Medicago 3′ UTR Regulatory Elements for Heterologous Plant Gene Expression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack effective regulatory elements for modulating gene expression in plants, particularly for heterologous transcribable DNA molecules, which are essential for introducing desirable traits such as herbicide resistance and pest resistance.

Innovation Solution

Development of novel regulatory elements, including promoters, leaders, introns, and 3′ untranslated regions derived from Medicago truncatula 3′UTR sequences, operably linked to heterologous transcribable DNA molecules, to enhance gene expression and introduce traits like herbicide and pest resistance in plants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing regulatory elements are used for heterologous transcribable DNA molecules, then gene expression modulation is limited, but the complexity of the system remains low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegene expression modulation capabilityVSAvoidregulatory element structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates regulatory elements that can function with heterologous transcribable DNA molecules from different species, making them universal rather than species-specific. The Medicago truncatula-derived regulatory elements (promoters, introns, 3' UTRs) can modulate gene expression for herbicide resistance and pest resistance genes from various sources, achieving multi-functionality across different transgenic applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple regulatory element components (promoters, introns, 3' UTRs) derived from Medicago truncatula with heterologous coding sequences to create composite regulatory structures. This composite approach integrates different functional elements into a unified system that achieves enhanced gene expression modulation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If novel regulatory elements from Medicago truncatula are developed, then gene expression modulation efficiency improves, but the ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegene expression efficiencyVSAvoidregulatory element construction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the regulatory element into separate functional segments (promoter region, intron sequences, 3' UTR sequences) that can be independently isolated, characterized, and manipulated. This segmentation allows researchers to work with discrete functional units from Medicago truncatula, making the overall construction process more manageable despite the novelty of the elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary characterization and isolation of functional regulatory elements from Medicago truncatula before applying them to heterologous systems. By pre-identifying and validating the activity of promoters, introns, and 3' UTRs in their native context, the patent simplifies subsequent applications with heterologous genes, as the elements are already proven to be functional

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If regulatory elements are operably linked to heterologous transcribable DNA molecules, then desirable traits such as herbicide resistance and pest resistance are introduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrait introduction capabilityVSAvoidconstruct structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The regulatory elements created in this patent serve multiple functions: they can drive expression of different heterologous genes (herbicide resistance, pest resistance, other agronomic traits), work in different plant species, and provide both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation through the combined promoter-intron-3' UTR structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges three distinct regulatory components (promoter, intron, 3' UTR) into a unified regulatory system that functions together to modulate gene expression. This merging creates a cohesive structure that handles multiple aspects of gene regulation (initiation, processing, termination/stability) in an integrated manner

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12516336B2Plant regulatory elements derived from <i>Medicago truncatula </i>3′UTR sequences, and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

Recombinant DNA molecules and constructs useful for modulating gene expression in plants, including molecules derived from Medicago truncatula sequences, are provided. Plants, plant cells, plant parts, and seeds comprising recombinant DNA molecules operably linked to heterologous transcribable DNA molecules are further provided, as are methods of their use.