Polypeptides Against Plant-Pathogenic Fungi via Local Quality
Solution Overview
Problem
Current fungicides are ineffective against plant-pathogenic fungi, leading to significant yield losses and health risks, and existing antimicrobial peptides often have non-specific interactions with biological membranes, causing toxicity and resistance issues.
Innovation Solution
Development of specific polypeptides with at least 12 contiguous amino acid residues, such as those represented by SEQ ID No. 2, which exhibit high sequence homology and are effective against Fusarium and Phytophthora species, potentially used in transgenic plants or as formulations for agricultural applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fungicides (dithiocarbamates, thiuram disulfides, azoles) are used to control plant-pathogenic fungi, then fungal growth is inhibited, but water pollution increases, resistance develops, and non-specific toxicity to beneficial organisms occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the local quality principle by designing polypeptides with specific local amino acid sequences (contiguous 12 amino acids) that are targeted to interact specifically with plant-pathogenic fungi. Unlike conventional fungicides that act non-specifically on all fungi, these polypeptides have localized specific binding regions that recognize and bind to unique structures on plant-pathogenic fungal cells, achieving selective toxicity that spares beneficial organisms and eliminates water pollution concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the chemical nature of fungicidal agents from small-molecule synthetic compounds to polypeptide-based agents with specific amino acid compositions. This fundamental parameter change in molecular structure and biological origin enables the polypeptides to achieve high specificity for plant-pathogenic fungi while being biodegradable and non-persistent in the environment, thereby resolving the contradictions between effectiveness and environmental harm.
2Reliability
If azole fungicides are used to control fungal infections, then fungal growth is inhibited, but resistance selection occurs that reduces effectiveness of medically employed azole antimycotics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by completely changing the chemical class and mechanism of action from conventional azole fungicides to polypeptide-based agents. Instead of using azoles that inhibit lanosterol-14α-demethylase and face resistance issues, the invention uses polypeptides with entirely different modes of action that bind to specific fungal cell structures, thereby avoiding cross-resistance with medical azoles and eliminating the harmful effect of resistance selection.
3Reliability
If high concentrations of fungicides are applied in stock protection to control mycotoxicogenic fungi, then fungal contamination is reduced, but toxicological and hygienic restrictions prevent effective application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing polypeptides with specific amino acid sequences that provide high affinity and specificity for plant-pathogenic fungi. This localized specificity enables the polypeptides to achieve effective fungicidal activity at very low concentrations, far below any toxicological threshold for plants or agricultural products. The specific binding regions in the polypeptides ensure potent action against target fungi without requiring high application rates, thereby resolving the contradiction between control effectiveness and toxicological restrictions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence being identical with at least 12 contiguous amino acid residues of SEQ ID No 2. The polypeptides according to the invention are effective against fungi, especially against fungi causing plant diseases, and against fungi colonizing agricultural products. The invention further discloses processes for preparing such polypeptides, and nucleic acids coding for such polypeptides. In addition, the invention relates to processes and preparations for treating plants using the polypeptides according to the invention, and to the use of the nucleic acids according to the invention for producing crops that are protected against damage from fungi.