Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that CAX1-like H+/Ca+2 antiporter is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of CAX1-like H+/Ca+2 antiporter gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced growth and abnormal development. Thus, CAX1-like H+/Ca+2 antiporter is useful as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of herbicides by measuring the activity of a CAX1-like H+/Ca+2 antiporter in the presence and absence of a compound, where an alteration of CAX1-like H+/Ca+2 antiporter activity in the presence of the compound indicates the compound as a candidate for a herbicide.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that chorismate mutase and chorismate synthase are essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of chorismate mutase or chorismate synthase gene expression in plant seedlings results in severe chlorosis, reduced growth and developmental abnormalities. The inventors have proven that chorismate synthase and chorismate mutase can be used as targets for the identification of herbicides. Thus, the invention provides methods for the identification of chemicals that modulate chorismate synthase and chorismate mutase biochemical reactions. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides and for the inhibition of plant growth and development.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that NADPH:protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (POR) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of POR gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced growth and chlorosis. Thus, POR is useful as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of herbicides by measuring the activity of a POR in the presence and absence of a compound, wherein an alteration of POR activity in the presence of the compound indicates the compound as a candidate for a herbicide.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Lipid Transfer Protein (LTP) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of LTP gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced growth and chlorosis. Thus, LTP is useful as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of herbicides by measuring the activity of an LTP in the presence and absence of a compound, wherein an alteration of LTP activity in the presence of the compound indicates the compound as a candidate for a herbicide.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that serine acetyltransferase (SAT) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of SAT gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced growth and altered pigmentation. Thus, SAT is useful as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of herbicides by measuring the activity of an SAT in the presence and absence of a compound, wherein an alteration of SAT activity in the presence of the compound indicates the compound as a candidate for a herbicide.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate Oxidase (ACC) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of ACC gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced and severely stunted growth, and chlorosis. Thus, ACC can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit ACC expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with an ACC and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said an ACC, or detecting a decrease in ACC expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Mg-chelatase is essential for the growth of Arabidopsis. Specifically, the inhibition of Mg-chelatase CHL H gene expression in Arabidopsis seedlings results in varying levels of chlorosis (yellowing), significantly reduced growth and developmental abnormalities. Thus, Arabidopsis Mg-chelatase can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that modulate Arabidopsis Mg-chelatase expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with a Arabidopsis Mg-chelatase, or a subunit thereof, and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said Mg-chelatase, or detecting a change in Mg-chelatase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides and other compounds that can modulate plant growth and development.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Thioredoxin (TRX) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of TRX gene expression in plant seedlings results in seedling deformities, reduced and severely stunted growth, and chlorosis. Thus, TRX can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit TRX expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with a TRX and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said a TRX, or detecting a decrease in TRX expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that the polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of SEQ ID NO:1 is essential for plant growth. Thus, this polypeptide can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit the expression or activity of the polypeptide encoded by SEQ ID NO:2. Such compounds have use as herbicides. In addition, methods and compositions for modulating plant growth and development are provided.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition PPDK gene expression in plant seedlings results in significant developmental abnormalities, including abnormal cotyledon development, abnormal or aborted primary leaf development and significantly reduced growth. Thus, PPDK can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit PPDK expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with a PPDK and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said a PPDK, or detecting a decrease in PPDK expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that the germin-like polypeptides set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 are essential for plant growth. Thus, these polypeptides can be used as targets for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit the expression or activity of the polypeptides encoded by SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10. Such compounds have use as herbicides. In addition, methods and compositions for modulating plant growth and development are provided.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that chorismate mutase and chorismate synthase are essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of chorismate mutase or chorismate synthase gene expression in plant seedlings results in severe chlorosis, reduced growth and developmental abnormalities. Thus, in one aspect the invention provides compositions for the modulation of plant growth or development comprising chorismate synthase and chorismate mutase antisense and sense polynucleotides, dsRNA and ribozymes, and related expression cassettes and vectors. The compositions of the invention are particularly useful for the modulation and inhibition of plant growth. The invention further provides plants, plant cells, and seeds containing the polynucleotides of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention discloses that 2′-hydroxyisoflavone reductase (IFR) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of IFR gene expression in plant seedlings results in seedlings that fail to produce roots or leaves. Thus, IFR is a useful target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides compositions and methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit IFR expression or activity.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that chorismate mutase and chorismate synthase are essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of chorismate mutase or chorismate synthase gene expression in plant seedlings results in severe chlorosis, reduced growth and developmental abnormalities. Thus, in one aspect the invention provides compositions for the modulation of plant growth or development comprising chorismate synthase and chorismate mutase antisense and sense polynucleotides, dsRNA and ribozymes, and related expression cassettes and vectors. The compositions of the invention are particularly useful for the modulation and inhibition of plant growth. The invention further provides plants, plant cells, and seeds containing the polynucleotides of the invention. The inventors have proven that chorismate synthase and chorismate mutase can be used as targets for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition PPDK gene expression in plant seedlings results in significant developmental abnormalities, including abnormal cotyledon development, abnormal or aborted primary leaf development and significantly reduced growth. Thus, PPDK can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit PPDK expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with a PPDK and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said a PPDK, or detecting a decrease in PPDK expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.