Modified COI1 Protein Herbicide Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current agricultural methods lack effective solutions for controlling weeds and pathogens in crops, as existing herbicides and chemical formulations often fail to selectively target unwanted vegetation without harming crops, and plants' immune systems are vulnerable to highly evolved pathogens.

Innovation Solution

Development of modified CORONATINE INSENSITIVE 1 (COI1) proteins with specific amino acid substitutions that reduce complex formation with coronatine and herbicides, allowing plants to maintain defense mechanisms against pathogens and pests while being resistant to herbicides.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If native COI1 protein is used, then plants can respond to jasmonate signaling for defense mechanisms, but plants become vulnerable to coronatine-producing pathogens and cannot be selectively protected by herbicides

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant defense responseVSAvoidsusceptibility to coronatine and herbicides

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying specific amino acid residues in the COI1 protein binding pocket (such as F89A, L91A, R121A substitutions). These parameter changes alter the protein's binding affinity characteristics, allowing it to maintain binding to natural jasmonate signaling molecules while reducing binding to coronatine and herbicide compounds. This resolves the contradiction by changing the chemical parameters of the COI1 protein to achieve selective recognition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If herbicides are applied to control weeds, then weed growth is reduced, but crop plants are also harmed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweed control efficiencyVSAvoidcrop damage from herbicides

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of herbicides into a beneficial selective pressure. By engineering crops with modified COI1 proteins that are resistant to herbicide binding, the herbicide application becomes beneficial for weed control while the engineered crop remains protected. The harm that would normally affect both weeds and crops is converted into a selective advantage for the modified crops, allowing differential survival and growth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If plants express modified COI1 proteins resistant to herbicides, then crop resistance to herbicides is achieved, but the ability to maintain natural defense signaling must be preserved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveherbicide resistanceVSAvoidjasmonate signaling function

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making specific localized changes to the COI1 protein structure at the herbicide binding pocket region while preserving the overall protein structure and function. The amino acid substitutions are confined to specific residues (F89, L91, R121, etc.) that are involved in herbicide binding, while the rest of the protein maintains its native conformation and ability to bind jasmonate signaling molecules. This localized modification achieves herbicide resistance without compromising natural defense signaling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10584350B2Structurally modified COI1

Publication Date: 2020.03.10 BOARD OF TRUSTEES OPERATING MICHIGAN STATE UNIV

AI summary

Described herein are plants that are resistant to herbicides, such as herbicide compositions comprising coronatine, where the herbicide-resistant plants express a modified CORONATINE INSENSITIVE 1 (COI1) protein.