Compositions and methods to increase resistance to phytophthora sojae in soybean
Inventors
Ma, Jianxin • Aggarwal, Rajat • Chen, Liyang • Wang, Weidong • Crasta, Oswald • Myrvold, Jonathan
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12577577-B2
Publication Date
2026-03-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
Provided are compositions comprising polynucleotides encoding Rps genes, and soybean plants or soybean seeds comprising the compositions and exhibiting resistance to Phytophthora. Additionally, various methods for employing the polynucleotides to increase resistance to Phytophthora are also provided herein.
Core Innovation
The document describes Rps gene-based genetic constructs and compositions for soybean to increase resistance or tolerance to Phytophthora sojae, including resistance to Phytophthora infection in a soybean plant or a plant grown from soybean seed. The genetic changes increase expression of a polynucleotide encoding an Rps polypeptide with at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2, and increased Phytophthora resistance is stated as compared to a control plant that lacks the targeted genetic modification.
The core approach includes introducing the polynucleotide into cells of the soybean plant or soybean seed by transfection or by introgression, and includes embodiments where the polynucleotide is provided via expression of an exogenous polynucleotide in regenerable plant cells to generate a plant. The document further specifies gene constructs in which a heterologous promoter is operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding the Rps polypeptide with at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2, where the construct provides increased resistance to Phytophthora infection relative to a control plant lacking the gene construct.
The document addresses breeding and identification of resistant progeny by using marker-based detection linked to Rps loci, including Rps11, Rps2b, Rps15, and Rps14, and mapping and candidate gene identification within genomic regions. The described work includes fine-mapping of loci and identification of candidate NBS-LRR genes, and it reports transgenic confirmation showing increased survival and resistance across multiple Phytophthora races or isolates.
Claims Coverage
The relevant independent claims are clm-00001 and clm-00002. Across these independent claims, the coverage centers on two inventive features: a targeted genetic modification that increases expression of an Rps-encoding polynucleotide with at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2, and a gene construct with a heterologous promoter operably linked to that polynucleotide.
Targeted genetic modification increasing expression of an SEQ ID NO: 2-identity polynucleotide for Phytophthora resistance
A soybean plant or soybean seed comprising a targeted genetic modification that increases expression of a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the targeted genetic modification provides increased resistance to Phytophthora infection as compared to a control plant lacking the targeted genetic modification, and wherein the modification comprises introduction of the polynucleotide into cells of the soybean plant or soybean seed by transfection or by introgression.
Gene construct with heterologous promoter linked to an SEQ ID NO: 2-identity polynucleotide providing Phytophthora resistance
A soybean plant or soybean seed comprising a gene construct, said gene construct comprising a heterologous promoter operably linked to a polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein said gene construct provides increased resistance to Phytophthora infection as compared to a control plant lacking said gene construct.
Together, the independent claims cover soybean plants or soybean seed in which an Rps-related polynucleotide with at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2 is provided in a way that increases expression or is linked in a gene construct, and the resulting plants or plants grown from seed show increased resistance to Phytophthora infection versus a control lacking the modification or gene construct.
Stated Advantages
Increased resistance to Phytophthora infection in the soybean plant or a plant grown from the soybean seed compared to a control plant lacking the targeted genetic modification.
Increased resistance to Phytophthora infection provided by a gene construct relative to a control plant lacking the gene construct.
Documented Applications
Use of Rps gene-based genetic constructs and compositions in soybean to increase resistance or tolerance to Phytophthora sojae (PRSR), including increased resistance to Phytophthora infection in transgenic or genome-edited soybean plants.
Marker-based detection of resistant plants and progeny using markers linked to Rps loci, such as Rps11, Rps2b, Rps15, and Rps14, for identifying resistant plants and progeny.
Genomic mapping and identification of candidate NBS-LRR genes within genomic regions associated with Rps loci, including fine-mapping of loci on chromosomes 16 and 3.
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