Hydroperoxide lyase polypeptides

Abstract

Compositions and methods for enhancing disease resistance, and modulating levels of flavor molecules in plants are provided. The compositions comprise nucleotide sequences encoding maize HPL genes. The methods comprise expressing hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) genes in plants, plant cells, and plant tissues. Expression cassettes comprising the HPL sequences of the invention are provided, as well as transformed plant cells, plant tissues, and plants.

That which is claimed:  
     
         1 . An isolated polypeptide molecule comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) an amino acid sequence having at least about 70% identical to an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1;    b) an amino acid sequence having at least about 80% identical to an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1;    c) an amino acid sequence having at least about 90% identical to an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1;    d) an amino acid sequence having at least about 95% identical to an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1;    e) the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1; and    f) an amino acid sequence that is encoded by a nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.    
     
     
         2 . The isolated polypeptide of    claim 1   , wherein said polypeptide has hydroperoxide lyase activity.  
     
     
         3 . The isolated polypeptide of    claim 2   , wherein said polypeptide is a cereal plant polypeptide.  
     
     
         4 . The isolated polypeptide of    claim 3   , wherein said cereal plant polypeptide is a maize polypeptide.  
     
     
         5 . An isolated polypeptide molecule that has hydroperoxide lyase activity, wherein said polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) an amino acid sequence having at least about 70% identical to an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1;    b) an amino acid sequence having at least about 80% identical to an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1;    c) an amino acid sequence having at least about 90% identical to an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1;    d) an amino acid sequence having at least about 95% identical to an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1;    e) the amino acid sequence that is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1;    f) an amino acid sequence that is encoded by a nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2;    g) an amino acid sequence comprising at least 15 contiguous residues of an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1; and    h) an amino acid sequence that is encoded by a nucleotide sequence having at least 70% identity to the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2.