Use of virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) to down-regulate gene use in plants
AssigneePioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
InventorsRaul Alvarez-Venegas, Yongping Zhang, Konrad Kraling, Lomas Tulsieram
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Abstract
The present invention provides nucleic acid molecules and methods to down-regulate by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) vernalization genes in winter annuals, specifically the Flowering Locus C (FLC) gene in Brassica napus. Down-regulation of FLC allows winter annuals to flower without vernalization or with reduced vernalization. This, in turn, provides a shorter breeding cycling and the opportunity for enhanced genetic gain.
Claims25
A DNA construct comprising a viral silencing vector, wherein silencing of an endogenous vernalization gene is induced when the DNA construct is introduced into a winter plant that comprises the endogenous vernalization gene.
A method of silencing expression of an endogenous plant gene in a Brassica plant cell, comprising introducing a DNA construct into the plant cell, wherein the DNA construct comprises (i) a first nucleotide comprising at least a fragment of a CaLCuV genome sufficient to effect VIGS and (ii) a second nucleotide comprising a fragment of the endogenous plant gene, or a fragment similar thereto, wherein introduction of the construct in the plant cell results in silencing of the endogenous gene in the plant cell.
The method of claim 28 wherein the endogenous gene regulates male fertility.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.