Patent
By linkage analysis, the Hd3a gene was successfully isolated. It was discovered that the flowering time of plant could be modified either by introducing the Hd3a gene or by controlling its expression.
1. An isolated DNA encoding a protein derived from plants which induces the flowering of plants, wherein said DNA is selected from the group consisting of:
(a) a DNA encoding the protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; and
(b) a DNA encoding the protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein one amino acid is substituted, deleted, added, and/or inserted.
2. The DNA of claim 1 , wherein the DNA is derived from rice.
3. The DNA of claim 1 , wherein the DNA is used to induce the flowering of a plant.
4. A vector comprising the DNA of claim 1 .
5. A plant cell transformed with the vector of claim 4 .
6. A plant transformant comprising the plant cell of claim 5 .
7. The plant transformant of claim 6 , wherein said plant transformant is rice.
8. A plant transformant, which is a progeny or a clone of the plant transformant of claim 6 and comprises an isolated DNA encoding a protein derived from plants which induces the flowering of plants, wherein said DNA is selected from the group consisting of:
(a) a DNA encoding the protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2; and
(b) a DNA encoding the protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein one amino acid is substituted, deleted, added, and/or inserted.
9. A breeding material of the plant transformant of claim 6 , which comprises an isolated DNA encoding a protein derived from plants which induces the flowering of plants, wherein said DNA is selected from the group consisting of:
(a) a DNA encoding the protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2; and
(b) a DNA encoding the protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein one amino acid is substituted, deleted, added, and/or inserted.
10. A method for producing a plant transformant, which comprises the following steps of:
(a) introducing the DNA of claim 1 into a plant cell, and
(b) regenerating a plant from the plant cell.
11. A method for inducing the flowering of a plant, comprising:
(a) introducing the DNA of claim 1 into a plant cell, and
(b) regenerating a plant from the plant cell
and wherein said DNA is expressed and flowering is induced.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the plant is rice.