Brassica indehiscent1sequences
Inventors
Yanofsky, Martin F. • Kempin, Sherry
Assignees
National Science Foundation NSF
Publication Number
US-9200294-B2
Publication Date
2015-12-01
Expiration Date
2025-06-09
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Abstract
The present application provides Brassica INDEHISCENT1 (BIND) sequences.
Core Innovation
The invention provides Brassica INDEHISCENT1 (BIND) sequences comprising isolated nucleic acids encoding polypeptides at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:9 or SEQ ID NO:10, as well as expression cassettes comprising promoters operably linked to these polynucleotides. It further provides plants comprising recombinant expression cassettes with these polynucleotides, and methods for delaying fruit dehiscence in plants by suppressing expression of IND1 nucleic acids.
The problem addressed is the loss of seed yield in rapeseed and related plants caused by pod dehiscence, which is the natural opening of pods leading to seed release. Pod shatter due to dehiscence before harvest results in significant economic loss, exacerbated by adverse weather, representing a challenge for commercial seed producers. Prior solutions, such as breeding shatter-resistant varieties and chemical or mechanical means, have limitations including sterility, laborious backcrossing, and lack of simple genetic modifications to delay seed dispersal.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains one independent claim focusing on a nucleic acid molecule with specific sequence identity and functional capability.
Isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide
An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide, wherein the polynucleotide has at least 95% identity to SEQ ID NO:7 and is capable of complementing an ind1 mutant Arabidopsis plant.
The claim focuses on isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding polypeptides highly identical to specific sequences that functionally complement ind1 mutants, emphasizing polynucleotide sequence identity and biological function.
Stated Advantages
Provides a method to produce genetically modified plants with delayed seed dispersal, helping reduce seed loss from pod shatter.
Enables modulation of lignification in valve margin cells, influencing pod dehiscence and seed release.
Offers tools for developing rapeseed and other Brassica plants with improved yield by preventing premature seed dispersal.
Documented Applications
Modulation of fruit dehiscence and seed dispersal in plants, especially Brassica species such as rapeseed/canola.
Development of genetically modified plants with delayed pod shatter to reduce seed loss during harvest.
Use of nucleic acid expression cassettes operably linked to various promoters for tissue-specific or constitutive expression to control IND1 gene activity.
Suppression or enhancement of IND1 expression in plants to affect lignification and seed dispersal timing.
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