Nucleic acids encoding monomers of a type II serine proteinase inhibitor

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to proteinase inhibitors, a precursor thereof and to genetic sequences encoding same. More particularly, the present invention relates to isolated monomers of a type II serine proteinase inhibitor.

1 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a monomer of a type II serine proteinase inhibitor comprising one or more amino acid sequences selected from the group consisting of:
 DRICTNCCAGTKGCKYFSDDGTFVCEGESDPRNPKACTLNCDPRIAY GVCPRS (SEQ ID NO: 15) or an N-terminal and/or C-terminal amino acid truncated form thereof;   DRICTNCCAGTKGCKYFSDDGTFVCEGESDPRNPKACPRNCDPRIAY GICPLA (SEQ ID NO:16) or an N-terminal and/or C-terminal amino acid truncated form thereof;   DRICTNCCAGKKGCKYFSDDGTFVCEGESDPKNPKACPRNCDGRIAY GICPLS (SEQ ID NO:17) or an N-terminal and/or C-terminal amino acid truncated form thereof;   DRICTNCCAGKKGCKYFSDDGTFVCEGESDPKNPKACPRNCDGRIAY GICPLS (SEQ ID NO:18) or an N-terminal and/or C-terminal amino acid truncated form thereof; and   DRICTNCCAGKKGCKYFSDDGTFVCEGESDPRNPKACPRNCDGRIAY GICPLS (SEQ ID NO:19) or an N-terminal and/or C-terminal amino acid truncated form thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 , wherein the monomer comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:15. 
     
     
         3 . The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 , wherein the monomer comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16. 
     
     
         4 . The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 , wherein the monomer comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:17. 
     
     
         5 . The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 , wherein the monomer comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18. 
     
     
         6 . The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 , wherein the monomer comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19. 
     
     
         7 . An isolated antibody specific to the monomer encoded by a nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . The isolated antibody of  claim 7 , wherein the antibody is a polyclonal antibody. 
     
     
         9 . Use of an isolated antibody of  claim 7  to detect a PI protein. 
     
     
         10 . Use of an isolated antibody of  claim 7  to screen for PI or a PI precursor clone. 
     
     
         11 . Use of an isolated antibody of  claim 7  for purifying PI or PI precursor. 
     
     
         12 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence which is complementary to the sequence of an isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A genetic construct comprising a nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . A transgenic plant comprising a nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A transgenic plant of  claim 14 , which produces a monomer of a type II serine proteinase inhibitor comprising one or more amino acid sequences selected from the group consisting of:
 DRICTNCCAGTKGCKYFSDDGTFVCEGESDPRNPKACTLNCDPRIAY GVCPRS (SEQ ID NO: 15) or an N-terminal and/or C-terminal amino acid truncated form thereof;   DRICTNCCAGTKGCKYFSDDGTFVCEGESDPRNPKACPRNCDPRIAY GICPLA (SEQ ID NO:16) or an N-terminal and/or C-terminal amino acid truncated form thereof;   DRICTNCCAGKKGCKYFSDDGTFVCEGESDPKNPKACPRNCDGRIAY GICPLS (SEQ ID NO: 17) or an N-terminal and/or C-terminal amino acid truncated form thereof;   DRICTNCCAGKKGCKYFSDDGTFVCEGESDPKNPKACPRNCDGRIAY GICPLS (SEQ ID NO:18) or an N-terminal and/or C-terminal amino acid truncated form thereof; and   DRICTNCCAGKKGCKYFSDDGTFVCEGESDPRNPKACPRNCDGRIAY GICPLS (SEQ ID NO:19) or an N-terminal and/or C-terminal amino acid truncated form thereof.   
     
     
         16 . A method of increasing, enhancing or otherwise facilitating resistance of a plant to insect or other pathogen infestation, said method comprising introducing a nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1  into a cell or group of cells of said plant, regenerating a plant therefrom and growing said plant for a time and under conditions sufficient to permit expression of said nucleic acid molecule into a PI or precursor thereof capable of inhibiting growth and/or infestation by said pathogen.