Patents by Inventor Masako Mizutani

Masako Mizutani has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20100281575
    Abstract: The invention provides a rose characterized by comprising a flavone and malvidin added by a genetic modification method. The flavone and malvidin are typically produced by expression of a transferred flavone synthase gene, pansy flavonoid 3?,5?-hydroxylase gene and anthocyanin methyltransferase gene. The flavone synthase gene is, for example a flavone synthase gene of the family Scrophulariaceae, and specifically it may be the flavone synthase gene of snapdragon of the family Scrophulariaceae, or the flavone synthase gene of torenia of the family Scrophulariaceae. The flavonoid 3?,5?-hydroxylase gene is, for example, the pansy flavonoid 3?,5?-hydroxylase gene. The anthocyanin methyltransferase gene is, for example, the methyltransferase gene of torenia of the family Scrophulariaceae.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: International Flower Developments Proprietary Limi ted
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Tanaka, Yukihisa Katsumoto, Yuko Fukui, Masako Mizutani, Noriko Nakamura, Junichi Togami
  • Publication number: 20100199384
    Abstract: There is provided a gene coding for the amino acid sequence listed as SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 70, for example. Co-expression of the 4?CGT gene and AS gene in a plant lacking natural aurone synthesis ability is carried out to successfully accumulate aurones and alter the flower color to have a yellow tint. In addition to the expression of both genes, the flavonoid pigment synthesis pathway of the host plant itself is inhibited to obtain flowers with a more defined yellow color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL FLOWER DEVELOPMENTS PROPRIETARY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshikazu TANAKA, Eiichiro Ono, Noriko Nakamura, Masako Mizutani
  • Patent number: 7750209
    Abstract: There is provided a gene coding for the amino acid sequence listed as SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 70, for example. Co-expression of the 4?CGT gene and AS gene in a plant lacking natural aurone synthesis ability is carried out to successfully accumulate aurones and alter the flower color to have a yellow tint. In addition to the expression of both genes, the flavonoid pigment synthesis pathway of the host plant itself is inhibited to obtain flowers with a more defined yellow color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: International Flower Developments Proprietary Limited
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Tanaka, Eiichiro Ono, Noriko Nakamura, Masako Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20100143914
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining whether or not a wild rose of interest is crossed with a cultivated rose. The method comprises the steps of: examining whether or not a KSN gene containing a transposon (an indicator) is contained in the rose of interest; and determining that the rose of interest is crossed with a cultivated rose when the individual has the transposon-containing KSN gene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: International Flower Developments Proprietary Limited
    Inventors: Noriko Nakamura, Masako Mizutani, Yoshikazu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090293144
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of plant molecular biology and agents useful in the manipulation of plant physiological or biochemical properties. More particularly, the present invention provides genetic and proteinaceous agents capable of modulating or altering the level of acidity or alkalinity in a cell, group of cells, organelle, part or reproductive portion of a plant. Genetically altered plants, plant parts, progeny, subsequent generations and reproductive material including flowers or flowering parts having cells exhibiting an altered cellular pH compared to a non-genetically altered plant are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2007
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicants: Vereniging voor christelijk hoger onderwijs wetens chappelijk onderzoek en patientenzorg, International Flower Developoments Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Francesca Quattrocchio, Ronald Koes, Walter Verweij, Kees Spelt, Filippa Brugliera, Masako Mizutani
  • Patent number: 7592436
    Abstract: The present invention provides a protein having aurone synthase activity involved in the color of flowers such as snapdragons, a gene that encodes it, cDNA in particular, and its applications. This gene can give yellow color to the flowers of plants by introducing into plants deficient in chalcone isomerase and so forth and expressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: International Flower Developments Proprietary Limited
    Inventors: Keiko Sakakibara, Yuko Fukui, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Takaaki Kusumi, Masako Mizutani, Toru Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20090100547
    Abstract: The invention relates to plants and their progeny with improved morphogenesis in a variety of organs; to a method for producing the plants; and to a method for producing calli.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: TOYO BOSEKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihisa KASUKABE, Izumi IHARA, Shoji TACHIBANA, Keisuke MATSUI, Masako MIZUTANI
  • Publication number: 20090100546
    Abstract: The invention relates to plants and their progeny with improved morphogenesis in a variety of organs; to a method for producing the plants; and to a method for producing calli.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: TOYO BOSEKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihisa KASUKABE, Izumi IHARA, Shoji TACHIBANA, Keisuke MATSUI, Masako MIZUTANI
  • Patent number: 7507566
    Abstract: A flavone synthase that synthesizes flavones from flavanones, vectors containing DNAs encoding said flavone synthases, and plants expressing same are disclosed. Methods of producing the protein which synthesizes flavones from flavanones, methods of altering the composition of flavonoids or the amount of flavonoids in a plant, methods of altering flower color and plant photosensitivity, and methods of controlling interactions between plants expressing the protein and microorganisms are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: International Flower Developments Proprietary Limited
    Inventors: Masako Mizutani, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Takaaki Kusumi, Shin-ichi Ayabe, Tomoyoshi Akashi
  • Patent number: 7501271
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gene that codes for a protein, wherein the protein is an anthocyanin 5-O-glucosyltransferase, which is an enzyme that transfers a glycoside to the 5 position of a flavonoid. The disclosed anthocyanin 5-O-glucosyltransferases were isolated from Perilla fruescens, Verbena hybrida, Torenia hybrida, and Petunia hybrida. Also disclosed are genes that code for a protein having a modified amino acid sequence relative to the above amino acid sequence and having activity that transfers a glycoside to the 5 position of a flavonoid, and a process for producing the above protein using said gene. This gene can be used to artificially alter the color of plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: International Flower Development Proprietary Limited
    Inventors: Masako Mizutani, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Takaaki Kusumi, Kazuki Saito, Mami Yamazaki, Gong Zhizhong
  • Patent number: 7465569
    Abstract: A [DNA encoding a] flavone synthase that synthesizes flavones from flavanones, vectors containing said DNAs encoding said flavone synthases, and plants expressing same are disclosed. Methods of producing the protein which synthesizes flavones from flavanones, methods of altering the composition of flavonoids or the amount of flavonoids in a plant, methods of altering flower color and plant photosensitivity, and methods of controlling interactions between plants expressing the protein and microorganisms are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: International Flower Developments Proprietary Limited
    Inventors: Masako Mizutani, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Takaaki Kusumi, Shin-ichi Ayabe, Tomoyoshi Akashi
  • Patent number: 7446242
    Abstract: The invention relates to plants and their progeny with improved morphogenesis in a variety of organs; to a method for producing the plants; and to a method for producing calli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Kasukabe, Izumi Ihara, Shoji Tachibana, Keisuke Matsui, Masako Mizutani
  • Patent number: 7422881
    Abstract: DNA obtained, for example, from snapdragon or torenia, encoding an enzyme that can convert flavanones directly to flavones, and its uses; the DNA and amino acid sequences for enzymes encoded thereby are listed as SEQ. ID. No. 1 & 2 and 3 & 4, for example. Introduction of the genes into plants can, for example, alter the flower colors of the plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: International Flower Developments Proprietary Limited
    Inventors: Masako Mizutani, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Takaaki Kusumi, Shin-ichi Ayabe, Tomoyoshi Akashi
  • Publication number: 20080009032
    Abstract: There is provided a gene coding for the amino acid sequence listed as SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 70, for example. Co-expression of the 4?CGT gene and AS gene in a plant lacking natural aurone synthesis ability is carried out to successfully accumulate aurones and alter the flower color to have a yellow tint. In addition to the expression of both genes, the flavonoid pigment synthesis pathway of the host plant itself is inhibited to obtain flowers with a more defined yellow color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Tanaka, Eiichiro Ono, Noriko Nakamura, Masako Mizutani
  • Patent number: 7160700
    Abstract: A nucleic acid encoding a protein which has an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 2, 12, or 14, or the amino acid sequence modified by addition or deletion of one or more amino acids and/or substitution by other amino acids, and which has activity to transfer a glycosyl group to the 3?-position of anthocyanins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: International Flower Developments Proprietary Limited
    Inventors: Masako Mizutani, Keiko Sakakibara, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Takaaki Kusumi, Eiichiro Ono
  • Publication number: 20060277621
    Abstract: DNA obtained, for example, from snapdragon or torenia, encoding an enzyme that can convert flavanones directly to flavones, and its uses; the DNA and amino acid sequences for enzymes encoded thereby are listed as SEQ.ID. No. 1 & 2 and 3 & 4, for example. Introduction of the genes into plants can, for example, alter the flower colors of the plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Inventors: Masako Mizutani, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Takaaki Kusumi, Shin-ichi Ayabe, Tomoyoshi Akashi
  • Publication number: 20060277622
    Abstract: DNA obtained, for example, from snapdragon or torenia, encoding an enzyme that can convert flavanones directly to flavones, and its uses; the DNA and amino acid sequences for enzymes encoded thereby are listed as SEQ.ID. No. 1 & 2 and 3 & 4, for example. Introduction of the genes into plants can, for example, alter the flower colors of the plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Inventors: Masako Mizutani, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Takaaki Kusumi, Shin-ichi Ayabe, Tomoyoshi Akashi
  • Publication number: 20060248609
    Abstract: DNA obtained, for example, from snapdragon or torenia, encoding an enzyme that can convert flavanones directly to flavones, and its uses; the DNA and amino acid sequences for enzymes encoded thereby are listed as SEQ. ID. No. 1 & 2 and 3 & 4, for example. Introduction of the genes into plants can, for example, alter the flower colors of the plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Masako Mizutani, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Takaaki Kusumi, Shin-ichi Ayabe, Tomoyoshi Akashi
  • Patent number: 7119252
    Abstract: A DNA encoding a flavone synthase that synthesizes flavones from flavanones, vectors containing said DNAs, and plants expressing same are disclosed. Methods of producing the protein which synthesizes flavones from flavanones, methods of altering the composition of flavonoids or the amount of flavonoids in a plant, methods of altering flower color and plant photosenstivity, and methods of controlling interactions between plants expressing the protein and microorganisms are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Suntory Limited
    Inventors: Masako Mizutani, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Takaaki Kusumi, Shin-ichi Ayabe, Tomoyoshi Akashi
  • Patent number: 7119253
    Abstract: A DNA encoding a flavone synthase that synthesizes flavones from flavanones, vectors containing said DNAs, and plants expressing same are disclosed. Methods of producing the protein which synthesizes flavones from flavanones, methods of altering the composition of flavonoids or the amount of flavonoids in a plant, methods of altering flower color and plant photosensitivity, and methods of controlling interactions between plants expressing the protein and microorganisms are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignees: Suntory Flowers Limited, Suntory Limited
    Inventors: Masako Mizutani, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Takaaki Kusumi, Shin-ichi Ayabe, Tomoyoshi Akashi