BnaCIPK9 homoeologs mediate the dosage-dependent regulation of seed oil in allotetraploid Brassica napus L.
Wang N, Tang J, Hou X, Quan C, Mai J
Crispr
PubMedHigher-oil canola means more vegetable oil produced per acre, which could help keep cooking oil affordable and reduce the land needed to meet global food demand.
Canola plants have multiple copies of a gene that acts like a dial controlling how much oil accumulates in their seeds. Researchers used a precise gene-editing tool to turn these copies on and off, proving that the more active copies a plant has, the more oil it produces. They also found a naturally occurring 'lucky' version of this gene on one chromosome that is linked to especially high oil content — a discovery that breeders can now use to select better canola varieties.
Key Findings
CRISPR knockout of BnaCIPK9 homoeologs reduced seed oil content in a dosage-dependent manner, confirming these genes collectively regulate oil accumulation.
The haplotype hap.qCIPK9.A10.0 on chromosome A10 was identified as a superior natural variant strongly associated with elevated seed oil content.
Population genomic analysis showed intensified selection on the chromosome A10 copy of CIPK9, indicating it has been a target of adaptive evolution in the Brassica lineage.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Scientists identified a gene in rapeseed (canola) that controls how much oil the plant stores in its seeds. By editing this gene using CRISPR and studying natural genetic variations, they found a specific gene version that significantly boosts seed oil content — a key step toward breeding higher-yielding canola crops.
Abstract Preview
CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis and overexpression lines analyses revealed CIPK9 homoeologs function in oil regulation of allotetraploid Brassica napus, cooperative multicopy interactions, and a superior h...
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Rapeseed oil is one of the oldest known vegetable oils. There are both edible and industrial forms produced from rapeseed, the seed of several cultivars of the plant family Brassicaceae (mustards). The term "rapeseed" applies to oilseeds from the species Brassica napus and Brassica rapa, while th...