WSURF Case 802
CA2+/Calmodulin is Critical for Brassinosteroid Biosynthesis and Plant Growth
Summary
Washington State University ("WSU") researchers have successfully identified an important gene that plays a role in determining plant height. They have successfully engineered dwarf plants by replacing an Arabidopsis gene with a mutant version and producing transgenic plants with the mutant gene. Interaction between Calmodulin, and brassinosteroid biosynthetic enzymes plays a role in determining plant height and modulating this interaction leads to dwarf plants.
Molecular genetic analysis using site-directed and deletion mutants of the Arabidopsis gene revealed that loss of calmodulin-binding by the Arabidopsis gene totally abolished the function of the gene in planta, while partial loss of calmodulin-binding resulted in a partial dwarf phenotype in complementation studies. WSU researchers further observed that gene orthologs from other plants have a similar Ca2+/calmodulin-binding domain, implying that Ca2+/calmodulin regulation of the Arabidopsis gene and its homologs is common in plants. These results raise the possibility of producing size-engineered crops by altering the Ca2+/calmodulin-binding property of these orthologs.
Applications & Advantages
The discovery by WSU scientists provides a new biotechnological approach to produce semi-dwarf or size-engineered plants. This approach is applicable to a wide range of plants, and is valuable for crop breeders.
IP Status
US Patent pending. Exclusive US rights available.
Publications
Du, L. and Poovaiah, BW. 2005. Nature 437(7059):741-745.
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