Compositions, methods, and plant genes for the improved production of fermentable sugars for biofuel production

Abstract

Described herein are compositions comprising at least one auxin transport inhibitor for pre-treating a plant or seed to increase saccharification, or saccharide release by hydrolysis, the at least one auxin transport inhibitor being in an amount effective to increase sugar release from a plant tissue by hydrolysis. Also described are plant mutations, and methods to screen for such plant mutations, having an improved sugar release phenotype. The described compositions, methods and plant mutations are particularly useful for producing biofuel crops, such as maize, to improve sugar extractability from lignocellulosic biomass and hence, the efficiency of bioethanol production overall.

1 - 142 . (canceled) 
     
     
         143 . An isolated nucleic acid which encodes a mutant fpx 2-3 polypeptide comprising a mutation corresponding to G1009D in SEQ ID NO: 19, or a fragment thereof encoding said mutant fpx 2-3 polypeptide wherein said fragment comprises said G1009D mutation and is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 19. 
     
     
         144 . The isolated nucleic acid of  claim 143 , comprising a nucleic acid sequence 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 18 or encoding a polypeptide which is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 19. 
     
     
         145 . The isolated nucleic acid of  claim 143 , comprising a nucleic acid sequence 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 18 or encoding a polypeptide which is 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 19. 
     
     
         146 . The isolated nucleic acid of  claim 143 , comprising a nucleic acid sequence 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 18 or encoding a polypeptide which is 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 19. 
     
     
         147 . The isolated nucleic acid of  claim 143 , comprising a nucleic acid sequence 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 18 or encoding a polypeptide which is 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 19. 
     
     
         148 . The isolated nucleic acid of  claim 143 , having the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18 or encoding a polypeptide having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19. 
     
     
         149 . A vector comprising a nucleic acid as defined in  claim 143 . 
     
     
         150 . A host cell comprising a nucleic acid as defined in  claim 143 . 
     
     
         151 . A seed or plant, each comprising a nucleic acid as defined in  claim 143 . 
     
     
         152 . A vector comprising a nucleic acid as defined in  claim 146 . 
     
     
         153 . A host cell comprising a nucleic acid as defined in  claim 146 . 
     
     
         154 . A seed or plant, each comprising a nucleic acid as defined in  claim 146 . 
     
     
         155 . A vector comprising a nucleic acid as defined in  claim 148 . 
     
     
         156 . A host cell comprising a nucleic acid as defined in  claim 148 . 
     
     
         157 . A seed or plant, each comprising a nucleic acid as defined in  claim 148 .