RGA Nucleic Acids for OWBM Resistance in Wheat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling orange wheat blossom midge (OWBM) in wheat crops, such as chemical pesticides and biological controls, are either ineffective or have limitations, and there is a need for genetic resistance mechanisms that can be effectively incorporated into breeding programs to reduce yield losses and infestation.

Innovation Solution

Identification and utilization of nucleic acids encoding Resistance Gene Analogs (RGAs) like RGA 1 and RGA 2, which confer resistance to OWBM, allowing for the development of transgenic plants with improved or newly conferred resistance through genetic modification and marker-assisted selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If chemical pesticides (chlorpyrifos) are used to control OWBM, then adult midge and eggs are killed, but larvae within wheat florets are not killed and timing of spray application is critical

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveOWBM infestationVSAvoidcontrol effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the resistance mechanism into multiple genetic components (Sm1 locus and RGAs) that work together to provide comprehensive protection against different life stages of OWBM, rather than relying on a single chemical application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the plant to defend itself against OWBM through genetically encoded resistance mechanisms (Sm1 locus and RGAs) that are constitutively expressed or inducibly activated, eliminating the need for external chemical interventions and their associated timing constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If chlorpyrifos spraying is increased to control OWBM, then adult midge mortality increases, but crop loss reduction is limited and insecticide use is banned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadult midge mortalityVSAvoidcrop loss reduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses naturally occurring genetic sequences (RGAs and Sm1 locus) that are inherently present in the plant genome, replacing expensive and restricted chemical pesticides with sustainable biological resistance mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of resistance from external chemical application to internal genetic expression, utilizing the plant's own molecular machinery to produce resistance proteins that protect against OWBM throughout its life cycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If genetic resistance mechanisms are incorporated into breeding programs, then durable resistance is achieved, but breeding program complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance durabilityVSAvoidbreeding program complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary identification and characterization of resistance genes (Sm1 locus and RGAs) with defined molecular sequences, allowing breeders to use marker-assisted selection to track these known sequences through breeding programs, thereby simplifying the selection process compared to traditional phenotypic screening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses molecular markers linked to the Sm1 locus and RGA sequences as intermediaries to indirectly select for resistance traits during breeding, avoiding the need for complex multi-generation field trials and phenotypic assessment of OWBM resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11873325B2Nucleic acid encoding Sm1 resistance to orange wheat blossom midge and method of use

Publication Date: 2024.01.16 LIMAGRAIN EURO SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to nucleic acids encoding for proteins correlated with the resistance of the Sm1 locus in wheat and uses of these nucleic acids, in particular for conferring or improving resistance to orange wheat blossom midge (OWBM) in a plant.