Biological Activity of Constitutively Active YX Alleles of Phytochrome in Plants
- Technology Benefits
- Expressing the "YX" phytochromes in any transformable plant species provides an effective means to: Regulate photomorphogenesis by reducing yield losses due to shade avoidance responses; enhancing seed germination in low light and/or shade environments; modifying the timing of flowering; and tissue-specific expression. Propagate plant germplasm in total darkness for generation of dark-grown chlorophyll-deficient plant materials with novel nutritional, horticultural and/or agronomic properties; and expression of recombinant proteins in chlorophyll-deficient plant materials. Function as a selectible marker and/or fluorescent reporter for plant genetic transformation; and Function as a bilin-, porphyrin- or other tetrapyrrole ligand-regulated genetic reporter in plants.
- Technology Application
- Expression of these dominant gain-of-function "YX" phytochrome mutants in transgenic plants provides an effective means to alter photomorphogenesis, enabling genetic engineering of new varieties of crop plant species with desired light responsiveness
- Detailed Technology Description
- Plants possess numerous photoreceptor systems that perceive changes in light quality, light intensity, light direction and light duration (daylength) initiating molecular signal cascades that affect many physiological processes (e.g., seed germination, internode and petiole elongation, timing of flowering, and senescence) that are collectively known as photomorphogenesis. Phytochromes are biliprotein photosensors that particularly distinguish between red-depleted shade light and red-enriched full sunlight, triggering an agronomically wasteful response known as the "shade avoidance syndrome". Shade avoidance responses not only decrease crop yield, due to early flowering and enhanced growth at the expense of grain/seed/fruit production, but also contribute to decreased seed germination, lodging and enhanced susceptibility to pathogens. University of California, Davis, researchers have identified novel YX gain-of-function phytochrome mutants that confer "light-independent" constitutive activation. Plants expressing these phytochrome mutants lack shade avoidance responses and develop "as if they are grown in full sunlight", regardless of the ambient light quality.
- Supplementary Information
- Patent Number: US8735555B2
Application Number: US2008297418A
Inventor: Lagarias, John Clark | Su, Yi-Shin
Priority Date: 18 Apr 2006
Priority Number: US8735555B2
Application Date: 5 Mar 2009
Publication Date: 27 May 2014
IPC Current: C07K0014415
US Class: 530400 | 530370
Assignee Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
Title: Transgenic plants comprising a mutant phytochrome and showing altered photomorphogenesis
Usefulness: Transgenic plants comprising a mutant phytochrome and showing altered photomorphogenesis
Summary: The mutant phytochrome is useful as a selectable marker (claimed). The transgenic plant or plant cell is useful for producing transgenic plants showing altered photomorphogenesis (e.g. decreased shade avoidance, increased germination, and/or delayed flowering in high density plantings).
Novelty: New transgenic plant or plant cell comprises a mutant phytochrome, e.g. light-stable phytochrome, and the transgenic plant shows altered photomorphogenesis, useful for producing transgenic plants with decreased shade avoidance
- Industry
- Chemical/Material
- Sub Category
- Chemical/Material Application
- Application No.
- 8735555
- Others
-
Related Materials
Additional Technologies by these Inventors
- Novel Cyanobacteriochromes Responsive to Light in the Far-Red to Near-Infrared Region
- Natural Color-Changing Food Additives
Tech ID/UC Case
11432/2006-571-0
Related Cases
2006-571-0, 2001-274-0, 2004-550-0
- *Abstract
-
Light-Independent Phytochrome Signaling
- *IP Issue Date
- May 27, 2014
- *Principal Investigator
-
Name: J Clark Lagarias
Department:
Name: Yi-Shin Su
Department:
- Country/Region
- USA
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