Plant regulatory sequence

Abstract

The present invention relates to Cry1Ab coding sequences and to polynucleotides that comprise promoter sequences operably-linked to Cry1Ab coding sequences useful for expression in transgenic plants to control target insect pests that feed on leaves while allowing non-target insects to feed on pollen of the transgenic plant. The invention further relates to transgenic plants comprising the polynucleotides and to methods of controlling target insect pests.

1 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising a promoter sequence operably-linked to a Cry1Ab coding sequence comprising nucleotides 2325-5142 of SEQ ID NO:37. 
     
     
         2 . The isolated polynucleotide according to  claim 1 , wherein the promoter is functional in a transgenic plant leaf tissue and not in pollen. 
     
     
         3 . A transgenic plant comprising the polynucleotide according to  claim 2 . 
     
     
         4 . The transgenic plant according to  claim 2 , wherein the Cry1Ab coding sequence is transcribed in leaf tissue and not in pollen. 
     
     
         5 . The transgenic plant according to  claim 4 , wherein a Cry1Ab protein encoded by the Cry1Ab coding sequence is expressed in leaf tissue at a level that is at least 50 ng/mg extractable protein. 
     
     
         6 . The transgenic plant according to  claim 5 , wherein the plant is  Zea mays.    
     
     
         7 . The transgenic plant according to  claim 6 , wherein the leaf tissue is active against corn earworm or European corn borer. 
     
     
         8 . The transgenic plant according to  claim 3 , wherein the plant comprises SEQ ID NO:37. 
     
     
         9 . A transgenic plant according to  claim 3 , wherein the concentration of a Cry1Ab protein in pollen is such that no insecticidal activity can be detected in an insect pollen feeding bioassay. 
     
     
         10 . A method of controlling target insect pests feeding on vegetative plant tissues and protecting non-target pests feeding on pollen comprising growing the transgenic plant according to  claim 3  in an area that is infested with the target pest.