High Fructan Cereal Plants via Starch Synthase II Downregulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for efficient production of fructan from plant sources at a low cost, as existing methods have limitations in achieving high fructan accumulation levels in transgenic plants without causing aberrant phenotypes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves obtaining or producing a cereal plant or grain with a reduced level of an endogenous polypeptide with starch synthase II (SSII) activity, which results in enhanced levels of fructan, typically above 3% by weight, while maintaining a sufficient starch content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If transgenic methods are used to increase fructan accumulation levels in plants, then fructan production is improved, but aberrant phenotypes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter from fructan synthesis enhancement to starch synthesis reduction. By down-regulating starch synthase II activity, the plant redirects carbohydrate metabolism toward fructan accumulation, achieving high fructan levels (up to 10% or more by weight) without the aberrant phenotypes associated with transgenic fructan overexpression
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts or removes the limiting factor (starch synthase II activity) that normally competes with fructan synthesis for carbohydrate substrates. By reducing SSII activity through down-regulation, more carbohydrates are available for fructan production, enabling high fructan accumulation without transgenic intervention
2Productivity
If fructan levels are increased in cereal grain, then fructan production efficiency is improved, but starch content may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the metabolic parameter by reducing starch synthase II activity, which redirects carbohydrate flux from starch to fructan synthesis. This parameter change enables simultaneous achievement of high fructan content (up to 10% or more by weight) and adequate starch content, resolving the trade-off between fructan productivity and starch quantity
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides cereal plants having a high level of fructan useful for the production of a range of food, beverage, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products. The invention provides methods of producing high-fructan products from plants modified to comprise a reduced level of an endogenous polypeptide with starch synthase activity, and products so produced. In some embodiments, plants are modified by introduction of an agent such as a nucleic acid molecule which down regulates endogenous starch synthase II gene expression.