Iron Man Protein Modulation for Plant Disease Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Plants face challenges in resisting diseases due to the competition for iron between the plant and pathogens, as iron is essential for both plant growth and pathogen survival.
Innovation Solution
Increasing the expression and/or activity of the IRON MAN (IMA) protein and/or reducing the expression and/or activity of the BRUTUS-Like E3 ligase (BTSL) in plants to enhance disease resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If plants increase iron availability through rhizosphere acidification and secretion of iron chelators to acquire iron from soil, then iron acquisition is improved, but pathogen growth is promoted due to beneficial iron bioavailability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by differentiating iron availability in different plant tissues. The IMA protein is specifically expressed in aerial tissues (leaves, stems, flowers) where it binds excess iron and reduces its bioavailability to pathogens, while root systems continue to maintain high iron availability for iron acquisition from soil. This spatial differentiation allows the plant to simultaneously improve iron acquisition while preventing pathogen growth in susceptible aerial tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of iron availability (which promotes pathogen growth) into a beneficial outcome by using the IMA protein to sequester iron in aerial tissues. The iron that would otherwise fuel pathogen growth is bound by IMA in a form that is unavailable to pathogens, thus converting the 'blessing' of iron availability into a protective mechanism against disease.
2Productivity
If plants maintain high iron levels to support growth and development, then plant growth is improved, but resistance to iron-dependent pathogens deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements local quality by restricting IMA-mediated iron sequestration to aerial tissues where pathogens primarily infect. Root systems and other underground structures maintain normal iron levels to support growth and nutrient uptake. This localized application allows the plant to maintain high productivity through adequate iron supply in growth-critical regions while achieving disease resistance in pathogen-susceptible aerial regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies parameter changes by modifying the iron bioavailability parameter specifically in aerial tissues through IMA expression. The IMA protein changes the chemical state of iron from a bioavailable form (Fe2+ or Fe3+ ions) to a sequestered form bound to IMA, thereby changing the effective iron concentration parameter in aerial tissues without affecting overall plant iron status or growth.
3Reliability
If plants restrict iron availability as a defense strategy (nutritional immunity), then pathogen growth is limited, but iron-dependent plant physiological processes are impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves this contradiction through local quality by applying iron restriction only in aerial tissues where pathogens infect. The IMA protein is specifically localized to these tissues, creating a localized zone of reduced iron bioavailability that limits pathogen growth without restricting iron availability in roots and other tissues where it is needed for physiological processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, and nutrient uptake.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for increasing disease resistance in plants, for example by increasing IRON MAN (IMA) expression and/or activity, reducing BRUTUS-LIKE E3 ligase (BTSL) expression and/or activity, or both.