Plant Gene and Trait 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 243-252 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/pgt 243 Research Insight Open Access Development of Transgenic Eucommia ulmoides for Improved Industrial Traits JiangYang1, XinZhang2, Degang Zhao1,2 1 Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences/Institute of Agro- Bioengineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China 2 Plant Conservation and Breeding Technology Center, Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology/ Biotechnology Institute of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang, 550006, China Corresponding email: dgzhao@gzu.edu.cn Plant Gene and Trait, 2024, Vol.15, No.5 doi: 10.5376/pgt.2024.15.0024 Received: 27 Aug., 2024 Accepted: 30 Sep., 2024 Published: 08 Oct., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Yang et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Yang J., Zhang X., Zhao D.G., 2024, Development of transgenic Eucommia ulmoides for improved industrial traits, Plant Gene and Trait, 15(5): 243-252 (doi: 10.5376/pgt.2024.15.0024) Abstract This study explores the recent advancements in the development of transgenic Eucommia ulmoides aimed at improving its industrial traits, particularly focusing on rubber production, stress tolerance, and secondary metabolite enhancement. It synthesizes key findings on the genetic basis underlying these traits, facilitated by high-quality genome assemblies and detailed QTL analyses. These genetic insights have laid the foundation for precise gene editing, enabling the introduction of desirable traits such as enhanced rubber biosynthesis and improved drought and salt tolerance. Through a case study, the study highlights the successful overexpression of key genes involved in rubber biosynthesis, resulting in significant increases in yield and quality. This case study provides practical insights into the application of genetic engineering in E. ulmoides, demonstrating its potential to transform the industry by offering a sustainable alternative to traditional rubber sources. The study concludes with a discussion on the broader implications of these developments for the E. ulmoides industry and the ethical considerations associated with transgenic research. Keywords Eucommia ulmoides; Transgenic plants; Rubber biosynthesis; Genetic engineering; Stress tolerance 1 Introduction Eucommia ulmoides, commonly known as the hardy rubber tree, is the sole species of the family Eucommiaceae. This species is native to China (Xie et al., 2023) and has been recognized for its significant industrial and medicinal applications. Traditionally, E. ulmoides has been utilized in Chinese medicine for its therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive effects (Wang et al., 2019; Li et al., 2020). Additionally, it is valued for its unique ability to produce trans-polyisoprene rubber, a high-molecular mass polymer that is an essential raw material in various industrial applications. E. ulmoides is particularly notable for several key industrial traits. It is a source of natural rubber, which is synthesized through the methylerythritol-phosphate (MEP) pathway, distinguishing it from other rubber-producing species like Hevea brasiliensis that utilize the mevalonate pathway (Li et al., 2020). This rubber, known as Eu-Rubber, is used in the production of various goods, including medical supplies and industrial products (Wang et al., 2017). Additionally, the species has significant medicinal properties, with compounds such as chlorogenic acid being preferentially expressed in its leaves, contributing to its therapeutic uses. The wood of E. ulmoides is also valued for its quality, making it a multifaceted resource for various industries. Despite its valuable traits, the natural variation in E. ulmoides poses challenges for its industrial exploitation. Traditional breeding techniques are limited by the dioecious nature of the species, which complicates sex identification and breeding processes (Wang et al., 2020). Moreover, the genetic basis of key traits such as rubber biosynthesis and sex determination is not fully understood, hindering efforts to enhance these traits through conventional methods (Zhang et al., 2023). This study is to explore the development of transgenic E. ulmoides for improved industrial traits. By leveraging recent advancements in genomic technologies and molecular biology, this study aims to identify key genetic factors involved in rubber biosynthesis, sex determination, and other industrially relevant traits. The expectation is that through genetic engineering, it will be possible to overcome the limitations of traditional breeding, thereby
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