Soybean Engineered Resistance via Pathogen-Specific Protease Cleavage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for protecting soybean crops from diseases like Asian Soybean Rust and Soybean Cyst Nematode are either time-consuming, costly, or environmentally harmful, and existing genetic engineering techniques have limitations in providing broad-spectrum resistance against multiple pathogens.
Innovation Solution
Development of recombinant nucleic acids encoding modified hypersensitive response substrate proteins with heterologous cleavage sites specific to target pathogens, which trigger a localized immune response when recognized by pathogen-specific proteases, enhancing resistance to specific plant pathogens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional breeding methods are used to develop disease resistance, then resistance can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and requires continuous effort to maintain resistance as pathogens evolve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces engineered substrate proteins with specific cleavage sites into the plant genome beforehand, so that when the corresponding pathogen infects, the immune response is immediately triggered. This preliminary genetic modification eliminates the need for time-consuming conventional breeding cycles to develop resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the molecular parameters of substrate proteins by engineering specific cleavage sites that match pathogen proteases. This molecular-level parameter change enables precise pathogen recognition and immune activation, providing rapid and reliable resistance without traditional breeding time delays
2Reliability
If chemical fungicides are used to control Asian Soybean Rust, then disease incidence can be reduced, but costs increase and harmful effects on the ecosystem occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the pathogen's own proteases, which are harmful tools for infection, into beneficial triggers for immune activation. The engineered substrate proteins are specifically designed to be cleaved by pathogen proteases, transforming the pathogen's attack mechanism into a signal for plant defense
Solution Approach 2:
The plant's immune system is engineered to activate automatically upon pathogen detection through protease-mediated cleavage of substrate proteins. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external chemical interventions, reducing both costs and ecological harm while maintaining reliable disease control
3Reliability
If existing genetic engineering techniques are used, then some resistance can be achieved, but broad-spectrum resistance against multiple pathogens is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal immune system platform where engineered substrate proteins with different cleavage sites can recognize multiple pathogen types. By designing substrate proteins that target conserved proteases across different pathogen groups (such as cysteine proteases in fungi and nematodes), the system achieves broad-spectrum resistance while maintaining reliable protection
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 substrate proteins confer increased resistance to target pathogens by activating a hypersensitive response in plants, reducing disease symptoms and yield loss, and can be specifically engineered for Basidiomycete or Nematoda species, offering a more effective and sustainable disease control method.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one substrate protein has a pathogen-specific heterologous cleavage site and cleavage of the heterologous cleavage site by the protease of the target pathogen confers resistance to the target plant pathogen species
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides compositions, systems, and methods for conferring resistance to plant pathogens that express pathogen-specific proteases. Compositions of the invention may include a recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes at least one substrate protein of a plant pathogen-specific protease expressed by a Phakopsora or Heterodera plant pathogen species. Additionally, the at least one substrate protein has a Phakopsora-specific or Heterodera-specific heterologous cleavage site, wherein cleavage of the cleavage site confers improved resistance to the Phakopsora or Heterodera plant pathogen species.