Nematode resistant transgenic plants

Abstract

Compositions and methods for providing nematode resistance are provided. One aspect provides transgenic plants or cells comprising an inhibitory nucleic acid specific for one or more nematode esophageal polypeptides. Other aspects provide transgenic plants or cells resistant to at least two different root-knot nematode species.

1 .- 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A transgenic plant or cell comprising:
 at least a portion of a nucleic acid encoding an esophageal gland cell secretory polypeptide of a parasitic nematode.   
     
     
         46 . The transgenic plant or cell of  claim 45 , wherein the esophageal gland cell secretory polypeptide enhances root growth of the transgenic plant compared to a control plant or cell. 
     
     
         47 . The transgenic plant or cell of  claim 45 , wherein the esophageal gland cell secretory polypeptide is expressed in an amount effective to enhance root growth of the transgenic plant or cell compared to a control plant or cell. 
     
     
         48 . The transgenic plant or cell of  claim 45 , wherein the esophageal gland cell secretory polypeptide is expressed in a root cell. 
     
     
         49 . The transgenic plant or cell of  claim 45 , wherein the nematode is a member of  Meloidogyne  spp. 
     
     
         50 . The transgenic plant or cell of  claim 45 , wherein the nematode is a not a member of  Heterodera  spp. 
     
     
         51 . The transgenic plant or cell of  claim 45 , wherein the transgenic plant or cell is a monocot or dicot. 
     
     
         52 . The transgenic plant or cell of  claim 45 , wherein the transgenic plant or cell is a member of the family selected from the group consisting of Rosaceae, Fabaceae, Passifloraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Malvaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Vitaceae, Solanaceae, Convolvulaceae, Rubiaceae, Leguminosae, and Brassicaceae. 
     
     
         53 . The transgenic plant or cell of  claim 52 , wherein the plant is a tomato, eggplant, potato, melon, cucumber, carrot, lettuce, artichoke, celery, cucurbits, barley, corn, peanut, soybean, sugar beet, cotton, cowpea, beans, alfalfa, tobacco, citrus, clover, pepper, grape, coffee, olive, or tea. 
     
     
         54 . The transgenic plant or cell of  claim 45 , wherein the nucleic acid comprises at least a portion of SEQ ID NOs 1, 2, or 5-51. 
     
     
         55 . The transgenic plant or cell of  claim 45 , wherein the transgenic plant or cell comprises two or more nucleic acids encoding different nematode secretory polypeptides. 
     
     
         56 . A composition comprising:
 a nucleic acid comprising SEQ ID NOs. 1, 2 or 5-51, a complement, a fragment, or homologue thereof, in an amount sufficient to enhance or promote root growth when expressed in a plant.   
     
     
         57 . A composition comprising:
 a polypeptide encoded by SEQ ID NOs. 1, 2 or 5-51, a complement, a fragment, or homologue thereof, in an amount sufficient to enhance or promote root growth.   
     
     
         58 . The composition of  claim 57 , wherein the nematode is a member of  Meloidogyne  spp. 
     
     
         59 . The composition of  claim 57 , wherein the nematode is a member of  Heterodera  spp. 
     
     
         60 . The composition of  claim 57 , wherein the transgenic plant or cell is a monocot or dicot. 
     
     
         61 . The composition of  claim 57 , wherein the plant or cell is a member of the family selected from the group consisting of Rosaceae, Fabaceae, Passifloraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Malvaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Vitaceae, Solanaceae, Convolvulaceae, Rubiaceae, Leguminosae, and Brassicaceae. 
     
     
         62 . The composition of  claim 61 , wherein the plant or cell is a tomato, eggplant, potato, melon, cucumber, carrot, lettuce, artichoke, celery, cucurbits, barley, corn, peanut, soybean, sugar beet, cotton, cowpea, beans, alfalfa, tobacco, citrus, clover, pepper, grape, coffee, olive, or tea. 
     
     
         63 . A cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a nematode esophageal gland cell secretory polypeptide that stimulates root growth. 
     
     
         64 . A vector comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a nematode esophageal gland cell secretory protein that stimulates plant root growth. 
     
     
         65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . A method for stimulating root growth or for enhancing the formation of lateral or adventitious roots comprising delivering a nematode esophageal gland cell secretory polypeptide to the interior of a root cell. 
     
     
         67 . A method for the producing an altered plant, plant cell or plant tissue comprising introducing one or more nematode esophageal gland cell secretory polypeptides into a cell, tissue or organ of said plant. 
     
     
         68 . A seed produced by the transgenic plant or cell of  claim 45 . 
     
     
         69 . A recombinant plant exhibiting increased root growth as compared to the corresponding wild-type plant, wherein said recombinant plant comprises a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a nematode esophageal gland cell secretory protein or fragment thereof operably associated with a regulatory sequence. 
     
     
         70 . A recombinant plant of  claim 69 , wherein the nematode esophageal gland cell secretory protein is encoded by one or more of SEQ ID NOs. 1, 2, or 5-51. 
     
     
         71 . (canceled) 
     
     
         72 . (canceled)