Zeneca Limited

Imperial Chemical Industries Limited

University of Leicester

Simon W Bright

Wolfgang Walter Schuch

Andrew James Greenland

Ian George Bridges

Ian Jepson

David Charles Holt

David Byrom

Philip Anthony Fentem

David Pioli

Andrew Merryweather

The chemically-inducible 27 kD subunit of the enzyme glutathione-S-transferase, isoform II (GST-II-27) and sequences encoding it are provided. In particular, a genomic DNA sequence encoding the gene promoter for the GST-II-27 subunit is provided. Then linked to an exogenous gene and introduced into a plant by transformation, and GST-II-27 promoter provides a means for the external regulation of expression of that exogenous gene. Transformation with DNA encoding glutathione-S-transferase polypeptides produces herbicide resistance transgenic plants.

Plant-derived enzyme and DNA sequences and uses thereof

Pseudo-operator sequences may be located in (or inserted into) plant genomes and utilized to drive expression of foreign genes. These pseudo-operator sequences are nucleotide sequences which are present at a suitable location in a gene at which repressor binding will lead to inhibitation or enhancement of gene expression. The disclosed technique permits the design of altered specificity repressors, which bind the pseudo-operators.

Regulation of gene expression

Male sterility is imparted to a plant by a cascade of gene sequences which expresses a protein which disrupts the biosynthesis of viable pollen. Expression of the disrupter protein is restricted to male parts of the plant by an upstream promoter sequence which is specific to male flowers, the male specific promoter being under control of an operator sequence. The cascade also includes a gene encoding a repressor protein specific for that operator. Expression of the repressor protein is under control of a chemically inducible promoter which is inducible by the application to the plant by, spraying or like process, of an exogenous chemical. In the absence of the exogenous chemical inducer, no repressor protein is expressed, resulting in expression of the disrupter protein and, consequently, male sterility. Fertility may be restored to the plant, when required for maintenance of the line, by spraying with the inducer, resulting in expression of the repressor which binds the operator and inhibits expression of the disrupter protein.

Plant gene construct comprising male flower specific promoters

Plant-derived glutathione-S-transferase isoform II promoter

Three similar gene sequences are provided, the sequences being shown in the drawings, which are recovered from male flower parts of maize, specifically anther tissue. When one or more of these sequences are included in a gene construct, expression of an encoded protein is restricted to male parts of the plant. The sequences have utility in any application where expression in male flower parts is indicated, a specific application is in the control of expression of a disrupter protein which imparts male sterility when incorporated in a plant genome.

Male flower specific gene sequences

A plant which produces polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer has a recombinant genome which contains one or more than one of the genes specifying enzymes critical to the polyhydroxyalkanoate biosynthetic pathway which occurs in certain micro-organisms such as Alcaligenes eutrophus which naturally produce same. The plant species is preferably an oil-producing plant.

Growing community of inventors

Marlow, United Kingdom

Simon W Bright