The disclosure relates to insecticidal toxin resistance management and screening of novel insecticidal toxins. One embodiment relates to the isolation, characterization, compositions, and methods of use relating to polynucleotides encoding novel insecticidal toxin receptors and the polypeptides encoded thereby. The polynucleotides and polypeptides are useful in identifying or designing novel insecticidal toxin receptor ligands including novel insecticidal toxins.

The present invention relates to a screening method for determining whether or not a candidate compound is a modulator of a complex consisting of the insect transient receptor potential channel Nanchung protein and the insect transient receptor potential channel Water witch protein. The present invention further relates to a screening method for determining whether or not a candidate compound directly binds to the complex consisting of the Nanchung protein and Water witch protein. The present invention further relates to a screening method for determining whether or not a candidate compound is a modulator of the insect Water witch protein. The present invention further provides a method of insect control by applying an insect-specific TRP channel modulator determined by the screening method. The present invention further provides a method of classifying an insecticide compound by its mode of action using the binding assay and/or a functional assay.

Embodiments of the invention are directed of compositions for activation or inhibition of the Octβ2 receptor and uses thereof. The inventors have discovered that the beta adrenergic-like octopamine receptor Octβ2 serves as a key signaling molecule for ovulation and recruits protein kinase A and Ca2+/calmodulin-sensitive kinase II as downstream effectors for this activity. Octβ2R homozygous mutant females are sterile, and display normal courtship, copulation, sperm storage and post-mating rejection behavior but were unable to lay eggs.

Disclosed are novel bioactive peptides derived as antagonists to a fire ant receptor for a pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide/pyrokinin (PBAN/pyrokinin) gene derived neuropeptide ligand. Also disclosed are methods of controlling fire ants with the bioactive peptides disclosed herein. Methodological approaches to screening peptide libraries for the presence of PBAN/pyrokinin ligands are also provided herein.

The disclosure relates to Bt toxin resistance management. One embodiment relates to the isolation and characterization of polynucleotides and polypeptides corresponding to novel Bt toxin receptors. The polynucleotides and polypeptides are useful in identifying or designing novel Bt toxin receptor ligands including novel insecticidal toxins.

Pesticidal proteins exhibiting toxic activity against Lepidopteran pest species are disclosed, and include, but are not limited to, TIC4472, TIC4472PL, TIC1425, TIC2613, and TIC2613PL. DNA constructs are provided which contain a recombinant nucleic acid sequence encoding one or more of the disclosed pesticidal proteins. Transgenic plants, plant cells, seed, and plant parts resistant to Lepidopteran infestation are provided which contain recombinant nucleic acid sequences encoding the pesticidal proteins of the present invention. Methods for detecting the presence of the recombinant nucleic acid sequences or the proteins of the present invention in a biological sample, and methods of controlling Lepidopteran species pests using any of the TIC4472, TIC4472PL, TIC1425, TIC2613, and TIC2613PL pesticidal proteins are also provided.

An object is to provide a technique of increasing the response activity of an olfactory receptor to a chemical substance, and the object is achieved by introducing a mutation into a specific site in an insect olfactory receptor protein so as to satisfy a specific condition.

The invention provides Cockroach proteins, peptides, subsequences, portions, homologues, variants and derivatives thereof, and methods and uses and medicaments of such proteins, peptides, subsequences, portions, homologues, variants and derivatives thereof. Such methods, uses and medicaments include modulating an immune response, protecting a subject against or treating a subject for an allergic response, allergic disorder or allergic disease and inducing immunological tolerance to the allergen (e.g., Cockroach allergen) in a subject.

Pesticidal proteins (FFPP's) are used to produce derivatives (DP's) that are ineffective and disabled relative to conferring toxic properties upon a target pest, yet the ability of the DP to bind to the receptor to which said FFPP binds is unaffected. Such DP's are useful in inhibiting the FFPP from which it was derived when both are fed to a target pest and for comparing receptor binding capability and efficiency relative to different FFPP's from which the DP has been derived, providing for an assessment of different FFPP's relative to each other, and providing uniformity and certainty in combinations of such FFPP's for compositions, including transgenic plants, that can be used to control pest populations susceptible to both FFPP's, creating more durable transgenic plant products, inhibiting the development of resistance to such FFPP's when used in plants commercially, and in providing a durable and viable resistance management strategy for crops using such FFPP combinations. Polynucleotide sequences intended for use in expression of the DP's and FFPP's are also provided. Particular embodiments provide methods of designing and preparing DP's, as well as compositions and methods of using DP's and the FFPP's from which the DP's have been derived in more effective pesticidal compositions and products.

The present invention relates to a method and a composition for detecting the presence of arthropods, and/or their eggs, in the hair of the body and/or head of a subject.