Cropdesign N.v.

Universiteit Gent

Vib Vzw

Croodesign, N.v.

Lieven De Veylder

Dirk Inze

Vladimir Mironov

Tom Beeckman

Veronique Boudolf

Gerda Segers

Willem F Broekaert

Valerie Frankard

Ana Isabel Sanz Molinero

Yves Hatzfeld

Christophe Reuzeau

Willy Dillen

Wim Van Camp

Jefri Heyman

Rudy Vanderhaeghen

Isabelle Landrieu

Janice De Almeida

Luc Krols

Kobe Vlieghe

Zoltan Magyar

Juan Antonio Torres Acosta

Zhubing Hu

The present invention relates to the field of plant genetic engineering, particularly the modulation of gene expression in plant cells for improved regeneration competence. The invention discloses means and methods wherein the Ethylene Response Factor (ERF) and Phytochrome A Signal Transduction 1 (PAT1) transcription factor complex activity in plant cells grants increased regeneration.

Means and methods for improved regeneration

The present invention relates to specific inhibitors of the cellulose synthase subunits 1 and 3 activity in plants, useful as a herbicide. In addition, the invention relates to mutant plants which are tolerant to the identified inhibitors. Specific mutant alleles of CESA1 and CESA3 genes can be used to obtain resistance in a plant when the inhibitors are used as herbicide.

Cellulose synthase inhibitors and mutant plants

The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and concerns a method for improving plant growth characteristics relative to corresponding wild type plants. More specifically, the present invention concerns a method for improving plant growth characteristics comprising modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid encoding a class I homeodomain leucine zipper (HDZip) hox5 polypeptide or a homologue thereof; or comprising modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid encoding a nitrate transporter protein (NRT) or a homologue thereof; or comprising modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide denoted Yield Enhancing Protein 16 (YEP16); or comprising modulating expression in a plant of a Group I glycogen synthase kinase (Group I shaggy-like kinase) or a homologue thereof. The present invention also concerns plants having modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding a class I HDZip hox5 polypeptide or a homologue thereof; or having modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding a NRT protein or a homologue thereof; or having modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide denoted YEP16; or having modulated expression of a Group I shaggy-like kinase or a homologue thereof, which plants have improved growth characteristics relative to corresponding wild type plants. The invention also provides constructs useful in the methods of the invention.

Plants having improved growth characteristics and a method for making the same

The present invention relates to the field of molecular biology. The invention provides a method for modulating growth of a plant comprising introducing into a plant a CCP (cell cycle protein) modulator. Further provided are nucleic acid molecules and the polypeptides encoded thereof useful as modulating agents for performing such methods.

Method for modulating plant growth, nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides encoded thereof useful as modulating agent

The present invention concerns a method for altering characteristics of a plant. The invention describes the identification of a gene that is downregulated in transgenic plants overexpressing E2Fa/DPa and the use of such sequences to alter plant characteristics. A preferred way for altering characteristics of a plant comprises modifying expression of one or more nucleic acid sequences and or modifying level and/or activity of one or more proteins, which nucleic acids and/or proteins encoded thereby are essentially similar to SEQ ID NO 1835. The gene identified in the present invention have an E2Fa target consensus sequence in their 5' upstream region. The identified gene is postulated to play a role as transcription factors.

Plants having improved growth characteristics and methods for making the same

The present invention provides a method for modulating endoreduplication in a plant, plant part, or plant cell. The method comprises the steps of introduction and expression of a nucleotide sequence encoding the CDC2bAt cyclin dependent kinase gene disclosed in database accession number X57840 or said CDC2bAt cyclin dependent kinase gene having the Asp residue at position 161 replaced with an Asn residue, under the control of a promoter which functions in a plant.

Method and means for modulating plant cell cycle proteins and their use in plant cell growth control

The present invention relates to a method for modifying plant growth and development processes by affecting cell cycle regulation comprising modulating expression of members of the plant E2F transcription factor family. More specific the invention relates to methods for stimulating cell division in a plant. The invention further relates to transgenic plants produced by the methods of the invention having altered plant growth and development characteristics compared to their isogenic counterparts. Preferably, the plant characteristics modified by the present invention include enlarged cotyledons, enhanced growth rate, stress resistance and seedling survival, more cells, more tillers, more panicles.

Method to modify cell number, architecture and yield of plants by overexpressing the E2F transcription factor

Provided are DNA sequences encoding cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor(s) as well as to methods for obtaining the same. Furthermore, vectors comprising said DNA sequences are described, wherein the DNA sequences are operatively linked to regulatory elements allowing expression in prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic host cells. In addition, proteins encoded by said DNA sequences, antibodies to said proteins and methods for their production are provided. Furthermore, regulatory sequences which naturally regulate the expression of the above described DNA sequences are described. Also described is a method for controlling or altering growth characteristics of a plant and/or a plant cell comprising introduction and/or expression of one or more cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor(s) functional in a plant or parts thereof and/or one or more DNA sequences encoding such proteins. Also provided is a process for disruption plant cell division by interfering in the expression or activity of a cyclin-dependent protein kinase inhibitor using a DNA sequence according to the invention wherein said plant cell is part of a transgenic plant. Further described are diagnostic compositions comprising the aforementioned DNA sequences, proteins, antibodies and regulatory sequences. Methods for the identification of compounds being capable of activating or inhibiting the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors are described as well. Furthermore, transgenic plant cells, plant tissue and plants containing the above-described DNA sequences and vectors are described as well as the use of the aforementioned DNA sequences, vectors, proteins, antibodies, regulatory sequences and/or compounds identified by the method of the invention in plant cell and tissue culture, plant breeding and/or agriculture.

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors and uses thereof

The present invention provides a new Arabidopsis thaliana nucleotide sequence and polypeptide sequence having a molecular weight of about 10.5 kDa. Modulation of the expression of the polypeptides encoded by the nucleotide sequences according to the invention has an advantageous influence on plant cell division characteristics especially on the endoreduplication whereby plant cell size and storage capacity of plant cells is influenced.

Growing community of inventors

Drongen, Belgium

Lieven De Veylder