Isolated eIF-5A and Polynucleotides Encoding Same

Abstract

The present invention relates to unique isoforms of eukaryotic initiation Factor 5A (“eIF-5A”): senescence-induced eIF-5A; wounding-induced 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 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an isolated deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) polypeptide with at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 73 
     
     
         27 . The polynucleotide of  claim 26  wherein the polynucleotide sequence comprises or consists of SEQ ID NO: 72. 
     
     
         28 . A vector comprising the polynucleotide of  claim 26  and regulatory sequences operatively linked to the polynucleotide to provide transcription of the polynucleotide in a plant. 
     
     
         29 . An antisense polynucleotide which hybridizes to the polynucleotide of  claim 26 . 
     
     
         30 . A vector comprising the polynucleotide of  claim 29  and regulatory sequences operatively linked to the polynucleotide to provide transcription of the polynucleotide in a plant. 
     
     
         31 . A method of inhibiting expression of endogenous DHS in a plant, comprising incorporating into the genome of at least one plant cell the vector of  claim 30  whereby said transcription of said polynucleotide inhibits expression of endogenous DHS in the plant. 
     
     
         32 . A method of  claim 31  wherein said inhibition results in a plant having an increased tolerance to environmental stress as compared to a wild type plant. 
     
     
         33 . A method of  claim 31  wherein said inhibition results in a plant having an increased seed yield and/or increased seed size as compared to a wild type plant. 
     
     
         34 . A plant produced by the method of any one of  claims 31 - 33 . 
     
     
         35 . Progeny, plant parts or seeds of the plant of  claim 34 . 
     
     
         36 . A bacterial cell comprising the vector of  claim 28  or  30 . 
     
     
         37 . A plant cell comprising the vector of  claim 28  or  30 . 
     
     
         38 . A plant or progeny thereof, wherein the plant is generated from the plant cell of  claim 37  and wherein said plant and progeny thereof comprise said vector. 
     
     
         39 . The polynucleotide of  claim 26  wherein the polynucleotide sequence comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding an isolated DHS polypeptide with at least 98% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 73 
     
     
         40 . The polynucleotide of  claim 26  wherein the polynucleotide sequence comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding an isolated DHS polypeptide with at least 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 73