Indeterminate Gametophyte 1 (ig1), Mutations of ig1, Orthologs of ig1, and Uses Thereof

Abstract

This invention provides the genes for indeterminate gametophyte1 (ig1), mutants of ig1, homologs of ig1, and orthologs of ig1, as well as the proteins encoded by these genes. This invention also provides compositions and methods which utilize these genes and proteins.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . An isolated polypeptide produced by the method of claim  7 . 
     
     
         10 . An isolated polypeptide or protein selected from the group consisting of: (a) an isolated polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of IG1, IG1-O, IG1-MUM, or SEQ ID NO: 2; (b) an isolated polypeptide comprising a fragment of at least 6 amino acids of IG1, IG1-O, IG1-MUM, or SEQ ID NO: 2; (c) an isolated polypeptide comprising conservative amino acid substitutions of IG1, IG1-O, IG1-MUM, or SEQ ID NO: 2; (d) naturally occurring amino acid sequence variants of SEQ ID NO: 2; and (e) an isolated polypeptide exhibiting at least about 80%, or at least about 85%, or at least about 90%, or at least about 95%, or at least about 99% amino acid sequence identity with IG1, IG1-O, IG1-MUM, or SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
         11 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method of identifying and isolating an ortholog of ig1 in a non- Zea mays  plant species, said method comprising using at least one nucleic acid of claim  1  as a nucleic acid probe. 
     
     
         19 . A method of modulating a plant cell comprising an ig1 gene, said method comprising the step of introducing into said plant cell an isolated nucleic acid molecule according to claim  1 , whereby the function and/or structure of the ig1 gene is modulated. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the isolated nucleic acid molecule is a knock-out or knock-in construct. 
     
     
         21 . A transgenic knock-out plant comprising disruption in the endogenous ig1 gene, wherein said disruption has been introduced into its genome by homologous recombination with a DNA targeting construct such that the targeting construct is stably integrated in the genome of said plant, wherein the disruption of the ig1 gene results in a reduction of production of endogenous ig1 RNA levels. 
     
     
         22 - 23 . (canceled)