Nematode resistant crops
Inventors
Mitchum, Melissa G. • Replogle, Amy • Wang, Jianying • Wang, Xiaohong • Chen, Shiyan • Lang, Ping • Davis, Eric L. • Baum, Thomas J. • Hussey, Richard S.
Assignees
North Carolina State University • University of Georgia Research Foundation Inc UGARF • Cornell University • Iowa State University Research Foundation Inc ISURF • US Department of Agriculture USDA • University of Missouri St Louis
Publication Number
US-10231383-B2
Publication Date
2019-03-19
Expiration Date
2031-07-13
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Abstract
Methods of inhibiting plant parasitic nematodes, methods of obtaining transgenic plants useful for inhibiting such nematodes, and transgenic plants that are resistant to plant parasitic nematodes through inhibition of plant nematode CLAVATA3/ESR (CLE) peptide receptor genes are provided. Methods for expressing genes at plant parasitic nematode feeding sites with plant nematode CLE peptide receptor gene promoters are also provided, along with nematode CLE peptide receptor gene promoters that are useful for expressing genes in nematode feeding sites as well as transgenic plants and nematode resistant transgenic plants comprising the promoters.
Core Innovation
Plant-parasitic nematodes establish intimate parasitic relationships with host plants, mainly attacking plant roots and causing significant crop damage globally. These sedentary endoparasitic nematodes form specialized feeding sites by reprogramming host root cells into syncytia, which serve as their permanent nutrient source. Plant-parasitic cyst nematodes secrete CLAVATA3/ESR (CLE)-like effector proteins that mimic plant CLE peptides and are essential for successful infection.
The invention identifies that nematode CLE peptide perception and signaling occur through specific plant receptor genes analogous to known plant CLE peptide receptors, including CLAVATA1-like, CLAVATA2-like (CLV2-like), BAM1-like, BAM2-like, CORYNE-like (CRN-like), ACR4-like, ERECTA-like (ER-like), and ERECTA-LIKE2-like (ERL2-like) genes. Inhibiting the expression or function of these plant nematode CLE peptide receptor genes reduces nematode infection and syncytium size, thereby conferring resistance to plant parasitic nematodes and improving plant yield and quality.
Furthermore, promoters derived from these receptor genes, such as the BAM1 promoter, are useful for expressing heterologous genes specifically at nematode feeding sites. Such promoters enable targeted expression of gene products that inhibit nematode parasitism, including siRNAs or artificial microRNAs directed against nematode genes or inhibitory plant genes affecting syncytium formation and maintenance. Thus, the invention provides methods to obtain transgenic plants with reduced expression of plant nematode CLE peptide receptor genes and plants expressing inhibitory gene products at nematode feeding sites, resulting in nematode resistance.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes multiple independent claims centered on methods to inhibit nematode damage in potato and soybean plants via modulation of CLV2-like genes, encompassing genetic modifications and RNA interference to reduce gene expression, thereby conferring nematode resistance.
Method for inhibiting nematode damage in potato plants by reducing CLV2-like gene expression
Introducing one or more non-natural mutations or expressing RNAi against the endogenous potato CLV2-like gene (SEQ ID NO: 11) to reduce its expression, thereby inhibiting plant parasitic nematode damage in potato plants.
Harvesting products from genetically modified potato plants
After applying the method to reduce CLV2-like gene expression, harvesting plant products such as leaves, stems, flowers, seeds, roots, or tubers, with increased yield and/or quality compared to control plants lacking the modifications.
Method for inhibiting nematode damage in soybean plants via CLV2-like gene silencing
Introducing one or more non-natural mutations or expressing RNAi targeting the endogenous soybean CLV2-like genes (SEQ ID NO: 35 or SEQ ID NO: 50), thereby reducing expression and inhibiting plant parasitic nematode damage in soybean plants.
Harvesting products from genetically modified soybean plants
Post-treatment with the method to reduce soybean CLV2-like gene expression, harvesting plant products such as leaves, stems, flowers, seeds, roots, or tubers, resulting in increased yield and/or quality relative to unmodified control plants.
The claims focus on genetic approaches to reduce or silence expression of endogenous CLV2-like genes in potato and soybean plants, through non-natural mutations or RNAi strategies, to confer resistance against plant parasitic nematodes, particularly cyst nematodes like Globodera spp. and Heterodera spp., with subsequent enhanced crop product yield and quality.
Stated Advantages
Inhibition of plant nematode CLE peptide receptor genes leads to reduced nematode infection and smaller syncytia, improving plant yield and product quality.
Use of specific promoters allows targeted gene expression at nematode feeding sites, increasing effectiveness and limiting unnecessary gene expression elsewhere in the plant.
The genetic modifications provide resistance to economically important cyst nematodes such as Heterodera and Globodera species, which cause significant crop losses.
Documented Applications
Generating transgenic potato and soybean plants resistant to plant parasitic nematodes by reducing expression of endogenous nematode CLE peptide receptor genes.
Expressing heterologous genes at nematode feeding sites using promoters derived from plant nematode CLE peptide receptor genes to inhibit nematode parasitism.
Methodologies applicable to monocot and dicot crop plants including tobacco, cereal, sugar beet, cotton, fruit, fiber, oilseed, potato, rice, corn, soybean, vegetable, and wheat plants.
Control of nematode species including Heterodera and Globodera spp., especially affecting potato and soybean crops.
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