5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) or glyphosate N-acetyltransferase (GAT) gene (EPSPS (or CP4-EPSPS if specifying the Agrobacterium sp. CP4 variant); GAT (glyphosate N-acetyltransferase))

Glyphosate tolerance gene is an imprecise term commonly referring to engineered or selected genes that allow crops to survive application of the herbicide glyphosate. The most prominent is the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene, especially the bacterial (CP4) variant from Agrobacterium sp., which encodes a version of the enzyme that is insensitive to glyphosate inhibition. EPSPS is essential in the shikimate pathway for aromatic amino acid biosynthesis in plants and microorganisms, and glyphosate normally inhibits this enzyme, causing plant death. Other glyphosate tolerance genes include glyphosate N-acetyltransferase (GAT), an enzyme that detoxifies glyphosate by acetylation, and glyphosate oxidoreductase (GOX), which promotes glyphosate breakdown. Tolerance mechanisms may involve: single-site mutations in the EPSPS gene, EPSPS gene amplification, or introduction of microbial genes encoding insensitive or detoxifying enzymes. This genetic modification is utilized exclusively in plant biotechnology to create crops that tolerate direct application of glyphosate-based herbicides while controlling weeds. It is not a target for therapeutic drugs in humans. Clarification: "Glyphosate tolerance gene" is not a canonical target name but a general descriptor for a class of genes (most commonly EPSPS or GAT). When seeking structured target information, use the precise enzyme or protein, e.g., "5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase" (EPSPS), and refer to specific variants such as "CP4-EPSPS" where relevant.

Other names

glyphosate-resistant EPSPSCP4-EPSPSGATGOX (glyphosate oxidoreductase)glyphosate resistance geneglyphosate tolerance trait

For glyphosate tolerance: Target-site modification—mutated or overexpressed EPSPS is less sensitive to glyphosate inhibition. Herbicide metabolism—introduced/developed GAT or GOX enzymes convert glyphosate to less-toxic compounds.