soils, sediment, water, and other polluted substrates. Protocols for the transformation of Indian mustard ( Brassica juncea ), sunflower ( Helianthus annus ), tomato and yellow poplar ( Liriodendron tulipifera ) are known. See, e.g., Eapen and D'Souza (2005); Mello-Farias and Chavez (2008).

Plants can be transformed with Cytochrome P450-encoding genes to increase their resistance to particular pollutants, both organic and inorganic. Transformation with nucleic acids encoding enzymes involved in gluthatione conjugation (for example, glutathione S-transferases) can increase rates of xenobiotic detoxification. Plants expressing bacterial nitroreductases can be used for the detoxification of nitrate organic compounds, such as explosives.

Uses of transgenic plants for phytoremediation applications has been described, for example, by Abhilash et al. (2009); Van Aken et al. (2010); Doty (2008) and Macek et al. (2008).