US 5,689,041 A · Plants modified with barstar for fertility restoration

Abstract

A plant, the nuclear genome of which is transformed with a first foreign DNA sequence. The first foreign DNA sequence comprises a fertility-restorer DNA which encodes a first RNA, a protein or polypeptide that can inactivate a second RNA, protein or polypeptide in cells of the plant. The second RNA, protein or polypeptide is encoded by a sterility DNA in a second foreign DNA sequence in the plant's nuclear genome. Expression of the sterility DNA, in the absence of expression of the fertility-restorer DNA, would disturb significantly the metabolism, functioning and/or development of cells of the plant's flowers, particularly, the plant's reproductive organs, or cells of the plant's seeds or embryos in which the sterility DNA is selectively expressed, thereby rendering the plant male- or female-sterile. The first and second foreign DNA sequences also can encode suitable markers.

Claims77

Dependent claims

A plant comprising a foreign DNA incorporated in the nuclear genome of its cells, said foreign DNA comprising a foreign restorer gene including:

(a) a fertility-restorer DNA encoding a restorer protein or polypeptide which is barstar or a variant thereof which neutralizes, blocks, offsets, overcomes or prevents activity of barnase;
and
(b) a first promoter directing expression of said fertility-restorer DNA at least in specific stamen cells of said plant, said fertility restorer DNA being in the same transcriptional unit as, and under control of, said first promoter;
said plant being capable, when crossed to a male-sterile plant having a sterility DNA encoding barnase incorporated in its nuclear genome wherein barnase is selectively produced in said specific stamen cells, of producing male-fertile progeny comprising said sterility DNA and said fertility-restorer DNA.

1 more element

A plant comprising a first foreign DNA and a second foreign DNA incorporated in the nuclear genome of its cells wherein said first foreign DNA comprises a sterility gene including:

a sterility DNA encoding barnase;
a sterility promoter capable of directing expression of said sterility DNA selectively in specific stamen cells of said plant, said sterility DNA being in the same transcriptional unit as, and under control of, said sterility promoter;
and wherein said second foreign DNA comprises a restorer gene including:
a fertility-restorer DNA encoding barstar or a variant thereof which neutralizes, blocks, offsets, overcomes or prevents barnase activity;
and
a first promoter directing expression of said fertility-restorer DNA at least in said specific stamen cells of said plant, said fertility restorer DNA being in the same transcriptional unit as, and under control of, said first promoter;
wherein said plant is male fertile due to the prevention of the activity of said barnase in said specific stamen cells by said barstar or variant thereof produced by expression of said fertility-restorer DNA at least in said specific stamen cells.

4 more elements

A system for breeding and producing hybrid crops said system comprising:

(a) a male-sterile plant comprising a first foreign DNA incorporated in the nuclear genome of its cells which includes a sterility gene comprising:
a sterility DNA encoding barnase;
a sterility promoter capable of directing expression of said sterility DNA selectively in specific stamen cells of said male-sterile plant, said sterility DNA being in the same transcriptional unit as, and under control of, said sterility promoter;
and
(b) a male-fertile plant comprising a second foreign DNA incorporated in the nuclear genome of its cells which comprises a restorer gene including:
a fertility-restorer DNA encoding barstar or a variant thereof which neutralizes, blocks, offsets, overcomes or prevents barnase activity;
and
a first promoter directing expression of said fertility-restorer DNA at least in said specific stamen cells of said male-fertile plant, said fertility restorer DNA being in the same transcriptional unit as, and under control of, said first promoter;
wherein said male-sterile and male-fertile plant can be crossed to produce male-fertile progeny comprising said first foreign DNA and said second foreign DNA.

6 more elements

A process for producing a seed, capable of growing into a fertility-restored plant comprising the steps of:

(a) crossing
(i) a male-sterile plant comprising a first foreign DNA incorporated in the nuclear genome of its cells which comprises a sterility gene including:
a sterility DNA encoding barnase;
a sterility promoter capable of directing expression of said sterility DNA selectively in specific stamen cells of said male-sterile plant, said sterility DNA being in the same transcriptional unit as, and under control of, said sterility promoter;
and
(ii) a male-fertile restorer plant comprising a second foreign DNA incorporated in the nuclear genome of its cells which comprises a restorer gene including:
a fertility-restorer DNA encoding barstar or a variant thereof which neutralizes, blocks, offsets, overcomes or prevents barnase activity;
and
a first promoter directing expression of said fertility-restorer DNA at least in said specific stamen cells of said restorer plant, said fertility restorer DNA being in the same transcriptional unit as, and under control of, said first promoter;
(b) obtaining seeds from said male-sterile plant that include said first foreign DNA and said second foreign DNA.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Plants modified with barstar for fertility restoration

Life of this patent

Plants modified with barstar for fertility restoration

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims77