Perilla-derived WRI1 gene for increasing plant TAG content and its uses

Technology for Increasing TAG Content in Plants Using Perilla-Derived WRI1 Genes

This technology increases TAG content by introducing and overexpressing the WRI1 transcription factor protein isolated from perilla seeds and its coding gene into plant cells via a recombinant vector. It can be utilized in the form of transgenic plants, seeds, and compositions for increasing TAG content.

While metabolic engineering research has aimed to increase TAG, the primary component of vegetable oil, existing WRI1 genes have focused on model plants like Arabidopsis, limiting the options for genetic resources applicable to oil crops. As demand for fossil fuel alternatives grows, there has been a lack of new regulatory factors to boost seed oil productivity.

This technology identifies perilla-derived WRI1A and WRI1B, which share less than 50% sequence homology with existing WRI1 proteins, and confirms that TAG content significantly increases in tissues where they are overexpressed. It can be applied to the breeding of oil crops like rapeseed and soybean and the production of vegetable oil for biodiesel, expanding the supply base for renewable edible and industrial oils.

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Key Features:

• Perilla-derived WRI1 protein consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4, and the gene encoding it
• Recombinant vector containing the perilla WRI1 gene and plant cells transformed with the recombinant vector
• Steps of transforming plant cells to overexpress the WRI1 gene and regenerating transgenic plants to produce plants with increased TAG content
• Composition for increasing plant TAG content containing the perilla-derived WRI1 protein-coding gene as an active ingredient

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This invention was developed with support from the Rural Development Administration's project to develop technology for enhancing crop seed oil content through metabolic network regulation.

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