The Outlook for Protein Engineering in Crop Improvement

Rao, A. Gururaj

doi:10.1104/pp.108.117929

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…Meanwhile, conventional transformation technology based on information from comparative genomics and protein engineering in crops remains a powerful tool in the field of molecular breeding. Agronomical traits such as herbicide tolerance, stress tolerance, and photosynthetic activity have been modified successfully in several crops using conventional transformation technologies that depend on overexpression of modified, highly functional enzymes (Rao, 2008). Moreover, conventional transformation technology is also essential for introducing exogenous genes that do not exist naturally in target plants, e.g.…”

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confidence: 99%

Application of Gene Targeting to Designed Mutation Breeding of High-Tryptophan Rice

et al. 2011

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Site-directed mutagenesis via gene targeting (GT) based on homologous recombination is the ultimate mutation breeding technology because it enables useful information acquired from structural-and computational-based protein engineering to be applied directly to molecular breeding, including metabolic engineering, of crops. Here, we employed this rationale to introduce precise mutations in OASA2-an a-subunit of anthranilate synthase that is a key enzyme of tryptophan (Trp) biosynthesis in rice (Oryza sativa)-via GT, with subsequent selection of GT cells using a Trp analog. The expression level of OASA2 in plants homozygous and heterozygous for modified OASA2 was similar to that of nontransformants, suggesting that OASA2 transcription in GT plants was controlled in the same manner as endogenous OASA2, and that GT could lead to a lower risk of gene silencing than in conventional overexpression approaches. Moreover, we showed that enzymatic properties deduced from protein engineering or in vitro analysis could be reproduced in GT plants as evidenced by Trp accumulation levels. Interestingly, mature seeds of homozygous GT plants accumulated Trp levels 230-fold higher than in nontransformants without any apparent morphological or developmental changes. Thus, we have succeeded in producing a novel rice plant of great potential nutritional benefit for both man and livestock that could not have been selected using conventional mutagenesis approaches. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of directed crop improvement by combining precision mutagenesis via GT with a knowledge of protein engineering.Comparative genomics and structural-and computational-based protein engineering provide copious amounts of useful information that can be applied to crop improvement. In conventional mutation breeding technology using chemical mutagens and ionizing radiation, it remains quite difficult to select mutants harboring target genes modified exactly as required, because mutations occur randomly. Meanwhile, conventional transformation technology based on information from comparative genomics and protein engineering in crops remains a powerful tool in the field of molecular breeding. Agronomical traits such as herbicide tolerance, stress tolerance, and photosynthetic activity have been modified successfully in several crops using conventional transformation technologies that depend on overexpression of modified, highly functional enzymes (Rao, 2008). Moreover, conventional transformation technology is also essential for introducing exogenous genes that do not exist naturally in target plants, e.g. for the production of recombinant proteins. However, mutational approaches are considered better than conventional transformation approaches when introducing directed mutations into endogenous genes to confer novel traits to crops, because conventional transformation technologies cannot eliminate the endogenous targeted gene itself. Thus, a clear goal of current mutation breeding is to modify targeted endogenous genes directly to yield the ...

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confidence: 99%

Application of Gene Targeting to Designed Mutation Breeding of High-Tryptophan Rice

et al. 2011

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“…Rao and Shewry in 2009 reviewed newer techniques of plant protein design including combinetorics, gene shuffling and rational design using site specific mutagenesis [65]. These methods have led to improvement in seed storage proteins and their expression in plants [65, 66]. The level of synthesis of such proteins will be dependent on in situ availability of an adequate pool of free amino acids, itself a complex problem.…”

Section: Single Component Targets Of Enhanced Nutritional Valuementioning

confidence: 99%

Elevating optimal human nutrition to a central goal of plant breeding and production of plant-based foods

et al. 2009

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High-yielding cereals and other staples have produced adequate calories to ward off starvation for much of the world over several decades. However, deficiencies in certain amino acids, minerals, vitamins and fatty acids in staple crops, and animal diets derived from them, have aggravated the problem of malnutrition and the increasing incidence of certain chronic diseases in nominally well-nourished people (the so-called diseases of civilization). Enhanced global nutrition has great potential to reduce acute and chronic disease, the need for health care, the cost of health care, and to increase educational attainment, economic productivity and the quality of life. However, nutrition is currently not an important driver of most plant breeding efforts, and there are only a few well-known efforts to breed crops that are adapted to the needs of optimal human nutrition. Technological tools are available to greatly enhance the nutritional value of our staple crops. However, enhanced nutrition in major crops might only be achieved if nutritional traits are introduced in tandem with important agronomic yield drivers, such as resistance to emerging pests or diseases, to drought and salinity, to herbicides, parasitic plants, frost or heat. In this way we might circumvent a natural tendency for high yield and low production cost to effectively select against the best human nutrition. Here we discuss the need and means for agriculture, food processing, food transport, sociology, nutrition and medicine to be integrated into new approaches to food production with optimal human nutrition as a principle goal.

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“…There are three widely used methods for gene alteration: directed evolution, rational design, and semi-rational design [5,6]. Directed evolution is the alteration of a gene through rounds of mutagenesis without or little knowledge of the structural information.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Protein structure determination as a powerful tool for the sustainable development of agriculture field (and its potential relevance in Indonesia)

Koesoema

2022

IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci.

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Traditional agricultural practices, such as classical plant breeding and pest management, have been utilized for many years to increase crop yield and improve its properties. However, more effective and sustainable practices are needed to meet the increasing global demands for agricultural-based products. In the past decades, DNA recombinant technology, and protein structure determination have been employed as a tool for the development of the agricultural field. Protein structure determination enables us to understand the structure-function relationship of a given protein, such as plant hormone, receptor, or growth regulators, thus introducing modifications to improve the properties of the crop. This review introduces the latest development of protein structure determination techniques ranging from X-ray crystallography, protein NMR, and cryo-electron microscopy. Notable examples of how these techniques can be utilized as a powerful tool for the sustainable development of the agricultural field, including their potential relevance in Indonesia, are introduced.

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The Outlook for Protein Engineering in Crop Improvement

Cited by 11 publications

References 71 publications

Application of Gene Targeting to Designed Mutation Breeding of High-Tryptophan Rice

Application of Gene Targeting to Designed Mutation Breeding of High-Tryptophan Rice

Elevating optimal human nutrition to a central goal of plant breeding and production of plant-based foods

Protein structure determination as a powerful tool for the sustainable development of agriculture field (and its potential relevance in Indonesia)

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