MdPHY7 Gene Regulation of Apple Anthocyanin Biosynthesis

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of understanding of the role of phytochrome members in regulating 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-induced anthocyanin accumulation in apples, which affects fruit coloring and nutritional value.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing the MdPHY7 protein or gene from apple to regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis, where exogenous ALA treatment induces MdPHY7 gene expression, promoting anthocyanin accumulation through overexpression or inhibiting it via RNA interference, thereby controlling anthocyanin content in apple tissues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If exogenous ALA treatment is applied to promote anthocyanin accumulation, then anthocyanin content increases, but the mechanism involving phytochrome members remains unclear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanthocyanin contentVSAvoidmechanism understanding

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by using ALA treatment to induce MdPHY7 gene expression, which in turn promotes anthocyanin biosynthesis. The process creates a feedback loop where ALA treatment → MdPHY7 expression → anthocyanin accumulation, allowing researchers to understand the mechanism while achieving the desired anthocyanin content increase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The MdPHY7 gene acts as an intermediary between ALA treatment and anthocyanin biosynthesis. By identifying and manipulating this intermediate element (MdPHY7), the patent bridges the gap between the external stimulus (ALA) and the final effect (anthocyanin accumulation), thereby elucidating the previously unclear mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If MdPHY7 gene overexpression is used to promote anthocyanin biosynthesis, then fruit coloring is enhanced, but the complexity of genetic manipulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefruit coloringVSAvoidgenetic manipulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the specific MdPHY7 gene from the complex phytochrome gene family and focuses on its individual function in anthocyanin regulation. By isolating and manipulating this single gene rather than the entire gene family or complex regulatory networks, the patent achieves enhanced fruit coloring while managing genetic manipulation complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the expression level parameter of the MdPHY7 gene through overexpression strategies. By adjusting this specific genetic parameter (gene expression level) rather than redesigning entire metabolic pathways, the patent achieves enhanced anthocyanin biosynthesis with relatively controlled complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If RNA interference is used to inhibit MdPHY7 gene expression, then anthocyanin accumulation is reduced, but the control precision required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanthocyanin accumulationVSAvoidgene expression control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses RNA interference as an intermediary mechanism to inhibit MdPHY7 gene expression, thereby reducing anthocyanin accumulation. The RNAi system acts as a precise control tool that can specifically target and silence the MdPHY7 gene without affecting other genes, achieving the desired reduction in anthocyanin with controlled precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the expression parameter of MdPHY7 gene from overexpression to suppression using RNA interference. By controlling the expression level parameter through RNAi (reducing it to near zero or partial suppression), the patent achieves reduced anthocyanin accumulation with the precision needed for specific gene silencing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The MdPHY7 protein or gene effectively promotes or inhibits anthocyanin biosynthesis, enhancing fruit coloring and quality, providing a theoretical basis for agricultural applications.

Implementation Method 1

Exogenous ALA treatment can induce expression of the MdPHY7 gene, thereby promoting an increase of the apple anthocyanin biosynthesis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGene expression induction:

Data Source

PatentUS20260049325A1USE OF MdPHY7 PROTEIN OR MdPHY7 GENE OF APPLE IN REGULATING ANTHOCYANIN BIOSYNTHESIS

Publication Date: 2026.02.19 NANJING HEJIACHUN BIOLOGICAL TECH CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is use of an MdPHY7 protein or an MdPHY7 gene related to apple anthocyanin biosynthesis in regulation of the apple anthocyanin biosynthesis, belonging to the technical field of plant genetic engineering. Exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) treatment can induce expression of the MdPHY7 gene, thereby promoting an increase of the apple anthocyanin biosynthesis, and then ultimately resulting in accumulation of apple anthocyanins to promote apple fruit coloring.