SDP1 Homeolog Segmentation for Seed Yield and Oil Content
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively increase vegetable oil production per acre without reducing seed yield or oil content, as they either focus on higher seed yield or higher oil content at the expense of the other, and struggle with modulating TAG production and degradation rates in oilseed crops.
Innovation Solution
Genetically modified plants are developed with specific modifications to the SUGAR-DEPENDENT1 (SDP1) gene, expressing 20-80% of SDP1 triacylglycerol lipase activity, and optionally including modifications to SDP1-LIKE and TRANSPARENT TESTA2 genes, using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to enhance seed yield and oil content without impairing overall seed production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If methods focus on higher seed yield, then seed yield increases, but oil content decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the SDP1 gene into two homeologs (SDP1-1 and SDP1-2) and applies different mutation strategies to each. SDP1-1 is mutated to reduce TAG degradation activity, while SDP1-2 is kept wild-type or partially mutated. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each homeolog's function to simultaneously improve seed yield and maintain oil content.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the activity parameter of SDP1 triacylglycerol lipase from 100% (wild-type) to 20-80% (partially mutated) by introducing specific mutations (e.g., D168N, G201R) that reduce but do not eliminate enzymatic activity. This parameter change optimizes the balance between TAG degradation (affecting seed yield) and TAG accumulation (affecting oil content).
2Quantity of substance
If methods focus on higher oil content, then oil content increases, but seed yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting SDP1 into homeologs and differentially mutating them, the invention prevents complete loss of SDP1 function which would harm seed yield. The wild-type or partially mutated SDP1-2 homeolog maintains sufficient TAG degradation activity for normal seed development while SDP1-1 mutation reduces excessive degradation, thereby increasing oil content without severely impacting seed yield.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely inactivating SDP1 (excessive action), the invention applies partial mutation to reduce SDP1 activity to 20-80% of wild-type levels. This partial action is sufficient to increase oil content by reducing TAG degradation while maintaining enough activity to support normal seed development and yield.
3Quantity of substance
If SDP1 activity is completely reduced, then oil content increases, but seed development is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments SDP1 function across two homeologs where only one (SDP1-1) is completely or partially mutated, while the other (SDP1-2) remains wild-type or partially mutated. This segmentation ensures that sufficient SDP1 activity is maintained through the functional homeolog to support proper seed development, germination, and oil mobilization, while the mutated homeolog contributes to increased oil content during seed filling.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies partial mutation rather than complete inactivation, maintaining 20-80% of wild-type SDP1 activity. This partial action level is carefully optimized to increase oil content while preserving enough enzymatic function to ensure reliable seed development, germination, and overall plant health.
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 genetically modified plants exhibit a significant increase in seed yield, up to 40% or more, while maintaining or increasing oil content, thereby enhancing vegetable oil production per harvestable acre without yield reduction.
Implementation Method 1
using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to enhance seed yield and oil content without impairing overall seed production
Data Source
AI summary
A genetically modified plant that exhibits an increase in seed yield relative to a progenitor plant is disclosed. The genetically modified plant includes (a) a first homeolog of the SUGAR-DEPENDENT1 (SDP1) gene being homozygous for a wild-type allele; and (b) a second homeolog of the SDP1 gene being homozygous for a mutant allele. The wild-type allele encodes an active SDP1 triacylglycerol lipase and is identical to an allele of the first homeolog from the progenitor plant. The mutant allele does not encode an active SDP1 triacylglycerol lipase and includes one or more additions, deletions, or substitutions of one or more nucleotides relative to an allele of the second homeolog from the progenitor plant. The genetically modified plant expresses about 20% to 80% of SDP1 triacylglycerol lipase activity in seeds relative to the progenitor. The increase in seed yield is at least 10%.