MXPA02000363A - Compositions and methods for fumonisin detoxification - Google Patents

Abstract

Compositions and methods for the complete detoxification of fumonisin and fumonisin degradation products are provided. Particularly, nucleotide sequences corresponding to the detoxification enzymes are provided. The sequences find use in preparing expression cassettes for the transformation of a broad variety of host cells and organisms.

Description

COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR FUMONYSIN DETOXIFICATION DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to compositions and methods for the detoxification or degradation of fumonisin or API. The method has wide application in agricultural biotechnology and crop agriculture and in the improvement of the quality of food grains. Cung fungal diseases are common problems in crop farming. Many advances have been made against plant diseases as exemplified by the use of hybrid vegetables, pesticides, and improved agricultural practices. However, as any farmer or home gardener can prove, the problems of fungal vegetable diseases continue to cause difficulties in growing vegetables. Thus, there is a continuing need for new methods and materials to solve the problems caused by fungal diseases of plants. These problems can be combated through a variety of approaches. For example, infectious organisms can be controlled through the use of agents that are selectively bi-ocid for pathogens. Another method is the interference with the mechanism by which the pathogen invades the host crop. Still another method, in the case of pathogens that cause crop losses, is interference with the mechanism by which the pathogen causes the wound to the host culture vegetable. In the case of pathogens that produce toxins that are undesirable to mammals or other animals that feed on crop vegetables, the interference with toxin production, storage or activity may be of benefit. Since its discovery and structural elucidation in 1988 (Bezuidenhout et al., (1988) Journal Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 1988: 743-745), fumonisins have been recognized as a potentially serious problem in cattle fed corn. They bind to various animal toxicoses including leukoencephalomalacia (Marasas et al., (1988) Onderstepoort J.

Vet, Res. 55: 197-204 ilson et al. , (1990) American ñssociation of Veterimary Laboratory Diagnosticians: Abstracts 33rd Annual Me i ting, Denver, Colorado, Madison, Wisconsin, USA) and porcine pulmonary edema (Colvin et al., (1992) Mycopathology 111 79-82). It is also suspected that fumonisins are carcinogenic (Geary et al., (1971) Coord. Chem. Rev. 7:81; GelderbQ-om et al., (1991) Carcinogenesis 22: 1247-1251; Gelderblom et al. , (1992) Carcinogenesis 13: 433-437). Fusari um isolates in section Liseola produce fumonosins in culture at levels of 2 a > 4000 ppm (Leslie et al., (1992) Phytopa thology 82: 341-345). Corn isolates (predominantly population A and matings) are among the producers of fumonisin (Leslie et al., Supra). The fumonisin levels den.ectad in the corn grown in the The field has fluctuated widely depending on the location and season of cultivation, but pre-harvest and post-harvest studies of field corn have indicated that there is potential for high levels of fumonisin (Murphy et al., (1993) J. Agr. Food Chem. 1: 263-266). Studies of food products and food have also detected fumonisin (Holco b et ai (1993) J. Agr. Food Chem. 41: 764-767, Hopmans et al., (L993) J. Agr. Food Chem. 41: 1655 -1658); Sydenham et al., (L991) J. Agr. Food Chem. 33-2014-2018). The etiology of the ear mold of Fusarium um is poorly understood, although physical damage to the ear and some environmental conditions may contribute to its occurrence (Nelson et al., (1992) Mycopathologia 117: 29-36). Fusari um can be isolated < from the majority of the corn grown in the field, even when the visible mode is not present. The relationship between shoot infection and stem and ear diseases caused by Fusari um is unclear. The genetic resistance to mold of visible corn grain has been identified (Gendloff et al., (1986) Phytopathology 16: 684-688; Holley et al., (1989) Plant Dis. 73: 578-580), but the relationship of visible mold to the production of fumonisin has yet to be elucidated. It has been shown in mammalian cells in vi tro that fumonisins inhibit the biosynthesis of sphigolipids through the inhibition of the enzyme sphingosim N-acetyl present for reference Plants that express an enzyme fumonisin esterase, infected by the fungus that produces fumonisin, and pnobada by fumonisin and API were found to have low levels of fumonisin but high levels of API. API is more toxic than fumonisin in vegetables and also probably in animals, but contamination with API is still a concern. The best result would be the complete detoxification of fumonisin in a non-toxic way. Therefore, enzymes cap > aces to degrade API for the additional detoxification of fumonisin. Compositions 3 and methods for fumonisin catabolism and detoxification and fumonisin degradation products as well as toxins related to fumonisins are provided. In particular, proteins involved in the catabolism and transmembrane transport of fumonisin and fumonisin catabolic products are provided. The nucleotide sequences that correspond to the proteins are also included. The compositions are useful in the detoxification and degradation of fumonisin. The nucleotide sequences can be used in expression cassettes for the transformation of the host cells of interest. The compositions and methods of the invention are steps in a catabolic route for fumonisin. Thus, organisms can be genetically modified to provide the catabolism and detoxification of fumonisin and toxins related to fuimonisin. In particular, expression cassettes are provided for the expression of enzymes in plants and other organisms as well as transformed plants and other host cells. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 indicates the proposed route for the degradation of fumonisin by Exophiala spinifera. Figure 2 schematically illustrates a plasmid vector comprising the gene for one of the fumonisin-degrading enzymes of the invention operably linked to the ubiquitin promoter. The catabolic route for the detoxification and degradation of fumonisin is provided. Particularly, the enzymes involved in the degradation of fumonisin from Exophiala spinifera (American Type) are described Culture Collection Deposit No. 74269) and the nucleotide sequences encoding such enzymes. Such enzymes and nucleotide sequences find use in the decomposition of fumonisin and the toxins related to fumonisin as well as the degradation products thereof. In this regard, the enzymes can be synthesized and used or, alternatively, the organisms can be transformed with the DNA sequences of the invention and used for detoxify fumonisin A proposed route for the fumonisin degradation by Exophiala spinifera in the Figure 1. The present invention encompasses the enzymes and nucleotide sequences that encode the enzymes involved in this degradation pathway for fumonisin. The compositions of the invention include a flavin monooxygenase, a dehydrogenase aldehyde, a permease, and a p-glycoprotein which are involved in the fumcnisin degradation pathway. In particular, the present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that comprise nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ. FROM IDENT. NOS: 3, 5, 8, and 11, or the nucleotide sequences encoding the DNA sequences obtained from the overlapping clones deposited in a bacterial host with the American Type Culture Collection and the Access Number assigned PTA- 299 By "DNA sequence obtained from the overlapping clones" it is intended that the DNA sequence of the enzymes that degrade the fumonisin can be obtained by sequencing the individual clones which together comprise the qu-enzymes. you degrade the complete fumonisin. Additionally, polypeptides having an amino acid sequence encoded by a nucleic acid molecule described herein are provided, for example those indicated in SEC. FROM IDENT. NOS: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10, the DNA sequences obtained from the overlapping clones deposited in a bacterial host with the American Type Culture Collection and the Access Number assigned PTA-299, and fragmen and variants thereof, Ten plasmids containing clones overlapping were deposited with the American Type Culture Collection, Manassa, Virginia, and Accessed Access Number PTA-299. Plasmids designated F perm3.5 and F perm4.4 contain common sequences in regions where they overlap to form the nucleotide sequence encoding a permease. Plasmids designated F_p-glycolL4, F_p-glyco5.13, and F_p-glyco6.42 contain common sequences in regions where they overlap to form the nucleotide sequence encoding a p-glycoprotein. And the plasmids designated F_Aldel.l, F_Alde2.2, and F_Alde2.5 contain com'mes sequences in the regions where they overlap to form the nucleotide sequences of an aldehyde dehydrogenase. One skilled in the art in sequencing the clones and aligning the overlap can obtain the complete sequence of the permease, the p-glycoprotein, and the aldehyde dehydrogenase. These deposits will be maintained under the terms of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure. These deposits were made merely as a convenience to those with experience in the art and it is not an admission that a deposit under 35 U.S.C. §112. The invention encompasses nucleic acid or protein compositions isolated or substantially purified. A protein nucleotide acid molecule, or biologically active portion thereof, "isolated" or "purified", which is substantially free of other cellular material, or culture medium when produced by recombinant techniques, or is optionally free of chemical precursors or other chemicals when synthesized chemically. Preferably, an "isolated" nucleic acid is free of sequences (preferably sequences encoding proteins) that raturely flank the nucleic acid (i.e., sequences located at the 5 'and 3' ends of the nucleic acid) in genomic DNA in the organism from which the nucleic acid is derived. For example, in various embodiments, the isolated nucleic acid molecule may contain less than about 5 kb, 4 kb, 3 kb, 2 kb, 1 kb, 0.5 kb, or 0.1 kb of nucleotide sequences that naturally flank the nucleic acid molecule in the genomic DNA of the cell from which the nucleic acid is derived. A protein that is substantially free of cellular material includes preparations of protein that they have less than about 30, 20,., 10 ', 5O, (dry weight) of contaminating protein. When the protein of the invention or the bio-logically active portion thereof is recombinantly produced, preferably the culture medium represents less than about 30 °, 20 ° or, 10 °, or 5"- (dry weight) of precursors. chemicals or chemicals without protein of interest. The fragments and variants of the nucleotide sequences described and the proteins encoded accordingly are also encompassed by the present invention. By "fragment" is meant a portion of the nucleotide sequence, or a portion of the amino acid sequence and therefore the protein encoded accordingly. Fragments of a nucleotide sequence can be described as protein-rich proteins that retain the biological activity of the native protein and therefore degrade or catabolize fumonisins. Alternatively, fragments of a nucleotide sequence that are useful as hybridization probes generally do not encode fragments of proteins that retain biological activity. Thus, fragments of nucleotide sequence may vary from at least about 20 nucleotides, about 50 nucleotides, about 100 nucleotides, and up to the full-length nucleotide sequence encoding the proteins of the invention.

A fragment of an anagen sequence of fumonisin degrading nucleotides that supports a biologically active portion of a protein that degrades the fumonisin of the invention will encode at least 15, 25, 30, 50, 100, 150, 200, or 250, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1,000, 1,100, 1,200 continuous amino acids, or up to the total number of amino acids present in a protein that degrades the full-length fumonisin of the invention (eg, 545, 487, 525, 1263 amino acids for SEC. FROM IDENT. NOS: 3, 5, 8 and 11, respectively). Fragment fragments of a nucleotide sequence that degrade fumonisin that are useful as hybridization probes for PCR primers do not generally need to encode a biologically active portion of a protein that degrades fumonisin. Thus, a fragment of a nucleotide sequence that degrades fumonisin can encode a biologically active portion of a protein that degrades fumonisin, or it can be a fragment that can be used as a hybridization probe or PCR primer using methods described below. A biologically active portion of a protein can be prepared degrades fumonisin by isolating a portion of one of the nucleotide sequences that degrade the fumonisin of the invention, expressing the encoded portion of the protein that degrades fumonisin (eg, by recombinant expression in vitro). vit.ro), and assessing the activity of the encoded portion of the protein that degrades fumonisin. Nucleic acid molecules that are fragments of a nucleotide sequence that degrades fumonisin comprise at least 16, 20, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 3 50, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650. 700, 800, 900, 1,000, 1,100, 1,200, 1,300, or 1,400, 1,500, 1,600, 1,800, 2,000, 2,200, 2,400, 2,600, 2,800, 3,000, 3,200, 3,400, 3,600, 3,800, 3,900 nucleotides, or up to the number of nucleotides present in a nucleotide sequence that degrades full-length fumonisin described in the present example, 1,691, 1,638 1,464 1,764, 1,578, 3,999, 3,792 nucleotides for SEC. DE IDENT, NOS: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 1 D respectively). By "variant sequences are intended substantially if ilaré For the nucleotide sequences, conservative variants include those sequences that, due to the 1 degeneration of the genetic code, encodes the amino acid sequence of one of the polypeptides that degrades the fumonisin of the invention. Naturally occurring allelic variants such as these can be identified with the use of well-known molecular biology techniques, as well as, for example, with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques and hybridization as outlined below. variant nucleotides also inc. ' they use nucleotide sequences synthetically derived, such as those generated, for example, using utagénesi directed to the site but still encoding a protein that degrades the fumonisin of the invention. Generally, variants of the nucleotide sequence of the invention will have at least 40o, 50%, 60,., 70%, generally, 80 °, preferably 85%, 90%, up to 95", 98% identity of sequencing with its respective native nucleotide sequence. By "variant protein" is meant a protein derived from the native protein by deletion (the so-called interruption) or addition of one or more amino acids to the N-terminal and / or C-terminal end of the native protein; deletion or addition of one or more amino acids in one or more sites in the native protein; or substitution of one or more amino acids in one or more sites in the native protein. Such variants may result from, for example, genetic polymorphism or from numanual manipulation. The proteins of the invention can be altered in various ways, including substitutions, deletions, interruptions, and amino acid insertions. Methods for such manipulations are generally known in the art. For example, amino acid sequence variants of protleins that degrade fumonisin can be prepared by mutations in DNA. The methods for mutagenesis and nucleotide sequence alterations are well known in the art. See, for example Kunkel (1985) Proc. Nati Acad. Sqi. USA 82: 488-492; Kunkel et al. , J 987) Methods xn Enzimol. 154: 367-382; Patent North American No. 4,873,192; Waiker and Gaastra, eds. (1983; Techniques in Molecular Biology (MacMillan Publishing Company, New York) and the references cited therein. The guidance regarding the substitutions of appropriate amino acids that do not affect the biological activity of the protein of interest can be found in the model of Dayhoff et al. (1978) Atlas of Protein Sequence and Structure (Nati Biomed, Res. Found., Washington, D.C.), incorporated herein by reference. Conservative substitutions, such as the exchange of one amino acid with another that has similar properties, may be preferred. Thus, the genes nucleotide sequences of the invention include the naturally occurring sequences as well as the mutant forms. Also, the proteins of the invention encompass naturally occurring proteins as well as variations and modified forms thereof. Such variants will continue to possess the desired ability to degrade or catabolize fumonisin. Obviously, the mutations that will be made in the DNA encoding the variant should not place the sequence outside the reading structure and preferably would not create complementary regions that could produce an mRNA structure high school. See, Patent Application EP Publication No. 75,444. The deletions, insertions, and substitutions of the protein sequences encompassed herein are not expected to produce radical changes in the characteristics of the protein. However, when it is difficult to predict the exact effect of the substitution, deletion or insertion in advance of doing so, someone skilled in the art will appreciate that the ect will be evaluated by testing the rruuttiinnaa sseelleecccciión .. EEssttoo es, the activity can be evaluated for a decrease or loss in the toxic activity of fumonisin or API. The variant nucleotide sequences and the proteins also encompass sequences and proteins derived from a mutagenic and recombinogenic pprroocceeddiimieednt ppaarrttiirr, such as redistribution of AJN. With such a procedure, one or more deferent sequences coding for fumonisin removal can be manipulated to create a new fumonisin catabolizer possessing the desired properties. In this ffoorrmmaa, bibibblliiootteeccaase llaases of the recombinant polynucleotides are generated from a population of related sequence polynucleotides comprising sequence regions having substantial sequence identity and can be recombined homologously in vi tro or in vivo. For example, uussaannddoo eessttee eennffoogquuee ,, llooss sequence motives that encode a domain of interest can be distributed between the fumonisin degrading genes of the invention and other known genes that catabolize fumonisin to obtain a new gene coding for a protein with an improved property of interest, such as an increased Km in the case of a enzyme.

Strategies for such DNA distribution are known in the art. See, for example, Stemmer (1994) Proc. Nati Acad. Sci. USES. 32: 10747-10751; Stemmer (1994) Na ture 370: 389-391; Crameri et al. , (1997) Nat ire Biotech. 15: 436-438; Moore et aall .., ((11999977)) JJ .. MMooll .. BBiiooll 272: 336-347; Zhang et al. , (1997) Proc. Nati Acad Sci. USA 34: 4504-4509; Crameri et al. , (1998) Nature 331: 288-291; and US Patents Nos. 5, 605,793 and 5,837,458. The carboxylesteia and the amino oxidase have been previously described in U.S. Patent No. 5,716,820 and the pending US Patent Application Serial Nos. 08 / 888,949 and 08 / 888,950. Such descriptions are incorporated herein by reference. Thus, the sequences of the invention can be used in combination with those previously described or described in co-pending applications Serial Nos. 09 / 352,168 and 09 / 352,159, entitled "Amino Poiyolamine Oxidase Polynucleotides and Related Polypeptides and Methods of Use", respectively, incorporated herein by reference. The enzymes and nucleotide sequences of the present invention provide a means for the continued catabolism of degradation products d? fumonisin obtained after degradation with at mencs the carboxylesterase and the amine oxidase. The practice of the present invention will employ, unless indicated by the cortical, conventional techniques of botany, microbiology, tissue culture, molecular biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and recombinant DNA technology, which are within the experience of the technician. .. TTaalleess ttééccnniiccaass are fully explained in the literature. See, for example, Langenheim and Thi ann, (1982) Botany: Plant Biology and Tts Relation to Human Affairs (John Wiley); Vasil, ed. (1984) Ceil Cul ture and Somatic Cell Genetics of Plants, Vol. 1; Stanier et al., (1986) The Microbial World (5th ed Prentice-Hall); Dhringra and Sinclair (1985) Basic Pla t Pathology Methods (CRC Press) Maniatis et al. , (1982; Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbbr Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, New York); Glover, ed. (1985) DNA Cloning, Vols. I and II; Gait ed. (1984) Oligonucleotide Synthesis; Hames and Higgins, eds. (1984) Nucleic Acid Hybridization; and the Methods in Enzymol ogy series (Cclowick and Kaplan, eds., Academic Press, Inc.). To describe the present invention, the following terms will be employed, and are intended to defined as indicated below. By "microbe" is meant any microorganism (including eukaryotic and prokaryotic microorganisms), such as fungi, yeasts, bacteria, actinomycetes, algae and protozoa, as well as other unicellular structures. A "microbe that produces fumonisin" is any microbe capable of producing the mycotoxin fumonisin or analogues thereof. Such microbes are generally members of the Fusarium genus, as well as recombinantly derived organisms that have been genetically altered to allow them to produce fjumonisin or analogues thereof. By "fumonisin that is degraded or catabolized" is meant any modification to the fumonisin or API molecule that causes the decrease or loss in its toxic activity. Such a change may comprise the cleavage of any of the various bonds, oxidation, reduction , the determination or suppression of a chemical portion, or any other change that affects the activity of the molecule. In a preferred embodiment, the modification includes hydrolysis of the ester bond in the molecule as a first step and then oxidative deamination. In addition, the chemically altered fumonisin can be isolated from the culture of microbes that produce an enzyme of this invention, such as by culturing the organisms on the medium ,. i. r - containing fumonisin rae ioactively labeled, tracking the label, and isolating the degraded toxin for further study. The degraded fumonisin can be compared to the active compound for its phyto-toxicity or toxicity to susceptible mammals in species susceptible, such as porcine and equine. Such toxicity tests are known in the art. For example, in vegetables a full leaf bioassay can be used in which the inactive active compound solutions are applied to the leaves of the sensitive vegetables. The leaves can be treated if you or, alternatively, cut leaves can be used. The relative toxicity of the compounds can be estimated by measuring the damage that happens to the plant tissues and measuring the size of the lesions formed within a given period of time. . Other known tests can be performed at the cellular level, using standard tissue culture methodologies, for example, using suspension cultures of cells. For the purposes of the invention, fumonisin or fumonisin degradation products will degrade from at least about 53% to about 10% or less of the original toxicity, preferably from about 30% to about 5% or less, more preferably from about 20% to about 1% or less, by "fumonisin esterase" is meant any enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the ester bond in fumonisin, Two examples of such anomalies are the ESP1 and BEST1 found in US Patent Application No. 5,716,820 and the pending US Applications Nos. Of Series 08 / 888,949 and 08/8, 950, filed July 7, 1997. By " "structurally related mycotoxin" is meant any mycotoxin having a chemical structure related to a "fumonisin such as fumonisin Bl, for example the toxin AAIL, fumonisin B2, fumonisin B3, fumonisin B4, fumonisin Cl, fumonisin Al and A2, and their analogs , as well as other irotoxins that have similar chemical structures that would be expected to be detoxified by the activity of the fumonisin-degrading enzymes elaborated by Exophiala .spinifera, Amertican Type Culture Colletion Accession No. 74269, Rhinocladiella atrovirens, Amertican Type Culture Collection No. Access 74270, or the American Type Culture Collection Accession No. 55552 bacterium. By "amplified it means the construction of multiple copies of a nucleic acid sequence or multiple copies complementary to the nucleic acid sequence using at least one of the nucleic acid sequences as a template. Amplification systems include the polymerase chain reaction system ; PCR), ligase chain reaction system (ILCR) amplification, based on the nucleic acid sequence (NASBA, Cangene, Mississauga, Ontario), Q-Beta systems Replicase, amplification system based on transcription (TAS), and strand displacement amplification (SDA).

See, for example, Persir.g et al. , ed. (1993) Diagnostic Molecular Microbiology: Pri nciples and Applications (American Society for Microbiology, Washington D.C.). The amplification product is called an amplicon. By "host cell" is meant a cell that contains a vector and supports the replication and / or expression of the expression vector. The host cells can be prokaryotic cells such as E. coli, or eukaryotic cells such as yeast, insect, amphibian or mammalian cells. Preferably, the host cells are monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous plant cells, including but not limited to corn, sorghum, sunflower, soy, wheat, alfalfa, rice, cotton, and tomato. A particularly preferred monocot host cell is a maize host cell. The term "hybridization complex" includes reference to a structure of the double nucleic acid formed by two single-stranded nucleic acid sequences selectively hybridized to one another. As used herein, "operably linked" includes reference to a functional link between a promoter and a second sequence, wherein the sequence promoter initiates and measured the transcription of the sequence of DNA corresponding to the second sequence. Generally, operably linked means that the linked nucleic acid sequences are contiguous and, where necessary to join two regions encoding protein, contiguous and in the same reading structure. As used herein, "polynucleotide" includes reference to a deoxyribopolinucleotide, ribopolynucleotide, or analogs thereof having the essential nature of a natural ribonucleotide is hybridized, under severe hybridization conditions, to substantially the same nucleotide sequence as the nucleotides that occur naturally and / or allow translation into or from the same amino acids as the naturally occurring nucleotide (s). A polynucleotide can be full-length or a subsequence of a structural or regulatory native or heterologous gene. Unless otherwise indicated, the term includes reference to the sequence specified as i. as the complementary sequence of it. Thus, DNA or RNA with backbones modified for stability or for other reasons are "polynucleotides" as that term is intended herein. Also, the AD? or AR? which comprise unusual bases, such as inosine, or modified bases, such as titrated bases, to name just two examples, are polynucleotides as the term is used herein. It will be appreciated that a great variety of modifications to DNA and RNA have been made that serve many useful purposes known to those skilled in the art. The term "polynucleotide" as used herein encompasses such chemically enzymatically or metabolically modified forms of the polynucleotides, as well as the chemical forms of DNA and RNA characteristic of viruses and cells, including inter alia, simple and complex cells. As used in the present invention, "promoter" includes with reference to a region of DNA towards the 5 'end from the start of transcription and involved in the recognition and binding of RNA polymerase and other proteins to initiate transcription. A "plant promoter" is a promoter capable of initiating transcription in plant cells. Examples of plant promoters include, but are not limited to, those obtained from plants, vera-retal viruses, and bacteria comprising genes expressed in plant cells, such as Agrobacterium or Rhizobium. Examples are promoters that preferably initiate transcription in certain tissues, such as leaves, roots, seeds, fibers, xylene vax, tracheids, or sclerenchyma. Such promoters are referred to as "preferred tissue". A specific promoter of the "cell type" mainly drives expression in some types of cells in one or more organs, for example, vascular cells in roots or leaves. An "inducible" pro is a promoter that is under environmental control. Examples of environmental conditions that can effect transcription by inducible promoters include anaerobic conditions or the presence of light. Another type of promoter is an environmentally regulated promoter. For example, a promoter that drives expression during pollen development. Preferred tissue promoters, specific to the cell type, environmentally regulated and inducible, constitute the class of "non-constitutive" promoters. A "constitutive" promoter is a promoter that is active under most environmental conditions. Constitutive promoters are known in the art and include, for example, the 35S promoter; (Meyer et al., (1997) J. Gen. Virol. 78: 3147-3151); ubiquitin; as well as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,608,149; 5,608,144; 5,604,121; 5,569,597; 5,466,785; 5,399,680; 5,268,463; 5,608,142. As used herein, "recombinant" includes with reference to a cell or vector that has been modified by the introduction of a heterologous nucleic acid or that the cell is derived from such a modified cell. Thus, for example, recombinant cells express genes that are not found in identical form within the native (non-recombinant) form of the cell, express native genes that indicated in this. The isolated sequences based on their sequence identity with the complete fumonisin degrading sequences indicated herein or with fractions thereof are encompassed by the present invention. In a PCR approach, oligonucleotide primers can be designed for use in PCR reactions to amplify the corresponding DNA sequences from cDNA or genomic DNA extracted from any organism of interest. Methods for designing PCR primers and PCR cloning are generally known in the art and are described in Sambrook e? al , (1989) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (2d ed Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Plainview, New York. See also, Innis et al., Eds. (1990) PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications (Academic Press, New York); Innis and Gelfand eds (1995) PCR Strategies (Academic Press, New York) and Innis and Gelfand, eds. (-999) PCR Methods Manual (Academic Press, New York) The known methods of PCR include, but are not limited to, methods using paired primers, nested primers, single specific primers, degenerate primers, gene-specific primers, vector-specific primers, partially mismatched primers, and the like In hybridization techniques, all or part of the of a nucleotide sequence known as a probe that selectively hybridizes to other corresponding nucleotide sequences present in a population of cloned genomic DNA fragments or cDNA fragments (i.e., cDNA or genomic libraries) from a selected organism. Hybridization probes can be genomic DNA fragments, cDNA fragments, RNA fragments, or other oligonucleotides, and can be labeled with a detectable group such as 32P, or any other detectable label. Thus, for example, probes for hybridization they can be made by labeling synthetic oligonucleotides based on the fumonisin degrading sequences of the invention. Methods for the preparation of probes for hybridization and for the construction of cDNA and genomic libraries are generally known in the art and are described in Sambrook et al., (1989 Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (2d ed., Col. Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Plainview,? Ew York.) For example, the complete fumonisin degrading sequences described herein, or one or more portions thereof, can be used as a probe capable of specifically hybridizing to the corresponding fumonisin degrading sequences. and messenger RNAs To achieve specific hybridization under a variety of conditions, such probes include sequences that are unique among the sequences that degrade funonysin and are preferably at least about 13 nucleotides in length, and more preferably at least about 20 nucleotides in length. Such probes can be used to amplify the sequences that degrade corresponding fuironisin from an organism selected by PCR. This technique can be used to isolate additional coding sequences from a desired organism or as a diagnostic test for the presence of sequences encoding an organism: the hybridization techniques include hybridization selection of seeded DNA libraries ( plaques or colonies, see, for example, Sambrook et al., (1989) Molecular Clone: A Laboratory Manual (2d ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratojry Press, Plainview, New York) .Hybridization of such sequences can be carried under severe conditions, due to "severe conditions" or "Severe hybridization conditions" are intended conditions under which a probe will hybridize to its target sequence to a greater degree than the other sequences (e.g., at least 2 times on the base). The severity conditions will depend on the sequence and will be different in different circumstances. By controlling the severity of the hybridization and / or washing conditions, the target sequences that are 100% complementary to the probe can be identified (homologous probe). Alternatively, the Severity conditions can be adjusted to allow some incompatibility in the sequences so that s. detect lower degrees of similarity (heterologous sounding). Generally, a minor effector of about 1000 nucleotides in length, preferably less than 500 nucleotides in length. Typically, the severity conditions will be those in which the salt concentration is less than about 1.5 M in the Na ion, typically from about 0.01 to 1.0 M Na (or other salts) concentration of pH 7.0 to . .3 and the temperature is at least about 30 ° C for short probes (for example, 10 to 50 nucleotides) and at least about 60 ° C for long probes (for example, greater than 50 nucleotides; severity conditions can also be achieved with the addition of destabilizing agents such as formamide.

Examples of low stringency conditions include hybridization with a buffer solution of 30 to 35% formamide, IMM NaCl, 1% SDS (sodium dodecylsulfate) at 37 ° C, and a wash from IX to 2X SSC (20X SSC = 3.0M NaCl / 0.3 M trisodium citrate) from 50 to 55 ° C. Examples of conditions of moderate severity include hybridization of 40 to 45% formamide, l.OM NaCl, 1% SDS at 37 ° C, and a 0.5X to IX SSC wash at 55 to 60 ° C. Examples of conditions of high severity include hybridization in 50% formamide, IMM of NaCl, 1 ^ of SDS at 37 C, and a wash in 0.1XSSC of 60 to 65 ° C. The specificity is typically the function of the post-hybridization washes, the critical factors being the ionic concentration and the temperature of the final wash solution. For DNA-DNA hybrids, the T can be approximated from the equation of Meinkoth and Wahl (1984) Anal. Biochem. 138: 267-284: Tm = 81.5 ° C + 16.6 (log M) + 0.41 (% GO-0.61 (% form -500 / L; where M is the molarity of the monovalent cations,% GC is the percentage of nucleotides of guanosine cytosine in DNA,% form is the percentage of formamide in the hybridization solution, and L is the length of the hybrid in base pairs.Tm is the temperature (under defined ionic concentration and pH) in which 50% of a complementary target sequence is hybridized with a perfectly compatible probe.Tm is reduced by approximately 1 ° C for every 1% of incompatibility, thus, the Tm, hybridization, and / or wash conditions can be adjusted to hybridize to identity sequences For example, if sequences with> 90% identity are searched for, the Tm can be decreased by 10 ° C.

Generally, severity conditions that are approximately 5 ° C lower than the thermal melting point (Tm) for the specific sequence and its complement at a defined ionic concentration and pH are selected. However, severely severe conditions may utilize hybridization and / or washing at 1, -, 3 or 4 ° C less than the thermal melting point (T, "); moderately severe conditions may utilize hybridization and / or washing at 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 ° C less than the thermal melting point (Tm); low stringency conditions can utilize hybridization and / or washing at 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20 ° C less than the thermal melting point (Tm). Using the equation, the hybridization and washing compositions, the desired Tm, those with common experience will understand that variations in the severity of the hybridization and / or wash solutions are inherently described. If the desired degree of incompatibility results in a Tm of less than 45 ° C (aqueous solution) or 32 ° C (formamide solution), it is preferred to increase the concentration of SSC so that it can be used at a higher temperature. An extended guide for nucleic acid hybridization is found in Tijssen 1993) Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology- Hybridization, Nucleic Acid Probes, Part I, Chapter 2 (Elsevier, New York); and Ausubel et al. r eds. (1995) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Chapter 2 (Greene Publishing and Wiley-Interscience, New York). See Sambrook et al., (1989) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (2d ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Plainview New York) The general, the sequences that code for a Fusonin degradative protein and which are hydridised with the fumonisin degrading sequences described herein will be at least 40% to 50% homologous, about 60% to 70% homologous, and still about 80%, 85%, 90 %, 95% to 98% hbmologues or more with the described sequences. That is, the sequence similarity of the sequences may vary, sharing at least about 40% to 50%, and about 60% to 70%, and still about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% to 98%. of sequence similarity. The following terms are used to describe the erythre sequence relationships of two or more nucleic acids or polynucleotides: (a) "reference sequence", (b) "comparison window", (c) "sequence identity", (d) "percent sequence identity", and (e) "substantial identity." (a) As used herein, "reference sequence" is a defined sequence used as a basis for sequence comparison. The reference sequence can be a subset or the entirety of a specified sequence, for example, as a segment of a cDNA sequence or gene of length (complete, or the complete cDNA or gene sequence. the present, "comparison window" refers to a contiguous segment and of a sequence of polynucleotides, wherein the polynucleotide sequence in the comparison window may comprise additional subtractions (ie, ranges) compared to the reference sequence (which does not comprise additions or deletions) for optimal alignment of the two sequences. Generally, the comparison window is at least 20 contiguous nucleotides in length, and optionally may be 30, 40, 50, 100, or longer. Those of skill in the art will understand that to avoid high similarity to a reference sequence due to the inclusion of intervals in the polynucleotide sequence, a range sanction is typically introduced and subtracted from the number of adjustments. Methods of sequence alignment for comparison are well known in the art. Optimal alignment of sequences for comparison can be conducted by the local homology algorithm of Smith et al., (1981) Adv.

Appl. Ma th. 2: 482; by the homology alignment algorithm of Needleman et al. , (1970) J. Mol. Biol. 48: 443; by the search by the similarity method of Pearson et al. , J 988) Proc. Na ti. Acad. Sci. 85: 2444; by computerized implementations of these to the "-" oritms, which include, but are not limited to: CLUSTAL in the PC / Gene program by Intelligenetics, Mountain View, California; GAP, BESTFIT, BLAST, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package, Genetics Computer Group (GCG), 575 Science Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; the CLUSTAL program is well described by Higgins et al., (1988) Gene 73: 237-244 (1988); Higgins et al., (1989) CABIOS 5: 151-1 .53; Corpet et al. , (1988) Nuclei c Acids Res. 26J 10881-90; Huang et al., (1992) Computer Applications in the Biosci enees 8: 155-65, and Person et al., (1994) Afeth. Mol. Biol. 24: 307-331; Preferred computer alignment methods also include the BLASTP, BLASTN, and BLASTX algorithms see Altschul et al. , (1990) J. Moi. Biol. 225: 403-410). The alignments are made using the omission parameters of the aforementioned programs. Alignment is also frequently performed by manual inspection and alignment. (c) As used herein, "sequence identity" or "identity" in the context of two nucleic acid or polypeptide sequences refers to the residues in the two sequences that are the same when aligned for maximum correspondence on a comparison window specified. When the sequence identity percentage is used with reference to proteins, it is recognized that residue positions which are not identical often differ by conservative amino acid substitutions, where the amino acid residues are replaced by other amino acid residues with properties similar chemicals (for example, loading or hydrophobicity) AND therefore they do not change the functional properties of the molecule. When the sequences differ in conservative substitutions, the percentage of sequence identity can be adjusted upward to correct the conservative nature of the substitution. Sequences that differ in such conservative substitutions are said to have "sequence similarity" or "similarity." The means for making this adjustment are well known to those of skill in the art, typically this involves counting a conservative substitution as a partial more than a complete incompatibility, thereby increasing the percentage of sequence identity Thus, for example, where an amino acid identical to an account of 1 is given and a non-conservative substitution is given a zero count, a A conservative substitution is given an account between zero and 1. The conservative substitution account is calculated, for example, as it is implemented in the PC / GENE program (In'.elligenetics, Mountain View, California). d) As used herein, "percent sequence identity" means the value determined by comparing two sequences optimally aligned over a comparison window, eg. portion of the polynucleotide sequence in the comparison window may comprise additions or subtractions (i.e., ranges; compared to the reference sequence (which does not include additions or subtractions) for the optimal alignment of the two sequences. The percentage is calculated by determining the number of positions at which the identical nucleic acid base or amino acid residue occurs in both sequences to produce the number of compatible positions, dividing the number of compatible positions by the total number d =. positions in the comparison window, and multiplying the result by 100 to produce the percentage of sequence identity. (e) (i) The term "substantial identity" of the polynucleotide DS sequences means that a polynucleotide comprises a sequence that is at least 70% sequence identity, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, and preferably at least 95%, compared to a reference sequence using one of the alignment programs described using standard parameters. One skilled in the art will recognize that these values can be appropriately adjusted to determine the corresponding identity of the proteins encoded by two nucleotide sequences taking into account codon degeneracy, amino acid similarity, location of the reading structure, and the like. The substantial identity of the amino acid sequences for these purposes normally means sequence identity of at least 60 of higher pdeference at least 70,, 80, 90, and most preferably at least 95 ',. Another indication that the nucleotide sequences are substantially identical is if two molecules hybridize one to another under severe conditions. Generally, severe conditions are selected to be approximately 5 ° C lower than the thermal melting point (Tm) for the specific sequence at a defined ionic concentration and pH. However, severe conditions encompass temperatures in the range of about 1 ° C to about 20 ° C, depending on the desired degree of severity as otherwise qualified in the present. Nucleic acids that do not hybridize to one another under severe conditions are still substantially identical if the polypeptides they encode are substantially identical.

This can occur, for example, when a copy of a nucleic acid is created using the maximum codon degeneracy allowed by the genetic code. An indication that the two nucleic acid sequences are substantially identical is when the polypeptide encoded by the first nucleic acid is immunologically cross-reactive with the polypeptide encoded by the second nucleic acid. (e) (ii) The term "substantial identity" in the context of a peptide indicates that a peptide comprises a sequence with at least 7? 4 sequence identity with a reference sequence, preferably more preferably 85%, more preferably at least 90 ° or 95% sequence identity with the reference sequence over a specified comparison window. Preferably, optimal alignment is conducted using the homology alignment algorithm of Needleman et al. , (1970) J. Moi. Biol. 48: 443. An indication that the two peptide sequences are substantially identical is that a peptide is immanently reactive with the antibodies raised against the second peptide. Thus, a peptide is substantially identical to a second peptide, for example, when the two peptides differ only by a conservative substitution. Peptides that are "substantially similar share sequences as noted above except that the residue positions that are not identical can be digested. in conservative amino acid changes As indicated, enzymes and nucleotide sequences that encode these enzymes are involved in the degradation of fumonisin and fumonisin-like compounds such nucleotide sequences can be used alone or in combination to design microbes or Other organisms to metabolize fumonisin and resist its toxic effects Fumonisin is produced in spaces intercellular (apoplast) ie maize cells infected by Fusari um. Thus, apolast is the preferred location for esterase and desarninase, flavin amino oxidase and possibly other catabolic enzymes. It is possible that some fumonisin could diffuse or be transported into corn cells before their decomposition by apoplastic enzymes and catabolism can escape. Thus, it may be of benefit to express a fumonisin pump and re-route fumonisin or degradation products in such cells. In this way, any fumonisin that enters the cell will be pumped out and re-exposed to the catabolic enzymes. Similar toxin pumps exist in other toxin-producing fungi that show resistance to toxins or antibiotics. T to the pump useful in the invention and described herein is a P-glycoprotein homolog. A complete catabolism of fumonisin in transgenic organisms can be provided by the enzymes esterase and deaminase. Exophiala enzymes that can further oxidize fumonisin decomposition products are not detected extracellularly. Such enzymes are likely to exist in the cytoplasm, where suitable cofactors such as NAD + or NADP are found. The metabolite transporter Ito induced by fumonisin is predicted to provide transport of degradation products within the cells where they can decomposed further by other enzymes. In this form, a permease enzyme can be used in a heterologous system to transport API precursors or fu nisin degradation products from the cytoplasm. Mono-oxygenase is expected to result in the oxidation of 2-OP in a pool that is lacking of a keto group, which has in its place a terminal aldehyde group, or possibly a carboxylate group. See for example, Trudgill et al. , (1984) in Microbial Degradation of Organi c Compounds, ed. Gibson (Mi? Robiology Series Vol. 13, Marcel Dekker, New York), Chapter 6; and Davey and Trudgill (1977) Eur. J. Biochem 74: 115. This reaction is due to a type of enzymatic oxidation referred to as Baeyer-Villiger oxidation, in which monooxygen is inserted adjacent to a keto function, resulting in a lactone or ester bond. The metabolism of trans-cyclohexane-1,2 diol by Acinetobacter provides the model for the activity of a Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase in 2-OP. This dic 1 is first oxidized to ortho hydroxy cyclohexanone and then a monooxygen is inserted between the quinone and hydroxy functions by the Baeyer-Villiger / cyclohexanone monooxygenase enzyme. This intermediate spontaneously rearranges into a linear carboxylic acid aldehyde. By analogy, for 2-OP its predicted oxygen is inserted between carbons 2 and 3 followed by spontaneous unfolding in a C22 aldehyde and acetic acid. Further oxidation by an aldehyde dehydrogenase would convert this compound to a carboxylic acid; other catabolic products would also be possible given the high reactivity of the aldehyde group. Additional steps include: the use of an aldehyde dehydrogenase that results in the oxidation of the aldehyde product of fumonisin to a hydroxycarboxylic acid. It is recognized that the sequences of the DNAs of the invention can be inserted into the expression cassettes used to transform a variety of organisms. The recombinantly produced enzymes can be tested for their ability to modify fumonisin or a by-product of fumonisin using labeled starting material and appropriate conditions of egulator and cofactor. For example, to test the aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, the aldehyde dehydrogenase produced in a recombinant form would be incubated with the cofactors, NAD + or NADP, and 2-OP labeled at i. C on several occasions and then dotted an aliquot of the reaction mixture on TLC. The enzymatic activity would be indicated by the appearance of a new radiolabeled point to a different Rf on the TLC plate. The sequences of the invention can be introduced into any host organism. The sequences to be introduced can be used in expression cassettes for expression in the host of interest where the expression in the * & -..- guest is necessary for transcription. Where expression cassettes are required, such expression cassettes will comprise a transcription initiation region linked to the coding sequence or antisense sequence of the nucleotide of interest. Such an expression cassette is provided with a plurality of restriction sites so that the insertion of the sequence is under the transcriptional regulation of the regulatory regions. The expression cassette may additionally contain selectable marker genes. The marker gene has a selectable phenotype in the transformed cells. Normally, the selectable marker gene will encode resistance to the antibiotic, with suitable genes that include genes coding for resistance to the antibiotic spectinomycin (eg, the added gene), the streptomycin phosphotransferase (SPT) gene that encodes streptomycin resistance, the neomycin gene phosphotransferase (NPTII) that codes for resistance to kanamycin or geneticin; the hygromycin phosphotransferase (HPT) gene that codes for hygromycin resistance, genes that code for resistance to herbicides that act to inhibit the action of acetolactate synthase (ALS), in particular the sulfonylurea-type herbicides (eg, the acetolactate synthase gene) ALS) that contains mutations that lead to such resistance in particular S4 mutations and / or Hra), genes encoding for herbicidal resistance which act to inhibit the action of glutamine synthase, such as phosphinotricin or basta (eg, the bar gene) or other genes known in the IB technique. The bar gene encodes resistance to the Dasta herbicide, and the ALS gene encodes resistance to the herbicide clorsulfuron. The transcription initiation region, the promoter, may be native or analogous or foreign or heterologous to the host as well as the coding sequence. Additionally, the promoter :: may be the natural sequence or alternatively a synthetic sequence. It is pretended that the region of transcription initiation is not found in the native plant within which the initiation region d: transcription is introduced. As used herein a chimeric gene comprises a coding sequence linked or probably to a transcription initiation region that is heterologous to the coding sequence. The transcription cassette will include in the address 'to 3' of the transcription, a transcription and translation initiation region, a DNA sequence of interest, and a transcription termination and functional translation region in the host. The termination region can be native to the transcription initiation region, it can be native to the DNA sequence of interest, or it can be derived from another source. For use in vegetables or vegetale cells, convenient termination regions are available from the Ti plasmid of A. tumefaci ens, such as the octopine synthase and nopaline termination regions. synthase See also Guerineau et al. , (1991) Mol. Gen. Genet. 252: 141-144; Proudfoot (1991) Cell 64: 611-614; Sanfacon et al. , (1991) Genes Dev. 5: 141-149; Mogen et al. , (1990) Plant Cell 2: 1261-972; Munroe et al. , (1990) Gene 31: 151-158; Bailas et al. , (1989) Nucleic Acids Res. 27: 7891-7903; Joshi et al. , (1987) Nucleic Acids Res. 25: 9627-9639. The nucleotide sequences of the invention are provided in the cassette; of expression for expression in the host cell of interest. The cassette will include 5 'and 3' regulatory sequences operably linked to the sequence of interest. The cassette may additionally contain at least one additional sequence to be cotransformed within the organism. Alternatively, the additional sequence (s) may be provided on another expression cassette. Where appropriate, the gene (s) may be optimized for increased expression in the transformed plant. That is, genes can be synthesized using preferred plant codons for improved expression. See, for example, Campbell and Gowri (1990) Plant Physi ol. 92: 1-11 for a discussion of the use of guest codons preferred. Methods are available in the art to synthesize preferred plant genes. See, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,380,831, 5,436,391, and Murray et al. , (1989) Nucl ei c Acids Res. 17: 477-498, incorporated herein by reference. It is known that additional sequence modifications improve the expression of the gene in a cellular host. These include the elimination of sequences encoding spurious polyadenylation signals, exon-i: ntron splice site signals, transposon-like repeats, and other well-characterized sequences that may be detrimental to gene expression. The G-C content of the sequence can be adjusted to average levels for a given cell host, as calculated for reference in genes with Deids expressed in the host cell. When possible, the sequence is modified to avoid predicted secondary hairpin mRNA structures. The expression cassettes may additionally contain 5 'leader sequences in the construction of the expression cassette. Such guide sequences can act to improve translation. Was. Translation techniques are known in the art and include: picornavirus glia, eg, EMCV glula (region that does not encode encephalomyocarditis 5 ') (Elroy-Stein et al., (19 39) PNAS USA 86: 6126-6130); guides potivirus, for example, TEV (Virus Engraving of Tobacco) (Allison et al., (1 386), MDMV (Mosaic Dwarf Maize Virus) guide, Virology 154: 9-20), and protein that binds the heavy chain of human immunoglobulin (BiP), (Macejak et al. ., (1991) Nature 353: 90-9 4); untranslated guide from the alfalfa mosaic virus mRNA coating protein (AMV RNA 4) (Joblihg et al., (1987) Nature 325: 622-625); Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) guide (Gallie et al., (1989) in Molecular Biolcgy of RNA, ed. Cech (Liss, New Y Yoorrkk)), pp. 237-256); and gui. a of the variegated chlorotic corn virus (MCMV) (Lo mel et al (1991) Virology 81: 382-385; See also, Della-Cioppa et al., (1987) Piant Physiol 84: 965-968. Other known methods for improving translation may also be used, for example, introns, and the like. To prepare the expression cassette, the various DNA fragments can be manipulated, to provide the DNA sequences in the proper orientation and, as appropriate, in the appropriate reading structure. Towards this end, adapters or linkers may be employed to join the DNA fragments or other manipulations may be involved to provide convenient restriction sites, elimination of superfluous DNA, elimination of restriction sites, or the like. For this purpose, mutagenesis may be involved. tro, primer repair, restriction, tempering, substitutions, for example, transitions and transversion s. In the same form-i, a plant can be transformed with the nucleotide sequences of the invention to provide complete detoxification of fumonisin in the transformed vegetable and plant products. Such plants include, for example, species of the genera Cucurbita, Rosa, Vi tis, Juglans, Fragaria, Lotus, Medicago, Onobrychis, Trifolium, Trigonella, Vigna, Ci trus, Linum, Geranium, Manihot, Daucus, Arabidopsis, Brassica. , Raphanus, Sinapis, Atropa, Capsicum, Datura, Hyosciamus, Lycopersicon, Nicotiana, Solanum, Petunia, Digi talis_, Maj orana, Ciahori um, Helianthus, Lactuca, Bromus, Asparagus, Antirrhinum, HeterocalliS and Nemesis, P largonium, Panieum, Pennisetum, Ranunculus, Senecio, Sa lpiglossis, Cucumis, Browaalia, Glvcine, Pisum, Phaseolus, Loli um, Oryza, Zea, Oats, Hordeum, Sécale, Tri ticum, Sorghumm, Picea, Caco, and Populus. As used herein, "transgenic plant" includes reference to a plant that comprises within its genome a heterologous polynucleotide. Generally, the heterologous polynucleotide is stably integrated into the genome such that the polynucleotide is passed on to successive generations. The heterologous polynucleotide can be integrated into the genome alone or as part of a recombinant expression cassette. present to include any cell, cell line, callus, tissue, part of plant or vegetable, the genotype of which has been altered by the presence of heterologous nucleic acid that includes those transgenic initially so altered as well as those created by sexual crossings or asexual propagation to pair: go of the initial transgenic. The term "transgenic" as used herein does not cover alteration of the genome (chromosomal or extra chromosomal) by conventional methods of vertebral reproduction or by events that occur naturally such as random cross-fertilization, non-recombinant viral infection, transformation non-recombinant bacterial, non-recombinant transposition, or spontaneous mutation. The transformation protocols as well as the protocols for introduction. The nucleotide sequences within the plants may vary depending on the type of plant or plant cell, ie, monocot or dicot, selected for transformation. Suitable methods for introducing nucleotide sequences into plant cells and subsequent insertion into the plant genome include microinjection (Crossway et al., (1986) Biotechn.iques 4: 320-334), electroporation (Riggs et al. (1986) Proc. Na ti, Acad. Sci. USA 83: 5602-5606, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation (Townsend et al., US Patent No. 5,563,055), transfer of directed gene (Paszkowski et al., (1984) EMBO J. 3: 2717-2722), and acceleration of ballistic particles (see, for example, Sanford et al., Non-American Patent No. 4,945,050; Tomes et al. , (1995) "Direct DNA Transfer into Intact Plant Cells via Microprojectile Botibardment", in Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture: Fundamental Methods, ed. Gamborg and Phillips (Springer-Verlag, Berlin); and McCabe et al., (1988) Biotechnology 6: 923-926). See also Weissinger et al., (1988) Ann. Rev. Genet. 22 421-477; Sanford et al., (1987) Particulate Science and Technology 5: 27-37 (onion); Christou et al., (1988) Piant Physiol 87: 671-674 (soybean); McCabe et al. r (1988) Bio / Technology 6: 923-926 (soybean); Finer and McMullen (1991) Jn Vitro Cell Dev. Biol. 27P: 175-182 (soybean); Singh et al., (1998) Theor. Appl. Genet 36: 319-324 (soybean); Datta et al., (1990) Biotechnology 3: 736-740 (rice); Klein et al., (1988) Proc. Nati Acad Sci. USA 85: 4305-4309 (corn); Klein et al., (1988) Biotechnology 6: 559-563 (corn); Tomes, Patent North American No. 5,240, 855; Buising et al. US Patents Nos. 5,322, 783 and 5,324,646; Tomes et al., (1995) "Direct DNA Trasfer into Intact Plant Cells via Microprojectile Bombardment", in Plant Cell, Tissue, and Organ Culture Fundamental Methods, ed. Gamborg (Springer-Verlag, Berlin) (corn); Klein et al., (1988) Plant Physiol. 31: 440-444 (corn); Fromm et al., (1990) Biotechnology 8: 833-839 (corn, Hooykaas-Van Slogteren et al., (1984) Nature [London] 312: 763-764; Boweri et ai., American Patent No. 5,736,369 (cereals); B *) tebier et ai., (1987) Proc. Nati Acad Sci. USA 84: 5345-5349 Liliaceae); De Wet et al. (1985) in The Experimental Manipulation of Ovule Tissues, ed, Chapman et al., (Longman, New York), pp. 197-909 (pollen); Kaep.pler et al. , (1990) Plant Cell Reports 3: 415-418 and Kaeppler et al. , (1992) Theor. Appl. Genet 84: 560-566 (transformation mediated by whiskers); D'Halluin et al (1992) Plant Cell 4: 1495-1.505 (electroporation); Li et al. , (1993) Plant Cell Reports 12: 250-255 and Christou and Ford J995) Annals of Botany 75: 407-413 (rice); Osjoda et al. , J996) Nature Biotech? Ology 14: 745-750 (corn via Agrobacterium tumefaciens); all of which are incorporated herein by reference. The modified vegetable can be grown within vegetables according to conventional forms. See, for example, McCormick et al. , (1986) Plant Cell. Reports 5: 81-84. These vegetables can then be cultured, and pollinated with the same transformed strain or different strains, and the resulting hybrid having the desired phenotypic characteristic identified. Two or more generations can be grown to ensure that the phenotypic trait is stably maintained and the seeds are inherited and then harvested to ensure that the desired phenotype or other property has been achieved. the signal peptide which select the proteins for the extracellular matrix of the plant cell (Dratewka-Kos et al., (1989) J. Biol. Ci, 264: 4896-4900), the extension gene Nicotiana pl umbagxLnifolía (DeLoose , et al., (1991 Gene 33: 95-100), the signal peptides that select the proteins for the vacuole-like sweet potato sporamin gene (Matsuka et al., (1 991) PNAS 88: 834) and the barley lectin gene (Wiikins et al., (1990) Plant Cell 2: 301-313), signal peptides that cause, secrete proteins such as PRIb (Lind et al 1., (1992) Plant Mol. Biol. 18: 47-53), or barley alpha amylase (BAA) (Rahmatullah et al., (1989) Plant Mol. Biol. 12 119) and incorporated herein by reference, or from the present invention of the signal peptide from the ESP1 or BEST1 gene, or the signal peptides that select pro teins for plastids such as those from the rapeseed of enoyl-Acp reductase (Verwaert et al., (1994) Plant Mol. Biol. 26: 189-202) are useful in the invention. In this form, at least one of the genes encoding a degradation enzyme of the invention can be introduced by means of a suitable vector into a microbial host, and the transformed host applied to the environment or plants or animals. The microorganisms that are known to occupy the "phytosphere" (phylloplane, phyllosphere, rhizosphere, and / or rhizoplane) of one or more crops of interest can be selected for transformation. These microorganisms are selected to be able to successfully compete in the particular environment with the type microorganisms if they are dressed, to provide stable maintenance and expression of the gene expressing the pesticidal polypeptide, and, desirably, to provide improved protection of the enzymes of the invention from degradation and environmental inactivation. Such microorganisms include bacteria, algae, and fungi. Of particular interest are microorganisms, such as bacteria, for example Pseudomonas, Erwinia, Serratia, Klebsiella Xanthomonas, Strepromyces, Rhizobium, Rhodopseudomonas, Methyli us, Agrobacterium, Acetobacter, Lactobacillus, Arthrobacter, Azotobacter, Leuconostoc, and Alcaligenes; fungi, particularly yeasts, for example, Saccharomyces, Pichia, Cryptococcus, Kluyveromyces, Sporobolomyces, Rhodotorula, and Aureobasidium. Of particular interest are the bacterial species ITS of the phytosphere such as Pseudomonas syringae, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Serra tia marcences, Acetobacter rylinum, Agrobacteria, Rhodopseudomonas spheroides, Xanthomonas campestris, Rhi zobi um melioti, Alcaligenes entrophus, Clavibacter xyli, and Azotobacter vinlandii; and yeast species of the phyllosphere taLes such as Rhodotorula rubra, R. glutinis. R. Marina, R. Aurantiaca, Cryptococcus albidus, C. diffluens, C. laurentii, Saccharomyces rosei, S. pretoriensis, S. cerevisiae, Sporobol omyces rosues, S. odorus, Kl uyveromyces veronae, and Aureobasidi um pull ulans. The prokaryotes. { Illustrative, both Gram-negative and -positive, include Enterobacteriaceae, such as Escherichia, Erwinia, Shigella, Salmonella, and Proteus; Bacillaceae, Rhi zobiaceae, such as Rhizobi um, Spirillaceae, such as flotobacteria, Zymomonas, Serratia, Aeromonas, Vibrio, Desulfovibrio, Spirillum, Lactobacillaceae; Pseudomonadaceae, such as Pseudomonas and Acetobacter; Azotobacter aceae; and Ni trobacteraceae. Among the eukaryotes are fungi, such as Phycomycetes and Ascomycetes, which include yeasts, such as Saccharomyces and Schizosaccharomyces; and yeast Basidiomycetes, such as Rhodotorula, Aureobasidium, Sporobolomyces, and the like, Characteristics of particular interest for selecting a host cell for production purposes include the ease of introducing the protein gene into the host, availability of expression systems, expression efficiency, stability of the protein in the host, and the presence of auxiliary genetic capabilities. Other considerations include ease of formulation and handling, economics, storage stability, and the like. The number of ways to introduce a gene that expresses the degradation enzyme within the host microorganism conditions that allow stable maintenance and expression of the gene. For example, expression cassettes qe can be constructed from those that include the DNA constructs of interest operably linked with transcriptional and translational regulatory signals for the expression of DNA constructs, and a DNA sequence homologous to a sequence in the host organism, with which the integration will occur, and / or a replication system that is functional in the host, with which integration or stable maintenance will occur. Transcriptional and translational regulatory signals include but are not limited to promoter, transcription start initiation site, operators, activators, enhancers, other regulatory elements, ribosomal binding sites, an initiation codon, termination signals, and the like. See, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,039,523 and 4,853,331; EPO 0480762A2; Sambrook et al. , supra; Maniatis et al., Eds. (1982) Molecular Cloning: A Labo atory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York,); Davis et al., Eds.

J980) Advanced Bacterial Genetics (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York); and the references cited therein. It is recognized that the construction of a catabolic path in a transformed organism is a feat complicated Therefore, any means for assembling the enzymes of interest within an organism of interest is encompassed. For example, a simple nucleotide sequence that encodes all desired enzymes or multiples thereof can be transformed within the host organism. When the microorganisms are to be applied to the environment or to a vegetable, various microorganisms can be used, each transformed with one, two, three or more nucleotide sequences of the invention. In this form, all enzymes necessary to achieve the detoxification of fumonisin and the related products can be presented to the environment or to the vegetable by applying a mixture of transformed organisms or a simple organism capable of expressing the complete route or at least expressing enough of the route to detoxify fumonisin. In plants, nucleotide sequences for an enzyme can be transformed into a vegetable and crossed with plants that express a different enzyme. In this way, you can obtain progeny that have the complete or sufficient sequence of the sequence to detoxify fumonisin. Alternatively, a plant can be transformed with nucleotides that encode various enzymes at the same time. In some tissue culture systems it is possible to transform the callus with a nucleotide sequence, establish a stable culture line, and then transform the callus a second time with a second nucleotide sequence. The process can be repeated to introduce additional sequences. To facilitate the expression of more than one enzyme in a cell, for example, plant cell, fusion proteins can be created. Generally, a spacer region is included among the proteins. The spacer region may comprise a cleavage site for cleavage by an endogenous or introduced protease. The present invention also relates to a method for detoxifying a fumonisin or a mycotoxin structurally related to the enzymes of Exophiala spinifera (American Type Culture Collection No. Access 74269), during the processing of grain for animal consumption or human food, during the processing of silage plant material, or in food crops contaminated with a microbe producing tcxin, such as but not limited to tomatoes. Since the atmospheric ammonia of maize has proven to be an ineffective method for detoxification (see Hau ann (1995) INFORM 6: 248-257), such a methodology during processing is particularly critical where transgenic detoxification is not applicable. In this modality, the fumonisin-degrading enzymes found in Exophiala spinifera (American Type Culture Collection Accession No. 74269), are presented grain, plant material, silage, or a contaminated food crop, or during the processing procedure, in the appropriate stages of the process and in effective amounts for the detoxification of fumonisins and structurally related mycotoxins. Detoxification by this method can occur not only during processing, but also at any time before or during the feeding of the grain or plant material to an animal or the incorporation of the grain or food crop into a human food product, or before or during the ingestion of the food crop. Enzymes or microorganisms may be introduced during processing in appropriate forms, eg, as a wash or spray, or in dry or lyophilized form or in powder form, depending on the nature of the milling process and / or the processing step in which the enzymatic treatment is carried out. See generally, Hoseney, R.C. (1990) Principies of CereaJ. Science and Technology, American Assn. of Cereal Chemists, Inc. (especially Chapters 5, 6 and 7); Jones, J.M. (1992) Food Safety, Eagan Press. St. Paul, MN (especially Chapters 7 and 9); and Jelen, P., (1985) Introduction to Fc od Processing, Restan Publ. Co. , Reston, VA. The processed grain or silage to be used for animal feed can be treated with an effective amount of the enzymes in the form of an inoculum or additive. probiotic, for example, or in any way recognized by those skilled in the art for use in animal feed. It is expected that the enzymes of the present invention are particularly useful in detoxification during processing and / or in animal feed before use, since the enzymes show relatively broad ranges of pH activity. The esterase of Exophiala spinifera (American Type Culture Cbllection Accession No. 74269), showed a range of activity from approximately pH 3 to approximately pH 6, and the esterase of the bacterium of the American Type Culture Coliection Accession No. 55552 showed a range of activity from about pH 6 to about pH 9 (U.S. Patent No. 5,716,820, supra). The APAO enzyme from Exophiala spinifera (American Type Culture Collection Accession No. 74269) has a range of pH activity from pH 6 to pH 9. The active ingredients of the present invention are normally applied in the form of compositions and can be applied to the crop or vegetable area to be treated, simultaneously or in succession with other compounds. These compounds can be fertilizers or micronutrient donors or other preparations that influence plant growth. They can also be herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, bactericides, nematicides, molusicides, or mixtures of various of these preparations selective, if desired, together with additional carriers, surfactants, agriculturally acceptable, or application-promoting adjuvants frequently employed in the formulation art. Suitable carriers and adjuvants can be solid or liquid and correspond to the substances commonly employed in the formulation. formulation technology, for example, natural or regenerated mineral substances, solvents, dispersants, agents, humectants, adhesives, binders of | ertilizers Enzymes can be introduced during processing in appropriate forms, for example, as a wash or aspersion, or in dry or lyophilized form or in powder form, depending on the nature of the milling process and / or the processing step in which the enzymatic treatment is carried out. See generally, Hoseney (1990) Principies of Cerea l Sci ence and Technology (American) Association of Cereal Chemists, Inc), especially the Chapters 5, 6 and 7; Jones (1992) Food Safety (Eagan Press, St. Paul, Minnesota), especially Chapters 7 and 9; and Jelen (1985) Introduction to Food Processing (Restan Publishing Company, Restoni, Virginia). The processed or silage grain to be used for animal feed can be treated with an effective amount of the enzymes in the form of an inoculum or probiotic additive, for example, or in any form of retinoic acidity for those skilled in the art for use. in animal feed. It is expected that the enzymes of the present invention are particularly useful in detoxification during processing and / or in animal feed before use, since the enzymes show relatively broad ranges of pH activity. The enzymes of Exophiala spinifera American Type Culture Collection No. of Access 74269, showed a range of activity for esterase from about pH 3 to about pH 7 (U.S. Patent No. 5,716,820, supra). The APAO enzyme from Exophiala spinifera American Type Culture Collection Accession No. 74269, has a range of pH activity from pH6 to pl In another modality, d ruminal microorganisms can be designed genetically to contain and express at least one of the enzymes of ( fumonisin degradation of the invention The gene design of microorganisms is now a recognized art, and the ruminal microorganisms thus designed can be added to the feed in any manner recognized by the art, for example as a probiotic or inoculant In addition, microorganisms, plants, or other organisms or their cultured cells can be designed in vi tro capable of functioning as bioreactors so as to be able to mass produce the enzymes degraded by Exophiala spinifera) American Type Culture Collection Accession No. 74269).

Another embodiment of the present invention is the use of the enzymes of the present invention as detection reagents for fumonisins and related compounds. The enzymes of the present invention can be used as detection reagents due to the specificity of the enzymes esterase and deaminase, and the fact that the hydrolysis followed by the oxidation of amine can be observed by detection of hydrogen peroxide or ammonia using standard reagents (analogous to the glucose detection test using glucose oxidase). Hydrogen peroxide is often measured by linking a hydrogen peroxide-dependent peroxidase reaction in a stained or otherwise detectable peroxidase product (eg, Demmano et al., (1996) European Journal of Biochemistry 238 (3): 785-789). Ammonia can be measured using ion-specific electrodes: Fritsche et al. , (1991) Analytica Chimica Acta 244 (2): 179-1. 32; West et al. , (1992) Analytical Chemistry 64 (5): 533-540, and all are incorporated for reference in the preserjite) or by GC or other chromatographic method. For example, recombinant or non-recombinant active fumonisin esterase, APAO, and the proteins of the invention are added in catalytic amounts to a sample tube containing an unknown amount of fumonisins.

(FBI, FB2, FB3, FB4, or partial hydrolysis products or complete of these). The tube is incubated under conditions of pH and temperature sufficient to convert any fumonisin into the sample into API, the API into 2-OP, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide, and into additional degradation products. The appropriate reagents for quantification of hydrogen peroxide or ammonia that were stoichiometrically generated from the fumonisins are then added. Compared to the control tubes-j that did not receive an esterase or APAO enzyme, the amount of fumonisin can be calculated in direct molar ratio to the detected hydrogen peroxide or ammonia, relative to a standard curve. This invention can be better understood with reference to the following non-limiting examples. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other embodiments of the invention may be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described and claimed herein. EXPERIMENTAL Example 1 Isolates of fungus and bacteria isolated from Exop iala from maize were isolated as described in US Pat. No. 5,716,820 and the pending US Applications Serial. 08 / 888,949 and 08 / 888,950, filed July 7, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference. Isolation methods Direct isolation of black yeasts from seeds was achieved by seeding 100 microliters of seed washing fluid on Y? D or Sabouraud agar increased with cycloheximide (500 mg / liter) and chloramphenicol (50 mg / liter).

The plates were incubated at room temperature for 7-14 days, and the individual pigmented colonies that emerged were counted and cultured for analysis of the ability to degrade fumonisin as described above. Analysis of fumonisins and metabolism products Analytical thin-layer chromatography was carried out on 100% silanized Cis silica plates (Sigma # T-7020; 10 x 10 cm; 0.1 mm thick) by a modification of the published Rottinghaus method (Rottinghaus et al., (1992) J. Vet., Diagn. In - / - est. 4: 396, and incorporated herein by reference). To analyze the activity of fumonisin esterase, the sample lines were pre-moistened with methanol to facilitate the application of the sample. After the application of 0.1 to 2 μl of aqueous sample, the plates were air dried and developed in MeOH: 4% KCl (3: 2) or MeOH: 0.2 M KOH (3: 2) and then sprayed with 0.1 M sodium borate (pH 9.5) and fluorescamine (0.4 mg / ml in acetonitrile).

TLC Enzymatic activity of culture filtrate and mycelium Isolate 2141 0 Exophiala spinifera was cultured on aaar YPD for one week, and the conidia were harvested, suspended in sterile water, and 105 conidia per ml were used to inoculate a medium with mineral salts. of Fries sterile containing 1 mg / ml purified FBI (Sigma Chemical Co.). After 2 weeks of incubation at 28 ° C in the dark, the cultures were filtered through 0.45 micron cellulose acetate filters and washed with mineral salts of ries. The mushroom mycelium was suspended in 15 mL of 0.1% FBI, pH 5.2 + 1 mM EDTA + 3 μg / mL Pestatin A + 1.5 μg / mL Leupeptin and disorganized in a Bead Beater ™ using 0.1 mm beads and pulses of one minute, with cooling with ice. The Hifal pieces were collected by filtering through Spin X ™ (0.22 μm), and the hemisphere supernatant and the original culture filtrates were tested by fumonisin modification by the methods outlined above. Preparation of unrefined culture filtrate Crops of agar grown as above was used to inoculate YPD cultures (500 ml) in the conical flasks at a final concentration of 105 conidia per ml of culture. The cultures were incubated for 5 days at 28 ° C without agitation and the icelias were harvested by filtration. through 0.45 miera filters under vacuum. The filtrate was dried, and the mycelium mat was washed and re-suspended in a mineral salts medium, free of sterile carbon (1 g / liter NHNOj, 1 g / liter NaH P0, 0.5 g / liter MgCl ^; 0.1 g / liter NaCl, 0.13 g / liter CaCl "; 0.02 g / liter FeS04-7H0, pH 4.5) containing 0.5 mg / m FBI unrefined alkaline hydrolyzate. After 3-5 days at 28 ° C in the dark without agitation the cultures were filtered through filters of 0. 45 microns of low protein binding to recover culture filtrate Phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) was added at a concentration of 2.5 mM and the culture filtrate was concentrated using an Amicon ™ YM10 membrane in a stirred cell at room temperature and it was re-suspended in 50 mM sodium acetate, pH 5.2 containing 10 mM CaCl2. The filtrate was grown unrefined (concentrated approximately 200 times) and stored at -20 ° C. To obtain preparative amounts of fumonisin hydrolyzed by enzyme, it was dissolved in 10 mg of FBI (Sigma) in 20 mL of 50 mM sodium acetate at pH 5.2 + 10 mM of CaCl ^, and 0.25 L of unrefined culture filtrate was added. 200x concentrate of 214 L.10. The solution was incubated at 37 ° C for 14 hours, and then cooled to room temperature. The reaction mixture was evaporated to approximately pH 9.5 by the addition of 0.4 mL of 4 N KOH, and the mixture was extracted twice with 10 mL ethyl acetate. The organic layers ate) inadas were dry under LN2, and resuspended in dH-O. 2.5 milligrams of extracted organic material were analyzed by mass spectrometry from the Bombardment of Atoms Fast (FAB). The resulting mass spectrum showed a higher ion in M / z (+1) = 406 mass units, indicating that the major product of enzymatic hydrolyses was API having a calculated molecular weight of 405. Example 2 The preparation of Mycelium of induced and uninduced API SSee pprreepraarraarroonn 1lbs liquid cultures of isolate Exophi ala spi ni fer to 2141.10 from YPD agar plates (10 gm of Yeast Extract, 20 gm of Bacto-Peptone, 0.5 gm of Dextrose, 15 gm of Bacto-Agar per liter of water). The aliquots (400-500 uL) of a suspension of water of Cceiluuillase E. sspviinniiffeerraa ppaarrttiir of YPD agar were uniformly sprayed on YPD agar plates of 150 x 15 mm with 4 mm sterile glass beads. Plates were incubated at room temperature for 6-7 days. Mycelia / conidia were transferred from the agar plates into the Mineral Salts Medium (MSM) ÚNa2HP04 • 7H20 0.2 gm, NH4C1 1.0 gm, CaCl2-2H20 0.01 gm, FeS04 7H20 0.02 gm per liter of distilled water, pH 4.5) and centrifuged at 5000 x g, 4 ° C, 20 minutes to granulate the cells. The cell pellet was washed once in 40 mL of MSM and re-centrifuged. The washed cell pellet was used to inoculate MSM in a proportion 1:19 packed cells: MSM. The culture was supplemented with API at a final concentration of 0.5-1.0 mg / ml and incubated at 28 ° C, 100 rpm, in the dark to induce catabolic enzymes. The supernatants are eliminated by filtration through cellulose acetates of 0.45. The remaining mycelial mat was washed with sterile MSM and then frozen in liquid nitrogen for storage. Example 3 Effect of FBI and API on Maize Coleoptils Maize coleoptiles were cut from germinated corn seeds grown 4 days in the dark above the growth point and placed in 96-well microliter plates in the presence of 60 microliters. of sterile distilled water containing FBI or API at approximately equimolar concentrations of 1.5, .5, .15, .05, .015, .005, .001 .5, or .0005 in millimolar, along with the water controls. After 2 days in the dark at 28 ° C the coleoptiles were placed in the light and incubated another 3 days. The wound or lack of it was evaluated as follows: 0 .0005 .0015 .005 .015 .05 .15 1.5 mM FB1 +/- AP1 + = coleoptile coffee necrotic discoloration - = no symptoms (same as water control) The results (see table above) indicate that there is at least a 30-fold difference in toxicity between FBI and API for corn coleoptiles of this genotype. This is in general agreement with other studies in which the toxicity of the two coirpuestos was compared for plant tissues. In Lemna tissues, the API was approximately 40 times less toxic (Vesoncer et al., (1992) Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxi col. 23: 464-46"(1992).) Studies with AAL toxin and FBI in tomato they also indicate that the hydrolyzed version of the molecule is much less toxic (Gilchrist et al., 1992) Mycopa thologia 127: 57-64 Lamprecht et al., Also observed a 100-fold reduction in tomato toxicity by API versus FBI (Lamprecht et al., (1994) Phytopathology 84: 383-391). Example 4 Effect of FBI and API on Cultured Cells of Corn Tissue (Sweet Mexican Black, BMS) FBI or API was added at various concentrations in suspensions of BMS cells cultured in a liquid culture medium in polystyrene plates. of 96 wells. After 1 week the density of the cells was observed in. the wells under low power increase and the growth of the wells treated with toxin were compared with the control wells that received water. The growth of BMS cells was significantly inhibited at 0.4 micromolar FBI, but was not RNA samples were obtained from cultures of E. spinifera grown for a specified period in a mineral salts medium containing API (induced condition) or gamma-aminobutyl acid (ABA, non-induced condition) as the sole carbon source. In the induced condition, enzymatic activities of fumonisin esterase, amir.o oxidase were detected, whereas in the non-induced condition these activities were not detected. The methods used for the induction of and the detection of the aforementioned immunocytochemistry are described above (see Example 2 and Example 5). RNA was extracted from mycelium induced by Tri-Reagent methods (Molecular Research Center Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio) using only frozen tissue samples ground with a mortar and pestle 2 times and up to 79 times and more until a muddy condition and adding an after-phase extraction by removing the phase water once with phenol, and twice with a mixture with phenol: chloroform: isoamyl alcohol. The AR? were subjected to CuraGen® copy images to detect fragments of AD? c that are specifically induced in the presence of API. In the resulting trace gel, several bands were found which showed the induction of at least 10 fold in cultured API cells compared to the cells cultured in ABA. A set of induced fragments can be matched to the AD? C of fumonisin Laboratory Guide to RNA: Isolation, Analysis, and Synthesis, ed. Krieg (Wiley-Liss, Inc pp. 273-321) A RACE cloning kit was used from CLONTECH to obtain the RACE amplicons Briefly, poly A + RNA is transcribed to make first-strand cDNA using a poly T "berthing The cDNA synthesis primer, the second strand is synthesized, and the Marathon cDNA adapter is ligated at both ends of the ds cDNA The diluted sheet is then used with the Marathon adapter primer and in separate reactions is used a 5 'Gen Specific Primer (GSP) or a GSP3' Primer to produce the RACE amplicon o After the characterization of the RACE or sequencing products, the full-length cDNAs can be generated by 1) end-to-end PCR | paddle using the 5 'and 3' GSP distal with the ds cDNA attached to the adapter as a template, or 2) the cloned 5 'and 3' RACE fragments can be digested as a restriction enzyme that cuts only in the overlapping region, and the isolated and linked segments. Subsequently, full-length cDNAs generated by RACE from 1) and 2) can be cloned into a suitable vector. Example 6 Expression in Pichica of Degradative Enzymes For cloning into the Pichia pastori expression vector, pPicZalphaA, primers were designed oligonucleotides containing a 22 bp overlap of the end (sense strand) and (antisense strand), respectively of the open reading structure of the degradative nucleotide of interest, including the retention codon. In addition, each or Ligo has a 5 'extension with digestible restriction sites that allow the cloning of the amplified insert into the structure within EcoRI / Notl digested with pPicZalphaA pPicZalphaA is a Pichia expression vector compatible with E. coli containing a signal from secretion of the functional yeast alpha factor and peptide processing sites, which allow high efficiency, inducible secretion within the Pichia culture medium. After generation of the 5 'and 3' RACE products, the resultaqe band was cloned into plasmids pPicZalphaA digested with EcpRI / Notl. Pi chia can be transformed as described in Invitrogen Manual, Easy, Select ™ Pichia Expression Kit, Version B, # 161219, with the polynucleotide enzyme of interest with an intron (negative control, without expression) or without an intron (capable of making an active protein). The fluids and granules of the Pichia culture are tested by. enzymatic activity as described above. The six-day culture fluids of the same cultures are used to apply with unrefined fungus enzyme for positive controls describes in the BRL catalog, Life Technologies, Inc., catalog; Hanahan (1983) J. Mol. Bi ol. 1 66: 551; Jessee et al. , (1984) J. Focus 6 '?; King et al. , (1986) Focus 8: 1, and is hereby incorporated by reference. Transformed E. coli is induced by the addition of IPTG (isopropyl b-D-thiogalactopyranoside). The soluble extract samples and the insoluble inclusion body samples are tested by enzymatic activity as described in Example 7. Example 8 Transformation and Regeneration of Transgenic Plants Immature corn embryos from greenhouse donor plants are bombarded with a plasmid containing the fumonisin / carrier enzyme degradation nucleotide sequences operably linked to a ubiquitin promoter (Figure 2). This plasmid also contains the selectable marker gene PAT (Wohlleben et al., (1988) Gen 70: 25-31) that confers resistance to the herbicide Bialaphos. The preferred construct for expression in maize is the numbered Jeotid sequence of the degradative enzyme fused to the sequence sequence of rye alpha amylase or the organelle selection sequence, or left intact for expression in the cytoplasm. The transformation is done as follows. All medium formulas are in the Appendix.

Preparation of Target Tissue Cobs are sterilized from the surface with bleach in Chlorox at 30 ° plus 0.5% Micro detergent for 20 minutes, and washed twice with sterile water. The immature embryos are cut and placed with the embryo axis down (escut it upwards), 25 embryos per plate, on the medium 5 6) 0Y for 4 hours and then aligned within the 2.5-cm target zone in preparation for the bombing. Preparation of DNA A plasmid vector comprising the fumonisin / transporter degradation enzyme operably linked to the promoter and ubiquitin is made. This plasmid DNA also contains a selectable PAT marker. The plasmid is precipitated on 1.1 μm tungsten granules (average diameter) using a CaCl 2 precipitation procedure as follows: 100 μl of tungsten particles prepared in water 10 μl (1 μl) of DNA in TrisEDTA buffer (1 μg total; μl of CaCl2 2.5 M 10 μl of spermidine Ó.l M Each reagent is sequentially added to the tungsten particle suspension, while being maintained in the multitube swirl agitator.The final mixture is briefly sonicated and allowed to incubate under stirring with constant swirl for 10 minutes After the period of precipitation, the tubes are centrifuged briefly, the liquid is removed, washed with 500 ml of 100% ethanol, and centrifuged for 30 seconds. Again the liquid is removed, and 105 μl of 100% ethanol is added to the final tungsten particle-j granule. For particle bombardment, the tungsten / DNA particles are briefly treated briefly and placed 10 μl over the center of each macrocarrier and allowed to dry approximately 2 minutes before bombardment. Particle gun treatment Sample plates are bombarded at level # 4 in particle gun # HE3 4-1 or # HE34-2. All samples were shot at 650 PSI, with a total of ten, aliquots taken from each tube of prepared particles / DNA. Subsequent Treatment After bombardment, the embryos are maintained in a 560Y medium for 2 days, then transferred to the 560R selection medium containing 3 mg / liter of Bialaphos, and subcultured every 2 weeks. After approximately 10 weeks of selection, callus clones resistant to selection are transferred 288J media to initiate plant regeneration. After maturation of the somatic embryo (2-4 weeks) well developed somatic embryos are transferred to a medium for germination and transferred to the illuminated culture medium. Approximately 7-10 days later, the developed seedlings are transferred to a 272V hormone-free medium in tubes for 7-10 days until the seedlings are well established. The vegetables are then transferred to inserts in box nurseries (equivalent to a 2.5"pot) containing potted earth and are grown for a week in a growing chamber, subsequently growing for 1-2 additional weeks in the greenhouse, transferring afterwards. to classic pots of 600 (1.6 gallons) and grown to maturity Vegetables are observed by the expression of a fumonisin degradation / transporter protein APPENDIX 272 V Instructions: @ = Add after leveling to volume Dissolve ingredients in refined H20 D-I in sequence Adjust to pH 5.6 Level to volume with H20 D-I and refined after adjusting the pH Sterilize and cool to 60 ° C. ## = Dissolve 0.100 g d Nicotinic Acid; 0.020 g of Thiamin.HCL; 0.100 g of Pir idoxina.HCL; and 0.400 g of Glycine in 875.00 ml of H ^ O D-I and refined in sequence. Level to volume with H20 D-I and re-ined. Prepare in 400 ml portions. Thiamin.HCL & Pi.ridoxina.HCL are a Dark Desiccator. Store durant =. one month, unless it happens Instructions: @ = Add after leveling to volume Dissolve the ingredients ep. H_0 D-I refined in sequence Adjust to pH 5.6 Level to volume with H20 D-I and refined after adjusting the pH Sterilize and cool to 60 ° C. Add 3.5 g / L of Geirite for cell biology ## = Dissolve 0.100 g ds Nicotinic Acid; 0.020 g of Thiamin.HCL; 0.100 g of Pirfidoxina.HCL; and 0.400 g of Glycine in 875. 00 ml of H20 D-I and refined in sequence. Level to volume with H20 D-I and ref irada. Prepare in 400 ml portions. Thiamin.HCL & Pyridokine.HCL are in a Dark Desiccator. Store for one month, unless contamination or precipitation occurs, then make a recent pattern. Total Volume (L) = 1.00 560 R Ingredient Quantity Unit Water D-I, Filtered 950,000 ml Basic Salts CHU (N6) (SIGMA C-1416) 4.000 Vitamin Mix of Éri sson (1000X 1,000 ml SIGMA-1511) Tiamina.HCL 0.4 mg / ml 1,250 ml Instructions: @ = Add after leveling to volume # = Add after this ::: ilizar and cool to temperature, Dissolve ingredients in H2C¡ > D-I in sequence Adjust to pH 5.8 with KOH Level to volume with H20 D I Sterilize and cool to room temperature. Total Volume (L) = 1.00 560 Y Ingredient Quantity Unit Water D-I, Filtered 950,000 ml Basic Sales CHU (N6) (SIGMA C-1416) 4.000 g Mixture of Vitamin Eriksson (1000X 1,000 ml SIGMA-1511) Thiamine HCL 0.4 mg / ml 1,250 ml Sucrose 120.00O 2,4-D 0.5 mg / ml 2,000 ml L-Prolina 2.880 Gelrite @ 2.000 Silver Nitrate 2 mg / ml # 4.250 ml Instructions: @ = Add after level Lar to volume # = Add after this: Isolate and cool to temperature.

Dissolve ingredients in H? 0 D-I in sequence Adjust to pH 5.8 with KOH Level to volume with H20 D-I Sterilize and cool to room temperature. ** Less autoclave time =. due to increased sucrose ** Total Volume (L) = 1.00 All publications and patent applications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of those experts in the technique to which this invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are incorporated herein for reference to the same extent as if each publication or individual patent application was specific. and individually indicated to be incorporated for reference. Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail in the form of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding it will be obvious that some changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.

Reference file of the International Application No. Applicant or Agent 5718-111 -1 PCT / US99 / INDICATIONS THAT ARE RELATED TO MICROORGANISMS DEPOSITED OR OTHER BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL Rule 13 bis PCT) A. The indications made in relation to the deposited microorganism or other biological material referred to in the description on page 4, line 30; page 5 line 5 and 9 B DEPOSIT IDENTIFICATION Additional deposits were identified on an additional sheet D Name of the depository institution American Type Culture Collection Address of the depository institution (including zip code and country) 10801 University BIvd. Manassas, VA 20110-2209 US Deposit Date Access Number July 01, 1999 (01.07.99) PTA-299 C. ADDITIONAL INDICATIONS (leave space yes is not applicable) This information is continued on an additional sheet D "Consent No. 74269 - page 4, lines 13, page 11, line 22; page 31; lines 12 and 21; page 32, lines 11 and 16; page 33, lines 11, 14 and 24 'Consent No. 74270 - page 11, line 23 • Consent No. 55552 - page 11, line 24; page 32; line 13 D. DESIGNATED STATES FOR WHICH THE INDICATIONS ARE MADE (if the indicators are not for all the designated states) E. SEPARATE PROVIDER OF THE INDICATIONS (leave spaces if not applicable) The indications listed below will be sent to the International Bureau afterwards (specifically the general nature of the indications, for example, "Deposit Access Number"). Deposits by Consent Nos. 74269, 74270 and 55552 For the sole use of the receiving Office For the sole use of the International Bureau D This sheet was received with the international application D This sheet was received with the International Bureau at: Authorized official Authorized officer Lydell Meadows PCT Operatiops - IAPD Team 1 (703.305-3745 (703.305-3230 (FAX.

Form PCT / RO / 134 (July 1998)

Claims (33)

1. REI INDICATIONS 1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule characterized in that it comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from g :: upo consisting of: a) a nucleotide sequence indicated in one of SEQ. FROM IDENT. NOS: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 or 10; b) a sequence. of nucleotides encoding the amino acid sequence indicated in one of SEQ. FROM IDENT. US: 3, 5, 8 or 11; c) a nucleotide sequence having at least 40% identity with the sequence indicated in SEQ. FROM IDENT. NO: 4, 9 or 10; d) a nucleotide sequence comprising at least 20 contiguous nucleotides of a nucleotide sequence of a) or b); and e) a nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under severe conditions to the complement of a nucleotide sequence of a) or b); and, f) a nucleotide sequence having at least 60% sequence identity with the sequence indicated in SEC. FROM IDENT. NO: 1, 2, 6 or 7.
2. 2. An expression cassette comprising a nucleotide sequence according to the claim 1, characterized in that the nucleotide sequence is linked operably to a promoter that drives expression in a plant cell.
3. 3. An expression cassette comprising a nucleotide sequence d4 according to claim 1, characterized in that the nucleotide sequence is operably linked to a promoter that drives expression in a microorganism.
4. 4. The expression cassette according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the promoter is a constitutive promoter.
5. 5. A vector for the delivery of a nucleotide sequence to a host cell, the vector comprising at least one rjucleotide molecule according to claim 1.
6. A host cell characterized in that it contains the vector according to claim 5.
7. A host cell comprising in its genome at least one nucleotide sequence according to claim 1, characterized in that the nucleotide sequence is operably linked to a heterologous promoter active in the host cell.
8. 8, The host cell according to claim 6, characterized in that the host cell is a microorganism.
9. 9. The host cell according to claim 6, characterized in that the host cell is a plant cell.
10. 10. The plant cell according to claim 9, characterized in that the plant cell is a vegetable selected from the group consisting of corn, sip, wheat, tomato, soybean, alfalfa, sunflower, Brassica, cotton and rice
11. 11. The seed. transformed from the vegetable according to claim 15,
12. 12. Semillé. Transformation of the plant according to claim 19.
13. 13. A cassette (characterized in that it comprises a nucleotide sequence according to claim 1).
14. The cassette gives expression according to claim 12, characterized in that the nucleotide sequence it is operably linked to a promoter that drives expression in a host cell
15. 15. A plant that has stably incorporated in its genome a sequence of nucleotides selected from the group characterized because it consists of: a) a nucleotide sequence indicated in one of the SEC. FROM IDENT. NOS: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 or 10; b) a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence indicated in one of SEQ. FROM IDENT. US: 3, 5, 8 or 11; c) a nucleotide sequence having at least 40% identity with the sequence indicated in SEQ. FROM IDENT. NO: 4, 9 or 10; d) a nucleotide sequence comprising at least 20 contiguous nucleotides of a nucleotide sequence of a) or b); and e) a nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under severe conditions to 1 complement of a nucleotide sequence of a) or b); and, f) a nucleotide sequence that has at least 60% sequence identity with the sequence indicated in SEC. FROM IDENT. NO: 1, 2, 6 or 7
16. 16. A method for reducing the pathogenicity of a fungus that produces fumonisin characterized in that it comprises: a) transforming a plant cell with a vector comprising at least one nucleotide sequence operably linked to a promoter in wherein the nucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of: i) a nucleotide sequence indicated in one of SEQ. FROM IDENT. NOS: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 or 10; ii) a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence indicated in one of SEQ. FROM IDENT. US: 3, 5, 8 or 11; iii) a nucleotide sequence having at least 40% identity with the sequence indicated in SEQ. FROM IDENT. NO: 4, 9, or 10; iv) a nucleotide sequence comprising at least 20 contiguous nucleotides of a nucleotide sequence of i) or ii); and v) a nucleotide sedimentation that hybridizes under severe conditions to the complement of a nucleotide sequence of i) or ii); and, vi) a nucleotide sequence that has at least 60% sequence identity with the sequence indicated in SEQ. FROM IDENT. NO: 1, 2, 6 or 7 b) cultivate the plant cell under culture conditions; and c) inducing the expression of the nucleotide sequence for a period of time sufficient to reduce the pathogenicity of the fungus.
17. 17. The method of compliance with the claim 16, characterized in that the plant cell additionally comprises at least one enzyme selected from a carboxylesterase or a flavineamine oxidase.
18. 18. A plant that has stably incorporated within its genome at least one nucleotide sequence operably linked to a plant promoter, characterized in that the nucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of: a) a nucleotide sequence indicated in one of the SEC. FROM IDENT. NOS: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 or 10; b) a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence indicated in one of SEQ. FROM IDENT. US: 3, 5, 8 or 11; c) a nucleotide sequence having at least 40% identity with the sequence indicated in SEQ. FROM IDENT. NO: 4, 9 or 10; d) a nucleotide sequence comprising at least 20 contiguous nucleotides of a nucleotide sequence of a) or b); and e) a nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under severe conditions to the complement of a nucleotide sequence of a) or b); and, f) a nucleotide sequence that has at least 60% sequence identity with the sequence indicated in SEC. FROM IDENT. NO: 1, 2, 6 or 7,
19. 19. The vegetable according to claim characterized in that the vegetable comprises at least one additional nucleotide sequence encoding a fumonisin degrading enzyme.
20. 20. The plant according to claim 19, characterized in that at least one of the additional nucleotide sequences encodes a carboxylesterase or a flavine amine oxidase.
21. 21. The vegetable according to claim characterized in that the vegetable is selected from the group consisting of corn, sip, wheat, tomato, soybean, alfalfa, sunflower, Brassica, cotton and rice.
22. 22. A method for detoxifying a fumonisin, or a structurally related mycotoxin, which comprises applying to a vegetable or a harvested grain an enzyme fumonisin esterase with at least one fumonisin degrading enzyme, characterized in that the degradative enzyme is encoded by a Sequence: .a of nucleotides selected from the group consisting of: a) a nucleotide sequence indicated in one of SEQ. FROM IDENT. NOS: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 or 10; a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence indicated in one of SEQ ID. US: 3, 5, 8 or 11; c) a nucleotide sequence having at least 40% identity with the sequence indicated in SEQ. FROM IDENT. NO: 4, 9 or 10; d) a nucleotide sequence comprising at least 20 cDnucleotides of a nucleotide sequence of a) or b); and e) a nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under severe conditions to. complement of a nucleotide sequence of a) or b); and, f) a nucleotide sequence having at least 60% sequence identity with the sequence indicated in SEQ. FROM IDENT. NO: 1, 2, 6 or 7,
23. 23. The method according to the claim 22, characterized in that the structurally related fumonisin or mycotoxin is present in the harvested grain.
24. 24. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the detoxification occurs during the processing of the harvested grain.
25. 25. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the detoxification occurs in the processed grain that will be used as animal feed.
26. 26. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the detoxification occurs in the silage.
27. 27. The F method to produce a polypeptide, the method is characterized in that it comprises: a) transforming a host cell with a vector of claimed compliance 5; b) culturing the host cell under conditions that allow the expression of polypeptide; and, c) purifying the pplipeptide.
28. 28. The method for producing a polypeptide the method is characterized in that it comprises: transforming a plant with a vector according to claim 5; and, b) purify the enzyme from the vegetable seed or other plant parts.
29. 29, The genetically engineered ruminal microorganism characterized in that it comprises at least one of the nucleotide sequences according to claim 1
30. 30. The probiotic composition characterized in that it comprises the genetically designed end organism according to claim 29.
31. 31. The inoculant composition of feeding characterized in that it comprises the ruminal microorganism genetically designed according to claim 29.
32. 32. A polypeptide characterized in that it comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: a) an amino acid sequence indicated in SEQ. FROM IDENT. NO: 3, 5, 8 or 11; b) an amino acid sequence having at least 60% sequence identity with SEC. FROM IDENT. NO: 3, 5, or 11; c) a sequence comprising at least 15 contiguous amino acids of SEQ. FROM IDENT. NO: 3, 5, 8 or 11; d) an amino acid sequence encoded by a nucleotide sequence comprising a DNA sequence obtained from the overlapping clones of the deposited cDNA inserts in a bacterial host as Patent Deposit No. PTA-299; and e) a sequence comprising at least 15 contiguous amino acids encoded by a nucleotide sequence comprising a DNA sequence obtained from the overlapping clones of the cDNA inserts deposited in a bacterial host as Patent Deposit No. PTA-299 ,
33. 33. An isolated nucleic acid molecule characterized in that it comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of a) a nucleotide sequence comprising a DNA sequence obtained from overlapping clones of deposited cDNA inserts in a bacterial host as Patent Deposit No. PTA-299; b) a nucleotide sequence comprising at least 20 nucleotides with igues of a DNA sequence obtained from the overlapping clones of the cDNA inserts deposited in the bacterial host as Patent Deposit No. PTA 299; and, c) a nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under severe conditions to a DNA sequence obtained from the overlapping clones of the cDNA inserts deposited in a bacterial host as Patent Deposit No. PTA-299; and d) a nucleotide sequence having at least 60% identity of sequence with a DNA sequence obtained from the overlapping clones of the cDNA inserts deposited in a bacterial host as Patent Deposit PTA-299