Sunflower anti-pathogenic proteins and genes and their uses

Abstract

Compositions and methods to aid in protecting plants from invading pathogenic organisms are provided. The compositions of the invention comprise anti-pathogenic genes, including 5′ regulatory sequences in the promoter, and proteins encoded by the anti-pathogenic genes. The compositions find use in methods for reducing or eliminating damage to plants caused by plant pathogens. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed having enhanced disease resistance are also provided.

That which is claimed:  
     
         1 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:9; and,    b) a nucleotide sequence comprising the plant promoter sequence contained in the plasmid deposited as Patent Deposit No. PTA-560.    
     
     
         2 . The isolated nucleotide sequence of  claim 1 , wherein said sequence regulates transcription of an operably linked nucleotide sequence of interest.  
     
     
         3 . A DNA construct comprising the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1  operably linked to a heterologous nucleotide sequence of interest.  
     
     
         4 . A vector comprising the DNA construct of  claim 3 .  
     
     
         5 . A plant having stably incorporated into its genome a DNA construct comprising a promoter operably linked to a heterologous nucleotide sequence of interest, wherein said promoter comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:9; and,    b) a nucleotide sequence comprising the plant promoter sequence contained in the plasmid deposited as Patent Deposit No. PTA-560.    
     
     
         6 . The plant of  claim 5 , wherein said plant is a monocot.  
     
     
         7 . The plant of  claim 5 , wherein said plant is a dicot.  
     
     
         8 . The plant of  claim 7 , wherein said dicot is sunflower.  
     
     
         9 . The transformed seed of the plant of  claim 5 , wherein said seed comprises said DNA construct.  
     
     
         10 . A plant cell having stably incorporated into its genome a DNA construct comprising a promoter operably linked to a heterologous nucleotide sequence of interest, wherein said promoter comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:9; and,    b) a nucleotide sequence comprising the plant promoter sequence contained in the plasmid deposited as Patent Deposit No. PTA-560.    
     
     
         11 . A method for regulating the expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest in a plant cell, said method comprising: 
 a) stably integrating into the genome of said plant cell a DNA construct comprising a promoter operably linked to said nucleotide sequence of interest, wherein said promoter comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 i) the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:9; and,  
 ii) a nucleotide sequence comprising the plant promoter sequence contained in the plasmid deposited as Patent Deposit No. PTA-560; and,  
   b) contacting the plant cell with a stimulus, wherein said stimulus induces transcription of the nucleotide sequence of interest.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said stimulus is selected from the group consisting of wounding, a wound-responsive chemical, and a pathogen.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said nucleotide sequence of interest encodes a defensin polypeptide.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said nucleotide sequence of interest is heterologous to the promoter sequence.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein expression of said nucleotide sequence of interest enhances the disease resistance of the plant.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said nucleotide sequence of interest is anti-pathogenic.  
     
     
         17 . A method for regulating the expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest in a plant, said method comprising: 
 a) stably integrating into the genome of a plant cell a DNA construct comprising a promoter operably linked to said nucleotide sequence of interest, wherein said promoter comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 i) the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:9; and,  
 ii) a nucleotide sequence comprising the plant promoter sequence contained in the plasmid deposited as Patent Deposit No. PTA-560;  
   b) regenerating said cell into a plant; and,    c) contacting the plant with a stimulus, wherein said stimulus induces transcription of the nucleotide sequence of interest.