Zeneca Limited

Imperial Chemical Industries Limited

University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated

Syngenta Corporation

University of Leicester

Ian G. Bridges

Wolfgang W. Schuch

Mark Olive

Simon W. J. Bright

Andrew J. Greenland

Wolfgang Walter Schuch

Ian George Bridges

Simon William Jonathan Bright

Andrew James Greenland

David Pioli

Donald Grierson

Colin Roger Bird

John Anthony Ray

Simon W Bright

Ian Jepson

Ian G Bridges

David Charles Holt

Gregory Alan Tucker

Dirk Gustaaf Inze

Graham Barron Seymour

Alain Michel Boudet

Andrew J Greenland

Simon W J Bright

George William Singletary

Peter Lewis Keeling

Philip Anthony Fentem

Grantley W Lycett

Susan Ely

Karen Anne Holt

Gloria Andrews Moore

Kay V Riddell

Sylvie Picard

Annette Teresa Carey

Arthur B Tomsett

Rupert George Fray

Susan Dale Lawrence

Ian Jeffrey Evans

Jeremy M Boniwell

Mark X Caddick

Ruper G Fray

Caroline Rachel Drake

Andrew Merryweather

The invention relates to a chemically-inducible plant gene expression cassette and to plant cells transformed therewith. The expression cassette is suitable for use in any dicotyledonous or monocotyledonous plant. It comprises a first promoter operatively linked to a regulator sequence which encodes a regulator protein, and an inducible promoter operatively linked to a target gene, the inducible promoter being activated by the regulator protein in the presence of an effective exogenous inducer whereby application of the inducer causes expression of the target gene. The regulator sequence may be derived from the alcR gene, and the inducible promoter may be derived from the alcA gene promoter (both obtainable from ). A chimeric promoter comprising an upstream regulatory region and a heterologous downstream transcription initiation region is also disclosed. The regulatory sequence may be derived from the alcA gene promoter.

DNA constructs and plants incorporating them

Process for the inhibition of the production of a gene product in a plant cell which comprises generating in the cell while the gene product is being expressed mRNA from recombinant DNA coding for part only of the gene product: also constructs for use in the process, and cells and plants that carry out the process. Specifically applicable to control of fruit ripening, in particular in tomatoes.

Method for modifying production of fruit ripening enzyme

A method for enhancing the expression of a tomato phytoene synthese gene in a plant while avoiding or reducing co-suppression involves the synthesis of a DNA which is altered in nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:1) and is capable of expression of a protein, ideally identical to that of a protein already expressed by a DNA already present in the plant. This method ensures that sequence similarity between the two genes is reduced enough to eliminate the phenomenon of co-suppression, allowing the over-expression of a specific phytoene synthese protein.

Enhancement of tomato phytoene synthase gene expression with a modified DNA

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 encoding a protein capable of disrupting the biogenesis of viable pollen

The synthesis of lignin by plants is controlled by transformation of the plant genome with a recombinant gene construct which contains the gene specifying an enzyme critical to the synthesis of a lignin precursor, which gene may be in antisense orientation so that it is transcribed to mRNA having a sequence complementary to the equivalent mRNA transcribed from the endogenous gene thus leading to suppression of lignin synthesis. If the recombinant gene has the lignin enzyme gene in normal, or 'sense' orientation, increased production of the enzyme may occur when the insert is the full length DNA but suppression may occur it only a partial sequence is employed.

Modification of lignin synthesis in plants

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

Co-ordinated inhibition of plant gene expression

Modified fruit containing galactanase transgene

A DNA which has the sequence shown in FIG. 5 and which defines a gene promoter region has been isolated from maize roots. The promoter may be used for driving expression of foreign genes in the roots of plants. This is particularly useful for expressing an insecticidal toxin, such as a delta-endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis, to impart resistance to insect attack on the roots of plants by Coleopteran insects.

Root-specific promoter

Tomato ripening TOM41 compositions and methods of use

Plant gene construct comprising male flower specific promoters

Plants, particularly cereal plants, which have altered ability to synthesise starch are produced by inserting into the genome of the plant a gene encoding an enzyme of the starch biosynthetic pathway such that capacity to produce starch is improved or reduced. The gene encoding the enzyme ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase has been isolated from wheat leaf and wheat endosperm tissue. The enzyme is essential to the biosynthesis of starch in plants. Addition of extra copies of the gene to a plant by transformation enhances starch production, increasing the food value of the crop. Conversely, insertion of a gene encoding mRNA antisense to the mRNA encoded by the endogenous ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene will reduce starch production. cDNA sequences are provided which may be used to identify homologous sequences in other tissue and in other plants. The ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene promoter may be used in the genetic manipulation of plants to alter their starch-synthesising ability.

Plants with altered ability to synthesize starch and process for

The gene of the construct pTOM5 is involved in the carotenoid pathway, which produces carotenes, lutein, xanthophylls, and pigments such as lycopene. The invention proposes to modify (inhibit or promote) the synthesis of such compounds in plants using novel DNA contructs comprising a DNA sequence homologous to some or all of the gene encoded by the clone pTOM5, preceded by a plant promoter. In particular, colour of plant parts, especially fruit, may be modified. Yellow tomatoes are disclosed.

Process for modifying the production of carotenoids in plants, and DNA,

Growing community of inventors

Crowthorne, United Kingdom

Wolfgang Walter Schuch