Cottonwood Growth eIF-5A

Abstract

The present invention relates to unique isoforms of eukaryotic initiation Factor 5A (“eIF-5A”): senescence-induced eIF-5A; wounding/pathogen induced eIF-5A; stress eIF-5A and growth eIF-5A, as well as polynucleotides that encode these three factors. The present invention also relates to methods involving modulating the expression of these factors. The present invention also relates to deoxyhypusine synthase (“DHS”), polynucleotides that encode DHS, and methods involving modulating the expression of DHS.

1 - 2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . An isolated cottonwood growth eIF-5A polynucleotide encoding a cottonwood growth eIF-5A protein wherein the protein comprises SEQ ID NO:204. 
     
     
         4 . An isolated cottonwood growth eIF-5A polynucleotide encoding a cottonwood growth eIF-5A protein wherein the polynucleotide comprises SEQ ID NO:203. 
     
     
         5 . A vector comprising the cottonwood growth eIF5A polynucleotide of  claim 3  and regulatory sequences operatively linked to the polynucleotide to provide transcription of the polynucleotide in the plant. 
     
     
         6 . A vector comprising the cottonwood growth eIF5A polynucleotide of  claim 4  and regulatory sequences operatively linked to the polynucleotide to provide transcription of the polynucleotide in the plant. 
     
     
         7 . A method of increasing biomass in a cottonwood plant, the method comprising incorporating into the genome of at least one cottonwood plant cell, the vector of  claim 5  whereby transcription of the polynucleotide results in a plant having an increased biomass as compared to a wild type plant. 
     
     
         8 . A method of increasing biomass in a cottonwood plant, the method comprising incorporating into the genome of at least one plant cell, the vector of  claim 6  whereby transcription of the polynucleotide results in a plant having an increased biomass as compared to a wild type plant. 
     
     
         9 . A cottonwood plant produced by the method of  claim 7 . 
     
     
         10 . A cottonwood plant produced by the method of  claim 8 . 
     
     
         11 . Progeny, plant parts or seeds of the cottonwood plant of  claim 9  wherein the progeny, plant parts or seeds of the plant comprise the vector of  claim 5 . 
     
     
         12 . Progeny, plant parts or seeds of the cottonwood plant of  claim 10  wherein the progeny, plant parts or seeds of the plant comprise the vector of  claim 6 . 
     
     
         13 . A vector comprising a growth eIF5A polynucleotide having at least 80% homology with SEQ ID NO: 203, and regulatory sequences operatively linked to the polynucleotide to provide transcription of the polynucleotide in the plant. 
     
     
         14 . A method of increasing biomass in a plant, the method comprising incorporating into the genome of at least one plant cell, the vector of  claim 13  whereby transcription of the polynucleotide results in a plant having an increased biomass as compared to a wild type plant. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plant is a cottonwood plant. 
     
     
         16 . A plant produced by the method of  claim 14 . 
     
     
         17 . Progeny, plant parts or seeds of the plant of  claim 15  wherein the progeny, plant parts or seeds of the plant comprise the vector of  claim 13 . 
     
     
         18 . A cotton wood plant produced by the method of  claim 15 . 
     
     
         19 . Progeny, plant parts or seeds of the plant of  claim 18  wherein the progeny, plant parts or seeds of the plant comprise the vector of  claim 13 .