Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

The Lubrizol Corporation

Mycogen Plant Science, Inc.

Lubrizol Genetics, Inc.

Meat and Livestock Australia Limited

John M Watson

Philip John Larkin

Gregory John Tanner

Barry G Rolfe

Kieran F Scott

Anthony Richard Ashton

Sharon Abrahams

Katarzyna Teresa Francki

Alfred Puhler

Hauke Hennecke

Peter R Schofield

John Shine

Peter Schofield

Michael A Djordjevic

Roger W Innes

Peter L Kuempel

Siiri E Iismaa

Helmut Reilander

The invention relates generally to isolated leucoanthocyanidin reductase LAR polypeptides of the Reductase-Epimerase-Dehydrogenase (RED) protein family, and nucleic acid molecules encoding same and their use in regulating the biosynthesis and accumulation of proanthocyanidins in plants. The invention is further directed to isolated nucleic acid molecules of plants which encode leucoanthocyanidin reductases of the RED protein family. The isolated polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules of the present invention are useful for modifying the pasture quality of legumes, and, in particular, for producing bloat-safe forage crops. or crops having enhanced nutritional value, enhanced disease resistance or pest resistance, or enhanced malting qualities.

Gene and uses therefor to modify pasture qualities of crops

The invention relates generally to isolated leucoanthocyanidin reductase LAR polypeptides of the Reductase-Epimerase-Dehydrogenase (RED) protein family, and nucleic acid molecules encoding same and their use in regulating the biosynthesis and accumulation of proanthocyanidins in plants. The invention is further directed to isolated nucleic acid molecules of plants, which encode leucoanthocyanidin reductases of the RED protein family. The isolated polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules of the present invention are useful for modifying the pasture quality of legumes, and, in particular, for producing bloat-safe forage crops, or crops having enhanced nutritional value, enhanced disease resistance or pest resistance, or enhanced malting qualities.

The invention includes a consensus nucleotide sequence found in the promoter regions of those Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium nodulation genes which are activated by chemical inducer(s) in legume exudate. A promoter comprising the consensus sequence is a legume exudate-inducible promoter. A recombinant gene comprising a structural gene and a legume exudate-inducible promoter is selectively expressed in the presence of legume exudate or chemical inducer(s) and a functional nodD gene. The consensus nucleotide sequence is ATCCAYNNYGYRGATGNWYKYKATCSAAWCAATCRATTTTACCARWYYKNSRR where

Nodulation gene promoter

This invention provides useful promoters from the R. trifolii nifH gene for the construction of recombinant molecules to regulate foreign genes for expression under desired conditions. In particular, the promoters act to control expression of the foreign genes within root nodules formed by rhizobial bacterial strains in symbiotic combination with host plants. A rhizobium diagnostic segment (RDS) is also provided comprising a DNA segment found at more than one location in rhizobia, the RDS being species-specific, and detectable by DNA hybridization under stringent conditions. A recombinant plasmid comprising a RDS and a bacterial strain containing the plasmid are provided. Methods are provided for identifying species and strains of field isolates of Rhizobium, using RDS's. One RDS exemplified comprises 5' sequences from the R. trifolii nifH gene.

Rhizobial diagnostic probes and rhizobium trifolii nifH promoters

Rhizobial ferredoxin genes and proteins are provided. Rhizobial ferredoxins are useful to enhance the nitrogenase systems of rhizobia. Useful rhizobial ferredoxin diagnostic segments are also provided comprising DNA sequences encoding the characteristic ferredoxin cysteine residue patterns. Exemplied rhizobial ferredoxin genes are fixX of Rhizobium trifolii and Rhizobium meliloti Between fixC and nifA, fixY of Rhizobium meliloti down stream from nifB, and frxA of Bradyrhizobium japonicum.

Rhizobial ferredoxin genes

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Holder, Australia

John M Watson