Isolated polynucleotide encoding a novel phosphate transporter in plants and a method of modulating phosphate uptake in plants

An isolated nucleic acid comprising a genomic, complementary or composite polynucleotide sequence hybridizable with SEQ ID NO:1 under hybridization conditions of hybridization solution containing 10% dextran sulfate, 1 M NaCl, 1% SDS and 5×106 cpm 32p labeled probe, at 65° C., with a final wash solution of 1×SSC and 0.1% SDS and final wash at 60° C.

An isolated nucleic acid comprising a genomic, complementary or composite polynucleotide sequence at least 65% identical to SEQ ID NO:1 as determined using the BestFit software of the Wisconsin sequence analysis package, utilizing the Smith and Waterman algorithm, where gap weight equals 50, length weight equals 3, average match equals 10 and average mismatch equals −9.

An isolated nucleic acid comprising a polynucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.

An isolated nucleic acid comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide as set forth in SEQ ID NO:

• 2.

A recombinant protein comprising a polypeptide sequence at least 75% homologous to SEQ ID NO:2 as determined using the BestFit software of the Wisconsin sequence analysis package, utilizing the Smith and Waterman algorithm, where gap creation penalty equals 8 and gap extension penalty equals 2.

A recombinant protein comprising a polypeptide sequence encoded by a polynucleotide hybridizable with SEQ ID NO:1 under hybridization conditions of hybridization solution containing 10% dextran sulfate, 1 M NaCl, 1% SDS and 5×106 cpm 32p labeled probe, at 65° C., with a final wash solution of 1×SSC and 0.1% SDS and final wash at 60° C.

A recombinant protein comprising a polypeptide sequence encoded by a polynucleotide at least 65% identical with SEQ ID NO:1 as determined using the BestFit software of the Wisconsin sequence analysis package, utilizing the Smith and Waterman algorithm, where gap weight equals 50, length weight equals 3, average match equals 10 and average mismatch equals −9.

A recombinant protein comprising a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.

A method of increasing an uptake of phosphate by a plant, the method comprising the step of overexpressing in at least a portion of cells of the plant a phosphate transporter.

An isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a polynucleotide functional as a plant promoter, wherein said polynucleotide is hybridizable with SEQ ID NO:3 under hybridization conditions of hybridization solution containing 10% dextran sulfate, 1 M NaCl, 1% SDS and 5×106 cpm 32p labeled probe, at 65° C., with a final wash solution of 1×SSC and 0.1% SDS and final wash at 60° C.

An isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a polynucleotide functional as a plant promoter, wherein said polynucleotide is at least 50% identical with SEQ ID NO:3 as determined using the BestFit software of the Wisconsin sequence analysis package, utilizing the Smith and Waterman algorithm, where gap weight equals 50, length weight equals 3, average match equals 10 and average mismatch equals −9.

A method for generating plants suitable for growth under high phosphate conditions, the method comprising the step of inactivating an expression of an endogenous phosphate transporter gene, said endogenous phosphate transporter gene including a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

• (i) at least 65% identical with SEQ ID NO:1 as determined using the BestFit software of the Wisconsin sequence analysis package, utilizing the Smith and Waterman algorithm, where gap weight equals 50, length weight equals 3, average match equals 10 and average mismatch equals −9;
• and
• (ii) hybridizable with SEQ ID NO:1 under hybridization conditions of hybridization solution containing 10% dextran sulfate, 1 M NaCl, 1% SDS and 5×106 cpm 32p labeled probe, at 65° C., with a final wash solution of 1×SSC and 0.1% SDS and final wash at 60° C.