Why in the news?

  • ICAR scientists were awarded a patent for a new genetic engineering technology based on Transposon-associated proteins such as TnpB.

Transposon-associated proteins

  • What is it?: Transposon-associated proteins are proteins encoded by transposable elements (TEs), the segments of DNA that can move (transpose) within a genome.
  • Major Transposon Assisted Proteins: Transposase, Integrase, TnpA, TnpB, Reverse Transcriptase etc.
  • Significance:
    • Evolutionary Significance: Show how primitive mobile elements evolved into complex immune systems like CRISPR and explains origins of RNA-guided defense mechanisms.
    • Biotechnology & Gene Editing: Used in Gene therapy, Stem cell engineering and Ultra-compact CRISPR alternatives.
    • Medical Applications: For understanding the mutations happening in diseases like Cancer, Hemophilia and Neurological disorders.
    • Agricultural Applications: Used in crop improvement.

TnpB- Based Gene Editing Technology

  • What is TnpB?: It acts as “molecular scissors” to target and modify DNA with high efficiency.
  • Features of TnpB Technology:
    • Miniaturised Enzyme: Size of TnpB is ~400–500 amino acids, smaller than Cas9 enzyme, making it easier to deliver genes into plant cells.
    • Delivery Without Tissue Culture: TnpB’s compact size allows in vivo delivery, bypassing tissue-culture limitations.
    • Indigenous Intellectual Property: The innovation is fully India-owned, removing dependency on costly foreign CRISPR IP.
  • Significance:
    • Enhanced Delivery Efficiency: Small size permits easier packaging into viral vectors, facilitating gene editing directly inside plant tissues.
    • IP Independence: Enables sovereign control over Genetically Engineered crop development. 
    • Cost Reduction: Cheaper agricultural biotechnology owing to no royalty payments as involved in CRISPR protocol.
    • Supports Next-Gen Crop Improvement.

Source: Indian Express