Designed transcriptional regulators for trait development.
Development is largely controlled by proteins that regulate gene expression at the level of transcription. These regulatory proteins, the genes that control them, and the genes that they control, are organized in a hierarchical structure of complex interactions. Altering the expression of genes encoding regulatory proteins controlling critical nodes in this hierarchy has potential for dramatic phenotypic modification. Constitutive over-expression of genes encoding regulatory proteins in transgenic plants has resulted in agronomically interesting phenotypes along with developmental abnormalities. For trait development, the magnitude and timing of expression of genes encoding key regulatory proteins will need to be precisely controlled and targeted to specific cells and tissues at certain developmental timepoints. Such control is made possible by designed transcriptional regulators which are fusions of engineered DNA binding proteins and activator or repressor domains. Expression of genes encoding such designed transcriptional regulators enable the selective modulation of endogenous gene expression. Genes encoding proteins controlling regulatory networks are prime targets for up- or down-regulation via such designed transcriptional regulators.
Dow AgroSciences, 9330 Zionsville Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268, USA. jfpetolino@dow.com
Joseph F
JF
Petolino
John P
JP
Davies
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D055864:Droughts; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D017343:Genes, Plant; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D025941:Protein Interaction Mapping; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D050436:Regulatory Elements, Transcriptional; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D013696:Temperature; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
D018744:DNA, Plant; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors