Elongase promoters for tissue-specific expression of transgenes in plants
OwnerFrank P. Wolter, Jixiang Han +1inventors
InventorsFrank P. Wolter, Jixiang Han, Margrit Frentzen
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Abstract
The invention relates to chimerical genes that have (i) a DNA sequence coding for a desired product, and (ii) an elongase promoter. The DNA sequence is functionally linked with the promoter to allow expression of the product under the control of the promoter. The invention further relates to vectors, plant cells, plants and plant parts and microorganisms that contain the chimerical gene and to methods for producing such vectors, plant cells, plants and plant parts and microorganisms. The invention also relates to elongase-encoding sequences from Brassica napus and to transgenic plants and microorganisms expressing said sequences.
Claims37
A nucleic acid sequence, characterised in that it encodes a protein with the activity of a β-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS) from Brassica napus.
A promoter region, characterised in that it naturally controls the expression of a β-ketoacyl-CoA synthase gene.
The nucleic acid molecule, characterised in that it comprises a nucleic acid sequence, a promoter region, or a chimeric gene according to any of the preceding claims.
The transgenic plants, characterised in that they contain a nucleic acid sequence, a promoter region, a chimeric gene, or a nucleic acid molecule according to any of the preceding claims, as well as parts of these plants and their propagation material, such as protoplasts, plant cells, calli, seeds, tubers, or cuttings as well as the progeny of these plants.
The method for generating longer chain polyunsaturated fatty acids by elongation of shorter chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in microorganisms and plant cells by (i) elongation of naturally occuring polyunsaturated fatty acids, or (ii) elongation of polyunsaturated fatty acids taken up from the environment, comprising the steps:
- a) Generating a nucleic acid sequence, in which a promoter region being active in the microorganism or in the plant cell is operatively linked with a nucleic acid sequence encoding a protein with β-ketoacyl-CoA synthase activity,
- b) Transfer of the nucleic acid sequence from (a) to microorganisms or plant cells,
- c) In the case of plant cells, optionally regeneration of fully transformed plants, and
- d) If desired, propagation of the generated transgenic organisms.
The method for generating longer chain polyunsaturated fatty acids by elongation of shorter chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in microorganisms and plant cells by elongation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, that are generated in the microorganism or in the plant cell due to the expression of one or more introduced desaturase or/and elongase genes, comprising the steps:
- a) Generating a nucleic acid sequence in which a promoter region being active in the microorganism or in the plant cell is operatively linked with a nucleic acid sequence encoding a protein with β-ketoacyl-CoA synthase activity,
- b) Transfer of the nucleic acid sequence from (a) to microorganisms or plant cells,
- c) In the case of plant cells, optionally regeneration of fully transformed plants, and
- d) If desired, propagation of the generated transgenic organisms.
Use of a nucleic acid sequence encoding a protein with β-ketoacyl-CoA synthase activity for generating transgenic microorganisms or plant cells with a pattern of polyunsaturated fatty acid that is shifted towards longer chain fatty acids compared to the original forms.
A promoter region, characterized in that it naturally controls the expression of a plant β-ketoacyl-CoA synthase gene and has a nucleotide sequence, which
- is comprised by the sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 2 and comprises both the promoter elements TATA box and CAAT box, or
- hybridizes with the promoter region shown in SEQ ID No. 2 under stringent hybridization conditions, or
- shows at least 70-80% sequence identity with the promoter region shown in SEQ ID No. 2.
A chimeric gene, characterized in that it comprises a promoter region according to any of the preceding claims being operatively linked with a coding region.
A transgenic plant, characterized in that it contains a promoter region, a chimeric gene, or a nucleic acid molecule according to any of the preceding claims, as well as parts of said plant and its propagation material, such as protoplasts, plant cells, calli, seeds, tubers, and cuttings as well as its progeny.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.