Identification of a new class of epsp synthases

A recombinant polynucleotide other than the polynucleotide sequence listed in SEQ ID NOS:3, 7, and 53 encoding an EPSPS enzyme having at least one sequence domain selected from the group consisting of:

• Domain I:
• L-A-K-G-X1-S-X2-L-X3-G-A-L-K-S-D-D-T (SEQ ID NO:13), where X1 denotes lysine or threonine, where X2 denotes arginine or histidine, where X3 denotes serine or threonine;
• Domain Ia:
• L-A-K-G-X1, (SEQ ID NO:14), where X1 denotes lysine or threonine;
• Domain Ib:
• S-X1-L-X2 (SEQ ID NO:15), where X1 denotes arginine or histidine, where X2 denotes serine or threonine;
• Domain Ic:
• G-A-L-K-S-D-D-T (SEQ ID NO:16);
• Domain II:
• E-P-D-X1-X2-T-F-X3-V-X4-X5-X6-G (SEQ ID NO:17), where X1 denotes aspartic acid or alanine, where X2 denotes serine or threonine, where X3 denotes valine or isoleucine, where X4 denotes threonine or glutamic acid, or lysine, where X5 denotes serine or glycine, where X6 denotes glutamine or serine or glutamic acid or threonine;
• Domain IIa:
• E-P-D-X1-X2-T-F-X3-V (SEQ ID NO:18), where X1 denotes aspartic acid or alanine,
• where X2 denotes serine or threonine, where X3 denotes valine or isoleucine;
• Domain IIb:
• X1-X2-X3-G (SEQ ID NO:19), where X1 denotes threonine or glutamic acid or lysine, where X2 denotes serine or glycine, where X3 denotes glutamine or serine or glutamic acid or threonine;
• Domain III:
• RFLTAA (SEQ ID NO:20);
• Domain IV:
• KRPI(G/M)P (SEQ ID NO:21)
• K-R-P-I-X1-P, where X1 denotes glycine or methionine or leucine;
• Domain V:
• X1-G-C-P-P-V (SEQ ID NO:22), where X1 denotes threonine or serine;
• Domain VI:
• I-G-A-X1-G-Y-X2-D-L-T (SEQ ID NO:23), where X1 denotes arginine or lysine or leucine, and where X2 denotes isoleucine or valine;
• Domain VII:
• W-X1-V-X2-X3-T-G (SEQ ID NO:24), where X1 denotes arginine or lysine, where X2 denotes alanine or histidine or glutamic acid or serine, where X3 denotes proline or alanine;
• Domain VIII:
• E-P-D-A-S-A-A-T-Y-L-W-X1-A-X2-X3-L (SEQ ID NO:25), where X1 denotes alanine or glycine, where X2 denotes glutamic acid or glutamine, where X3 denotes valine or leucine or alanine;
• Domain VIIIa:
• E-P-D-A-S-A-A-T-Y-L-W (SEQ ID NO:26);
• Domain IX:
• I-D-X1-G (SEQ ID NO:27), where X1 denotes isoleucine or leucine;
• Domain X:
• F-X1-Q-P-D-A-K-A (SEQ ID NO:28), where X1 denotes threonine or serine;
• Domain XI:
• X1-F-P-X2-X3-X4-A-X5-X6-X7-G-S-Q-M-Q-D-A-I-P-T-X8-A-V-X9A-A-F-N (SEQ ID NO:29), where X1 denotes glutamine or lysine or serine, where X2 denotes asparagine or histidine, where X3 denotes methionine or leucine, where X4 denotes proline or glutamine, where X5 denotes threonine or glutamic acid or valine, where X6 denotes valine or isoleucine, where X7 denotes aspartic acid or valine, where X8 denotes leucine or isoleucine, where X9 denotes leucine or isoleucine;
• Domain XIa:
• X1-F-P-X2-X3-X4-A (SEQ ID NO:30), where X1 denotes glutamine or lysine or serine, where X2 denotes asparagine or histidine, where X3 denotes methionine or leucine, where X4 denotes proline or glutamine;
• Domain XIb:
• X1-X2-X3-G-S-Q-M-Q-D-A-I-P-T-X4-A-V-X5A-A-F-N (SEQ ID NO:31), where X1 denotes threonine or glutamic acid or valine, where X2 denotes valine or isoleucine, where X3 denotes aspartic acid or valine, where X4 denotes leucine or isoleucine, where X5 denotes leucine or isoleucine;
• Domain XIc:
• G-S-Q-M-Q-D-A-I-P-T (SEQ ID NO:32);
• Domain XII:
• P-V-R-F-X1-X2-X3-X4-N-L-R-V-K-E-C-D-R-X5 (SEQ ID NO:33), where X1 denotes valine or threonine, where X2 denotes glutamic acid or glycine, where X3 denotes leucine or isoleucine, where X4 denotes alanine or glutamic acid, where X5 denotes isoleucine or valine;
• Domain XIIa:
• P-V-R-F (SEQ ID NO:34);
• Domain XIIb:
• X1-X2-X3-X4-N-L-R-V-K-E-C-D-R-X5 (SEQ ID NO:35), where X1 denotes valine or threonine, where X2 denotes glutamic acid or glycine, where X3 denotes leucine or isoleucine, where X4 denotes alanine or glutamic acid, where X5 denotes isoleucine or valine;
• Domain XIIc:
• N-L-R-V-K-E-C-D-R (SEQ ID NO:36);
• Domain XIII:
• E-G-D-D-L-X1-X2 (SEQ ID NO:37), where X1 denotes leucine or isoleucine, where X2 denotes valine or isoleucine;
• Domain XIV:
• X1-P-X2-L-A-G (SEQ ID NO:38), where X1 denotes aspartic acid or asparagine, where X2 denotes alanine or serine or threonine;
• Domain XV:
• A-X1-I-D-X2-X3-X4-D-H-R (SEQ ID NO:39), where X1 denotes leucine or serine or glutamic acid, where X2 denotes threonine or serine, where X3 denotes histidine or phenylalanine, where X4 denotes alanine or serine;
• Domain XVI:
• F-A-L-A-X1-L-K-X2-X3-G-I (SEQ ID NO:40), where X1 denotes glycine or alanine, where X2 denotes isoleucine or valine, where X3 denotes serine or glycine or alanine or lysine;
• Domain XVIa:
• F-A-L-A-X1-L-K (SEQ ID NO:41), where X1 denotes glycine or alanine;
• Domain XVIb:
• L-K-X1-X2-G-I (SEQ ID NO:42), where X1 denotes isoleucine or valine, where X2 denotes serine or glycine or alanine or lysine;
• Domain XVII:
• -X1-P-X2-C-V-X3-K (SEQ ID NO:43), where X1 denotes asparagine or aspartic acid, where X2 denotes alanine or aspartic acid, where X3 denotes alanine or glycine;
• Domain XVIII:
• X1-S-L-G-V (SEQ ID NO:44), where X1 denotes alanine or serine or proline, wherein said polynucleotide is operably linked to a promoter that drives expression of said polynucleotide in a plant cell.

A method of producing genetically transformed plants which are tolerant toward glyphosate herbicide, comprising the steps of:

• a) inserting into the genome of a plant cell a polynucleotide comprising:
• i) a promoter which functions in plant cells to cause the production of an RNA sequence,
• ii) a polynucleotide other than the polynucleotide sequence listed in SEQ ID NOS:3, 7 or 53 that causes the production of an RNA sequence which encodes an EPSPS enzyme having at least one sequence domain selected from the group consisting of:
• Domain I:
• L-A-K-G-X1-S-X2-L-X3-G-A-L-K-S-D-D-T (SEQ ID NO:13), where X1 denotes lysine or threonine, where X2 denotes arginine or histidine, where X3 denotes serine or threonine;
• Domain Ia:
• L-A-K-G-X1, (SEQ ID NO:14), where X1 denotes lysine or threonine;
• Domain Ib:
• S-X1-L-X2 (SEQ ID NO:15), where X1 denotes arginine or histidine, where X2 denotes serine or threonine;
• Domain Ic:
• G-A-L-K-S-D-D-T (SEQ ID NO:16);
• Domain II:
• E-P-D-X1-X2-T-F-X3-V-X4-X5-X6-G (SEQ ID NO:17), where X1 denotes aspartic acid or alanine, where X2 denotes serine or threonine, where X3 denotes valine or isoleucine, where X4 denotes threonine or glutamic acid, or lysine, where X5 denotes serine or glycine, where X6 denotes glutamine or serine or glutamic acid or threonine;
• Domain IIa:
• E-P-D-X1-X2-T-F-X3-V (SEQ ID NO:18), where X1 denotes aspartic acid or alanine, where X2 denotes serine or threonine, where X3 denotes valine or isoleucine;
• Domain IIb:
• X1-X2-X3-G (SEQ ID NO:19), where X1 denotes threonine or glutamic acid or lysine, where X2 denotes serine or glycine, where X3 denotes glutamine or serine or glutamic acid or threonine;
• Domain III:
• RFLTAA (SEQ ID NO:20);
• Domain IV:
• KRPI(G/M)P (SEQ ID NO:21)
• K-R-P-I-X1-P, where X1 denotes glycine or methionine or leucine;
• Domain V:
• X1-G-C-P-P-V (SEQ ID NO:22), where X1 denotes threonine or serine;
• Domain VI:
• I-G-A-X1-G-Y-X2-D-L-T (SEQ ID NO:23), where X1 denotes arginine or lysine or leucine, and where X2 denotes isoleucine or valine;
• Domain VII:
• W-X1-V-X2-X3-T-G (SEQ ID NO:24), where X1 denotes arginine or lysine, where X2 denotes alanine or histidine or glutamic acid or serine, where X3 denotes proline or alanine;
• Domain VIII:
• E-P-D-A-S-A-A-T-Y-L-W-X1-A-X2-X3-L (SEQ ID NO:25), where X1 denotes alanine or glycine, where X2 denotes glutamic acid or glutamine, where X3 denotes valine or leucine or alanine;
• Domain VIIIa:
• E-P-D-A-S-A-A-T-Y-L-W (SEQ ID NO:26);
• Domain IX:
• I-D-X1-G (SEQ ID NO:27), where X1 denotes isoleucine or leucine;
• Domain X:
• F-X1-Q-P-D-A-K-A (SEQ ID NO:28), where X1 denotes threonine or serine;
• Domain XI:
• X1-F-P-X2-X3-X4-A-X5-X6-X7-G-S-Q-M-Q-D-A-I-P-T-X8-A-V-X9A-A-F-N (SEQ ID NO:29), where X1 denotes glutamine or lysine or serine, where X2 denotes asparagine or histidine, where X3 denotes methionine or leucine, where X4 denotes proline or glutamine, where X5 denotes threonine or glutamic acid or valine, where X6 denotes valine or isoleucine, where X7 denotes aspartic acid or valine, where X8 denotes leucine or isoleucine, where X9 denotes leucine or isoleucine;
• Domain XIa:
• X1-F-P-X2-X3-X4-A (SEQ ID NO:30), where X1 denotes glutamine or lysine or serine, where X2 denotes asparagine or histidine, where X3 denotes methionine or leucine, where X4 denotes proline or glutamine;
• Domain XIb:
• X1-X2-X3-G-S-Q-M-Q-D-A-I-P-T-X4-A-V-X5A-A-F-N (SEQ ID NO:31), where X1 denotes threonine or glutamic acid or valine, where X2 denotes valine or isoleucine, where X3 denotes aspartic acid or valine, where X4 denotes leucine or isoleucine, where X5 denotes leucine or isoleucine;
• Domain XIc:
• G-S-Q-M-Q-D-A-I-P-T (SEQ ID NO:32);
• Domain XII:
• P-V-R-F-X1-X2-X3-X4-N-L-R-V-K-E-C-D-R-X5 (SEQ ID NO:33), where X1 denotes valine or threonine, where X2 denotes glutamic acid or glycine, where X3 denotes leucine or isoleucine, where X4 denotes alanine or glutamic acid, where X5 denotes isoleucine or valine;
• Domain XIIa:
• P-V-R-F (SEQ ID NO:34);
• Domain XIIb:
• X1-X2-X3-X4-N-L-R-V-K-E-C-D-R-X5 (SEQ ID NO:35), where X1 denotes valine or threonine, where X2 denotes glutamic acid or glycine, where X3 denotes leucine or isoleucine, where X4 denotes alanine or glutamic acid, where X5 denotes isoleucine or valine;
• Domain XIIc:
• N-L-R-V-K-E-C-D-R (SEQ ID NO:36);
• Domain XIII:
• E-G-D-D-L-X1-X2 (SEQ ID NO:37), where X1 denotes leucine or isoleucine, where X2 denotes valine or isoleucine;
• Domain XIV:
• X1-P-X2-L-A-G (SEQ ID NO:38), where X1 denotes aspartic acid or asparagine, where X2 denotes alanine or serine or threonine;
• Domain XV:
• A-X1-I-D-X2-X3-X4-D-H-R (SEQ ID NO:39), where X1 denotes leucine or serine or glutamic acid, where X2 denotes threonine or serine, where X3 denotes histidine or phenylalanine, where X4 denotes alanine or serine;
• Domain XVI:
• F-A-L-A-X1-L-K-X2-X3-G-I (SEQ ID NO:40), where X1 denotes glycine or alanine, where X2 denotes isoleucine or valine, where X3 denotes serine or glycine or alanine or lysine;
• Domain XVIa:
• F-A-L-A-X1-L-K (SEQ ID NO:41), where X1 denotes glycine or alanine;
• Domain XVIb:
• L-K-X1-X2-G-I (SEQ ID NO:42), where X1 denotes isoleucine or valine, where X2 denotes serine or glycine or alanine or lysine;
• Domain XVII:
• -X1-P-X2-C-V-X3-K (SEQ ID NO:43), where X1 denotes asparagine or aspartic acid, where X2 denotes alanine or aspartic acid, where X3 denotes alanine or glycine;
• Domain XVIII:
• X1-S-L-G-V (SEQ ID NO:44), where X1 denotes alanine or serine or proline;
• iii) a 3′ non-translated polynucleotide which functions in plant cells to cause the addition of a stretch of polyadenylated nucleotides to the 3′ end of the RNA sequence;
• b) obtaining a transformed plant cell;
• and
• c) regenerating from the transformed plant cell a genetically transformed plant which has increased tolerance to glyphosate herbicide.

A method for selectively controlling weeds in a field having plant seeds or plants comprising the steps of:

• a) planting the seeds or plants which are glyphosate-tolerant, said plants or seeds having integrated into their genome a polynucleotide comprising a heterologous polynucleotide having:
• i) a promoter which functions in plant cells to cause the production of an RNA sequence;
• ii) a polynucleotide other than the polynucleotide sequence listed in SEQ ID NO:3, 7 or 53 that causes the production of an RNA sequence which encodes an EPSPS enzyme having at least one sequence domain selected from the group consisting of:
• Domain I:
• L-A-K-G-X1-S-X2-L-X3-G-A-L-K-S-D-D-T (SEQ ID NO:13), where X1 denotes lysine or threonine, where X2 denotes arginine or histidine, where X3 denotes serine or threonine;
• Domain Ia:
• L-A-K-G-X1, (SEQ ID NO:14), where X1 denotes lysine or threonine;
• Domain Ib:
• S-X1-L-X2 (SEQ ID NO:15), where X1 denotes arginine or histidine, where X2 denotes serine or threonine;
• Domain Ic:
• G-A-L-K-S-D-D-T (SEQ ID NO:16);
• Domain II:
• E-P-D-X1-X2-T-F-X3-V-X4-X5-X6-G (SEQ ID NO:17), where X1 denotes aspartic acid or alanine, where X2 denotes serine or threonine, where X3 denotes valine or isoleucine, where X4 denotes threonine or glutamic acid, or lysine, where X5 denotes serine or glycine, where X6 denotes glutamine or serine or glutamic acid or threonine;
• Domain IIa:
• E-P-D-X1-X2-T-F-X3-V (SEQ ID NO:18), where X1 denotes aspartic acid or alanine, where X2 denotes serine or threonine, where X3 denotes valine or isoleucine;
• Domain IIb:
• X1-X2-X3-G (SEQ ID NO:19), where X1 denotes threonine or glutamic acid or lysine, where X2 denotes serine or glycine, where X3 denotes glutamine or serine or glutamic acid or threonine;
• Domain III:
• RFLTAA (SEQ ID NO:20);
• Domain IV:
• KRPI(G/M)P (SEQ ID NO:21)
• K-R-P-I-X1-P, where X1 denotes glycine or methionine or leucine;
• Domain V:
• X1-G-C-P-P-V (SEQ ID NO:22), where X1 denotes threonine or serine;
• Domain VI:
• I-G-A-X1-G-Y-X2-D-L-T (SEQ ID NO:23), where X1 denotes arginine or lysine or leucine, and where X2 denotes isoleucine or valine;
• Domain VII:
• W-X1-V-X2-X3-T-G (SEQ ID NO:24), where X1 denotes arginine or lysine, where X2 denotes alanine or histidine or glutamic acid or serine, where X3 denotes proline or alanine;
• Domain VIII:
• E-P-D-A-S-A-A-T-Y-L-W-X1-A-X2-X3-L (SEQ ID NO:25), where X1 denotes alanine or glycine, where X2 denotes glutamic acid or glutamine, where X3 denotes valine or leucine or alanine;
• Domain VIIIa:
• E-P-D-A-S-A-A-T-Y-L-W (SEQ ID NO:26);
• Domain IX:
• I-D-X1-G (SEQ ID NO:27), where X1 denotes isoleucine or leucine;
• Domain X:
• F-X1-Q-P-D-A-K-A (SEQ ID NO:28), where X1 denotes threonine or serine;
• Domain XI:
• X1-F-P-X2-X3-X4-A-X5-X6-X7-G-S-Q-M-Q-D-A-I-P-T-X8-A-V-X9A-A-F-N (SEQ ID NO:29), where X1 denotes glutamine or lysine or serine, where X2 denotes asparagine or histidine, where X3 denotes methionine or leucine, where X4 denotes proline or glutamine, where X5 denotes threonine or glutamic acid or valine, where X6 denotes valine or isoleucine, where X7 denotes aspartic acid or valine, where X8 denotes leucine or isoleucine, where X9 denotes leucine or isoleucine;
• Domain XIa:
• X1-F-P-X2-X3-X4-A (SEQ ID NO:30), where X1 denotes glutamine or lysine or serine, where X2 denotes asparagine or histidine, where X3 denotes methionine or leucine, where X4 denotes proline or glutamine;
• Domain XIb:
• X1-X2-X3-G-S-Q-M-Q-D-A-I-P-T-X4-A-V-X5A-A-F-N (SEQ ID NO:31), where X1 denotes threonine or glutamic acid or valine, where X2 denotes valine or isoleucine, where X3 denotes aspartic acid or valine, where X4 denotes leucine or isoleucine, where X5 denotes leucine or isoleucine;
• Domain XIc:
• G-S-Q-M-Q-D-A-I-P-T (SEQ ID NO:32);
• Domain XII:
• P-V-R-F-X1-X2-X3-X4-N-L-R-V-K-E-C-D-R-X5 (SEQ ID NO:33), where X1 denotes valine or threonine, where X2 denotes glutamic acid or glycine, where X3 denotes leucine or isoleucine, where X4 denotes alanine or glutamic acid, where X5 denotes isoleucine or valine;
• Domain XIIa:
• P-V-R-F (SEQ ID NO:34);
• Domain XIIb:
• X1-X2-X3-X4-N-L-R-V-K-E-C-D-R-X5 (SEQ ID NO:35), where X1 denotes valine or threonine, where X2 denotes glutamic acid or glycine, where X3 denotes leucine or isoleucine, where X4 denotes alanine or glutamic acid, where X5 denotes isoleucine or valine;
• Domain XIIc:
• N-L-R-V-K-E-C-D-R (SEQ ID NO:36);
• Domain XIII:
• E-G-D-D-L-X1-X2 (SEQ ID NO:37), where X1 denotes leucine or isoleucine, where X2 denotes valine or isoleucine;
• Domain XIV:
• X1-P-X2-L-A-G (SEQ ID NO:38), where X1 denotes aspartic acid or asparagine, where X2 denotes alanine or serine or threonine;
• Domain XV:
• A-X1-I-D-X2-X3-X4-D-H-R (SEQ ID NO:39), where X1 denotes leucine or serine or glutamic acid, where X2 denotes threonine or serine, where X3 denotes histidine or phenylalanine, where X4 denotes alanine or serine;
• Domain XVI:
• F-A-L-A-X1-L-K-X2-X3-G-I (SEQ ID NO:40), where X1 denotes glycine or alanine, where X2 denotes isoleucine or valine, where X3 denotes serine or glycine or alanine or lysine;
• Domain XVIa:
• F-A-L-A-X1-L-K (SEQ ID NO:41), where X1 denotes glycine or alanine;
• Domain XVIb:
• L-K-X1-X2-G-I (SEQ ID NO:42), where X1 denotes isoleucine or valine, where X2 denotes serine or glycine or alanine or lysine;
• Domain XVII:
• -X1-P-X2-C-V-X3-K (SEQ ID NO:43), where X1 denotes asparagine or aspartic acid, where X2 denotes alanine or aspartic acid, where X3 denotes alanine or glycine;
• Domain XVIII:
• X1-S-L-G-V (SEQ ID NO:44), where X1 denotes alanine or serine or proline;
• iii) a 3′ non-translated polynucleotide which functions in plant cells to cause the addition of a stretch of polyadenylated nucleotides to the 3′ end of the RNA sequence;
• and
• b) applying to the plants and weeds in the field a sufficient amount of glyphosate herbicide to control the weeds without significantly affecting the plants.