Wheat Stem Rust Resistance Gene Sr33

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wheat varieties lack effective resistance to the Ug99 group of races of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, a major threat to global food security due to the virulence of Ug99 on previously durable resistance genes like Sr31, necessitating the development of new resistance mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A transgenic plant is developed with an integrated exogenous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide, specifically the Sr33 polypeptide, which confers resistance to Puccinia graminis by incorporating a coiled coil, nucleotide binding, and leucine rich repeat domain, providing enhanced resistance compared to isogenic plants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wheat varieties use previously durable resistance genes like Sr31, then resistance to stem rust is maintained for extended periods, but the resistance becomes vulnerable to virulent races like Ug99 that can overcome these genes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability of resistanceVSAvoideffectiveness against new pathogen races
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple resistance genes (Sr31 and Sr56) into a single genetic stack to create complementary resistance. Sr31 provides recognition of avrSr31 effector while Sr56 provides recognition of avrSr56 effector, creating a layered defense system where the plant can detect and respond to multiple different pathogen effectors simultaneously, thereby maintaining both durability and broad-spectrum effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The resistance mechanism functions as a composite system integrating multiple R gene products (Sr31 and Sr56) that work together to provide enhanced protection. Like composite materials in engineering, this genetic composite combines different resistance specificities to create a more robust and versatile defense against diverse pathogen races including Ug99.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If wheat varieties rely on a single R gene for resistance, then the genetic structure remains simple and易于 breeding, but the resistance coverage against diverse pathogen effectors is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of breedingVSAvoidresistance coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple R genes into a single genetic construct that can be transferred together as one unit. This stacked resistance gene approach maintains breeding simplicity by treating the combined Sr31-Sr56 resistance system as a single selectable trait, while simultaneously achieving broad-spectrum resistance coverage against multiple pathogen effectors through the combined action of both R genes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3004356B1Wheat stem rust resistance gene
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 COMMONWEALTH SCI & IND RES ORG
  • EP3004356B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(f)
  • EP3004356B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3004356B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a transgenic plant which has integrated into its genome an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide which confers resistance to Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, such as the Ug99 group of races Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici. In an embodiment, the polynucleotide is the Sr33 gene from Aegilops tauschii.