Soybean Seed Protein Content via Gene Expression Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current soybean breeding techniques fail to consistently produce seeds with high protein and oil content, limiting the value of soybean crops.
Innovation Solution
Genomic modifications, such as deletions, insertions, or substitutions in the reticulon-like and trehalose-6-phosphate synthase genes, are introduced to reduce the expression of specific polypeptides, resulting in soybean seeds with increased protein and oil content, achieved through targeted DNA editing and transformation methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional soybean breeding techniques are used, then breeding process is simple and cost-effective, but seed protein and oil content cannot be consistently increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying specific genetic parameters (reticulon-like gene and trehalose-6-phosphate synthase gene) to alter the biochemical composition of soybean seeds. By changing the expression levels of these specific genes, the patent achieves consistent increases in seed protein and oil content that cannot be obtained through conventional breeding, directly resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple breeding processes and achieving improved seed composition.
2Quantity of substance
If genomic modifications are introduced to increase protein content, then seed protein and oil content increase, but genetic modification complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by identifying and isolating specific target genes (reticulon-like gene and trehalose-6-phosphate synthase gene) that control seed protein and oil content. By focusing genomic modifications on these extracted specific genetic elements rather than attempting comprehensive genome-wide modifications, the patent reduces the overall complexity of the genomic modification process while achieving the desired increase in seed protein and oil content.
3Quantity of substance
If reticulon-like and trehalose-6-phosphate synthase gene expression is suppressed, then seed protein and oil content increase, but seed composition balance may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively suppressing the expression of specific genes (reticulon-like and trehalose-6-phosphate synthase) in particular contexts while maintaining normal expression of other genes involved in seed composition. This localized genetic modification approach allows the patent to increase seed protein and oil content without disrupting the overall balance and stability of seed composition, as only specific metabolic pathways are altered rather than the entire seed development system.
Data Source
AI summary
Soybean seeds with increased protein, oil or protein plus oil and having a modified expression of a reticulon-like polypeptide, modified expression of a trehalose-6-phosphate synthase polypeptide, or modified expression of both sequences are provided. Methods for modifying expression of reticulon-like polypeptides and polynucleotides and trehalose-6-phosphate synthase polypeptides and polynucleotides include genome editing to modify the transcription regulatory region or sequence encoding the reticulon-like and trehalose-6-phosphate synthase polypeptides and transformation with recombinant DNA constructs to enhance or suppress expression.