Regulatory element conferring tapetum specificity
AssigneePioneer Hi-Bred Internation, Inc.
InventorGary A. Huffman
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Abstract
A novel DNA regulatory element that confers anther tapetum-specific gene expression has been discovered, isolated, and characterized. The tapetum-specific regulatory element can be used to control the expression of a foreign gene that disrupts the function of tapetal cells. Thus, the control of maize pollen production can be achieved by using the tapetum-specific regulatory element to produce male-sterile plants. Various methods can be used to restore male fertility in the F1 generation of such male-sterile plants.
Claims20
An isolated DNA molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, wherein said DNA molecule is a tapetum-specific regulatory element.
The expression vector of claim 4, wherein said promoter is selected from the group consisting of the SGB6 core promoter and the CaMV 35S core promoter.
The expression vector of claim 5, wherein said promoter is the SGB6 core promoter.
A method of producing a male-sterile plant, comprising the step of:
- (a) constructing an expression vector comprising a tapetum-specific regulatory element, a promoter, and a foreign gene, wherein said tapetum-specific regulatory element comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1,
- wherein said tapetum-specific regulatory element in conjunction with said promoter control the expression of said foreign gene, and wherein the product of said foreign gene disrupts the function of tapetal cells, thereby producing a male-sterile plant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.