Root active promoters and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention is directed to root active promoter sequences, polynucleotide constructs comprising the root active promoters and methods of identifying the root active promoters, or fragments thereof. The invention further relates to the use of the present root active promoters to modulate transcript levels.

1 . An isolated root active promoter that drives transcription in plants, comprising:
 a) a nucleic acid molecule that has at least 80% sequence identity to any one of the promoter sequences identified in Table 1 (SEQ ID NO. 1-7), or   b) a nucleic acid molecule that is a functionally similar promoter to any one of the promoter sequences identified in Table 1 (SEQ ID NO. 1-7), or   c) a nucleic acid molecule that is able to hybridize with a nucleic acid molecule of subparagraph (a) or (b) at low stringency conditions.   
     
     
         2 . A vector comprising
 a) a first nucleic acid molecule comprising:
 i. a nucleic acid molecule that has at least 80% sequence identity to any one of the promoter sequences identified in Table 1 (SEQ ID NO. 1-7), or 
 ii. a nucleic acid molecule that is a functionally similar promoter to any one of the promoter sequences identified in Table 1 (SEQ ID NO. 1-7), or 
 iii. a nucleic acid molecule that is able to hybridize with the nucleic acid molecule of subparagraph (a) or (b) at low stringency conditions; 
 and 
   b) a second nucleic acid molecule, whereby said first and second nucleic acid molecules are operably linked.   
     
     
         3 . The vector of  claim 2  wherein said first and second nucleic acids molecules are homologous to each other or heterologous to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The vector of  claim 2  wherein said second nucleic acid molecule encodes a molecule capable of interfering or suppressing expression of a second molecule in a plant an amino acid molecule or is an interfering RNA molecule 
     
     
         5 . The vector of  claim 4  wherein said second nucleic acid molecule confers resistance or tolerance to insects, or nematodes or fungi, or bacteria or viruses compared to a naturally occurring plant of the same species cultivated under the same conditions 
     
     
         6 . The vector of  claim 4  wherein said second nucleic acid molecule confers increased biomass or higher seed yield or reduced nitrogen needs or faster rate of growth or faster seedling growth compared to a naturally occurring plant of the same species cultivated under the same conditions. 
     
     
         7 . The vector of  claim 4  wherein said second nucleic acid molecule confers enhanced nutritional composition compared to a naturally occurring plant of the same species cultivated under the same conditions. 
     
     
         8 . A plant cell transformed with
 a first nucleic acid molecule that comprises:
 i. a nucleic acid molecule that has at least 80% sequence identity to any one of the promoter sequences identified in Table 1 (SEQ ID NO. 1-7), or 
 ii. a nucleic acid molecule that is a functionally similar promoter to any one of the promoter sequences identified in Table 1 (SEQ ID NO. 1-7), or 
 iii. a nucleic acid molecule that is able to hybridize with the nucleic acid molecule of subparagraph (a) or (b) at low stringency conditions. 
   
     
     
         9 . A plant cell according to  claim 8 , further comprising a second nucleic acid molecule, whereby said first and second nucleic acid molecules are operably linked. 
     
     
         10 . A transgenic plant obtained from the plant cell of  claim 8 . 
     
     
         11 . Tissue obtained from the transgenic plant of  claim 10 . 
     
     
         12 . The transgenic plant according to  claim 10 , whereby said transgenic plant has root active characteristics which are different from those of a naturally occurring plant of the same species cultivated under the same conditions. 
     
     
         13 . The transgenic plant according to  claim 12 , whereby said transgenic plant has increased biomass or higher seed yield or reduced nitrogen needs or faster rate of growth or faster seedling growth compared to a naturally occurring plant of the same species cultivated under the same conditions 
     
     
         14 . The transgenic plant according to  claim 12 , whereby said transgenic plant is resistant or tolerant to cold, or to drought, or to salt, or to low pH, or to high doses of nitrogen compared to a naturally occurring plant of the same species cultivated under the same conditions. 
     
     
         15 . The transgenic plant according to  claim 12 , whereby said transgenic plant has enhanced nutritional composition compared to a naturally occurring plant of the same species cultivated under the same conditions. 
     
     
         16 . The transgenic plant according to  claim 12 , whereby said transgenic plant is resistant or tolerant to insects, or nematodes or fungi, or bacteria or viruses compared to a naturally occurring plant of the same species cultivated under the same conditions. 
     
     
         17 . The progeny of the transgenic plant of any one of  claims 10  and  12 - 16 . 
     
     
         18 . A method of modulating root characteristics of a plant by transforming a plant or plant cell with a first nucleic acid molecule comprising:
 i. a nucleic acid molecule that has at least 80% sequence identity to any one of the promoter sequences identified in Table 1 (SEQ ID NO. 1-7), or   ii. a nucleic acid molecule that is functionally similar promoter to any one of the promoter sequences identified in Table 1 (SEQ ID NO. 1-7), or   a nucleic acid molecule that is able to hybridize with the nucleic acid molecule of subparagraph (a) or (b) at low stringency conditions.   
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , further comprising a second nucleic acid molecule, whereby said first and second nucleic acid molecules are operably linked. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said modulated root characteristics confer to the transgenic plant increased biomass; or higher seed yield; or reduced nitrogen needs; or faster rate of growth; or faster seedling growth compared; increased resistance or tolerance to cold, or to drought, or to salt, or to low pH, or to high doses of nitrogen; increased resistance or tolerance to insects, or nematodes, or fungi, or bacteria or viruses or enhanced nutritional composition compared to a naturally occurring plant of the same species cultivated under the same conditions.