Plants with Modified Deoxyhypusine Synthase Genes

Abstract

The invention relates to methods of producing a plant with delayed senescence comprising inducing at least one nucleotide deletion, insertion or substitution into at least one copy of a gene encoding deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) in the plant, wherein the nucleotide deletion, insertion or substitution decreases the activity of DHS encoded by the gene in the plant. The invention also relates to plants produced by the methods and progeny thereof.

1 . A method of producing a plant with delayed senescence comprising inducing at least one nucleotide deletion, insertion or substitution into at least one copy of a gene encoding deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) in the plant, wherein the nucleotide deletion, insertion or substitution decreases the activity of DHS encoded by the gene in the plant. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nucleotide deletion, insertion or substitution occurs in a coding region for at least one amino acid which is required for DHS activity. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the DHS activity is hypusination of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A) in the plant. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nucleotide deletion, insertion or substitution decreases the activity of DHS encoded by the gene in the plant. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the delayed senescence increases seed yield in the plant. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the delayed senescence increases leaf and root biomass. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the delayed senescence enhances plant survival during drought or nutrient stress. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the delayed senescence increases disease resistance of the plant. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the delayed senescence increases the period of time during which leaves, stems, seeds and fruit of the plant may be stored and remain suitable for use. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plant is haploid, diploid, tetraploid or polyploid. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising inducing at least one nucleotide deletion, insertion or substitution into at least two copies of a gene encoding DHS in the plant. 
     
     
         12 - 61 . (canceled) 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the deletion, insertion or substitution into at least one copy of a gene is in a coding region for at least one amino acid selected from the group consisting of K334, K292, K343, E328, A329, V330, S331, W332, G333, K144, D318 of SEQ ID NO: 2 or a corresponding amino acid in a related plant species. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the senescence is age-related senescence. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the senescence is environmental stress-induced senescence. 
     
     
         65 . A plant produced by the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         66 . Progeny of the plant according to  claim 65 .