Plant Regulatory Elements for Precise Transgenic Gene Expression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack efficient regulatory elements for modulating gene expression in plants, particularly in transgenic plants, which are essential for modifying plant phenotypes and producing desired agronomic traits.

Innovation Solution

The use of recombinant DNA molecules comprising regulatory elements, such as promoters, leaders, introns, and 3′ untranslated regions, operably linked to heterologous transcribable DNA molecules, to regulate gene expression in transgenic plants, including monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing regulatory elements are used in transgenic plants, then gene expression modulation is limited, but the ability to produce desired agronomic traits is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegene expression modulation capabilityVSAvoidagronomic trait production
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides a collection of regulatory elements (promoters, leaders, introns, 3' UTRs) that can be universally applied to modulate gene expression in transgenic plants. These elements are designed to work with heterologous transcribable DNA molecules, enabling versatile control over different genes and traits simultaneously, thus resolving the contradiction between expression modulation capability and agronomic trait production

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

2Manufacturing precision

If regulatory elements are operably linked to heterologous transcribable DNA molecules, then gene expression control is enhanced, but the complexity of recombinant DNA construction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegene expression control precisionVSAvoidrecombinant DNA construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the gene expression control system into distinct functional segments: promoters (SEQ ID NOs: 1-19), leaders (SEQ ID NOs: 1-19), introns (SEQ ID NOs: 1-19), and 3' UTRs (SEQ ID NOs: 1-20). Each segment can be independently selected and combined with heterologous transcribable DNA molecules, allowing precise control while simplifying the construction process through modular assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If existing regulatory elements are used, then transgenic plant development is straightforward, but the precision of phenotype modification is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransgenic plant development easeVSAvoidphenotype modification precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides regulatory elements with specific functional characteristics: promoters for tissue-specific or inducible expression (SEQ ID NOs: 1-19), leaders for translation efficiency enhancement (SEQ ID NOs: 1-19), introns for expression optimization (SEQ ID NOs: 1-19), and 3' UTRs for mRNA stability control (SEQ ID NOs: 1-20). By selecting appropriate elements for specific applications, precise phenotype modification is achieved while maintaining ease of plant development

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12442011B2Plant regulatory elements and uses thereof
Publication Date: 2025.10.14 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.