Genes regulating circadian clock function and photoperiodism

Abstract

Nucleic acid molecules that encode plant proteins involved in photoperiodism and circadian rhythms are disclosed. These molecules may be introduced into plants in order to alter the photoperiodic and/or circadian clock-based gene expression of the plants.

1 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule, comprising: 
 (i) the nucleotide sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 12    (ii) at least 20 contiguous nucleotides of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 12;    (iii) an isolated nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes with a nucleic acid probe comprising the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 12 under wash conditions of 55° C., 2×SSC and 0.1% SDS for 15 to 30 minutes    (iv) an isolated nucleic acid sequence that hybridizes with a nucleic acid probe comprising the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 12 under wash conditions of 55° C., 0.2×SSC and 0.1% SDS for 15 to 30 minutes; or    (v) an isolated nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes with a nucleic acid probe comprising the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 12 under wash conditions of 50° C., 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS for 3 hours.    
   
   
       2 . A recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising a promoter sequence operably linked to the nucleic acid sequence according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       3 . A cell transformed with the recombinant nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 2 .  
   
   
       4 . A transgenic plant comprising the recombinant nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 2 .  
   
   
       5 . The transgenic plant according to  claim 4 , wherein the plant is selected from the group consisting of:  Arabidopsis, Cardamine, Medicago, Mimulus , Xanthia, pepper, tomato, carrot, tobacco, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, canola, bean, pea, soybean, rice, corn, wheat, barley, flax, citrus, cotton, cassava, walnut, conifers, and ornamental plants.  
   
   
       6 - 7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . The recombinant nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 2 , wherein the nucleic acid sequence is in antisense orientation relative to the promoter sequence.  
   
   
       9 - 26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . A method of modifying the level of expression of an ELF3 protein in a plant, the method comprising expressing in the plant a recombinant genetic construct comprising a promoter operably linked to the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule is in antisense orientation relative to the promoter.  
   
   
       29 . A method of modifying at least one circadian response of a plant, the method comprising expressing in the plant a recombinant genetic construct comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid molecule, wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises at least 20 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO: 15, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 26, SEQ ID NO: 28, SEQ ID NO: 30, SEQ ID NO: 32, SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO: 36, SEQ ID NO: 38, SEQ ID NO: 40, SEQ ID NO: 42, SEQ ID NO: 44, SEQ ID NO: 46, SEQ ID NO: 48, SEQ ID NO: 50, SEQ ID NO: 52, SEQ ID NO: 54, SEQ ID NO: 56, SEQ ID NO: 58, SEQ ID NO: 60, or SEQ ID NO: 62.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the circadian response is selected from the group consisting of gene transcription, leaf movement, photosynthetic ability, stomatal opening, hypocotyl elongation, and photoperiodic control of flowering.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the plant is selected from the group consisting of:  Arabidopsis, Cardamine, Medicago, Mimulus , Xanthia, pepper, tomato, carrot, tobacco, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, canola, bean, pea, soybean, rice, corn, wheat, barley, flax, citrus, cotton, cassava, walnut, conifers, and ornamental plants.  
   
   
       32 . A method of modifying at least one circadian response of a plant, the method comprising expressing in the plant a recombinant genetic construct encoding at least one polypeptide comprising an Essence of ELF3 Consensus (EEC) region.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the EEC region is depicted in  FIG. 2 .  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the circadian response is selected from the group consisting of gene transcription, leaf movement, photosynthetic ability, stomatal opening, hypocotyl elongation, and photoperiodic control of flowering.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the plant is selected from the group consisting of:  Arabidopsis, Cardamine, Medicago, Mimulus , Xanthia, pepper, tomato, carrot, tobacco, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, canola, bean, pea, soybean, rice, corn, wheat, barley, flax, citrus, cotton, cassava, walnut, conifers, and ornamental plants.  
   
   
       36 . A plant modified by the method of  claim 32 .  
   
   
       37 . The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule encodes a protein having ELF3 protein biological activity.