Broad screening of the legume family for variability in seed insecticidal activities and for the occurrence of the A1b-like knottin peptide entomotoxins

By using a combination of molecular, biochemical and specific insect (Sitophilus weevils) bioassays, we characterised A1b seed entomotoxin genes and proteins from numerous Papilionoideae species, but not from Caesalpinioidae and Mimosoideae species. The origins of this small multigenic family are discussed.