Patents by Inventor Robert L. Houtz

Robert L. Houtz 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).

  • Crystallization and structure of a plant peptide deformylase
    Patent number: 8417498
    Abstract: This invention relates to the crystal structure of a plant peptide deformylase polypeptide and methods of using the structure to design compounds that modulate the activity of the polypeptide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: David Rodgers, Robert L. Houtz, Lynette M. A. Dirk, Mark A. Williams
  • Modified rubisco large subunit n-methyltransferase useful for targeting molecules to the active-site vicinity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate
    Patent number: 8138309
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a modified Rubisco large subunit ?N-Methyltransferase (Rubisco LSMT, or RLSMT). The present invention also relates to a modified RLSMT-carbonic anhydrase (RLSMT-CA). This modified RLSMT-CA improves the efficiency of the reduction of CO2 during photosynthesis, which may increase plant growth rates. The present invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding the modified RLSMT-CA or modified RLSMT. Also, the present invention relates to cells including the modified RLSMT-CA or modified RLSMT, plants containing the modified RLSMT-CA or modified RLSMT, and methods using compositions of the present invention. In addition, the present invention relates to antibodies conjugated to CA which may bind to Rubisco, and antibodies which bind a modified RLSMT-CA. The invention also relates to modified forms of the LS and SS of Rubisco where the modified forms are fusions with CA or biologically active fragments thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventor: Robert L. Houtz
  • Nucleotide and Amino Acid Sequences for Calmodulin Protein Methyltransferase
    Publication number: 20110166208
    Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for calmodulin protein methyltransferase. The present invention also provides diagnostic tools and methods of using the present invention to diagnose and treat diseases and conditions linked with calmodulin methyltransferase, as well as methylated calmodulin intermediates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: University of Kentucky
    Inventors: Robert L. HOUTZ, Roberta Magnani, Lynette M.A. Dirk
  • Inhibitors of plant peptide deformylase for use as broad-spectrum herbicides and methods for identifying the same
    Patent number: 7745693
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of identifying herbicides and to the use of inhibitors of plant peptide deformylase as broad spectrum herbicides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert L. Houtz, Lynnette M. A. Dirk, Mark Alan Williams
  • Crystallization and Structure of a Plant Peptide Deformylase
    Publication number: 20090181445
    Abstract: This invention relates to the crystal structure of a plant peptide deformylase polypeptide and methods of using the structure to design compounds that modulate the activity of the polypeptide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: David Rodgers, Robert L. Houtz, Lynette M. A. Dirk, Mark A. Williams
  • Modified rubisco large subunit n-methyltransferase useful for targeting molecules to the active-site vicinity of ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate
    Publication number: 20090070901
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a modified Rubisco large subunit ?N-Methyltransferase (Rubisco LSMT, or RLSMT). The present invention also relates to a modified RLSMT-carbonic anhydrase (RLSMT-CA). This modified RLSMT-CA improves the efficiency of the reduction of CO2 during photosynthesis, which may increase plant growth rates. The present invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding the modified RLSMT-CA or modified RLSMT. Also, the present invention relates to cells including the modified RLSMT-CA or modified RLSMT, plants containing the modified RLSMT-CA or modified RLSMT, and methods using compositions of the present invention. In addition, the present invention relates to antibodies conjugated to CA which may bind to Rubisco, and antibodies which bind a modified RLSMT-CA. The invention also relates to modified forms of the LS and SS of Rubisco where the modified forms are fusions with CA or biologically active fragments thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventor: Robert L. Houtz
  • Crystallization and structure of a plant peptide deformylase
    Patent number: 7445923
    Abstract: This invention relates to the crystal structure of a plant peptide deformylase polypeptide and methods of using the structure to design compounds that modulate the activity of the polypeptide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert L. Houtz, David W. Rodgers, Lynette M. A. Dirk, Mark A. Williams
  • Inhibitors of plant peptide deformylase for use as broad-spectrum herbicides and methods for identifying the same
    Patent number: 7419815
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of identifying herbicides and to the use of inhibitors of plant peptide deformylase as broad spectrum herbicides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert L. Houtz, Lynnette M. A. Dirk, Mark Alan Williams
  • Crystallization and structure of a plant peptide deformylase
    Publication number: 20080124808
    Abstract: This invention relates to the crystal structure of a plant peptide deformylase polypeptide and methods of using the structure to design compounds that modulate the activity of the polypeptide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: The University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: David Rodgers, Robert L. Houtz, Lynette M. A. Dirk, Mark A. Williams
  • Inhibitors of plant peptide deformylase for use as broad -spectrum herbicides and methods for identifying the same
    Publication number: 20040088755
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of identifying herbicides and to the use of inhibitors of plant peptide deformylase as broad spectrum herbicides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert L. Houtz, Lynnette M.A. Dirk, Mark Alan Williams
  • Inhibitors of plant peptide deformylase for use as broad-spectrum herbicides and method for identifying the same
    Patent number: 6730634
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of identifying herbicides and to the use of inhibitors of plant peptide deformylase as broad spectrum herbicides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert L. Houtz, Lynnette M. A. Dirk, Mark Alan Williams
  • Isolated spinach ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxgenase large subunit &egr; n-methyltransferase and method of inactivating ribulose-1,5-bishosphatase &egr; n-methyltransferase activity
    Patent number: 6245541
    Abstract: The gene sequence for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) large subunit (LS) &egr;N-methyltansferase (protein methylase III or Rubisco LSMT) from a plant which has a des(methyl) lysyl residue in the LS is disclosed. In addition, the full-length cDNA clones for Rubisco LSMT are disclosed. Transgenic plants and methods of producing same which have the Rubisco LSMT gene inserted into the DNA are also provided. Further, methods of inactivating the enzymatic activity of Rubisco LSMT are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventor: Robert L. Houtz
  • Isolated spinach ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit .sup..epsilon. N-methyltransferase and method of inactivating ribulose-1,5-bisphosphatase carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit .sup..epsilon. N-methyltransferase activity
    Patent number: 5908972
    Abstract: The gene sequence for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) large subunit (LS) .sup..epsilon. N-methyltransferase (protein methylase III or Rubisco LSMT) from a plant which has a des(methyl) lysyl residue in the LS is disclosed. In addition, the full-length cDNA clones for Rubisco LSMT are disclosed. Transgenic plants and methods of producing same which have the Rubisco LSMT gene inserted into the DNA are also provided. Further, methods of inactivating the enzymatic activity of Rubisco LSMT are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventor: Robert L. Houtz
  • Cloning and developmental expression of pea ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit epsilon N-methyltransferase
    Patent number: 5866394
    Abstract: The gene sequence for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) large subunit (LS) .sup..epsilon. N-methyltransferase (protein methylase III or Rubisco LSMT) is disclosed. This enzyme catalyzes methylation of the .epsilon.-amine of lysine-14 in the large subunit of Rubisco. In addition, a full-length cDNA clone for Rubisco LSMT is disclosed. Transgenic plants and methods of producing same which (1) have the Rubisco LSMT gene inserted into the DNA, and (2) have the Rubisco LSMT gene product or the action of the gene product deleted from the DNA are also provided. Further, methods of using the gene to selectively deliver desired agents to a plant are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventor: Robert L. Houtz
  • Cloning and developmental expression of pea ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit N-methyltransferase
    Patent number: 5723752
    Abstract: The gene sequence for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) large subunit (LS) .epsilon.N-methyltransferase (protein methylase III or Rubisco LSMT) is disclosed. This enzyme catalyzes methylation of the .epsilon.-amine of lysine-14 in the large subunit of Rubisco. In addition, a full-length cDNA clone for Rubisco LSMT is disclosed. Transgenic plants and methods of producing same which (1) have the Rubisco LSMT gene inserted into the DNA, and (2) have the Rubisco LSMT gene product or the action of the gene product deleted from the DNA are also provided. Further, methods of using the gene to selectively deliver desired agents to a plant are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: University Of Kentucky
    Inventor: Robert L. Houtz