Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant polynucleotide comprising a promoter sequence being an inducible promoter obtainable from apple. The promoter sequence is preferably activated in response to which agents are specific to ripening fruit and is most preferably the apple &bgr;-galactosidase (ABG1) promoter. Vectors form a further part of the invention. Also provided are host plant cells, plus methods of producing transgenic plants and fruit which incorporate antisense RNA capable of down-regulating genes involved in ripening or peptides or proteins improving fungal, insect, bacterial, viral, herbicidal, nematode, or arachnid resistance. Such transgenic plants and fruit have storage and pest-resistance properties superior to non-transgenic varieties.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 5, 1999
Date of Patent:
February 17, 2004
Assignee:
The Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food in Her
Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom and Northern
Ireland
Inventors:
John Robert Gittins, David John James, Elizabeth Rachel Hiles