The Mirtron Platform:
Optimizing Control
of Trait Expression

GeneNeer’s Approach to Sustainable Agriculture Starts with Tiny Mirtrons

Mirtrons are very small silencing elements precursor originating from spliced introns, rather than being transcribed from independent genes.

GeneNeer has developed a Mirtron Platform that introduces the next generation of gene editing, capable of developing GE, non-GM crops.

Advantages of Mirtrons:

  • Plant performance is improved without compromising other plant mechanisms.
  • Mirtrons are expected to be stable and accurate with respect to the target gene.
  • Mirtrons can be incorporated into almost any gene following simple selection of introns and do not require sophisticated bioinformatic tools.
  • Mirtrons have the potential to silence viruses, nematodes and other pests that have evolved to resist other RNA silencing mechanisms, such as RNAi.
Mirtron illustration
Tissue specific
Magnitude

Mechanisms of Mirtron Formation

Mirtrons are introns or parts of introns and can be generated through two main approaches:

  1. Deletion-Based Approach
    Mirtrons can be created by introducing targeted deletions within an existing intron, modifying its sequence to form a functional mirtron. 
  2. Homologous Recombination Approach
    Mirtrons can also arise through homologous recombination between an existing intron and a mirtron sequence, allowing precise insertion and adaptation into the genome.

Competitive Advantages
of GeneNeer’s Mirtron Platform

  • Different initial processing path (vs. miRNA)
  • ‘Tunable’ silencing
  • Does not undergo self-silencing
  • Maintained silencing through generation
  • Easy to design, lowering the cost of development
  • Many tuber-specific traits are enabled with the Mirtron platform but cannot be achieved with conventional gene editing

Seed/Silique-specific Silencing

WT

T1

T1

T2

T2

When exposed to UV light, Arabidopsis seeds naturally glow due to flavonoids in their seed coat, creating a speckled pattern in normal (WT) seeds. In seed/silique-specific silencing of PDS, the reduction in blue autofluorescence (as seen in T1 and T2) suggests decreased flavonoid levels in the seed coat.
The plant grows normally, as PDS silencing was tissue specific. This modification does not alter the genetic make-up of the plant, resulting in a GE, non-GM plant.

Unique Benefits of Mirtrons
in Gene Regulation

  1. Integration with mRNA Splicing Regulation
    • Mirtrons are directly linked to mRNA splicing events, allowing for potential coordination between gene expression and RNA silencing.
    • This dual regulation can help cells fine-tune gene expression more effectively.
  1. Potential for Increased Evolutionary Adaptability
    • Since mirtrons arise from spliced introns, they can evolve from existing genes without needing a separate transcriptional unit.
    • This makes mirtrons more adaptable and likely to evolve rapidly compared to canonical miRNAs, which require independent promoters and regulatory elements.
  1. Alternative Biogenesis Pathway in Certain Organisms
    • Mirtrons provide an alternative pathway in species where canonical miRNA processing is inefficient or limited.