Michigan State University

Other

Eric J Stockinger

Michael F Thomashow

Daniel Zarka

Kirsten Jaglo-Ottosen

Sarah Jane Gilmour

Cai-Zhong Jiang

James Z Zhang

Volker Haake

Michael Fromm

The present invention provides for a non-naturally occurring binding protein comprising an amino acid sequence capable of binding to a CCG regulatory sequence and an amino acid sequence which forms a transcription activation region. In particular the invention comprises a sequence selected from the group consisting of an AP2 domain of SEQ. I.D. Nos. 13, 15, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 93, and 95. When these proteins are overexpressed in a plant the plant exhibits increased tolerance to environmental stresses such as cold, freezing, drought or high salinity.

Plant having altered environmental stress tolerance

A transformed plant is provided which comprises one or more environmental stress tolerance genes; a DNA regulatory sequence which regulates expression of the one or more environmental stress tolerance genes; a sequence encoding a binding protein capable of binding to the DNA regulatory sequence and inducing expression of the one or more environmental stress tolerance genes; and a recombinant promoter which regulates expression of the gene encoding the binding protein. A method for altering an environmental stress tolerance of a plant is also provided which comprises the steps of transforming a plant with a promoter which regulates expression of at least one copy of a gene encoding a binding protein capable of binding to a DNA regulatory sequence which regulates one or more environmental stress tolerance genes in the plant; expressing the binding protein encoded by the gene; and stimulating expression of at least one environmental stress tolerance gene through binding of the binding protein to the DNA regulatory sequence.

A gene, designated as CBF1, encoding a protein, CBF1, which binds to a region regulating expression of genes which promote cold temperature and dehydration tolerance in plants is described. CBF1 is used to transform microorganisms and can be used to transform plants.

DNA and encoded protein which regulates cold and dehydration regulated

Plant material containing non-naturally introduced binding protein for

Method for regulating cold and dehydration regulatory genes in a plant

Growing community of inventors

East Lansing, MI, United States of America

Eric J Stockinger