Antifungal plant proteins and methods of their use

Abstract

DNA constructions that provide for production of potent antifungal proteins in transgenic plants and transformed yeast cells are described. Methods of using the DNA constructs to produce transgenic plants that inhibit growth of plant pathogenic fungi are also disclosed. The use of transformed yeast cells containing the DNA constructs to produce the antifungal proteins and methods of isolating the antifungal proteins are also described.

1 - 66 . (canceled) 
     
     
         67 . An isolated contiguous sequence of at least 8 or more amino acids in SEQ ID NO:112 that exhibits antifungal activity. 
     
     
         68 . The isolated contiguous sequence of at least 8 or more amino acids in SEQ ID NO:112 of  claim 67 , wherein said antifungal activity is the same or similar antifungal activity as that of SEQ ID NO:112. 
     
     
         69 . The isolated contiguous sequence of at least 8 or more amino acids in SEQ ID NO:112 of  claim 67 , comprising amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions, or additions. 
     
     
         70 . The isolated contiguous sequence of at least 8 or more amino acids in SEQ ID NO:112 of  claim 67 , which possesses about 90% to 95% or greater amino acid sequence identity to the corresponding region of mature MtDef4 protein having the corresponding amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:112. 
     
     
         71 . The isolated contiguous sequence of at least 8 or more amino acids in SEQ ID NO:112 of  claim 67 , which is about 8 to about 20 amino acids in length. 
     
     
         72 . The isolated contiguous sequence of at least 8 or more amino acids in SEQ ID NO:112 of  claim 67 , which is about 8 to about 15 amino acids in length. 
     
     
         73 . The isolated contiguous sequence of at least 8 or more amino acids in SEQ ID NO:112 of  claim 67 , which is 10 to 20 amino acids in length.