Cis-prenyltransferases from the Rubber-Producing Plants Russian Dandelion (Taraxacum Kok-saghyz) and Sunflower (Helianthus Annus)

Abstract

This invention pertains to nucleic acid fragments encoding plant cis-prenyltransferases. More specifically, this invention pertains to a cis-prenyltransferase homolog from latex of the rubber-producing plant species Taraxacum kok - saghyz (russian dandelion) and a cis-prenyltransferase homolog from the rubber-producing plant species Helianthus annus (sunflower).

1 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a cis-prenyltransferase enzyme, selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6;    b) an isolated nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes with (a) under the following hybridization conditions: 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 65° C. and washed with 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS followed by 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS; and    c) an isolated nucleic acid molecule that is complementary to (a) or (b).    
     
     
         2 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a first nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide of at least 168 amino acids that has at least 90% identity, based on the Smith-Waterman method of alignment, to a polypeptide having the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6, or a second nucleotide sequence comprising the complement of the first nucleotide sequence, wherein said polypeptide has cis-prenyltransferase activity.  
     
     
         3 . An expression cassette comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1  operably linked to a regulatory element active in plants.  
     
     
         4 . A transformed host cell comprising the expression cassette of  claim 3 .  
     
     
         5 . The transformed host cell of  claim 4  wherein said host cell is from a monocot or dicot plant.  
     
     
         6 . The transformed host cell of  claim 5  wherein said monocot is maize ( Zea mays ), wheat ( Triticum  spp.), rice ( Oryza sativa ), oats ( Avena  spp.), rye ( Secale cereale ), barley ( Hordeum vulgare ), or  sorghum  ( Sorghum vulgare ).  
     
     
         7 . The transformed host cell of  claim 5  wherein said dicot is soy ( Glycine max ), sunflower ( Helianthus  spp.), or  Brassica  spp.