NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE ENCODING HOMEOBOX-LEUCINE ZIPPER PROTEIN HAT22 (HD-ZIP PROTEIN 22) FROM CORCHORUS OLITORIUS AND CORCHORUS CAPSULARIS AND METHODS OF USE - HAT22 (HD-ZIP 22)

摘要

The present invention relates to the isolated polynucleotide encoding homeobox-leucine zipper protein HAT22 (HD-ZIP protein 22) from the plants Corchorus olitorius and Corchorus capsularis and corresponding polypeptide derived thereof. The present invention also relates to the plants having modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding a homeobox-leucine zipper HAT22 polypeptide or a homologue thereof, which has the ability to modify, preferably to increase/enhance, the fiber length, plant height, and/or plant biomass. More specifically, the invention relates to polypeptides having homeobox-leucine zipper protein HAT22 activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The present invention further provides vectors, expression constructs and host cells comprising and/or consisting of the nucleotide sequences of the homeobox-leucine zipper protein HAT22 (HD-ZIP protein 22). The invention also provides methods for producing the said protein and methods for modifying the said protein in order to improve their desirable characteristics. The said protein of the invention can be used in a variety of ways, including increasing/enhancing the fiber length, height and biomass of plants and fiber yield.