The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 08, 2012
Filed:
Nov. 24, 2008
Dwight T. Tomes, Van Meter, IA (US);
Silvio Salvi, Bologna, IT;
Michele Morgante, Udiune, IT;
Giorgio Sponza, Bologna, IT;
Edward Bruggemann, West Des Moines, IA (US);
Xiaomu Niu, Johnston, IA (US);
Bailin LI, Hockessin, DE;
Roberto Tuberosa, Bologna, IT;
Dwight T. Tomes, Van Meter, IA (US);
Silvio Salvi, Bologna, IT;
Michele Morgante, Udiune, IT;
Giorgio Sponza, Bologna, IT;
Edward Bruggemann, West Des Moines, IA (US);
Xiaomu Niu, Johnston, IA (US);
Bailin Li, Hockessin, DE;
Roberto Tuberosa, Bologna, IT;
Pioneer Hi Bred International Inc, Johnston, IA (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating flowering time in plants. Maize RAP2.7 nucleotide sequences are disclosed which upon overexpression cause later flowering and when inhibited cause earlier flowering. Also disclosed is a DNA sequence which acts as a regulator/enhancer of RAP2.7, termed VGT1. This sequence does not code for any known protein, but acts as either a RNAi element or a regulatory DNA or RNA element that either directly regulates expression of flowering genes such as Rap2.7 or specifically targets expression of other genes which control flowering genes such as Rap2.7. This element this can be used as a sequence-based marker to identify inbred and hybrids which have altered maturity. Methods for expressing these nucleotide sequences in a plant for modifying maturity and flowering in plants are provided as well as expression constructs, vectors, transformed cells and plants.