Maize RING-H2 Genes and Methods of Use

摘要

The present invention relates to the field of plant molecular biology, more particularly to the regulation of genes that increase drought tolerance and yield. Provided herein are methods finding use in agriculture for increasing drought tolerance in dicot and monocot plants. Methods comprising introducing into a plant cell a polynucleotide that encodes a maize XERICO polypeptide operably linked to a promoter that drives expression in a plant are provided. Methods are further provided for maintaining or increasing yield in plants under drought conditions by introducing into a plant cell a polynucleotide encoding a maize XERICO poly-peptide and a polynucleotide encoding an abscisic acid (ABA)-associated polypeptide. Also provided are transformed plants, plant tissues, plant cells, and seeds thereof.

主权项

1. A method for increasing drought tolerance in a plant, said method comprising:
a) expressing a recombinant nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2 (ZmXERICO1), SEQ ID NO:m4 (ZmXERICO2), or SEQ ID NO: 6 (ZmXERICO1A), wherein said nucleotide sequence is operably linked to a heterologous promoter selected from the group consisting of a weak constitutive promoter, an organ- or tissue-preferred promoter a stress-inducible promoter, a chemical-induced promoter, a light-responsive promoter, and a diurnally-regulated promoter; and b) expressing said nucleotide sequence in said plant; whereby drought tolerance of said plant is increased relative to a control plant.