Maize Rar1 polynucleotides and methods of use

Abstract

The invention provides isolated Rar1 nucleic acids and their encoded proteins. The present invention provides methods and compositions relating to altering Rar1 concentration and/or composition of plants. The invention further provides recombinant expression cassettes, host cells, and transgenic plants.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An isolated nucleic acid compromising a member selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1;    (b) a polynucleotide amplified from a  Zea mays  nucleic acid library using primers which selectively hybridize, under high stringency conditions, to loci within a SEQ ID NO: 1;    (c) a polynucleotide compromising at least 20 contiguous bases of SEQ ID NO: 1;    (d) a polynucleotide encoding a maize Rar1 protein;    (e) a polynucleotide having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:1;    (f) a polynucleotide compromising at least 25 nucleotide in length which hybridizes under high stringency conditions to a polynucleotide having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1;    (g) a polynucleotide compromising the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOS:1; and    (h) a polynucleotide complementary to a polynucleotide of (a) through (g)    
     
     
         2 . A vector compromising at least one nucleic acid of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         3 . A recombinant expression cassette, compromising a member of  claim 1  operably linked to a promoter, wherein the nucleic acid is in sense or antisense orientation.  
     
     
         4 . A host cell comprising the recombinant expression cassette of  claim 3 .  
     
     
         5 . A transgenic plant cell comprising the recombinant expression cassette of  claim 3 .  
     
     
         6 . A transgenic plant comprising the recombinant expression cassette of  claim 3 .  
     
     
         7 . The transgenic plant of  claim 6 , wherein the plant is maize, soybean, sunflower, sorghum, canola, wheat, alfalfa, cotton, rice, barley, and millet.  
     
     
         8 . A transgenic seed form the transgenic plant of  claim 7 .  
     
     
         9 . An isolated protein comprising a member selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) a polypeptide comprising at least 40 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 2;    (b) a polypeptide which is a maize Rar1;    (c) a polypeptide comprising at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:2;    (d) a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid of  claim 1;  and    (e) a polypeptide characterized by SEQ ID NO:2.    
     
     
         10 . A method of modulating the level of Rar1 protein in a plant, comprising: 
 (a) introducing into a plant cell with a recombinant expression cassette comprising a Rar1 polynucleotide of  claim 1  operably linked to a promoter;    (b) culturing the plant cell under plant growing conditions to produce a regenerated plant; and    (c) inducing expression of said polynucleotide for a time sufficient to modulate Rar1 protein in said plant.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the plant is maize, soybean, sunflower, sorghum, canola, wheat, alfalfa, cotton, rice, barley, and millet.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the level of Rar1 protein is increased.