Description:
Reference #: 00212
The University of South Carolina is offering licensing opportunities for this technology
Invention Description:
The subject invention defines the rgs-CaM sequence and resulting gene product sequence. rgs-CaM inhibits cosuppression thereby allowing an increase in expression of target genes. It is also possible however to use rgs-CaM to enhance the suppression pathway and stabilize the silenced version which is beneficial to prevent the production of undesirable gene products.
Like prior inventions by the same inventor (ID#126 and 211), this technique enables the researcher to manipulate the plants’ immune system in order to produce gene products with increased speed, efficiency, and quantity. Target genes of interest include those encoding agronomic (pertaining to field-crop production and soil management) traits, insect resistance, sterility, grain characteristics, and the like. The genes may be involved in metabolism of oil, starch, carbohydrates, nutrients, etc.
Potential Applications:
The methods can be used to produce peptides or proteins that cannot effectively be expressed in mammalian systems because the protein interferes with cell viability, cell proliferation, cellular differentiation, or protein assembly in mammalian cells. Such proteins include but are not limited to retinoblastoma protein, p53, angiostatin and leptin. Proteins, hormones, growth factors, cytokines, insulin, growth hormone, interferon, serum albumin, hemoglobin, collagen, et al. could be produced. When used to maintain suppression, the degree of reduction may be partial or total reduction in production of the encoded gene product. In summary, the technique could be used to suppress any undesirable protein product.
Advantages and Benefits:
Generally, expression of the target sequence (gene of interest) is increased at least about 25-50%, preferably about 50-100%, more preferably about 100% - 200% and greater without any observable (to the naked eye) negative effects on the plant.