Novel Genes Involved In Biosynthesis

Abstract

The invention provides a novel MYB class transcription factor gene (nucleic acid sequences, protein sequences, and variants and fragments thereof) designated MYB14 by the applicants, that is useful for manipulating the production of flavonoids, specifically condensed tannins, in plants. The invention provides the isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding proteins with at least 70% identity to any one of MYB14 polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 14 and 46 to 54. The invention also provides, constructs, vectors, host cells, plant cells and plants genetically modified to contain the polynucleotide. The invention also provides methods for producing plants with altered flavonoid, specifically condensed tannin production, making use of the MYB14 nucleic acid molecules of the invention.

1 - 65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a MYB14 polypeptide comprising a sequence with at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO: 14, or a functional fragment thereof, wherein % identity is calculated over the entire length of SEQ ID NO: 14. 
     
     
         67 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 66 , wherein the MYB14 polypeptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14. 
     
     
         68 . The isolated nucleic molecule of  claim 66 , wherein the MYB14 polypeptide regulates at least one of:
 (a) the production of flavonoids in a plant,   (b) the production of condensed tannins in plants,   (c) at least one gene in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway in a plant, and   (d) at least one gene in the condensed tannin biosynthetic pathway in a plant.   
     
     
         69 . The isolated nucleic molecule of  claim 66 , wherein the MYB14 polypeptide, or functional fragment thereof, comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO: 17. 
     
     
         70 . The isolated nucleic molecule of  claim 66 , wherein the MYB14 polypeptide, or functional fragment thereof, comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17. 
     
     
         71 . The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 66 , wherein the nucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of:
 a) SEQ ID NO: 1, 2 or 55;   b) a complement of the sequence(s) in a);   c) a functional fragment or variant of the sequence(s) in a) or b);   d) a homolog or an ortholog of the sequence(s) in a), b), or c);   e) an antisense sequence to a RNA sequence obtained from a sequence in a), b), c) or d).   
     
     
         72 . The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 71 , wherein the variant has at least 70% identity to the specified sequence. 
     
     
         73 . An isolated MYB14 polypeptide comprising a sequence with at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO: 14, or a functional fragment thereof, wherein % identity is calculated over the entire length of SEQ ID NO: 14. 
     
     
         74 . The MYB14 polypeptide of  claim 73  that comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15 and SEQ ID NO: 17, but lacks the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16. 
     
     
         75 . The isolated polypeptide of  claim 73 , wherein the MYB14 polypeptide comprises the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO: 14 and 46 to 54. 
     
     
         76 . The isolated polypeptide of  claim 73 , wherein the MYB14 polypeptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14. 
     
     
         77 . An isolated polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid molecule of  claim 66 . 
     
     
         78 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence encoding a polypeptide of  claim 73 . 
     
     
         79 . A construct including a nucleotide sequence substantially as described in  claim 66 . 
     
     
         80 . The construct of  claim 79  which includes:
 at least one promoter; and 
 the nucleic acid molecule; 
 
       wherein the promoter is operatively linked to the nucleic acid molecule to control the expression of the nucleic acid molecule. 
     
     
         81 . A host cell which has been altered from the wild type to include a nucleic acid molecule substantially as described in  claim 66 . 
     
     
         82 . A host cell comprising a genetic construct of  claim 79 . 
     
     
         83 . The host cell of  claim 82 , wherein the host cell is a plant cell. 
     
     
         84 . A plant cell or plant transformed with a nucleic acid molecule substantially as described in  claim 66 . 
     
     
         85 . A plant cell comprising a genetic construct of  claim 79 . 
     
     
         86 . The seed of a plant of  claim 84 . 
     
     
         87 . A composition which includes an ingredient which is, or is obtained from, a plant of  claim 84 , or a part thereof. 
     
     
         88 . Use of a nucleic acid molecule substantially as described in  claim 66  to alter a plant or plant cell. 
     
     
         89 . A method for producing an altered plant or plant cell using a nucleic acid molecule substantially as described in of  claim 66  to alter the plant or plant cell, wherein the plant cell or plant is altered in at least one of:
 (a) the production of flavonoids, or an intermediate in the production of flavonoids, 
 (b) the production of at least one condensed tannin, or monomer thereof, 
 (c) the production of a condensed tannin selected from catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin and gallocatechin, 
 (d) expression of at least one enzyme in a flavonoid biosynthetic pathway, 
 (e) expression of at least one enzyme in the condensed tannin biosynthetic pathway, 
 (f) altered expression of LAR and/or ANR. 
 
     
     
         90 . The use or method of  claim 89 , wherein the altered production or expression, is increased production or expression. 
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein the altered production or expression, is in substantially all tissues of the plant. 
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein the altered production or expression is in the foliar tissue of the plant. 
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein the altered production or expression is in the vegetative portions of the plant. 
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein the altered production or expression is in the epidermal tissues of the plant. 
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein the altered production of flavonoids or condensed tannins, is in a tissue of the plant that is substantially devoid of the flavonoids or condensed tannins. 
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein the levels of flavonoids and/or condensed tannins altered by the present invention are sufficient to provide a therapeutic or agronomic benefit. 
     
     
         97 . A plant produced by a method of  claim 89 . 
     
     
         98 . A part, seed, fruit, harvested material, propagule or progeny of a plant of  claim 84 . 
     
     
         99 . A part, seed, fruit, harvested material, propagule or progeny of a plant, wherein the plant, seed, fruit, harvested material, propagate or progeny is genetically modified to comprise at least one nucleic acid molecule of  claim 66 . 
     
     
         100 . A part, seed, fruit, harvested material, propagule or progeny of a plant, wherein the plant, seed, fruit, harvested material, propagate or progeny is genetically modified to comprise at least one construct of  claim 79 .