PSTOL1 Gene Editing for Enhanced Root Architecture and Yield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for improving crop and horticultural plant yield are limited by the plants' capacity to absorb water and nutrients, necessitating enhanced root system architecture for optimized nutrient and water acquisition.
Innovation Solution
Modifying the endogenous Ser-Thr protein kinase gene, specifically the PHOSPHOROUS STARVATION TOLERANCE 1 (PSTOL1) gene, through targeted editing to enhance root architecture, including methods such as CRISPR-Cas systems and nucleic acid editing to introduce mutations that stabilize the PSTOL1 polypeptide, thereby improving root traits like steeper angles, increased branches, and root biomass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If natural selection and artificial selection are used to improve root architecture, then yield improvement is achieved, but the capacity to absorb water and nutrients remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the PSTOL1 gene to alter the stability parameter of the protein, creating a non-degradable form that accumulates to higher levels. This parameter change in protein stability directly enhances the plant's capacity to absorb water and nutrients, thereby resolving the contradiction between yield improvement and absorption capacity limitation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a modified copy of the endogenous PSTOL1 gene with specific mutations that prevent degradation. This copied and modified gene is introduced into the plant genome to produce stabilized protein versions that naturally occur in wild relatives but are enhanced for stability in the target crop, thereby improving nutrient and water absorption capacity
2Stability of the object's composition
If the PSTOL1 polypeptide is made stable through mutation, then root architecture is enhanced, but the protein degradation pathway is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies PEST motifs in the PSTOL1 protein that normally target it for degradation as harmful elements. By mutating these motifs, the patent converts the protein's natural degradation pathway from a harmful process (limiting protein function) into a beneficial modification (creating stable, accumulated protein that enhances root architecture and nutrient absorption)
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The modified root architecture enhances yield traits, including improved yield under stress conditions, with increased root biomass, steeper angles, and enhanced nutrient uptake, resulting in higher yield and stress resilience.
Implementation Method 1
a CRISPR-Cas effector protein; a guide nucleic acid having a spacer sequence with complementarity to an endogenous PHOSPHOROUS STARVATION TOLERANCE 1 (PSTOL1) gene
Implementation Method 2
a cytidine deaminase or adenosine deaminase
Implementation Method 3
enhanced root system architecture for optimized nutrient and water acquisition
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to compositions and methods for modifying root architecture in a plant through modification of an endogenous Ser-Thr protein kinase gene, such as endogenous PHOSPHOROUS STARVATION TOLERANCE 1 (PSTOL1) nucleic acids. The invention further relates to plants produced using the methods and compositions of the invention.