FVE Gene Suppression for Increased Plant Biomass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for increasing plant biomass yield are limited in effectively manipulating genetic pathways to enhance agronomic traits, particularly in regulating flowering time and biomass production, with existing technologies failing to provide significant improvements in biomass accumulation.
Innovation Solution
The use of nucleic acid constructs, such as antisense oligonucleotides, siRNA, shRNA, miRNA, and dominant negative mutants, to inhibit FVE gene expression or activity in plants, leading to decreased FVE polypeptide levels and increased biomass production by targeting the FVE gene in plant cells or tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional breeding and genetic engineering methods are used to improve plant yield, then desirable traits such as seed production and stress tolerance can be achieved, but significant improvements in total biomass accumulation remain limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of overexpressing genes to promote flowering and seed production, the invention uses loss-of-function mutations and RNA interference to suppress FVE gene expression. This inverse approach delays flowering, extends the vegetative growth phase, and thereby increases total biomass accumulation by preventing premature transition to reproductive development
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the expression level parameter of the FVE gene from normal/wild-type levels to suppressed/reduced levels through various genetic manipulation techniques. This parameter change fundamentally alters the plant's developmental timing, extending the growth period and increasing biomass productivity
2Quantity of substance
If FVE gene expression is maintained at wild-type levels, then normal flowering time regulation occurs, but biomass accumulation is limited by premature flowering
Solution Approach 1:
The invention takes preliminary action by suppressing FVE gene expression before the plant would naturally flower. By pre-establishing reduced FVE activity through genetic modification, the plant's flowering is delayed before it occurs, thereby extending the vegetative growth period and allowing more time for biomass accumulation
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to methods of producing a desired phenotype in a plant by manipulation of gene expression within the plant. The method relates to means which inhibit the level of FVE gene expression or activity, wherein a desired phenotype, such as increased biomass relative to a wild-type control plant, is achieved. The invention also relates to nucleic acid sequences useful for such methods.