Brittle Stalk 2 Gene Family And Related Methods And Uses

Abstract

This invention relates to isolated polynucleotides encoding BRITTLE STALK 2-like (Bk2L) family polypeptides. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of a Bk2L polypeptide, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the Bk2L polypeptide in a transformed host cell.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising:
 (a) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide that increases stalk mechanical strength of a transformed plant expressing said polypeptide when compared to an untransformed control plant, wherein said polypeptide has an amino acid sequence of at least 96% sequence identity, based on the Clustal V method of alignment, when compared to SEQ ID NO:6; or   (b) a complement of the nucleotide sequence, wherein the complement and the nucleotide sequence consist of the same number of nucleotides and are 100% complementary.   
     
     
         23 . A recombinant DNA construct comprising the polynucleotide of  claim 22  operably linked to a promoter that is functional in a plant. 
     
     
         24 . A plant comprising in its genome the recombinant DNA construct of  claim 23 . 
     
     
         25 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 22 , wherein said stalk mechanical strength is measured by the three-point bend test. 
     
     
         26 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 22 , wherein the polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO:6.