Process for modifying the production of carotenoids in plants, and DNA, constructs and cells therefor

• Main Authors: BIRD; COLIN ROGER, GRIERSON; DONALD, SCHUCH; WOLFGANG WALTER
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 12.05.1998
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: AGRICULTURE; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; BEER; BIOCHEMISTRY; CHEMISTRY; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; CULTURE MEDIA; ENZYMOLOGY; FERMENTATION OR ENZYME-USING PROCESSES TO SYNTHESISE A DESIREDCHEMICAL COMPOUND OR COMPOSITION OR TO SEPARATE OPTICAL ISOMERSFROM A RACEMIC MIXTURE; FISHING; FORESTRY; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HUNTING; METALLURGY; MICROBIOLOGY; MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; NEW PLANTS OR PROCESSES FOR OBTAINING THEM; ORGANIC CHEMISTRY; PEPTIDES; PLANT REPRODUCTION BY TISSUE CULTURE TECHNIQUES; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; SPIRITS; TRAPPING; VINEGAR; WINE

The gene of the construct pTOM5 is involved in the carotenoid pathway, which produces carotenes, lutein, xanthophylls, and pigments such as lycopene. The invention proposes to modify (inhibit or promote) the synthesis of such compounds in plants using novel DNA contructs comprising a DNA sequence homologous to some or all of the gene encoded by the clone pTOM5, preceded by a plant promoter. In particular, colour of plant parts, especially fruit, may be modified. Yellow tomatoes are disclosed.