NCR2 Peptide Engineering for Broad-Spectrum Pathogen Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antimicrobial agents fail to effectively control multiple plant pathogens and can lead to microbial resistance, necessitating new agents with diverse modes of action.
Innovation Solution
Development of recombinant and edited polynucleotides encoding NCR peptides with specific amino acid sequences or variants, which are integrated into plant genomes to produce peptides with enhanced antimicrobial activity against a range of pathogens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing antimicrobial agents are used to control plant pathogens, then some specific pathogens can be controlled, but the agents fail to effectively control multiple plant pathogens and lead to microbial resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops NCR peptides with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity that can control multiple plant pathogens including fungi, oomycetes, and bacteria simultaneously. The peptides are designed to target multiple microbial types through their cationic and hydrophobic properties, enabling a single agent to perform multiple pathogen control functions rather than requiring separate agents for each pathogen type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies peptide parameters including increasing net positive charge (basic amino acid content) and hydrophobicity through specific amino acid substitutions. These parameter changes enhance the peptides' ability to interact with microbial membranes and improve antimicrobial efficacy across diverse pathogen types while maintaining stability against proteolytic degradation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If defensins with conserved γ-core motif are used, then structural stability is maintained, but antimicrobial activity varies and may not provide sufficient broad-spectrum protection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies specific local regions of the defensin structure, particularly the γ-core motif and N-terminal region, while maintaining the overall fold. Local substitutions of basic and hydrophobic amino acids at specific positions enhance antimicrobial activity and broaden spectrum without disrupting the global structural stability provided by the conserved disulfide bonds and β-sheet architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite peptide structures combining elements of classical defensins with NCR peptide characteristics, including increased basic amino acid content and specific hydrophobic residues. This composite approach integrates the structural stability of defensins with the enhanced antimicrobial properties of NCR peptides, achieving both stability and broad-spectrum activity.
3Productivity
If antimicrobial peptides are applied to control plant pathogens, then crop protection is improved, but the peptides may be degraded by endoproteinases reducing their effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs peptides with predetermined resistance to endoproteinase degradation through strategic amino acid substitutions at potential cleavage sites. By preemptively modifying susceptible residues before degradation can occur, the peptides maintain their integrity and antimicrobial activity for extended periods in the plant environment, ensuring sustained crop protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates peptides that are inherently stable against degradation rather than relying on continuous application or protective formulations. The engineered resistance to endoproteinases allows the peptides to function as durable, long-lasting protective agents that do not require frequent replenishment, effectively transitioning from short-lived to persistent action.
Data Source
AI summary
Antimicrobial nodule specific cysteine rich (NCR2) peptides and proteins are disclosed along with compositions comprising the NCR2 peptides or NCR2 proteins and transgenic or genetically edited plants or microorganisms that express the NCR2 peptides or proteins to inhibit growth of pathogenic microbes. Such NCR2 peptides, proteins, compositions, plants, and microorganisms can provide for inhibition of fungal and oomycete growth.