Modified Parthenogenesis Gene Promoter for High-Penetrance Apomixis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for introducing apomixis in crops face challenges such as low penetrance of recessive mutations, difficulty in cloning apomixis genes from polyploid species, and complex in vitro procedures like reverse breeding, which are time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
Identification and modification of the parthenogenesis gene promoter to alter the par allele into a Par allele, enabling plants to develop an egg cell into an embryo without fertilization, using random or targeted mutagenesis and transformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If recessive mutations are used to induce apomixis, then apomixis can be introduced in crops, but the penetrance is low making the method ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the promoter region of the par allele to create a mutant promoter with altered transcriptional activity. This parameter change in gene expression regulation converts the recessive par allele into a dominant Par allele, achieving high penetrance apomixis induction (greater than 50% of plants expressing the trait) and resolving the low effectiveness issue
2Reliability
If in vitro procedures like reverse breeding are used, then apomixis can be introduced, but the procedures are time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical in vitro procedures with a molecular biology approach using promoter mutation and genetic transformation. This substitution of the induction mechanism eliminates time-consuming reverse breeding procedures and reduces costs while achieving reliable apomixis introduction through dominant allele creation
3Adaptability or versatility
If F1 hybrids are produced sexually each generation, then heterotic F1 hybrids can be obtained, but the process is recurrent, complicated and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by introducing the dominant Par allele into parental lines before hybridization. This allows F1 hybrids to inherit the dominant apomixis trait and maintain heterosis indefinitely through asexual seed production, eliminating the need for recurrent sexual crossing and complex breeding programs
4Ease of operation
If self-fertilization of F1 hybrids is performed, then seed production is simplified, but loss of heterosis occurs by recombination in F2 progeny
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the genetic parameter by creating a dominant Par allele that overrides the recessive par allele behavior. This parameter change enables F1 hybrids with the dominant Par allele to produce apomictic seeds through self-fertilization without meiotic recombination, maintaining heterosis while simplifying seed production operations
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a method to produce a mutant gene, wherein said gen comprises a modified promoter and wherein said gene is capable of inducing the parthenogenesis phenotype to a plant. The invention further provides said mutant gene, isolated nucleic acid molecule, construct or vector comprising the same. Also, the invention provides for a method to produce a parthenogenetic plant comprising the mutant gene, and the parthenogenetic plant thus obtained.