Polynucleotides and polypeptides of plant and bacterial origin for protecting plants from pathogenic fungi

Abstract

The present invention relates to polynucleotides and polypeptides derived from plants and bacteria which are associated with increased resistance of plants to pathogenic fungi and/or Oomycetes. The fungicidal polypeptides of the invention are particularly effective in combating fungi inducing root rot and stalk rot in plants. The present invention further provides methods of using the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention for controlling plant fungal/Oomycetes pathogens and for producing transgenic plants having increased resistance to the pathogens.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A plurality of bacteria, each bacterium comprising a recombinant polynucleotide optimized for expression of at least one recombinant polypeptide in the bacterium, wherein the at least one expressed recombinant polypeptide is at least 70% identical to a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2635 or a fragment thereof, wherein said at least one expressed recombinant polypeptide is effective in inhibiting the growth and/or development of at least one plant pathogenic fungi and/or Oomycetes. 
     
     
         2 . The plurality of bacteria of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one expressed recombinant polypeptide comprises its natural signal peptide or a part thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The plurality of bacteria of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one expressed recombinant polypeptide is devoid of its natural signal peptide or a part thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The plurality of bacteria of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one expressed recombinant polypeptide comprises a non-native signal peptide. 
     
     
         5 . The plurality of bacteria of  claim 4 , wherein the origin of the non-native signal peptide is selected from the group consisting of a plant origin and a bacterium species other than the species of said plurality of bacteria. 
     
     
         6 . The plurality of bacteria of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one expressed recombinant polypeptide or the fragment thereof further comprises a tag sequence. 
     
     
         7 . The plurality of bacteria of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one expressed recombinant polypeptide or the fragment thereof further comprises a tag sequence. 
     
     
         8 . The plurality of bacteria of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one expressed recombinant polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4468. 
     
     
         9 . A recombinant polypeptide isolated from at least one bacterium of the plurality of bacteria of  claim 1 , wherein the recombinant polypeptide is at least 70% identical to a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2635 or a fragment thereof, and wherein said expressed recombinant polypeptide is effective in inhibiting the growth and/or development of at least one plant pathogenic fungi and/or Oomycetes. 
     
     
         10 . The recombinant polypeptide of  claim 9 , wherein said recombinant polypeptide comprises its natural signal peptide or a part thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The recombinant polypeptide of  claim 9 , wherein said recombinant polypeptide is devoid of its natural signal peptide or a part thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The recombinant polypeptide of  claim 11 , wherein said recombinant polypeptide comprises a non-native signal peptide. 
     
     
         13 . The recombinant polypeptide of  claim 12 , wherein the non-native signal peptide is of an origin selected from the group consisting of a plant origin and a bacterium species other than the species of said plurality of bacteria. 
     
     
         14 . The recombinant polypeptide of  claim 9 , wherein said recombinant polypeptide or the fragment thereof comprises a tag sequence. 
     
     
         15 . The recombinant polypeptide of  claim 11 , wherein said recombinant polypeptide or fragment thereof comprises a tag sequence. 
     
     
         16 . The recombinant polypeptide of  claim 15 , wherein said recombinant polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4468. 
     
     
         17 . A fungicidal composition comprising the plurality of bacteria of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . The fungicidal composition of  claim 17 , wherein said fungicidal composition further comprises at least one agriculturally compatible agent selected from the group consisting of a carrier, a stabilizer, a diluent, a surfactant, a mineral and an adjuvant. 
     
     
         19 . A fungicidal composition comprising the recombinant polypeptide of  claim 9 . 
     
     
         20 . The fungicidal composition of  claim 19 , wherein said fungicidal composition further comprises at least one agriculturally compatible agent selected from the group consisting of a carrier, a stabilizer, a diluent, a surfactant, a mineral and an adjuvant.