University of California

John Clark Lagarias

Gregory A Gambetta

Takayuki Kochi

Yi-Shin Su

Nicole Frankenberg

Beronda L Montgomery

Amanda Fischer

Nathan Clarke Rockwell

John Thomas Murphy

The present invention provides a protein fusion construct comprising a far-red cyanobacteriochrome (CBCR) domain linked to a heterologous domain, wherein the far-red CBCR domain comprises a CBCR polypeptide and a tetrapyrrole chromophore. The invention also provides nucleic acids, expression cassettes, vectors, and host cells for expression of the far-red CBCR protein fusion constructs. Methods for detecting cellular components, methods for imaging biological structures, and method for modulating cellular processes using the protein fusion constructs are also provided.

Cyanobacteriochromes active in the far-red to near-infrared

This invention pertains to the discovery of mutant phytochromes that when introduced into a plant alter the photomorphogenic properties of that plant. In certain embodiments transfection of plants by nucleic acid constructs expressing the mutant phytochromes produced plants having a phenotype characterized by light-independent' activation. Thus, in certain embodiments, this invention provides a transgenic plant or plant cell comprising a mutant phytochrome where the mutant phytochrome is a light-stable phytochrome; and the transgenic plant shows decreased shade avoidance as compared to the same species or strain of plant lacking the mutant phytochrome. In various embodiments the mutant phytochrome comprises a mutation at the position corresponding to tyrosine residue 276 in anphytochrome where the mutation is to a residue other than tyrosine.

Transgenic plants comprising a mutant phytochrome and showing altered photomorphogenesis

This invention pertains to the discovery of mutant phytochromes that when introduced into a plant alter the photomorphogenic properties of that plant. In certain embodiments transfection of plants by nucleic acid constructs expressing the mutant phytochromes produced plants having a phenotype characterized by light-independent activation. Thus, in certain embodiments, this invention provides a transgenic plant or plant cell comprising a mutant phytochrome where the mutant phytochrome is a light-stable phytochrome; and the transgenic plant shows decreased shade avoidance as compared to the same species or strain of plant lacking the mutant phytochrome. In various embodiments the mutant phytochrome comprises a mutation at the position corresponding to tyrosine residue 276 in anphytochrome where the mutation is to a residue other than tyrosine.

This invention provides fluorescent adducts that emit in the far red and/or near infrared. In certain embodiments, the adducts comprise a mutant apoprotein and a bilin.

Red and near infrared flourescent phyotochrome

This invention identifies a novel family of bilin reductases. Designated herein HY bilin reductases, the enzymes of this invention are useful in a wide variety of contexts including but not limited to the conversion of biliverdins to phytobilins and the assembly of holophytochromes or phytofluors.

HY2 family of bilin reductases

This invention relates to the field of gene expression. In particular this invention relates to the use of heterologous phytochromes to translocate polypeptides into the nucleus of a cell. Where the polypeptides comprise transactivators or repressors this invention provides a system for light-directed gene expression.

Light controlled gene expression utilizing heterologous phytochromes

This invention provides new fluorescent molecules useful for detection of target entities. In particular, it relates to fluorescent adducts comprising an apoprotein and a bilin.

Growing community of inventors

Davis, CA, United States of America

John Clark Lagarias