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AssigneesPioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., University of Bologna
InventorsDwight Tomes, Silvio Salvi, Michele Morgante, Giorgio Sponza, Edward Bruggemann, Xiaomu Niu, Bailin Li, Roberto Tuberosa
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The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating flowering time in plants. Maize RAP2.7 nucleotide sequences are disclosed which upon overexpression cause later flowering and when inhibited cause earlier flowering. Also disclosed is a DNA sequence which acts as a regulator/enhancer of RAP2.7, termed VGT1. This sequence does not code for any known protein, but acts as either a RNAi element or a regulatory DNA or RNA element that either directly regulates expression of flowering genes such as Rap2.7 or specifically targets expression of other genes which control flowering genes such as Rap2.7. This element this can be used as a sequence—based marker to identify inbred and hybrids which have altered maturity. Methods for expressing these nucleotide sequences in a plant for modifying maturity and flowering in plants are provided as well as expression constructs, vectors, transformed cells and plants.
An isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes a polypeptide having RAP2.7-like activity, said nucleic acid molecule being selected from the group consisting of:
A method for altering flowering time in a plant comprising:
A method for altering maturity of a plant, said method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.