Cell Cycle Nucleic Acids, Polypeptides and Uses Thereof - Wee1

This invention improves transformation frequency by changing levels of protein expression in the target cells, altering the cell cycle, specifically by modulating the activity of a gene known as RB3 which influences the cell's progression from G1 to S phase in the cell cycle. Overexpression of RB3 can be induced through existing methods of transient transfection and will delay progression from G1 to S. Conversely decreasing the activity of RB3 through antibodies or antisense oligonucleotides will stimulate cell division.

Background:
The insertion of various genes (transformation) into plants provides an opportunity to engineer agricultural crops with desirable traits. Unfortunately the process of transforming many varieties of crops is inefficient and difficult. Only cells undergoing division are susceptible to transformation and these represent only a tiny fraction of the total population at any given time. It has been estimated that despite increases in yield and harvested area that production must increase by 20% in the next ten years in order to keep pace with demand. Techniques that improve the efficiency of transformation and improve its utility as a tool to increase crop yield would be a huge boon for farmers and the world.

Applications:

• Methods for increasing plant cell transformation frequencies, increasing crop yield, providing positive growth advantage, modulating cell division, and providing means of positive selection

Advantages:

• Increases transformation efficiency