Modulating ACCase via BADC Proteins for Plant Oil Content

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to effectively increase fatty acid and triacylglycerol production in plants and algae due to limited understanding of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) protein structure and regulation, hindering efficient manipulation of flux through the de novo fatty acid synthesis pathway.

Innovation Solution

Modulating the activity of ACCase by altering the expression of biotin/lipoyl attachment domain containing (BADC) proteins, which interact with the ACCase complex, through techniques like RNAi, CRISPR, or selective breeding to enhance or reduce ACCase activity levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If ACCase activity is increased to enhance fatty acid and triacylglycerol production, then oil content increases, but understanding of ACCase protein structure and regulation remains limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefatty acid and triacylglycerol productionVSAvoidunderstanding of ACCase protein structure and regulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses BADC proteins as intermediary molecules to regulate ACCase activity. By manipulating BADC expression levels rather than directly modifying ACCase, the invention achieves control over fatty acid synthesis while bypassing the complexity of directly understanding ACCase structure and regulation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If BADC protein expression is altered to modulate ACCase activity, then oil content in seeds and vegetative tissues increases, but the complexity of manipulating gene expression increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil contentVSAvoidcomplexity of manipulating gene expression

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the expression parameters of BADC genes to achieve desired ACCase activity levels. By adjusting transcriptional and translational parameters of regulator genes rather than modifying the catalytic enzyme itself, the invention simplifies the genetic manipulation required to control oil production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If ACCase activity is increased to boost triacylglycerol production, then productivity increases, but the precision of controlling flux through the de novo FAS pathway decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetriacylglycerol productionVSAvoidprecision of controlling flux through de novo FAS pathway

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a feedback control system where BADC proteins monitor and regulate ACCase activity. This feedback mechanism allows precise control over the flux through fatty acid synthesis by having the regulatory protein respond to metabolic conditions and adjust ACCase activity accordingly, enabling fine-tuned control of triacylglycerol production rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach increases or decreases fatty acid and triacylglycerol production in plants and algae, allowing for higher oil content in seeds and vegetative tissues, and can also increase protein content by regulating ACCase activity.

Implementation Method 1

biotin/lipoyl attachment domain containing (BADC) proteins, which bind to the multi-subunit ACCase found in the plastids of dicotyledon and non-gramineous monocot plants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProtein-protein interaction:

Implementation Method 2

The committed step of de novo FAS is catalyzed by acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) which carboxylates acetyl-CoA to form malonyl-CoA

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Implementation Method 3

altering the expression of biotin/lipoyl attachment domain containing (BADC) proteins, which bind to the multi-subunit ACCase, through techniques like RNAi

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRNA interference:

Implementation Method 4

altering the expression of biotin/lipoyl attachment domain containing (BADC) proteins, which bind to the multi-subunit ACCase, through techniques like CRISPR

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCRISPR gene editing:

Data Source

PatentUS11959087B2Increasing plant oil content by altering a negative regulator of acetyl-CoA carboxylase

Publication Date: 2024.04.16 THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

AI summary

The present invention provides a method and means to change fatty acid and ultimately triacylglycerol production in plants and algae. Methods of the invention comprise the step of altering the activity levels of the committed step for de novo fatty acid biosynthesis, acetyl-CoA carboxylases (ACCase). More specifically, methods of the invention directly enhance the activity of ACCase by down-regulating the biotin/lipoyl attachment domain containing (BADC) genes through biotechnology or selective breeding approaches.