Nucleic acid molecules and other molecules associated with sterol synthesis and metabolism

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of biotechnology, particularly as it pertains to the production of sterols in a variety of host systems particularly plants. More specifically, the invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding proteins and fragments of proteins associated with sterol and phytosterol synthesis and metabolism as well as the encoded proteins and fragments of proteins and antibodies capable of binding to them. The invention also relates to methods of using the nucleic acid molecules, fragments of the nucleic acid molecules, proteins, and fragments of proteins. The invention also relates to cells, organisms, plants, or seeds, or progeny of any, that have been manipulated to contain increased levels or overexpress at least one sterol or phytosterol compound.

1 - 27 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         28 . A substantially purified nucleic acid molecule that encodes a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 625.  
     
     
         29 . The substantially purified nucleic acid molecule of  claim 28 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4.  
     
     
         30 . A substantially purified nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 or complement thereof.  
     
     
         31 . A substantially purified nucleic acid molecule consisting of a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 or complement thereof.  
     
     
         32 . A substantially purified nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence having between 100% and 90% sequence identity with a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 or complement thereof.  
     
     
         33 . The substantially purified nucleic acid molecule of  claim 32 , wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleic acid sequence having between 100% and 95% sequence identity with a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 or complement thereof.  
     
     
         34 . The substantially purified nucleic acid molecule of  claim 33 , wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleic acid sequence having between 100% and 98% sequence identity with a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 or complement thereof.  
     
     
         35 . The substantially purified nucleic acid molecule of  claim 34 , wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleic acid sequence having between 100% and 99% sequence identity with a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 or complement thereof.  
     
     
         36 . A substantially purified nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence which encodes a maize HES1 protein.  
     
     
         37 . The substantially purified nucleic acid molecule of  claim 36 , wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or complement thereof.  
     
     
         38 . The substantially purified nucleic acid molecule of  claim 36 , wherein said nucleic acid sequence encodes a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 625.  
     
     
         39 . A transformed plant having a nucleic acid comprising, 
 (a) an exogenous promoter region which functions in a plant cell to cause the production of a mRNA molecule, operably linked to,    (b) a structural nucleic acid molecule, wherein said structural nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a protein having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 625 or fragment thereof, which is operably linked to,    (c) a 3′ non-translated sequence that functions in a plant cells to cause termination of transcription and addition of polyadenylated ribonucleotides to a 3′ end of the mRNA molecule.    
     
     
         40 . The transformed plant according to  claim 39 , wherein said structural nucleic acid molecule is in the antisense orientation.  
     
     
         41 . The transformed plant according to  claim 39 , wherein said plant is selected from the group consisting of rapeseed, maize, soybean, safflower, sunflower, cotton, peanut, flax, oil palm and Cuphea.