The present inventors have discovered that chorismate mutase and chorismate synthase are essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of chorismate mutase or chorismate synthase gene expression in plant seedlings results in severe chlorosis, reduced growth and developmental abnormalities. Thus, in one aspect the invention provides compositions for the modulation of plant growth or development comprising chorismate synthase and chorismate mutase antisense and sense polynucleotides, dsRNA and ribozymes, and related expression cassettes and vectors. The compositions of the invention are particularly useful for the modulation and inhibition of plant growth. The invention further provides plants, plant cells, and seeds containing the polynucleotides of the invention.
The inventors have proven that chorismate synthase and chorismate mutase can be used as targets for the identification of herbicides. Thus, the invention provides methods for the identification of chemicals that modulate chorismate synthase and chorismate mutase biochemical reactions. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides and for the inhibition of plant growth and development. In addition, the methods of the invention are useful for the identification of compounds that stimulate the expression or function of chorismate synthase or chorismate mutase expression or function. Such compounds can be used to promote plant growth and development.
本发明人发现,脆
氨酸变异酶和脆
氨酸合成酶对植物生长至关重要。具体而言,在植物幼苗中抑制脆
氨酸变异酶或脆
氨酸合成酶
基因表达会导致严重的叶绿素减退、生长减缓和发育异常。因此,本发明在一方面提供了用于调节植物生长或发育的组合物,包括脆
氨酸合成酶和脆
氨酸变异酶反义和同义多核苷酸、dsRNA和核酶,以及相关的表达盒和载体。本发明的组合物特别适用于调节和抑制植物生长。本发明还提供了包含本发明多核苷酸的植物、植物细胞和种子。
本发明人证明了脆
氨酸合成酶和脆
氨酸变异酶可用作
除草剂的靶点。因此,本发明提供了用于识别调节脆
氨酸合成酶和脆
氨酸变异酶生化反应的
化学物质的方法。本发明的方法对于识别
除草剂以及抑制植物生长和发育非常有用。此外,本发明的方法对于识别刺激脆
氨酸合成酶或脆
氨酸变异酶表达或功能的化合物也非常有用。这样的化合物可用于促进植物生长和发育。