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 6,855,529 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2003
• Issued: 02/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Agribody Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Senesco, Inc.
• Inventors: Thompson, John E., Wang, Tzann-Wei, Lu, Dongen Lily
• Primary Examiner(s): Hutson, Richard
• Application Number:
  US10/340,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20030106102A1
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 530/350, 435/183, 435/191, 536/23.1, 536/23.2
• US Class Current: 435/191
• 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 elF-5A or both into the plant genome in antisense orientation. Plant genes encoding senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase and senescence-induced elF-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 senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase encoded by a nucleotide sequence which hybridizes under high stringency conditions with SEQ ID NO:

9, wherein the high stringency conditions comprise a buffer comprising 6×

S.S.C., 0.01 M EDTA, 1×

Denhardt'"'"'s solution, and 0.5% SDS and wherein hybridization is carried out at about 68°

C. and wherein the senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase exhibits deoxyhypusine synthase catalytic activity.

2. A senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

10.