Plant Regulatory Elements for Precise Gene Expression Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies in plant molecular biology and genetic engineering lack effective gene regulatory elements that can efficiently modulate gene expression in plants, particularly for traits like herbicide resistance and pest resistance.

Innovation Solution

Development of novel DNA regulatory elements, including promoters, leaders, introns, and 3' untranslated regions, which are operably linked to heterologous transcribable DNA molecules, providing sequences with high sequence identity to specific SEQ ID NOs for enhanced gene-regulatory activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current technologies are used for plant genetic engineering, then existing gene regulatory elements can be utilized, but they lack effectiveness in efficiently modulating gene expression for desired traits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegene expression modulation effectivenessVSAvoidtrait expression level
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the promoter sequence parameters - specifically using promoters with at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:2, and combining them with specific leaders (SEQ ID NO:3), introns (SEQ ID NO:4), and 3' UTRs (SEQ ID NO:5) to optimize gene expression modulation effectiveness and achieve high levels of trait expression

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If regulatory elements with high sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs are used, then gene-regulatory activity is enhanced, but the complexity of selecting and implementing specific sequences increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegene-regulatory activityVSAvoidsequence selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a universal regulatory element combination that can be applied across different transcribable DNA molecules and plant systems. The promoter (SEQ ID NO:2) combined with leader (SEQ ID NO:3), intron (SEQ ID NO:4), and 3' UTR (SEQ ID NO:5) forms a multi-functional module that enhances gene-regulatory activity regardless of the specific transgene being expressed, simplifying implementation across different applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If regulatory elements are operably linked to heterologous transcribable DNA molecules, then control of gene expression in transgenic plants is improved, but the difficulty of constructing recombinant DNA molecules increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegene expression control precisionVSAvoidrecombinant DNA construction ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-optimizing the promoter (SEQ ID NO:2) and its associated leader (SEQ ID NO:3), intron (SEQ ID NO:4), and 3' UTR (SEQ ID NO:5) elements before they are combined with heterologous transcribable DNA molecules. This pre-characterized regulatory module can be directly ligated to various genes of interest, reducing the complexity of constructing recombinant DNA molecules while maintaining precise gene expression control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3462844B1Plant regulatory elements and uses thereof
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

The invention provides recombinant DNA molecules and constructs, as well as their nucleotide sequences, useful for modulating gene expression in plants. The invention also provides transgenic plants, plant cells, plant parts, and seeds comprising the recombinant DNA molecules operably linked to heterologous transcribable DNA molecules, as are methods of their use.