Maize Gene Promoter Enhancement for Moderate Height Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing maize plants with complete or near-complete loss-of-function mutations in genes like BV1 and BR2 exhibit severe reductions in plant height, which are not useful for commercial applications due to their extreme height reduction.
Innovation Solution
Introduction of a heterologous expression-enhancing element, such as a transcription enhancer, into the promoter regions of the Zm1d31079 and Zm1d44812 genes in maize plants, using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, to increase gene expression and reduce plant height while maintaining agronomically desirable traits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If complete or near-complete loss-of-function mutations are introduced in genes like BV1 and BR2, then plant height is severely reduced, but agronomical performance and yield are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing heterologous expression-enhancing elements into the promoter regions of Zm1d31079 and Zm1d44812 genes. This modifies the expression level parameter of these dwarfing genes, achieving moderate height reduction (5-50%) while preserving sufficient gene function to maintain agronomical performance and yield. The expression-enhancing elements increase transcription efficiency, allowing precise control over gene expression levels rather than complete loss-of-function.
2Length of moving object
If complete or near-complete loss-of-function mutations are introduced in genes like BV1 and BR2, then plant height is severely reduced, but commercial viability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs partial action by using expression-enhancing elements that partially increase gene expression rather than creating complete loss-of-function mutations. This partial modification of Zm1d31079 and Zm1d44812 genes achieves the desired height reduction while maintaining enough gene function to ensure commercial viability. The approach avoids the extreme effects of complete mutation, providing a balanced solution suitable for commercial agriculture.
3Length of moving object
If heterologous expression-enhancing elements are introduced into Zm1d31079 and Zm1d44812 genes, then gene expression is increased and plant height is reduced, but genetic modification complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses heterologous expression-enhancing elements as intermediaries to achieve height reduction. These elements (such as viral promoters or enhancer sequences from other species) act as mediators that increase the transcription efficiency of Zm1d31079 and Zm1d44812 genes without requiring complete gene disruption. The intermediaries facilitate controlled gene expression enhancement, achieving moderate height reduction while maintaining a relatively straightforward genetic modification approach compared to complete loss-of-function strategies.
Data Source
AI summary
Modifications of maize genes Zm1d31079 and Zm1d44812 which provide maize plants with reduced height are disclosed. Maize plants comprising a modified Zm1d31079 or Zm1d44812 with a heterologous enhancing element are described. Also disclosed are seed obtained from such plants as well as use of the seed and plants to produce commodity productions and in maize breeding.