Calgene Corporation

Julie R Pear

David M Stalker

Catherine M Houck

Deborah Delmer

Kevin E McBride

William R Hiatt

Luis Perez-Grau

Belinda M Martineau

Novel DNA constructs are provided which may be used as molecular probes or inserted into a plant host to provide for modification of transcription of a DNA sequence of interest in cotton fiber, particularly in very early fiber development. The DNA constructs comprise a cotton fiber transcriptional initiation regulatory region associated with a gene which is expressed in cotton fiber.

Cotton fiber transcriptional factors

Provided are two plant cDNA clones that are homologs of the bacterial CelA genes that encode the catalytic subunit of cellulose synthase, derived from cotton ( ). Also provided are genomic promoter regions to these encoding regions to cellulose synthase. Methods for using cellulose synthase in cotton fiber and wood quality modification are also provided.

Plant cellulose synthase and promoter sequences

Provided is a cotton ( ) promoter region from an expansin gene expressed in developing fiber.

Cotton expansin promoter sequence

Provided are two plant cDNA clones that are homologs of the bacterial CelA genes that encode the catalytic subunit of cellulose synthase, derived from cotton (,).

Cotton and rice cellulose synthase DNA sequences

Developmentally regulated transcriptional regulatory regions are identified employing cDNA screening. The resulting regulatory regions are manipulated for use with DNA sequences encoding enzymes involved in cytokinin metabolism for introduction into plant cells to provide transformed plants having tissue, particularly fruit, with a modified phenotypic property.

Compositions and methods for modulation of endogenous cytokinin levels

Fruit specific regulatory regions are identified employing cDNA screening. The resulting fruit specific regulatory regions are manipulated for use with foreign sequences for introduction into plant cells to provide transformed plants having fruit with a modified phenotypic property. The invention is exemplified with a tomato fruit specific promoter which is active throughout the stages of fruit ripening.

Growing community of inventors

Davis, CA, United States of America

Julie R Pear