DNA encoding a plant deoxyhypusine synthase, a plant eukaryotic initiation factor 5A, transgenic plants and a method for controlling senescence programmed and cell death in plants

• US 6,538,182 B1
• Filed: 06/19/2000
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Senesco, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Senesco, Inc.
• Inventors: Thompson, John E., Wang, Tzann-Wei, Lu, Dongen Lily
• Primary Examiner(s): McElwain, Elizabeth F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAUM, STUART F
• Application Number:
  US09/597,771
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 800/290, 800/278, 800/317.4, 800/298, 800/295, 536/23.1, 536/23.6, 435/468-419
• US Class Current: 800/298
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 14/415 from plants
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/8249 involving ethylene biosynthesis, senescence or fruit development, e.g. modified tomato ripening, cut flower shelf-life
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/8261 with agronomic (input) traits, e.g. crop yield
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/8266 Abscission; Dehiscence; Senescence
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/8271 for stress resistance, e.g. heavy metal resistance
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 9/0004 Oxidoreductases (1.)
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/146 Genetically Modified [GMO] plants, e.g. transgenic plants

Abstract

Regulation of expression of programmed cell death, including senescence, in plants is achieved by integration of a gene or gene fragment encoding senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase, senescence-induced eIF-5A or both into the plant genome in antisense orientation. Plant genes encoding senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase and senescence-induced eIF-5A are identified and the nucleotide sequences of each, alone and in combination are used to modify senescence in transgenic plants.

Claims

1. An isolated DNA molecule encoding senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase, wherein the DNA molecule hybridizes under high stringency conditions with the complement of SEQ ID NO:

1 with the proviso that the DNA molecule does not have the sequence of SEQ ID NO;

5.

2. An isolated DNA molecule encoding senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase wherein the DNA molecule comprises SEQ ID NO:

1.

3. A vector comprising a DNA molecule encoding (a) senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase, wherein the DNA molecule hybridizes under high stringency conditions with the complement of SEQ ID NO:

1; and

(b) regulatory sequences operatively linked to the DNA molecule such that the deoxyhypusine synthase is expressed in a plant cell into which it is transformed.

6. A transgenic plant cell comprising the vector according to claim 3.

4. A method for inhibiting the expression of an endogenous senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase gene in a plant, said method comprising

(1) integrating into a genome of at least one cell of the plant a vector comprising

(A) an isolated DNA molecule encoding exogenous senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase, wherein the DNA molecule hybridizes under high stringency conditions with the complement of SEQ ID NO:

1; and

(B) regulatory sequences operatively linked to the DNA molecule such that the exogenous senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase encoded thereby is expressed; and

(2) growing said plant, whereby said DNA molecule is over-expressed and the endogenous senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase gene is inhibited by exogenous senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the regulatory sequences comprise a constitutive promoter.

7. A vector comprising a DNA molecule encoding (a) senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase, wherein the DNA molecule comprises SEQ ID NO:

1; and

(b) regulatory sequences operatively linked to the DNA molecule such that the deoxyhypusine synthase is expressed in a plant cell into which it is transformed.

8. A method for inhibiting the expression of an endogenous senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase gene in a plant, said method comprising

(1) integrating into a genome of at least one cell of the plant a vector comprising

(A) an isolated DNA molecule encoding exogenous senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase, wherein the DNA molecule comprises SEQ ID NO:

1; and

(B) regulatory sequences operatively linked to the DNA molecule such that the exogenous senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase encoded thereby is expressed; and

(2) growing said plant, whereby said DNA molecule is over-expressed and the endogenous senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase gene is inhibited by exogenous senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase.

9. A transgenic plant cell comprising the vector according to claim 8.