Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research

Daniel F Klessig

Frank Clemens Schroeder

Patricia Manosalva

Dhirendra Kumar

Shugun Zhang

Ailan Guo

He Du

Zhixiang Chen

Yinong Yang

France C Schroeder

Compositions and methods for enhancing disease resistance in plants are disclosed.

Compositions and methods for modulating immunity in plants

Methods and kits for determining the specificity of siRNAs for their targets are provided. Also provided is a method for performing genetic analysis of the target protein or gene using different versions of a synthetic gene to complement the phenotype induced by RNAi-mediated silencing of the target protein and/or gene of interest. Finally, a method for treating genetic disorders associated with production of mutated proteins is also disclosed.

Methods for determining specificity of RNA silencing and for genetic analysis of the silenced gene or protein

Novel nucleic acid molecules encoding SA-binding proteins involved in SA-mediated disease resistance responses are disclosed. Methods of use of the nucleic acid molecules and proteins of the invention are also provided.

Salicylic acid-binding protein encoding nucleic acid, SABP2, and methods of use thereof

Novel used for WIPK, a member of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family, are provided, based on the discovery that the WIPK protein is activatable in association with development or enhancement of resistance to microbial pathogens. Thus, WIPK may play a critical role in signal transduction for activation of plant defenses against certain microbial pathogens. Methods are disclosed for making WIPK transgenic plants with enchanced resistance to disease causing agents. In addition, transgenic plants transformed with WIPK and having enhanced disease resistance are disclosed.

Method of using a pathogen-activatable map kinase to enhance disease resistance in plants

The present invention provides methods and materials that enhance a plant's resistance to certain pathogens. A novel pathway is described and has been designated with the acronym, SI-SAR pathway, for salicylic acid-independent systemic acquired resistance. DNA constructs and methodologies are provided that facilitate the identification of compounds that activate this pathway. Methods are provided to enable the identification of novel genes and signaling components that are expressed when the SI-SAR pathway is activated. Transgenic plants with altered expression of these novel genes or signaling components of the pathway are expected to have enhanced resistance to plant pathogens. Also provided is a novel, pathogen-induced epoxide hydrolase that is inducible in the absence of SA.

Methods and compositions for improving salicylic acid-independent systemic acquired disease resistance in plants

A high-affinity salicylic acid-binding protein (SABP2) derivable from tobacco and Arabidopsis is disclosed. The tobacco protein has a molecular weight of approximately 25 kDa and reversibly binds SA with an apparent K.sub.d of approximately 90 nM and a B.sub.max of 10 fmol/mg protein. The SABP2 of the invention may be used to identify analogues of SA. Analogues so identified may be used in plants to augment disease-resistance response pathways or other SA-sensitive processes in which SA plays a role. Possible examples include flowering and alternative respiration. The SABP2 of the invention may also be used to identify and clone a gene or cDNA that encodes it, which then may be used to generate transgenic plants having altered SABP2 levels.

High-affinity salicylic acid-binding protein and methods of use

The present invention relates to assays which can be used to identify inducers of plant resistance to pathogens. The assays use catalase and/or ascorbate peroxidase.

Assays to identify inducers of plant defense resistance

A salicylic acid-induced protein (SIP) kinase is disclosed. The kinase has a molecular weight of about 48 kDa and is activated in response to salicylic acid, H.sub.2 O.sub.2 and infection with tobacco mosaic virus. The activation and enzymatic properties of the purified protein have been characterized. The partial amino acid sequence and complete nucleotide sequence of a cDNA encoding the SIP kinase demonstrate that it is a unique member of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family. The novel SIP kinase may play a critical role in signal transduction for activation of plant defenses against microbial pathogens.

Salicylic acid induced map kinase and its use for enhanced disease

An isolated nucleic acid molecule is provided which encodes a tobacco myb homologue involved in the regulation of disease resistance in plants. The encoded protein comprises a basic N-terminal region with two imperfect tryptophan repeats of 53 and 51 amino acids, a potential ATP/GTP binding site or P-loop, a redox sensitive cysteine and a nuclear localization sequence. The acidic C terminus of Myb1 forms amphipathic .alpha. helices which are characteristic of transcriptional activation domains. The invention also provides novel Myb1 protein and antibodies thereto. Additionally, the invention provides novel transgenic plants with enhanced disease resistance to certain pathogens.

Growing community of inventors

Bridgewater, NJ, United States of America

Daniel F Klessig