Modified PIN4 Gene Induces Parthenocarpy in Melon
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inducing parthenocarpy in crops like Cucumis melo are limited, as they often require exogenous applications of growth regulators, which are costly and may result in fruit deformation, or involve complex breeding techniques, and natural parthenocarpy has not been found in Cucumis melo, making it difficult to produce seedless fruits without pollination.
Innovation Solution
A modified PIN4 gene with specific amino acid substitutions is introduced, leading to a protein that induces parthenocarpic fruit set by altering auxin efflux transport, allowing fruit development without fertilization, thereby enabling seedless fruit production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If exogenous growth regulators are applied to induce parthenocarpy, then fruit development without pollination is achieved, but costs increase and fruit deformation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The plant utilizes its own genetic machinery to produce parthenocarpic fruits without external intervention. The modified PIN4 gene enables the plant's endogenous hormone signaling pathways to drive fruit development autonomously, eliminating the need for exogenous growth regulators and their associated costs and deformation risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the genetic parameter of the PIN4 gene through specific amino acid substitutions (e.g., E414K, P166L, S295Y), which alters the protein's function to promote parthenocarpy. This genetic parameter change enables the plant to naturally regulate fruit development without external hormone applications.
2Ease of manufacture
If natural parthenocarpy is sought in Cucumis melo, then seedless fruit production is simplified, but it has not been naturally found in this species
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and modifies the PIN4 gene from existing melon varieties, identifying specific amino acid positions (414, 166, 295) that can be substituted to confer parthenocarpic traits. This extracted and modified genetic element can then be introduced into Cucumis melo to achieve natural-like parthenocarpy without relying on exotic species.
Solution Approach 2:
The modified PIN4 gene exhibits multi-functionality by simultaneously controlling auxin efflux, promoting cell division, and initiating fruit development without pollination. This single genetic modification achieves multiple physiological effects that together enable seedless fruit production in Cucumis melo.
3Ease of manufacture
If pollination is prevented to achieve seedless fruits, then parthenocarpic fruit set is obtained, but additional management steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The plant's modified PIN4 gene autonomously drives fruit development without requiring external pollination management. The endogenous hormonal signaling pathway activated by the modified gene eliminates the need for人工 pollination prevention measures such as bagging or isolation barriers.
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 modified PIN4 gene effectively induces parthenocarpic fruit set in Cucumis melo, providing a genetic basis for seedless fruit production without the need for pollination, offering a stable and efficient method for growers to achieve optimal yields regardless of environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The invention relates to a modified PIN4 gene... which modified protein is capable of inducing parthenocarpic fruit set when present in a plant... altering auxin efflux transport
Data Source
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AI summary
Modified PIN4 gene, the wild type of which is as identified in SEQ ID No. 1, encoding the protein of SEQ ID No. 5, or the wild type of which encodes a protein that has a sequence similarity of at least 80% to SEQ ID No. 5, which modified PIN4 gene encodes a protein that comprises an amino acid change as a result of the modification, and which modified protein is capable of inducing parthenocarpic fruit set when present in a plant. The invention also relates to plants and fruits that carry the gene. Such plants are capable of parthenocarpic fruit set and the fruits do not contain seeds. The invention further relates to use of the gene in breeding and producing plants capable of parthenocarpic fruit set.