Debra Eberhard Mohnen

US Patent:

20060150280, Jul 6, 2006

Filed:

Feb 5, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/544180

Inventors:

Debra Mohnen - Athens GA, US
Jason Sterling - Raleigh NC, US
Ron Doong - Tainan Hsien, TW
Venkata Siva Kolli - Johnstown PA, US
Michael Hahn - Athens GA, US

International Classification:

A01H 1/00
C08B 37/06
C12N 9/10
C12N 15/82

US Classification:

800284000, 435468000, 435193000, 530388260, 536002000

Abstract:

The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the polypeptide having galacturonosyltransferase (GaIAT) activity. The GALA T 1 disclosed represents the first pectin biosynthetic glycosyltransferase gene isolated from plants. The invention further provides 14 GALAT and 10 GALAT-like gene superfamily members. The identification of the GALAT gene superfamily offers new opportunities to modulate pectin synthesisin vivo and in vitro by modulating the GALATgene, for example, transgenic plants that produce modified pectins can be generated by altering the GALAT gene. Since modified pectins are predicted to affect plant growth, development, and plant defense responses, the transgenic plants are expected to have improved agricultural value. The modified pectins isolated from such transgenic plants are useful as gelling and stabilizing agents in the food, neutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. The expressed proteins, and variants thereof, of the GALAT superfamily are useful to produce in vitro modified pectins of commercial value.

US Patent:

20130102022, Apr 25, 2013

Filed:

Apr 15, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/638143

Inventors:

Debra A. Mohnen - Athens GA, US
Ajaya Kumar Biswal - Athens GA, US
Zhangying Hao - Athens GA, US
Kimberly D. Hunt - Athens GA, US
Irina Kataeva - Athens GA, US
Michael W.W. Adams - Athens GA, US

Assignee:

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC. - Athens GA

International Classification:

C12N 15/82
D21B 1/04

US Classification:

435 29, 435165, 800290, 800260, 800298, 162 24, 162100, 241 28

Abstract:

Provided herein are plants having altered expression of a GAUT polypeptide. Such plants have phenotypes that may include decreased recalcitrance, increased growth, decreased lignin content, or a combination thereof. Also provided herein are methods of making and using such plants.