Transcriptional control element, chimeric consructs and uses therefor

An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence that corresponds or is complementary to at least a portion of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or to a variant thereof wherein the portion is at least 90 nucleotides in length and wherein the variant displays at least 80% sequence identity to the at least a portion.

A chimeric DNA construct comprising an isolated promoter or biologically active fragment thereof or variant of these, wherein the promoter is naturally located upstream of a transcribable DNA sequence which hybridises to a nucleic acid probe derived from the polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 under at least high stringency conditions, wherein the promoter or biologically active fragment or variant is operably linked to a foreign or endogenous DNA sequence to be transcribed.

A method for gene expression in a plant, comprising introducing into a plant cell a chimeric DNA construct comprising an isolated promoter or biologically active fragment thereof or variant of these, wherein the promoter is naturally located upstream of a transcribable DNA sequence which hybridises to a nucleic acid probe derived from the polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 under at least high stringency conditions, wherein the promoter or biologically active fragment or variant is operably linked to a foreign or endogenous DNA sequence to be transcribed.

A method for producing transformed plant cells, comprising:

• (a) introducing into regenerable plant cells a chimeric DNA construct comprising an isolated promoter or biologically active fragment thereof or variant of these, wherein the promoter is naturally located upstream of a transcribable DNA sequence which hybridises to a nucleic acid probe derived from the polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 under at least high stringency conditions, wherein the promoter or biologically active fragment or variant is operably linked to a foreign or endogenous DNA sequence to be transcribed, so as to yield transformed plant cells;
• and
• (b) identifying or selecting transformed plant cells.

A method for selecting stable genetic transformants from transformed plant cells comprising:

• (a) introducing into regenerable plant cells a chimeric DNA construct comprising an isolated promoter or biologically active fragment thereof or variant of these, wherein the promoter is naturally located upstream of a transcribable DNA sequence which hybridises to a nucleic acid probe derived from the polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 under at least high stringency conditions, wherein the promoter or biologically active fragment or variant is operably linked to a foreign or endogenous DNA sequence to be transcribed, so as to yield transformed plant cells;
• and
• (b) identifying or selecting a transformed plant cell line from said transformed plant cells.

A transformed plant cell containing a chimeric DNA construct comprising an isolated plant promoter or biologically active fragment thereof or variant of these, wherein said promoter is naturally located upstream of a transcribable DNA sequence which hybridises to a nucleic acid probe derived from the polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 under at least high stringency conditions, wherein said promoter or biologically active fragment or variant is operably linked to a foreign or endogenous DNA sequence to be transcribed.

A differentiated transgenic plant comprising plant cells containing a chimeric DNA construct comprising an isolated plant promoter or biologically active fragment thereof or variant of these, wherein said promoter is naturally located upstream of a transcribable DNA sequence which hybridises to a nucleic acid probe derived from the polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 under at least high stringency conditions, wherein said promoter or biologically active fragment or variant is operably linked to a foreign or endogenous DNA sequence to be transcribed.

Use of a chimeric DNA construct comprising an isolated plant promoter or biologically active fragment thereof or variant of these, wherein said promoter is naturally located upstream of a transcribable DNA sequence which hybridises to a nucleic acid probe derived from the polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 under at least high stringency conditions, wherein said promoter or biologically active fragment or variant is operably linked to a foreign or endogenous DNA sequence to be transcribed, in the production of a transformed plant cell, plant or plant part.

A method for diagnosing a badnaviral infection of a plant, comprising detecting the presence in a cell or tissue of the plant of (a) a nucleotide sequence that corresponds or is complementary to at least a portion of the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or 2, or of a variant of the nucleotide sequence, or (b) an amino acid sequence that corresponds to at least a portion of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3, 4 or 5, or of a variant of the amino acid sequence.