Methods of improving drought and salt resistance in a plant and genetically engineered plants with improved drought and salt resistance
Inventors
Xie, Meng • Chen, Jin-Gui • Muchero, Wellington • Pan, Chongle • Close, Daniel M. • Gee, Emily B. • Yao, Qiuming
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12264320-B2
Publication Date
2025-04-01
Expiration Date
2040-08-26
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides methods for increasing drought resistance, salt resistance, and biomass production of a plant. The methods encompass expression of DiGeorge-Syndrome Critical Region 14 (DGCR14) gene in the plant. In comparison to a plant not manipulated in this manner, the disclosed, genetically-modified, plants display improved drought resistance and salt resistance. Also provided are plants that can be obtained by the method according to the invention, and nucleic acid vectors to be used in the described methods.
Core Innovation
The invention pertains to methods for increasing drought resistance, salt resistance, and biomass production in plants by expressing a DiGeorge-Syndrome Critical Region 14 (DGCR14) gene, or a homolog thereof, within the plant. These methods involve incorporating an exogenous nucleic acid encoding DGCR14 that is under the control of a heterologous promoter, resulting in genetically modified plants, plant cells, or tissues that exhibit improved drought and salt resistance compared to unmodified counterparts.
The genetically modified plants can express DGCR14 gene derived from plant or mammalian sources, including Arabidopsis, poplar, barrelclover, human, mouse, cat, dog, monkey, or bat, with at least 90% sequence identity or homology to designated reference sequences. The expression can be achieved by stable or transient genetic transformation, with the gene stably integrated into the genome in certain embodiments, and covers both monocot and dicot species across a wide range of genera.
The problem addressed by the invention is the significant impact of salt and drought stress on plant growth and crop productivity, where complex gene expression changes and splicing mechanisms govern adaptive responses to high salt and limited water environments. Conventional methods have not identified or utilized DGCR14 for this purpose, despite its conserved function across kingdoms, making this approach novel in enhancing abiotic stress tolerance in plants.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains two independent claims, one for a genetically modified plant and one for a method of improving drought and salt resistance in plants. The inventive features address the genetic engineering of plants with an exogenous DGCR14 gene under a heterologous promoter to enhance drought and salt resistance.
Genetically modified plant expressing DGCR14 gene with TWG motif
A genetically modified plant, plant cell, or plant tissue in which an exogenous nucleic acid comprising a DiGeorge-Syndrome Critical Region 14 (DGCR14) gene is expressed. The DGCR14 gene encodes a protein that includes a TWG amino acid motif and an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 16, or SEQ ID NO: 18. The gene is regulated by a heterologous promoter, and its expression confers improved drought and salt resistance to the plant, plant cell, or tissue.
Method of improving plant drought and salt resistance by expressing DGCR14
A method to improve drought and salt resistance in a plant, plant cell, or plant tissue by expressing a DGCR14 gene from an exogenous nucleic acid. The DGCR14 gene must encode a protein comprising a TWG amino acid motif and an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 16, or SEQ ID NO: 18, under the control of a heterologous promoter.
The inventive features are the engineering of plants to express a DGCR14 gene with a TWG motif under a heterologous promoter for improved stress tolerance, and the corresponding method of introducing such genetic modifications to enhance drought and salt resistance.
Stated Advantages
Provides plants with increased drought and salt resistance compared to control plants.
Enhances biomass production in genetically engineered plants grown under drought or salt stress conditions.
Documented Applications
Improvement of drought and salt resistance in plants across a wide variety of crop and plant species by genetic modification.
Generation of engineered plants that produce more biomass and/or plant product under conditions of low water availability or high soil salinity.
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