Method and compositions using polypeptides of arabidopsis thaliana

• US 5,296,462 A
• Filed: 11/19/1992
• Issued: 03/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Board of Trustees
• Original Assignee: The Board of Trustees of Michigan State University (Michigan State University)
• Inventors: Thomashow, Michael F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wax, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hendricks, Keith D.
• Application Number:
  US07/794,398
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 514/2, 514/12, 536/27, 536/23.6, 530/350, 530/324, 530/399, 530/370
• US Class Current: 514/21.2
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 14/415 from plants

Abstract

A method for treating chemical or biological materials with a polypeptide derived from a RNA encoded by a cDNA of Arabidopsis thaliana to prevent freezing or heat damage is described In particular, a novel cDNA and polypeptide, COR15, encoded thereby is described.

Claims

1. A method for protecting a biomembrane or protein material in vitro from freezing damage which comprises applying a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of polypeptide-1, polypeptide-2, polypeptide-3, polypeptide-4, polypeptide 5 and mixtures thereof which polypeptide is derived from Arabidopsis thaliana, which polypeptide is 6.6, 15, 24, 46 and 160 kilodaltons in mass as measured by SDS-PAGE, respectively, to the material in vitro wherein the polypeptide protects the material from freezing damage.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the polypeptide is derived from a cDNA of an isolated RNA of Arabidopsis thaliana.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the cDNA is contained in a plasmid referred to as pLCT10B and deposited as ATCC 75139.

4. A method for protecting a biomembrane or protein material in vitro from freezing damage which comprises admixing a cryoprotective amount of a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of polypeptide-1, polypeptide-2, polypeptide-3, polypeptide-4, polypeptide 5 and mixtures thereof which polypeptide is derived from Arabidopsis thaliana, which polypeptide is 6.6, 15, 24, 47 and 160 kilodaltons in mass as measured by SDS-PAGE, respectively, with the material in vitro, wherein the polypeptide protects the material from freezing damage.

5. A composition which comprises in admixture:

(a) a biomembrane or protein material which is to be protected in vitro against freezing or water stress damage; and

(b) a polypeptide substantially free of Arabidopsis thaliana proteins and selected from the group consisting of polypeptide 1, polypeptide-2, polypeptide-3, polypeptide 4 and polypeptide-5 and mixtures thereof which polypeptide is derived from Arabidopsis thaliana, which polypeptide is 6.6, 15, 24, 47 and 160 kilodaltons in mass as measured by SDS-PAGE, respectively, with the material in vitro in an amount sufficient for protection between about 10^-3 and 10⁵ part per part of the material.

6. The composition of claim 5 wherein the polypeptide is expressed from a cDNA which is derived form an isolated RNA of Arabidopsis thaliana.

7. The composition of claim 6 wherein the cDNA is contained in a plasmid referred to as pLCT10B and deposited as ATCC 75139.