Nucleic acids encoding antifungal polypeptides and uses thereof

US7825294B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC. · US
• E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY · US
• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Daniel J. Altier · Granger, US
• I.A. Ellanskaya · Kyiv, UA
• Jacob Gilliam · Norwalk, US
• Jennie Hunter-Cevera · Cambridge, US
• James K. Presnail · Landenberg, US
• Eric Schepers · Port Deposit, US
• Carl R. Simmons · Des Moines, US
• Tamas Torok · Richmond, US
• Nasser Yalpani · Johnston, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 16, 2009
• Grant date: Nov 2, 2010
• Expiry date: Jul 16, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07K14/37
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include an amino acid sequence, and variants and fragments thereof, for an antipathogenic polypeptide that was isolated from a fungal fermentation broth. Nucleic acid molecules that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention, and antipathogenic domains thereof, are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antipathogenic polypeptide of the invention. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a transformed microorganism comprising a nucleic acid of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided. Transformed plants, plant cells, seeds, and microorganisms comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antipathogenic polypeptide of the invention are also disclosed.