Defensin-encoding nucleic acid molecules, uses therefor and transgenic plants comprising same
The present invention provides nucleic acid molecules derived from Nicotiana alata , which encode defensin-like molecules. The present invention contemplates the use of such nucleic acid molecules in the generation of transgenic plants having resistance or at least reduced sensitivity to plant pests including insects, microorganisms, fungi and/or viruses. The transgenic plants provided by the present invention include monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants, and particularly include crop plants and ornamental flowering plants.
1 . A method for generating a plant with increased or enhanced resistance to a plant pest, said method comprising Introducing into the genome of a plant cell or genome of a group of plant cells a nucleic acid molecule encoding a defensin, defensin-like molecule or part thereof comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:20 to SEQ ID NO:49 and an amino acid sequence having at least 70% similarity to any one of SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16 and SEQ ID NO:18.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises the nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:17 and SEQ ID NO:19.
3 . The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the plant pest is an insect.
4 . A transfected or transformed cell, tissue or organ from a plant or a transformed microbial cell, said cell, tissue or organ comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding a defensin, defensin-like molecule or part thereof comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:20 to SEQ ID NO:49 and an amino acid sequence having at least 70% similarity to any one of SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16 and SEQ ID NO:18.
5 . The transfected or transformed cell, tissue or organ of claim 4 wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises the nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:17, and SEQ ID NO:19.
6 . A genetically modified plant or progeny thereof or parts of a genetically modified plant having reduced sensitivity to plant pests comprising the transfected or transformed cell, tissue or organ of claim 4 or 5 , said genetically modified plant or its progeny producing a heterologous defensin, defensin-like molecule or part thereof.
7 . The genetically modified plant or progeny thereof of claim 4 wherein the plant pest is an insect.