HyPRO Stress-Inducible Promoter for Reliable Plant Gene Expression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current inducible promoters for plant gene expression are not easily handled and do not provide stable, reliable results in response to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Innovation Solution

A promoter derived from Hypericum perforatum, known as HyPRO, which is inducible and activates in response to various stresses including plant pathogens, microorganisms, temperature, drought, and chemicals, used in recombinant constructs to enhance gene expression and confer stress resistance or promote plant growth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current inducible promoters are used for plant gene expression, then gene expression can be activated in response to stresses, but the promoters are not easily handled and do not provide stable, reliable results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability and reliability of gene expressionVSAvoidease of handling promoter
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent identifies and characterizes specific promoter sequences (such as HyPRO from Hypericum perforatum) with defined length, nucleotide composition, and regulatory element structures. By establishing precise sequence parameters and operational characteristics, the patent transforms the handling of inducible promoters from an unpredictable process to a standardized procedure with reliable, reproducible results across different stress conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If inducible promoters are used to respond to multiple stresses, then plant resistance is enhanced, but the complexity of promoter characterization and application increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse to biotic and abiotic stressesVSAvoidcomplexity of promoter characterization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent describes promoters (particularly HyPRO) that function universally across multiple stress types including biotic stresses (pathogens, pests) and abiotic stresses (drought, salinity, temperature). The promoter sequences identified contain multiple cis-acting elements that enable this multi-functional response, allowing a single promoter construct to provide broad stress resistance without requiring separate promoter designs for each stress condition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs comprehensive preliminary characterization of promoter sequences, including identifying cis-acting elements, determining optimal lengths, and establishing stress-response patterns before application. This advance characterization work creates a ready-to-use library of well-defined promoter sequences that can be directly applied to various stress scenarios without requiring additional complex analysis for each new application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If promoter sequences are extended to include more regulatory elements, then inducibility and stress response are improved, but the difficulty of isolation and characterization increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinducibility of promoterVSAvoiddifficulty of promoter isolation and characterization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent analyzes promoter sequences to identify distinct functional segments including core promoter elements, upstream regulatory regions, and specific cis-acting elements. By segmenting the promoter into these functional modules with defined boundaries and characteristics, the patent simplifies the isolation and characterization process while maintaining the complete inducibility function. Researchers can work with specific promoter segments rather than entire complex sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs molecular biology techniques and bioinformatics tools to characterize promoter sequences, replacing traditional, labor-intensive mechanical methods of promoter analysis. This includes using PCR amplification, sequence alignment algorithms, and computational prediction of cis-acting elements to efficiently identify and characterize promoter regions, significantly reducing the difficulty of detection and measurement compared to conventional approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4671267A1Promoter for regulating plant gene expression and uses thereof
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 INST GENETYKI ROSLIN POLSKIEJ AKADI NAUK
  • EP4671267A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4671267A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4671267A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a promoter for regulating plant gene expression. Preferably, the promoter originates from a plant of the Hypericaceae family, specifically isolated from Hypericum perforatum (HyPRO promoter). The promoter sequence is activated in response to biotic and abiotic stresses and has been effectively utilized in recombinant genetic constructs, resulting in enhanced gene expression across various biological systems. The invention encompasses methods of isolation, characterization and application of the promoters according to the invention in genetic engineering, particularly in the development of stress-resistant and growth-promoting plants, opening up new possibilities in the field of plant biotechnology, enabling the development of novel crop cultivation strategies in changing environmental conditions.