Wooden leg gene, promoter and uses thereof

An anti-idiotypic antibody that mimics an epitope of WOODEN LEG protein.

A method for altering root development by modifying the expression of a WOODEN LEG protein or polypeptide.

A plant genetically-engineered to modify expression of a WOODEN LEG protein or polypeptide, so that root development is altered.

A plant genetically-engineered to overexpress a WOODEN LEG protein or polypeptide, resulting in thicker or longer root development.

A genetically-engineered plant in which the endogenous WOODEN LEG gene is disrupted or inactivated, resulting in thinner or shorter root development.

A transgenic plant containing a transgene encoding a gene of interest operatively associated with a WOODEN LEG promoter, so that the gene of interest is expressed in roots.

A method for directing expression of a gene in the pericycle and vascular tissue in the hypocotyl region of a plant comprising:

• a) placing said gene under the control of the WOODEN LEG promoter in a transgenic plant;
• and
• b) assaying for the expression of said gene in said transgenic plant.

A method for directing expression of a gene in the root structures of a plant comprising:

• a) placing said gene under the control of the WOODEN LEG promoter in a transgenic plant;
• and
• b) assaying for the expression of said gene in said transgenic plant.

An isolated WOL protein.

A WOL protein lacking one to seven of the following domains:

• a short N-terminal domain, a transmembrane domain, an extracellular receptor domain, a transmembrane domain, a histidine kinase domain, receiver domain DA, and a receiver domain DB.

A polypeptide corresponding to the short N-terminal domain, transmembrane domain, extracellular receptor domain, transmembrane domain, histidine kinase domain, receiver domain DA, or the receiver domain DB of the WOL protein.

An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising SEQ ID NOs:25 or 26 or both SEQ ID NOs:25 and 26, wherein the nucleic acid encodes a protein that has the ability to regulate the set of asymmetric cell divisions that establish vascular tissue during root and hypocotyl development, and that indirectly regulates xylem differentiation by controlling the number of cells in the vascular cylinder.

A polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID Nos:

• 29 or 30 or both SEQ ID Nos:
• 29 and 30, wherein the polypeptide has the ability to regulate the set of asymmetric cell divisions that establish vascular tissue during root and hypocotyl development, and that indirectly regulates xylem differentiation by controlling the number of cells in the vascular cylinder.

A plant genetically-engineered to overexpress a WOODEN LEG protein or polypeptide, resulting in increased cell layers in vascular tissues, such that wood production in increased.

A plant genetically-engineered to modify expression of a WOODEN LEG protein or polypeptide, so that development of vascular tissue is altered.

A plant genetically-engineered to overexpress a WOODEN LEG protein or polypeptide, so that development of vascular tissue is altered.

A genetically-engineered plant in which the endogenous WOODEN LEG gene is disrupted or inactivated, so that development of vascular tissue is altered.

A transgenic plant containing a transgene encoding a gene of interest operatively associated with a WOODEN LEG promoter, so that the gene of interest is expressed in developing vascular tissue.

A transgenic plant containing a transgene encoding a gene of interest operatively associated with a WOODEN LEG promoter, so that lignin or cellulose production is altered.