University of Missouri

Other

Douglas D Randall

Jan A Miernyk

Michael H Luethy

Mark L Johnston

Brian P Mooney

Michael G Muszynski

Jay J Thelen

Vincent J H Sewalt

Provided are nucleic acid coding sequences and methods utilizing these sequences for optimizing levels of substrates employed in the biosynthesis of copolymers of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) and 3-hydroxy-valerate (3HV) in plants via manipulation of normal metabolic pathways using recombinant techniques. This optimization is achieved through the use of a variety of wild-type and/or deregulated enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of aspartate family amino acids, and wild-type or deregulated forms of enzymes, such as threonine deaminase, involved in the conversion of threonine to P(3HB-co-3HV) copolymer endproduct. These enzymes are used in conjunction with the E1&agr;, E1&bgr;, E2, and E3 subunits of plastid pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes and branched chain oxoacid dehydrogenase complexes or mitochondrial dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase E3 components to enhance the levels of threonine, 2-oxobutyrate (&agr;-keto-butyrate), propionate, propionyl-CoA, &bgr;-ketovaleryl-CoA, and &bgr;-hydroxyvaleryl-CoA. Also provided are methods for the biological production of P(3HB-co-3HV) copolymer in plants utilizing the enhanced levels of propionyl-CoA produced therein. Introduction into plants of an appropriate &bgr;-ketothiolase, a &bgr;-ketoacyl-CoA reductase, and a PHA synthase in combinations with the aforementioned enzymes will permit such plants to produce commercially useful amounts of P(3HB-co-3HV) copolymers.

Use of DNA encoding plastid pyruvate dehydrogenase and branched chain oxoacid dehydrogenase components to enhance polyhydroxyalkanoate biosynthesis in plants

The invention provides methods and compositions relating to altering carbohydrate metabolism and/or composition of plants. The invention provides isolated nucleic acids and their encoded proteins, expression cassettes, host cells, transgenic plants, and antibody compositions.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase polynucleotides, polypeptides and uses thereof

Provided are nucleic acid sequences encoding E1.alpha., E1.beta., and E2 subunits of plastid pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes and branched chain oxoacid dehydrogenase complexes.

DNA encoding plastid pyruvate dehydrogenase and branched chain oxoacid

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Columbia, MO, United States of America

Douglas D Randall