Modification of Vip3Ab1 C-Terminus Confers Broadened Plant Protection from Lepidopteran Pests.

Vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vips) from (Bt) are unique from crystal (Cry) proteins found in Bt parasporal inclusions as they are secreted during the bacterial vegetative growth phase and bind unique receptors to exert their insecticidal effects. We previously demonstrated that large modifications of the Vip3 C-terminus could redirect insecticidal spectrum but results in an unstable protein with no lethal activity. In the present work, we have generated a new Vip3 protein, Vip3Ab1-740, via modest modification of the Vip3Ab1 C-terminus.