Agriculture and Agri-food Canada

Margaret Y Gruber

Heather Ray

Neil D Westcott

The present invention provides two novel regulatory genes and encoded proteins which can be used to alter the biosynthesis and accumulation of condensed tannin levels in plants and plant tissues. The present invention further encompasses transgenic constructs containing the novel regulatory genes herein referred to as Ulimyc, Corniculmyc and Japmyc, for use in the transformation of plants and plant tissues and transgenic plants containing such constructs. The identification and characterization of these novel genes provide a mechanism for altering tannin production in plants and allows one to alter such levels to produce a variety of benefits in the field of agriculture, land reclamation animal farming and food technology in general.

Regulatory genes involved in condensed tannin synthesis in plants

The present invention provides the use of a regulatory gene Lc and encoded protein to alter the biosynthesis and accumulation of flavonoids including anthocyanins and condensed tannins in plants and plant tissues, particularly in alfalfa, white clover, and other forage legumes which are similar in lacking native condensed tannin accumulation in leaves. The identification of the effects of this gene in alfalfa provide a mechanism for altering flavonoid, anthocyanin and condensed tannin production in forage legumes and allows one to alter such levels to produce a variety of benefits in the field of agriculture, animal farming and food technology in general.

Growing community of inventors

Saskatoon, Canada

Margaret Y Gruber