摘要:
The present inventors have discovered that antisense suppression of a chlorophyll synthase (CS) gene results in plants exhibiting one or more of chlorosis, reduced growth, and altered development. Thus, the present inventors have discovered that the protein encoded by the CS gene is essential for normal plant growth and development, and is useful as a target for the identification of compounds as antibiotics and herbicides, especially herbicides. The present invention is directed to methods for identifying inhibitors of a CS enzyme by incubating a CS polypeptide with a chlorophyllide and a phopholipid substrate in the presence and absence of a test compound under conditions suitable for the CS enzyme activity, adding a solution to the incubation reactions comprising a water immiscible organic solvent, a water-soluble alcohol, and a water-soluble dye that absorbs in the range of one or both the excitation and emission wavelength ranges of the chlorophyllide substrate, and measuring the fluorescence of the incubation reactions at from about 650 to 750 nm, using from about 425 to 445 nm as excitation wavelength, wherein a decrease in the fluorescence in the presence of the test compound indicates that the compound is a CS inhibitor.
摘要:
The present inventors have discovered that serine acetyltransferase (SAT) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of SAT gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced growth and altered pigmentation. Thus, SAT is useful as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of herbicides by measuring the activity of an SAT in the presence and absence of a compound, wherein an alteration of SAT activity in the presence of the compound indicates the compound as a candidate for a herbicide.
摘要:
The present inventors have discovered that pectin esterase is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of pectin esterase gene expression resulted in seedlings that were damaged, short, and stunted at a very early growth stage. Thus, pectin esterase can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit pectin esterase expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with a pectin esterase and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said pectin esterase, or detecting a decrease in pectin esterase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.
摘要:
The present inventors have discovered that Flavanone 3-hydroxylase (“FHT”) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of FHT gene expression in plant seedlings results in small and chlorotic seedlings. Thus, FHT can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit FHT expression or activity. The present invention can be used to identify compounds having herbicide activity by contacting a compound with FHT and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between the compound and the FHT, or alternatively, detecting a decrease in FHT expression or activity.
摘要:
The present inventors have discovered that Biotin synthase (BS) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, inhibition of BS gene expression in plant seedlings results in severe chlorosis and reduced growth. Thus, BS can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit BS expression or activity, and as such, the methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.