Plants with increased seed size

Abstract

The invention relates to genetically modified plants with an altered seed phenotype, in particular increased seed size. The invention relates to a plant that does not produce a functional NGAL2 polypeptide or functional NGAL2 and NGAL3 polypeptides. NGAL2 and NGAL3 are members of the RAV family and comprise a B3 DNA-binding domain and a transcriptional repression motif.

1 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method for altering a plant phenotype comprising reducing or abolishing the expression of a nucleic acid sequence encoding a NGAL2 polypeptide or reducing or abolishing the activity of a NGAL2 polypeptide, or reducing or abolishing the expression of a nucleic acid sequences encoding a NGAL3 polypeptide, or reducing or abolishing the activity of a NGAL3 polypeptide, or reducing or abolishing the expression of nucleic acid sequences encoding NGAL2 and NGAL3 polypeptides or reducing or abolishing the activity of a NGAL2 and NGAL3 polypeptide, relative to a control plant. 
     
     
         18 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the NGAL2 polypeptide comprises SEQ D NO: 3, a functional variant or homologue thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the nucleic acid sequence encoding a NGAL2 polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2, a functional variant or homologue thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24  wherein the functional variant or homologue comprises a nucleic acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 49-145. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the NGAL3 polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO: 5, a functional variant or homologue thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein the NGAL3 nucleic acid sequence encoding a NGAL3 polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO: 4, a functional variant or homologue thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27  wherein the functional variant or homologue comprises SEQ ID NOs:49-145. 
     
     
         29 .- 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said phenotype is characterised by increased seed size relative to a control plant. 
     
     
         35 .- 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A vector comprising SEQ ID NO: 1, 2 or 3 or a functional variant or homolog thereof. 
     
     
         38 . (canceled)