Plant EPSPS A138T Mutation Glyphosate Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for cultivating glyphosate-resistant crops rely on transgenic approaches using genes from microorganisms, which face public acceptance issues and limited application in various crops due to the dominance of the CP4 EPSPS gene from Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

Innovation Solution

Development of a plant EPSPS mutant with an A138T mutation, along with its encoding gene and vector, to create glyphosate-resistant plants, allowing for direct transformation or genome editing in crops like rice, corn, and wheat, enhancing biological safety and public acceptance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If transgenic methods using microbial EPSPS genes (e.g., CP4 EPSPS) are used to cultivate glyphosate-resistant crops, then glyphosate resistance is achieved, but public acceptance is reduced and application scope is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglyphosate resistanceVSAvoidapplication scope in different crops

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the amino acid sequence of plant-derived EPSPS at specific positions (e.g., A138T mutation corresponding to position 155 in rice EPSPS) to enhance glyphosate resistance. This allows the use of plant-based genes with altered parameters rather than introducing foreign microbial genes, thereby improving public acceptance while maintaining effectiveness across multiple crop types including rice, corn, and wheat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If transgenic methods using microbial EPSPS genes are used, then glyphosate resistance is achieved, but public acceptance and biological safety concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglyphosate resistanceVSAvoidpublic acceptance and safety concerns

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the copying principle by taking the native plant EPSPS gene sequence as a template and creating mutated versions through site-directed mutagenesis. Instead of copying from foreign microbial sources, the invention copies and modifies the plant's own gene, producing variants like the A138T mutant that maintain compatibility with plant physiology while conferring glyphosate resistance, thus eliminating safety concerns associated with transgenic microbial genes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by instead of introducing foreign microbial EPSPS genes into plants, it modifies the plants' native EPSPS genes. This inversion strategy uses plant-derived sequences as the starting material rather than bacterial or archaeal sequences, fundamentally changing the source and nature of the resistance gene to improve public acceptance and perceived safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If CP4 EPSPS gene is widely used, then glyphosate-resistant crops are successfully cultivated, but the method becomes dominated by a single gene source limiting diversity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearea of planted transgenic cropsVSAvoiddiversity of gene sources

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent demonstrates universality by developing a platform approach where the plant-derived EPSPS mutation strategy (e.g., A138T mutation) can be applied across multiple plant species and crop types. The mutated gene sequences can serve multiple functions in different agricultural contexts, replacing the need for crop-specific transgenic solutions and enabling diverse applications from rice to corn to wheat with a unified molecular approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11572572B2A138T mutation-containing plant EPSPS mutant, and encoding gene and application thereof

Publication Date: 2023.02.07 SICHUAN GEVOTO BIOTECH CO LTD

AI summary

The invention provides a plant EPSPS mutant (i.e., 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase mutant), which is derived from a plant and is mutated to have glyphosate resistance. Also provided is an encoding gene, which can encode the plant EPSPS mutant. In addition, a vector containing the encoding gene and a cell containing the vector is provided by the invention. Further, a use of the plant EPSPS mutant is provided.