NZ767895B2

NZ767895B2 - Fusion proteins, recombinant bacteria, and methods for using recombinant bacteria

Info

Publication number: NZ767895B2
Application number: NZ767895A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Ashley Siegel; Brian Thompson
Original assignee: Spogen Biotech Inc
Filing date: 2015-09-17
Publication date: 2024-04-30

Abstract

Fusion proteins containing a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment that targets the fusion protein to the exosporium of a Bacillus cereus family member are provided. Recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing such fusion proteins are also provided. Genetically inactivated Bacillus cereus family members and recombinant Bacillus cereus family members that overexpress exosporium proteins are also provided. Seeds coated with the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members and methods for using the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members (e.g., for stimulating plant growth) are also provided. Various modifiations of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members that express the fusion proteins are further provided. Fusion proteins comprising a spore coat protein and a protein or peptide of interest, recombinant bacteria that express such fusion proteins, seeds coated with such recombinant bacteria, and methods for using such recombinant bacteria (e.g., for stimulating plant growth) are also provided.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An exosporium fragment for altering the phenotype of a plant comprising at least one protein or peptide of interest and a targeting sequence, rium protein, or exosporium protein fragment that targets the fusion protein to the exosporium fragment; wherein the protein or peptide of interest ses an enzyme, a plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, a protein or peptide that ts a plant from a pathogen, a protein or peptide that enhances stress resistance in a plant, a plant binding protein or peptide, a nucleic acid binding n or peptide, a plant ing le, a protein or peptide that alters the composition of a plant, or an antibacterial protein or peptide.

2. An exosporium fragment of claim 1, wherein the targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment comprises: (1) a targeting sequence comprising an amino acid sequence having at least about 43% identity with amino acids 20–35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25–35 is at least about 54%; (2) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–35 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (3) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20–35 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (4) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 1; (5) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 2; (6) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 2–35 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (7) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 5–35 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (8) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 8–35 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (9) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–35 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (10) a targeting sequence sing amino acids 15–35 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (11) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–27 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (12) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12–27 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (13) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 3; (14) an exosporium n comprising an amino acid ce having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 4; (15) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–27 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (16) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–27 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (17) a targeting sequence sing amino acids 8–27 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (18) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–27 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (19) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–38 of SEQ ID NO: 5; (20) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 23–38 of SEQ ID NO: 5; (21) a targeting ce comprising SEQ ID NO: 5; (22) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 6; (23) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–38 of SEQ ID NO: 5; (24) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–38 of SEQ ID NO: 5; (25) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 8–38 of SEQ ID NO: 5; (26) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–38 of SEQ ID NO: 5; (27) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 15–38 of SEQ ID NO: 5; (28) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20–38 of SEQ ID NO: 5; (29) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 1–28 of SEQ ID NO: 7; (30) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 13–28 of SEQ ID NO: 7; (31) a targeting sequence sing SEQ ID NO: 7; (32) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% ty with SEQ ID NO: 8; (33) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–28 of SEQ ID NO: 7; (34) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–28 of SEQ ID NO: 7; (35) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 8–28 of SEQ ID NO: 7; (36) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–28 of SEQ ID NO: 7; (37) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–24 of SEQ ID NO: 9; (38) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 9–24 of SEQ ID NO: 9; (39) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 9; (40) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 10; (41) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–24 of SEQ ID NO: 9; (42) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–24 of SEQ ID NO: 9; (43) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 8–24 of SEQ ID NO: 9; (44) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–33 of SEQ ID NO:11; (45) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18–33 of SEQ ID NO: 11; (46) a targeting sequence sing SEQ ID NO: 11; (47) an rium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 12; (48) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 2–33 of SEQ ID NO: 11; (49) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–33 of SEQ ID NO: 11; (50) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 8–33 of SEQ ID NO: 11; (51) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 10–33 of SEQ ID NO: 11; (52) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15–33 of SEQ ID NO: 11; (53) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 1–33 of SEQ ID NO: 13; (54) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18–33 of SEQ ID NO: 13; (55) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:13; (56) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% ty with SEQ ID NO:14; (57) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–33 of SEQ ID NO: 13; (58) a targeting sequence sing amino acids 5–33 of SEQ ID NO: 13; (59) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 8–33 of SEQ ID NO: 13; (60) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–33 of SEQ ID NO: 13; (61) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 15–33 of SEQ ID NO: 13; (62) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–43 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (63) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 28–43 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (64) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:15; (65) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO:16; (66) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–43 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (67) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–43 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (68) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 8–43 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (69) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–43 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (70) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 15–43 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (71) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20–43 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (72) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 25–43 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (73) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–27 of SEQ ID NO: 17; (74) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12–27 of SEQ ID NO: 17; (75) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:17; (76) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO:18; (77) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–27 of SEQ ID NO: 17; (78) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–27 of SEQ ID NO: 17; (79) a targeting sequence sing amino acids 8–27 of SEQ ID NO: 17; (80) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–27 of SEQ ID NO: 17; (81) a targeting sequence sing amino acids 1–33 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (82) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18–33 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (83) a ing ce comprising SEQ ID NO:19; (84) an exosporium protein sing an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO:20; (85) a targeting sequence sing amino acids 2–33 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (86) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–33 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (87) a targeting sequence sing amino acids 8–33 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (88) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–33 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (89) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 15–33 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (90) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–33 of SEQ ID NO: 21; (91) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18–33 of SEQ ID NO: 21; (92) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:21; (93) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid ce having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO:22; (94) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–33 of SEQ ID NO: 21; (95) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–33 of SEQ ID NO: 21; (96) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 8–33 of SEQ ID NO: 21; (97) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–33 of SEQ ID NO: 21; (98) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15–33 of SEQ ID NO: 21; (99) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 1–24 of SEQ ID NO: 23; (100) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9–24 of SEQ ID NO: 23; (101) a ing sequence sing SEQ ID NO:23; (102) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO:24; (103) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–24 of SEQ ID NO:23; (104) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–24 of SEQ ID NO: 23; (105) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 8–24 of SEQ ID NO: 23; (106) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 1–24 of SEQ ID NO: 25; (107) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9–24 of SEQ ID NO: 25; (108) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:25; (109) an exosporium protein sing an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO:26; (110) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–24 of SEQ ID NO: 25; (111) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–24 of SEQ ID NO: 25; (112) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 8–24 of SEQ ID NO: 25; (113) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–30 of SEQ ID NO: 27; (114) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 15–30 of SEQ ID NO: 27; (115) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:27; (116) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO:28; (117) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–30 of SEQ ID NO: 27; (118) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 5–30 of SEQ ID NO: 27; (119) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 8–30 of SEQ ID NO: 27; (120) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–30 of SEQ ID NO: 27; (121) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–33 of SEQ ID NO: 29; (122) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18–33 of SEQ ID NO: 29; (123) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:29; (124) an exosporium protein sing an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO:30; (125) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–33 of SEQ ID NO: 29; (126) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–33 of SEQ ID NO: 29; (127) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 8–33 of SEQ ID NO: 29; (128) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 10–33 of SEQ ID NO: 29; (129) a targeting sequence sing amino acids 15–33 of SEQ ID NO: 29; (130) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–24 of SEQ ID NO: 31; (131) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9–24 of SEQ ID NO: 31; (132) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:31; (133) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO:32; (134) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 2–24 of SEQ ID NO: 31; (135) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–24 of SEQ ID NO: 31; (136) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 8–24 of SEQ ID NO: 31; (137) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–15 of SEQ ID NO: 33; (138) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:33; (139) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO:34; (140) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 1–16 of SEQ ID NO: 35; (141) a targeting sequence sing SEQ ID NO:35; (142) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO:36; (143) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–29 of SEQ ID NO:43; (144) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14–29 of SEQ ID NO: 43; (145) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 43; (146) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 44; (147) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–29 of SEQ ID NO: 43; (148) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–29 of SEQ ID NO: 43; (149) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 8–29 of SEQ ID NO: 43; (150) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 10–29 of SEQ ID NO: 43; (151) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 1–35 of SEQ ID NO: 45; (152) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20–35 of SEQ ID NO: 45; (153) a ing sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 45; (154) an rium n sing an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 46; (155) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–35 of SEQ ID NO: 45; (156) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–35 of SEQ ID NO: 45; (157) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 8–35 of SEQ ID NO: 45; (158) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–35 of SEQ ID NO: 45; (159) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15–35 of SEQ ID NO: 45; (160) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–43 of SEQ ID NO: 47; (161) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 28–43 of SEQ ID NO: 47; (162) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 47; (163) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 48; (164) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–43 of SEQ ID NO: 47; (165) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–43 of SEQ ID NO: 47; (166) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 8–43 of SEQ ID NO: 47; (167) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–43 of SEQ ID NO: 47; (168) a targeting sequence sing amino acids 15–43 of SEQ ID NO: 47; (169) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20–43 of SEQ ID NO: 47; (170) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 25–43 of SEQ ID NO: 47; (171) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–32 of SEQ ID NO: 49; (172) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 17–32 of SEQ ID NO: 49; (173) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 49; (174) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 50; (175) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–32 of SEQ ID NO: 49; (176) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–32 of SEQ ID NO: 49; (177) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 8–32 of SEQ ID NO: 49; (178) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–32 of SEQ ID NO: 49; (179) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15–32 of SEQ ID NO: 49; (180) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 1–33 of SEQ ID NO: 51; (181) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18–33 of SEQ ID NO: 51; (182) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 51; (183) an exosporium protein sing an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 52; (184) a targeting sequence sing amino acids 2–33 of SEQ ID NO: 51; (185) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–33 of SEQ ID NO: 51; (186) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 8–33 of SEQ ID NO: 51; (187) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–33 of SEQ ID NO: 51; (188) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15–33 of SEQ ID NO: 51; (189) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–33 of SEQ ID NO: 53; (190) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18–33 of SEQ ID NO: 53; (191) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 53; (192) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 54; (193) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–33 of SEQ ID NO: 53; (194) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–33 of SEQ ID NO: 53; (195) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 8–33 of SEQ ID NO: 53; (196) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 10–33 of SEQ ID NO: 53; (197) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 15–33 of SEQ ID NO: 53; (198) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–30 of SEQ ID NO: 55; (199) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 15–30 of SEQ ID NO: 55; (200) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 55; (201) an rium protein comprising an amino acid ce having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 56; (202) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–30 of SEQ ID NO: 55; (203) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–30 of SEQ ID NO: 55; (204) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 8–30 of SEQ ID NO: 55; (205) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–30 of SEQ ID NO: 55; (206) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–130 of SEQ ID NO: 57; (207) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 115–130 of SEQ ID NO: 57; (208) a ing sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 57; (209) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid ce having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 58; (210) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–130 of SEQ ID NO: 57; (211) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–130 of SEQ ID NO: 57; (212) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–130 of SEQ ID NO: 57; (213) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 20–130 of SEQ ID NO: 57; (214) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 30–130 of SEQ ID NO: 57; (215) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 40–130 of SEQ ID NO: 57; (216) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 50–130 of SEQ ID NO: 57; (217) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 60–130 of SEQ ID NO: 57; (218) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 70–130 of SEQ ID NO: 57; (219) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 80–130 of SEQ ID NO: 57; (220) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 90–130 of SEQ ID NO: 57; (221) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 100–130 of SEQ ID NO: 57; (222) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 110–130 of SEQ ID NO: 57; (223) an exosporium protein fragment comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 95; (224) a ing sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 96; (225) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 97; (226) a ing sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 98; (227) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 99; (228) a targeting ce comprising SEQ ID NO: 100; (229) a targeting ce comprising SEQ ID NO: 101; (230) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 102; (231) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 103; (232) a targeting ce comprising SEQ ID NO: 104; (233) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 105; (234) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 106; (235) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 108; (236) an rium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 109; (237) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 110; (238) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 111; (239) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 112; (240) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 113; (241) an rium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 114; (242) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 115; (243) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 116; (244) an exosporium n comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 117; (245) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 118; (246) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid ce having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 119; (247) an rium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 120; (248) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 121; (249) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 22–31 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (250) a ing ce comprising amino acids 22–33 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (251) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20–31 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (252) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14–23 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (253) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 14–25 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (254) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 12–23 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (255) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–30 of SEQ ID NO: 59; (256) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 59; (257) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 60; (258) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–30 of SEQ ID NO: 59; (259) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 4–30 of SEQ ID NO: 59; (260) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 6–30 of SEQ ID NO: 59; (261) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 1–33 of SEQ ID NO: 61; (262) a targeting sequence sing amino acids 18–33 of SEQ ID NO: 61; (263) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 61; (264) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 62; (265) a targeting sequence sing amino acids 2–33 of SEQ ID NO: 61; (266) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–33 of SEQ ID NO: 61; (267) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–33 of SEQ ID NO: 61; (268) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15–33 of SEQ ID NO: 61; (269) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–35 of SEQ ID NO: 63; (270) a targeting ce comprising SEQ ID NO: 63; (271) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 64; (272) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–35 of SEQ ID NO: 63; (273) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–35 of SEQ ID NO: 63; (274) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 8–35 of SEQ ID NO: 63; (275) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–35 of SEQ ID NO: 63; (276) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15–35 of SEQ ID NO: 63; (277) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 1–24 of SEQ ID NO: 65; (278) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9–24 of SEQ ID NO: 65; (279) a targeting sequence sing SEQ ID NO: 65; (280) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 66; (281) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 107; (282) a targeting sequence sing amino acids 2–24 of SEQ ID NO: 65; (283) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–24 of SEQ ID NO: 65; (284) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 1–27 of SEQ ID NO: 67; (285) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12–27 of SEQ ID NO: 67; (286) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 67; (287) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 68; (288) an targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–27 of SEQ ID NO: 67; (289) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–27 of SEQ ID NO: 67; (290) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–27 of SEQ ID NO: 67; (291) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–38 of SEQ ID NO: 69; (292) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 23–38 of SEQ ID NO: 69; (293) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 69; (294) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid ce having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 70; (295) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–38 of SEQ ID NO: 69; (296) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–38 of SEQ ID NO: 69; (297) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–38 of SEQ ID NO: 69; (298) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15–38 of SEQ ID NO: 69; (299) an exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 72; (300) a ing sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 73; (301) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with SEQ ID NO: 74; (302) a targeting sequence sing amino acids 1–42 of SEQ ID NO: 75; (303) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 27–42 of SEQ ID NO: 75; (304) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 75; (305) an exosporium protein sing an amino acid ce having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 76; (306) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–42 of SEQ ID NO: 75; (307) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–42 of SEQ ID NO: 75; (308) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–42 of SEQ ID NO: 75; (309) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15–42 of SEQ ID NO: 75; (310) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20–42 of SEQ ID NO: 75; (311) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 25–42 of SEQ ID NO: 75; (312) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–24 of SEQ ID NO: 77; (313) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9–24 of SEQ ID NO: 77; (314) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 77; (315) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 78; (316) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–24 of SEQ ID NO: 77; (317) a targeting sequence sing amino acids 5–24 of SEQ ID NO: 77; (318) an rium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% ty with SEQ ID NO: 80; (319) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–38 of SEQ ID NO: 81; (320) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 23–38 of SEQ ID NO: 81; (321) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 81; (322) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 82; (323) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–38 of SEQ ID NO: 81; (324) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–38 of SEQ ID NO: 81; (325) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–38 of SEQ ID NO: 81; (326) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15–38 of SEQ ID NO: 81; (327) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20–38 of SEQ ID NO: 81; (328) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–34 of SEQ ID NO: 83; (329) a targeting ce comprising SEQ ID NO: 83; (330) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 84; (331) an exosporium n comprising an amino acid ce having at least 85% ty with SEQ ID NO: 86; (332) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–28 of SEQ ID NO: 87; (333) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 13–28 of SEQ ID NO: 87; (334) a targeting sequence sing SEQ ID NO: 87; (335) an rium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 88; (336) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–28 of SEQ ID NO: 87; (337) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–28 of SEQ ID NO: 87; (338) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–28 of SEQ ID NO: 87; (339) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–28 of SEQ ID NO: 89; (340) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 89; (341) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 90; (342) a targeting sequence sing amino acids 2–28 of SEQ ID NO: 89; (343) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 5–28 of SEQ ID NO: 89; (344) a targeting sequence sing amino acids 10–28 of SEQ ID NO: 89; (345) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–93 of SEQ ID NO: 91; (346) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 91; (347) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 92; (348) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–93 of SEQ ID NO: 91; (349) a ing ce comprising amino acids 10–93 of SEQ ID NO: 91; (350) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20–93 of SEQ ID NO: 91; (351) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 30–93 of SEQ ID NO: 91; (352) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 40–93 of SEQ ID NO: 91; (353) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 50–93 of SEQ ID NO: 91; (354) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 60–93 of SEQ ID NO: 91; (355) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–130 of SEQ ID NO: 93; (356) a targeting ce comprising SEQ ID NO: 93; (357) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid ce having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 94; (358) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 2–130 of SEQ ID NO: 93; (359) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–130 of SEQ ID NO: 93; (360) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20–130 of SEQ ID NO: 93; (361) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 30–130 of SEQ ID NO: 93; (362) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity with SEQ ID NO: 122; (363) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 20–33 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (364) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 21–33 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (365) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 23–31 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (366) a targeting ce consisting of amino acids 1–15 of SEQ ID NO: 96; (367) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 1–13 of SEQ ID NO: 96; (368) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 12–25 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (369) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 13–25 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (370) a ing sequence consisting of amino acids 15–23 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (371) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 1–15 of SEQ ID NO: 97; (372) a targeting ce consisting of amino acids 1–13 of SEQ ID NO: 98; (373) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 23–36 of SEQ ID NO: 5; (374) a ing sequence consisting of amino acids 23–34 of SEQ ID NO: 5; (375) a targeting ce consisting of amino acids 24–36 of SEQ ID NO: 5; (376) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 26–34 of SEQ ID NO: 5; (377) a targeting ce consisting of amino acids 13–26 of SEQ ID NO: 7; (378) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 13–24 of SEQ ID NO: 7; (379) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 14–26 of SEQ ID NO: 7; (380) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 16–24 of SEQ ID NO: 7; (381) a targeting ce consisting of amino acids 9–22 of SEQ ID NO: 9; (382) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 9–20 of SEQ ID NO: 9; (383) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 10–22 of SEQ ID NO: 9; (384) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 12–20 of SEQ ID NO: 9; (385) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 1–15 of SEQ ID NO: 105; (386) a targeting ce consisting of amino acids 1–13 of SEQ ID NO: 105; (387) a targeting ce consisting of amino acids 18–31 of SEQ ID NO: 11; (388) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 18–29 of SEQ ID NO: 11; (389) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 19–31 of SEQ ID NO: 11; (390) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 1–15 of SEQ ID NO: 98; (391) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 1–13 of SEQ ID NO: 98; (392) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 18–31 of SEQ ID NO: 13; (393) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 18–29 of SEQ ID NO: 13; (394) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 19–31 of SEQ ID NO: 13; (395) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 21–29 of SEQ ID NO: 13; (396) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 1–15 of SEQ ID NO: 99; (397) a targeting ce consisting of amino acids 1–13 of SEQ ID NO: 99; (398) a targeting ce consisting of amino acids 28–41 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (399) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 28–39 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (400) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 29–41 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (401) a targeting sequence ting of amino acids 31–39 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (402) a targeting ce consisting of amino acids 12–25 of SEQ ID NO: 17; (403) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 13–25 of SEQ ID NO: 17; (404) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 1–15 of SEQ ID NO: 100; (405) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 18–31 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (406) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 18–29 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (407) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 19–31 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (408) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 21–29 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (409) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 18–31 of SEQ ID NO: 21; (410) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 18–29 of SEQ ID NO: 21; (411) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 19–31 of SEQ ID NO: 21; (412) a targeting ce consisting of amino acids 21–29 of SEQ ID NO: 21; (413) a targeting sequence ting of amino acids 1–15 of SEQ ID NO: 101; (414) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 1–13 of SEQ ID NO: 101; (415) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 9–22 of SEQ ID NO: 23; (416) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 9–20 of SEQ ID NO: 23; (417) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 10–22 of SEQ ID NO: 23; (418) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 12–20 of SEQ ID NO: 23; (419) a targeting ce consisting of amino acids 1–15 of SEQ ID NO: 102; (420) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 1–13 of SEQ ID NO: 102; (421) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 9–22 of SEQ ID NO: 25; (422) a targeting ce consisting of amino acids 9–20 of SEQ ID NO: 25; (423) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 10–22 of SEQ ID NO: 25; (424) a targeting ce consisting of amino acids 12–20 of SEQ ID NO: 25; (425) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 1–15 of SEQ ID NO: 103; (426) a targeting ce consisting of amino acids 1–13 of SEQ ID NO: 103; (427) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 15–28 of SEQ ID NO: 27; (428) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 15–26 of SEQ ID NO: 27; (429) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 16–28 of SEQ ID NO: 27; (430) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 18–26 of SEQ ID NO: 27; (431) a targeting sequence ting of amino acids 1–15 of SEQ ID NO: 104; (432) a targeting ce consisting of amino acids 1–13 of SEQ ID NO: 104; (433) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 1–13 of SEQ ID NO: 33; (434) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 1–11 of SEQ ID NO: 33; (435) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 3–11 of SEQ ID NO: 33; (436) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 1–14 of SEQ ID NO: 35; (437) a ing sequence consisting of amino acids 1–12 of SEQ ID NO: 35; (438) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 2–14 of SEQ ID NO: 35; (439) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 14–27 of SEQ ID NO: 43; (440) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 14–25 of SEQ ID NO: 43; (441) a targeting sequence ting of amino acids 15–27 of SEQ ID NO: 43; (442) a ing sequence consisting of amino acids 20–33 of SEQ ID NO: 45; (443) a ing sequence consisting of amino acids 20–31 of SEQ ID NO: 45; (444) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 21–33 of SEQ ID NO: 45; (445) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 1–15 of SEQ ID NO: 106; (446) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 1–13 of SEQ ID NO: 106; (447) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 28–41 of SEQ ID NO: 47; (448) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 28–39 of SEQ ID NO: 47; (449) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 18–31 of SEQ ID NO: 53; (450) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 18–29 of SEQ ID NO: 53; (451) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 19–31 of SEQ ID NO: 53; (452) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18–31 of SEQ ID NO: 61; (453) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18–29 of SEQ ID NO: 61; (454) a targeting sequence sing amino acids 19–31 of SEQ ID NO: 61; (455) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 9–22 of SEQ ID NO: 65; (456) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9–20 of SEQ ID NO: 65; (457) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–22 of SEQ ID NO: 65; (458) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–15 of SEQ ID NO: 107; (459) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1–13 of SEQ ID NO: 107; (460) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12–25 of SEQ ID NO: 67; (461) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 12–23 of SEQ ID NO: 67; (462) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 13–25 of SEQ ID NO: 67; (463) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15–23 of SEQ ID NO: 67; (464) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 23–36 of SEQ ID NO: 69; (465) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 23–34 of SEQ ID NO: 69; (466) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 24–36 of SEQ ID NO: 69; (467) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 26–34 of SEQ ID NO: 69; (468) a targeting sequence sing amino acids 27–40 of SEQ ID NO: 75; (469) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 27–38 of SEQ ID NO: 75; (470) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 9–22 of SEQ ID NO: 77; (471) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9–20 of SEQ ID NO: 77; (472) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 10–22 of SEQ ID NO: 77; (473) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12–20 of SEQ ID NO: 77; (474) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 23–36 of SEQ ID NO: 81; (475) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 23–34 of SEQ ID NO: 81; (476) a targeting ce comprising amino acids 24–36 of SEQ ID NO: 81; (477) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 26–34 of SEQ ID NO: 81; (478) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 13–26 of SEQ ID NO: 87; (479) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 13–24 of SEQ ID NO: 87; or (480) a ing sequence comprising amino acids 14–26 of SEQ ID NO: 87.

3. An exosporium fragment of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein: the protein or peptide of interest comprises an enzyme; the n or peptide of interest comprises a plant growth stimulating protein or peptide; the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide comprises a peptide hormone, a nonhormone peptide, an enzyme involved in the production or activation of a plant growth stimulating compound, or an enzyme that degrades or modifies a bacterial, fungal, or plant nutrient ; the protein or peptide of interest comprises a protein or peptide that protects a plant from a pathogen; the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide comprises an enzyme that degrades or modifies a ial, fungal, or plant nutrient source; the protein or peptide of interest comprises at least one protein or peptide that enhances stress ance in a plant; or the protein or peptide of interest comprises a protein or peptide that protects a plant from an environmental stress.

4. An exosporium fragment of claim 3, wherein the enzyme involved in the production or activation of a plant growth stimulating compound ses: an acetoin reductase, an indoleacetamide hydrolase, a tryptophan monooxygenase, an acetolactate synthetase, an a-acetolactate decarboxylase, a pyruvate decarboxylase, a diacetyl reductase, a butanediol dehydrogenase, an aminotransferase, a phan decarboxylase, an amine oxidase, an pyruvate decarboxylase, an indoleacetaldehyde dehydrogenase, a tryptophan side chain oxidase, a nitrile ase, a nitrilase, a peptidase, a protease, an adenosine phosphate isopentenyltransferase, a atase, an adenosine kinase, an adenine phosphoribosyltransferase, A, a 5’ribonucleotide phosphohydrolase, an adenosine nucleosidase, a zeatin ans isomerase, a zeatin osyltransferase, a f3-glucosidase, a cishydroxylase , a CK cis-hydroxylase, a CK N-glucosyltransferase, a 2,5-ribonucleotide phosphohydrolase, an adenosine nucleosidase, a purine nucleoside phosphorylase, a zeatin reductase, a hydroxylamine reductase, a 2-oxoglutarate dioxygenase, a gibberellic 2B/3B hydrolase, a gibberellin 3-oxidase, a ellin 20-oxidase, a chitosanase, a chitinase, a - glucanase, a f3-1,4-glucanase, a f3-1,6-glucanase, an yclopropanecarboxylic acid deaminase, or an enzyme involved in producing a nod factor; an enzyme involved in producing a nod factor and the enzyme involved in producing a nod factor comprises nodA, nodB, or nodI; or wherein the enzyme involved in the production or activation of a plant growth stimulating nd comprises an aminotransferase and the aminotransferase comprises a tryptophan aminotransferase; a se or peptidase that cleaves proteins, es, proproteins, or preproproteins to create a bioactive peptide; or a protease or peptidase, and wherein protease or peptidase comprises subtilisin, an acid protease, an alkaline protease, a proteinase, an endopeptidase, an exopeptidase, thermolysin, papain, pepsin, trypsin, pronase, a carboxylase, a serine protease, a glutamic protease, an aspartate protease, a ne protease, a threonine protease, or a metalloprotease.

5. An exosporium fragment of claim 3, wherein the enzyme that degrades or modifies a bacterial, fungal, or plant nutrient source comprises: a cellulase, a lipase, a lignin oxidase, a protease, a glycoside hydrolase, a phosphatase, a nitrogenase, a se, an amidase, a e reductase, a nitrite reductase, an amylase, an a oxidase, a ligninase, a glucosidase, a phospholipase, a phytase, a pectinase, a glucanase, a sulfatase, a urease, or a xylanase; a phospholipase, and n the phospholipase comprises a phospholipase A1, a phospholipase A2, a phospholipase C, a olipase D, or a lysophospholipase; a cellulase, and wherein the cellulase comprises an endocellulase, an exocellulase, or a ß-glucosidase; a cellulase, and wherein the cellulase comprises an endocellulase, and the endocellulase comprises an endoglucanase; a lignin oxidase, and the lignin oxidase comprises a lignin peroxidase, a e, a glyoxal e, a ligninase, or a manganese peroxidase; a protease, and the protease comprises a subtilisin, an acid protease, an ne se, a nase, a peptidase, an endopeptidase, an exopeptidase, a thermolysin, a papain, a pepsin, a trypsin, a pronase, a carboxylase, a serine protease, a ic protease, an aspartate protease, a cysteine protease, a threonine protease, or a metalloprotease; or a phosphatase, and the atase comprises a phosphoric monoester hydrolase, a phosphomonoesterase, a phosphoric diester hydrolase, a phosphodiesterase, a triphosphoric monoester hydrolase, a oryl anhydride hydrolase, a pyrophosphatase, a phytase, a trimetaphosphatase, or a triphosphatase.

6. An exosporium fragment of claim 3, wherein the protein or peptide that protects a plant from a pathogen comprises: a plant immune system enhancer protein or peptide; a harpin, a harpin-like protein, an a-elastin, a f3-elastin, a systemin, a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, an elicitin, a defensin, a cryptogein, a flagellin protein, or a lin peptide; antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, or both antibacterial and antifungal activity; insecticidal activity, helminthicidal activity, suppresses insect or worm predation, or a combination thereof; an insecticidal bacterial toxin, an endotoxin, a Cry toxin, a protease inhibitor protein or peptide, a cysteine protease, or a chitinase; an insecticidal bacterial toxin and the insecticidal ial toxin ses a VIP insecticidal toxin; wherein the n or peptide that protects a plant from a pathogen comprises a protease inhibitor protein or peptide and the protease inhibitor protein or peptide comprises a trypsin inhibitor or an arrowhead se inhibitor; or a Cry toxin and the Cry toxin comprises a Cry toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis; or a Cry toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis, and the Cry toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis comprises a Cry5B protein or a Cry21A n.

7. An rium fragment of claim 3, wherein the n that protects a plant from a pathogen comprises an enzyme, and wherein the enzyme comprises: a protease or a lactonase; a f3-1,3-glucanase, a f3-1,4-glucanase, a f3-1,6-glucanase, a ase, a lyticase, a peptidase, a proteinase, a protease, a mutanolysin, a lysin, or a lysozyme; or an alkaline protease, an acid protease, or a neutral protease.

8. An exosporium fragment of claim 3, wherein the protein or peptide that enhances stress resistance in a plant comprises: an enzyme that es a -related compound; a aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid (ACC), a reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, an oxylipin, a phenolic, or a combination thereof; a superoxide ase, an e, a catalase, an aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid deaminase, a peroxidase, an antioxidant enzyme, or an antioxidant e; or a protein or peptide that protects a plant from an environmental stress;

9. An exosporium fragment of claim 8, wherein the protein or peptide that protects a plant from an nmental stress comprises an ice tion protein, a prolinase, a phenylalanine a lyase, an isochorismate synthase, an isochorismate pyruvate lyase, or a choline dehydrogenase.

10. An exosporium fragment of claim 3, wherein the enzyme comprises: an enzyme that catalyzes the production of nitric oxide; a nitric oxide synthase or an arginase; or a Bacillus thuringiensis nitric oxide synthase or a Bacillus subtilis nitric oxide synthase.

11. An exosporium fragment of any one of claims 1–3, wherein the exosporium fragment comprises: at least one fusion protein comprising a plant growth stimulating protein or peptide; a n or peptide that protects a plant from a pathogen; a protein or peptide that enhances stress resistance in a plant; an enzyme that catalyzes the production of nitric oxide; or a nucleic acid binding protein or peptide; and at least one fusion protein comprising a plant binding n or peptide.

12. An exosporium fragment of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the exosporium nt is produced from: a plant-growth promoting strain of bacteria; a plant-growth promoting strain of bacteria that produces an insecticidal toxin, produces a fungicidal compound, es a nematocidal compound, produces a iocidal compound, is resistant to one or more antibiotics, comprises one or more freely replicating plasmids, binds to plant roots, colonizes plant roots, forms biofilms, solubilizes nutrients, es organic acids, or combinations thereof; or a plant-growth promoting strain of bacteria that es a Cry toxin; a ß-1,3-glucanase, a chitosanase, a lyticase, or a combination thereof.

13. A formulation for altering the phenotype of a plant comprising an exosporium fragment of any one of claims 1-12 and further comprises: an agriculturally acceptable carrier; an agrochemical; or an ide and a strain of bacteria that is capable of degrading the herbicide.

14. A formulation of claim 13, wherein: the agriculturally acceptable carrier comprises a dispersant, a surfactant, an additive, water, a ner, an anti-caking agent, residue own, a composting formulation, a granular application, diatomaceous earth, an oil, a coloring agent, a izer, a preservative, a polymer, a coating, or a combination thereof; the agriculturally acceptable carrier comprises an additive, and the additive comprises an oil, a gum, a resin, a clay, a polyoxyethylene glycol, a terpene, a viscid organic, a fatty acid ester, a sulfated alcohol, an alkyl sulfonate, a petroleum sulfonate, an alcohol sulfate, a sodium alkyl butane diamate, a polyester of sodium thiobutane dioate, a benzene acetonitrile derivative, a proteinaceous material, or a combination thereof; the lturally acceptable carrier comprises a thickener, and the thickener comprises a long chain ulfonate of hylene , a polyoxyethylene oleate, or a combination thereof; the lturally acceptable carrier comprises a surfactant, and the surfactant comprises a heavy petroleum oil, a heavy petroleum distillate, a polyol fatty acid ester, a polyethoxylated fatty acid ester, an aryl alkyl polyoxyethylene glycol, an alkyl amine acetate, an alkyl aryl ate, a dric alcohol, an alkyl phosphate, or a combination thereof; or the agriculturally acceptable carrier comprises an anti-caking agent, and the anti-caking agent comprises a sodium salt, a calcium carbonate, diatomaceous earth, or a ation thereof; the agrochemical comprises a fertilizer, and the fertilizer comprises a liquid fertilizer, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate nitrate, ammonium chloride, um bisulfate, ammonium polysulfide, ammonium thiosulfate, aqueous ammonia, anhydrous ammonia, ammonium polyphosphate, aluminum e, calcium e, calcium ammonium nitrate, calcium sulfate, ed magnesite, calcitic limestone, calcium oxide, calcium nitrate, dolomitic limestone, hydrated lime, calcium carbonate, diammonium phosphate, monoammonium ate, magnesium nitrate, magnesium sulfate, potassium nitrate, potassium chloride, potassium ium sulfate, potassium sulfate, sodium nitrates, magnesian limestone, magnesia, urea, urea-formaldehydes, urea ammonium nitrate, sulfurcoated urea, polymer-coated urea, isobutylidene diurea, K2SO4–2MgSO4, kainite, sylvinite, kieserite, Epsom salts, elemental sulfur, marl, ground oyster shells, fish meal, oil cakes, fish manure, blood meal, rock phosphate, super phosphates, slag, bone meal, wood ash, manure, bat guano, peat moss, compost, green sand, cottonseed meal, feather meal, crab meal, fish emulsion, humic acid, or a combination thereof; the agrochemical comprises a micronutrient fertilizer material and the micronutrient fertilizer material comprises boric acid, a borate, a boron frit, copper e, a copper frit, a copper chelate, a sodium tetraborate decahydrate, an iron sulfate, an iron oxide, iron ammonium sulfate, an iron frit, an iron chelate, a manganese sulfate, a manganese oxide, a manganese chelate, a manganese chloride, a manganese frit, a sodium molybdate, molybdic acid, a zinc sulfate, a zinc oxide, a zinc carbonate, a zinc frit, zinc phosphate, a zinc chelate, or a combination thereof; n the agrochemical comprises an insecticide, and the insecticide comprises an organophosphate, a ate, a pyrethroid, an acaricide, an alkyl ate, boric acid, a borate, a de, sulfur, a haloaromatic substituted urea, a hydrocarbon ester, a biologically-based insecticide, or a ation f; wherein the agrochemical comprises an herbicide, and the ide ses a phenoxy compound, a nitrophenolic compound, a nitrocresolic compound, a dipyridyl compound, an acetamide, an aliphatic acid, an anilide, a benzamide, a benzoic acid, a benzoic acid derivative, anisic acid, an anisic acid derivative, a benzonitrile, benzothiadiazinone e, a thiocarbamate, a carbamate, a carbanilate, chloropyridinyl, a cyclohexenone derivative, a dinitroaminobenzene derivative, a fluorodinitrotoluidine compound, isoxazolidinone, nicotinic acid, isopropylamine, an isopropylamine derivative, oxadiazolinone, a phosphate, a ate, a picolinic acid compound, a triazine, a triazole, a uracil, a urea tive, endothall, sodium chlorate, or a combination thereof; wherein the agrochemical comprises a fungicide, and the fungicide comprises a tuted benzene, a thiocarbamate, an ethylene bis dithiocarbamate, a thiophthalidamide, a copper compound, an organomercury compound, an organotin compound, a cadmium compound, anilazine, benomyl, cyclohexamide, , etridiazole, iprodione, metlaxyl, thiamimefon, ine, or a combination thereof; wherein the agrochemical comprises a fungal inoculant and the fungal ant comprises a fungal inoculant of the family Glomeraceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Claroidoglomeraceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Gigasporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Acaulosporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Sacculosporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Entrophosporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Pacidsporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Diversisporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Paraglomeraceae, a fungal inoculant of the family osporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Geosiphonaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Ambisporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Scutellosporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Dentiscultataceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Racocetraceae, a fungal inoculant of the phylum Basidiomycota, a fungal inoculant of the phylum cota, a fungal inoculant of the phylum Zygomycota, or a ation thereof; or wherein the agrochemical comprises a bacterial inoculant and the bacterial inoculant comprises a bacterial inoculant of the genus Rhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Bradyrhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Mesorhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Azorhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Allorhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Sinorhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Kluyvera, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Azotobacter, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Pseudomonas, a ial ant of the genus Azospirillium, a ial inoculant of the genus Bacillus, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Streptomyces, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Paenibacillus, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Paracoccus, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Enterobacter, a bacterial ant of the genus Alcaligenes, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Mycobacterium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Trichoderma, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Gliocladium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus , a bacterial inoculant of the genus Klebsiella, or a combination thereof; the emical comprises a fungicide, and the fungicide ses rph, ampropylfos, ampropylfos potassium, andoprim, anilazine, azaconazole, azoxystrobin, benalaxyl, benodanil, benomyl, benzamacril, benzamacryl-isobutyl, bialaphos, binapacryl, yl, bitertanol, blasticidin-S, id, bromuconazole, bupirimate, buthiobate, calcium polysulphide, capsimycin, captafol, captan, carbendazim, carvon, quinomethionate, chlobenthiazone, chlorfenazole, chloroneb, chloropicrin, chlorothalonil, chlozolinate, clozylacon, cufraneb, cymoxanil, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, cyprofuram, rb, dichlorophen, diclobutrazole, diclofluanid, diclomezine, an, diethofencarb, dimethirimol, dimethomorph, strobin, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, dinocap, diphenylamine, dipyrithione, ditalimfos, dithianon, dodemorph, dodine, olon, edifenphos, epoxiconazole, etaconazole, ethirimol, etridiazole, famoxadon, fenapanil, fenarimol, fenbuconazole, am, fenitropan, lonil, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fentin acetate, fentin hydroxide, ferbam, ferimzone, fluazinam, flumetover, fluoromide, fluquinconazole, flurprimidol, flusilazole, flusulfamide, flutolanil, flutriafol, folpet, fosetyl-aluminium, fosetyl-sodium, fthalide, fuberidazole, xyl, furametpyr, furcarbonil, furconazole, furconazole-cis, furmecyclox, ine, hexachlorobenzene, hexaconazole, hymexazole, imazalil, imibenconazole, iminoctadine, iminoctadine albesilate, iminoctadine triacetate, iodocarb, iprobenfos (IBP), iprodione, ycin, isoprothiolane, isovaledione, kasugamycin, kresoxim-methyl, copper preparations, such as: copper hydroxide, copper naphthenate, copper oride, copper sulphate, copper oxide, oxine-copper and Bordeaux mixture, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, meferimzone, mepanipyrim, mepronil, metconazole, methasulfocarb, methfuroxam, metiram, metomeclam, fovax, mildiomycin, myclobutanil, olin, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate, nitrothal-isopropyl, nuarimol, ofurace, oxadixyl, oxamocarb, oxolinic acid, oxycarboxim, oxyfenthiin, paclobutrazole, pefurazoate, penconazole, pencycuron, phosdiphen, pimaricin, piperalin, polyoxin, polyoxorim, azole, prochloraz, procymidone, propamocarb, propanosine-sodium, propiconazole, propineb, prothiocinazole, phos, pyrifenox, thanil, pyroquilon, pyroxyfur, quinconazole, quintozene (PCNB), sulphur and sulphur ations, tebuconazole, tecloftalam, tecnazene, tetcyclasis, tetraconazole, thiabendazole, thicyofen, thifluzamide, thiophanate-methyl, tioxymid, tolclofos-methyl, tolylfluanid, triadimefon, triadimenol, triazbutil, xide, trichlamide, tricyclazole, tridemorph, trifloxystrobin, triflumizole, triforine, uniconazole, validamycin A, vinclozolin, viniconazole, zarilamide, zineb, ziram and also Dagger G, OK-8705, OK-8801, a- (1,1-dimethylethyl)-(3-(2-phenoxyethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazoleeth anol, a-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-[3- fluoropropyl-1 H--1,2,4-triazoleethanol, -dichlorophenyl)-[3-methoxy-a-methyl-1 H- 1,2,4-triazol e-1 -ethanol, a-(5-methyl -1,3-dioxanyl)-[3-[[4-(trifluoromethyl) -phenyl]-met hylene]-1 H-1,2,4-triazole-1 -ethanol, (5RS,6RS)hydroxy-2,2,7,7-tetramethyl(1 H-1,2,4-triazolyl)octanone, (E)-a- (methoxyimino)-N-methylphenoxy-phenylacetamide, ropyl{2-methyl[[[1-(4- methylphenyl)-ethyl]-amino]-carbonyl]-propyl}carbamate, 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)(1 H-1,2,4- triazolyl)-ethanone-O-(phenyl methyl)-oxime, 1-(2-methylnaphthalenyl)-1 H-pyrrole-2,5- dione, 1-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)(2-propenyl)-2,5-pyrrolidindione, 1-[(diiodomethyl)-sulphonyl]- 4-methyl-benzene, 1-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 3-dioxolanyl]-methyl]-1 azole, 1-[[2- (4-chlorophenyl)phenyloxiranyl]-methyl]-1 H-1,2,4-triazole, 1-[1-[2-[(2,4-dichlorophenyl)- methoxy]-phenyl]-ethenyl]-1 H-imidazole, 1-methyl nonyl(phenylmethyl)pyrroIidinole, 2',6'-dibromomethyl-4'-trifluoromethoxy-4'-trifluoro-methyl-1, 3-thiazole -carboxanilide, 2,2- dichloro-N-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethyl]ethylmethyl-cyclopropanecarboxamide, chloro- 5-(methylthio)pyrimidinyl-thiocyanate, 2,6-dichloro-N-(4-trifluoromethylbenzyl)-benzamide, 2,6-dichloro-N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-methyl]-benzamide, 2-(2,3,3-triiodopropenyl)- 2H-tetrazole, 2-[(1-methylethyl)-sul phonyl](trichloromethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole, 2-[[6-deoxy O-(4methyl-(3-D-glycopyranosyl)-a-D-glucopyranos yl]-amino]methoxy-1 H-pyrrolo [2,3- d]pyri midinecarbonitrile, 2-aminobutane, 2-bromo(bromomethyl)-pentanedinitrile, 2- chloro-N-(2,3-dihydro-1,1,3-trimethyl-1 H-indenyl)pyridinecarboxamide, 2-chloro-N-(2,6- dimethylphenyl)-N-(isothiocyanatomethyl)-acetamide, 2-phenylphenol (OPP), 3,4-dichloro[4- (difluoromethoxy)-phenyl]-pyrrole-2,5-dione, 3,5-dichloro-N-[cyano[(1-methylpropynyl)- oxy]-methyl]-benzamide, 3-(1,1-dimethylpropyloxo-1H-indenecarbonitrile, 3-[2-(4- phenyl)ethoxyisoxazolidinyl]-pyridine, 4-chlorocyano-N,N-dimethyl(4- methylphenyl)-1 H-imidazole-l-sulphonamide, 4-methyl-tetrazolo[1,5-a]quinazolin-5(4H)-one, 8- (1,1-dimethylethyl)-N-ethyl-N-propyl-1,4-dioxaspiro[4, nemethanamine, 8- hydroxyquinoline sulphate, 9H-xanthene[(phenylamino)-carbonyl]carboxylic hydrazide, bis-(1-methylethyl)methyl[(3-methylbenzoyl)-oxy]-2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate, cis(4- phenyl)(1 H-1,2,4-triazolyl)-cycloheptanol, cis[3-[4-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-phenyl- 2-methylpropyl]-2,6-dimethyl-morpholine hydrochloride, ethyl [(4-chlorophenyl)-azo]- cyanoacetate, potassium bicarbonate, methanetetrathiol-sodium salt, methyl 1-(2,3-dihydro-2,2- dimethyl-indenyl)-1 azolecarboxylate, methyl N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-N-(5- isoxazolylcarbonyl)-DL-alaninate, methyl oroacetyl)-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-DL- ate, N-(2,3-dichlorohydroxyphenyl)methyl- cyclohexanecarboxamide, N-(2,6-dimethyl phenyl)methoxy-N-(tetra hydrooxofuranyl)- acetamide, N-(2,6-dimethyl p henyl)methoxy-N-(tetrahydrooxothienyl)-acetamide, N- (2-chloronitrophenyl)methylnitro-benzenesulphonamide, N-(4-cyclohexylphenyl)- 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidinamine, N-(4-hexylphenyl)-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidinamine, N-(5-chloromethylphenyl)methoxy-N-(2-oxooxazolidinyl)-acetamide, N-(6-methoxy)- 3-pyridinyl)-cyclopropanecarboxamide, N-[2,2,2-trichloro[(chloroacetyl)-amino]-ethyl]- benzamide, N-[3-chloro-4,5-bis(2-propinyloxy)-phenyl]-N'-methoxy-methanimidamide, N- formyl-N-hydroxy-DL-alanine-sodium salt, ethyl [2-(dipropylamino)oxoethyl]- ethylphosphoramidothioate, 0-methyl S-phenyl phenylpropylphosphoramidothioate, S-methyl 1,2,3-benzothiadiazolecarbothioate, and spiro[2H]benzopyrane-2,1'(3'H)-isobenzofuran]- 3'-one, hloromethyl)thio cyclohexane-l,2-dicarboximide, tetramethylthioperoxydicarbonic e, methyl N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-N-(methoxyacetyl)- DL-alaninate, 4-(2,2-difluoro-l,3-benzodioxolyl)-l-H-pyrrolcarbonitril or a combination thereof; the agrochemical comprises a bacterial inoculant of the genus Bacillus, and the ial inoculant of the genus Bacillus comprises Bacillus argri, us aizawai, Bacillus albolactis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus cereus, us coagulans, Bacillus endoparasiticus, Bacillus endorhythmos, Bacillus kurstaki, Bacillus lacticola, us orbus, Bacillus lactis, Bacillus laterosporus, Bacillus lentimorbus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus medusa, Bacillus metiens, Bacillus natto, Bacillus nigrificans, Bacillus popillae, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus siamensis, Bacillus sphearicus, Bacillus spp., Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus unifagellatu, or a combination thereof; the agrochemical comprises an herbicide, and the herbicide comprises 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, acetochlor, acifluorfen, alachlor, ametryn, atrazine, aminopyralid, benefin, bensulfuron, bensulide, bentazon, bromacil, bromoxynil, te, carfentrazone, chlorimuron, chlorsulfuron, dim, clomazone, clopyralid, sulam, te, DCPA, desmedipham, dicamba, dichlobenil, diclofop, diclosulam, diflufenzopyr, dimethenamid, diquat, diuron, DSMA, endothall, EPTC, ethalfluralin, ethofumesate, fenoxaprop, fluazifop-P, flucarbazone, flufenacet, flumetsulam, lorac, flumioxazin, turon, fluroxypyr, fomesafen, foramsulfuron, glufosinate, glyphosate, halosulfuron, hexazinone, ethabenz, imazamox, imazapic, imazaquin, imazethapyr, isoxaben, isoxaflutole, en, linuron, MCPA, MCPB, mesotrione, metolachlor-s, metribuzin, metsulfuron, molinate, MSMA, napropamide, naptalam, lfuron, razon, oryzalin, oxadiazon, orfen, paraquat, pelargonic acid, pendimethalin, phenmedipham, picloram, ulfuron, prodiamine, prometryn, pronamide, propanil, prosulfuron, pyrazon, pyrithiobac, quinclorac, quizalofop, rimsulfuron, sethoxydim, siduron, ne, sulfentrazone, sulfometuron, sulfosulfuron, tebuthiuron, terbacil, thiazopyr, thifensulfuron, thiobencarb, tralkoxydim, triallate, triasulfuron, tribenuron, triclopyr, trifluralin, triflusulfuron, or a combination thereof; the strain of bacteria that is capable of degrading an herbicide comprises Bacillus cereus family member EE349 (NRRL No. B-50928), Bacillus cereus family member EE-B00377 (NRRL B-67119), Bacillus pseudomycoides EE-B00366 (NRRL B-67120), or Bacillus mycoides EE-B00363 (NRRL B-67121), or a ation thereof; the herbicide comprises a sulfonylurea, an aryl triazine, dicamba, a phenoxy herbicide, 2,4-D, a rin, a pyrethroid, or a combination thereof; or the herbicide comprises a sulfonylurea, and the sulfonylurea comprises sulfentrazone.

15. A use of the exosporium fragment of any one of claims 1–12 for coating a plant seed.

16. A method for stimulating plant growth comprising: introducing into a plant growth medium an exosporium fragment of any one of claims 1– 12; or applying to a plant, a plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or a plant seed an rium fragment of any one of claims 1–12; wherein the exosporium fragment comprises a fusion protein comprising a plant growth stimulating protein or peptide.

17. A method for removing exosporium from spores of a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member comprising: subjecting a suspension comprising spores of a inant Bacillus cereus family member, having an exosporium that is easier to remove from the spore as compared to the exosporium of a wild-type spore, to centrifugation or filtration to e exosporium fragments of any one of claims 1–12 that are separated from the spores; wherein the exosporium fragments comprise the fusion n.

18. A method of claim 17, wherein the method comprises subjecting the suspension comprising the spores to centrifugation, and further comprises collecting the supernatant, n the atant comprises the fragments of the exosporium and is substantially free of spores.

19. A method of claim 16, further comprising introducing at least one agrochemical into the plant growth medium or ng at least one agrochemical to plants or seeds.

20. A method of claim 19, wherein the agrochemical comprises a fertilizer, a micronutrient fertilizer material, an insecticide, an herbicide, a fungicide, a molluscicide, an algicide, a plant growth amendment, a bacterial inoculant, a fungal inoculant, or a combination thereof.