WO2001095691A2

WO2001095691A2 - Fructosyl transferase homologues from ryegrass (lolium) and fescue (festuca) species

Info

Publication number: WO2001095691A2
Application number: PCT/AU2001/000705
Authority: WO
Inventors: German Carlos Spangenberg; Angela Jane Lidgett; Xenie Angela Johnson; Katherine Terdich
Original assignee: Molecular Plant Breeding Nominees Ltd
Priority date: 2000-06-14
Filing date: 2001-06-14
Publication date: 2001-12-20
Also published as: DK1305420T3; AUPQ815500A0; EP1305420B1; NZ523032A; US20050089845A1; EP1305420A4; ES2338864T3; ATE453713T1; WO2001095691A3; DE60140942D1; EP1305420A2; US7557261B2

Abstract

The present invention relates to the modification of fructan biosynthesis in plants and, more particularly, to enzymes involved in the fructan biosynthetic pathway and nucleic acids encoding such enzymes. The present invention also relates to regulatory elements and, more particularly, to promoters capable of causing expression of an exogenous gene in plant cells, such promoters being from a gene encoding an enzyme involved in the fructan biosynthetic pathway in plants. The invention also relates to vectors including the nucleic acids and regulatory elements of the invention, plant cells, plants, seeds and other plant parts transformed with the regulatory elements, nucleic acids and vectors, and methods of using the nucleic acids, regulatory elements and vectors.

Description

MODIHCATION OF FRUCTAN BIOSYNTHESIS

The present invention relates to the modification of fructan biosynthesis in plants and, more particularly, to enzymes involved in the fructan biosynthetic pathway and nucleic acids encoding such enzymes.

The present invention also relates to regulatory elements and, more particularly, to promoters capable of causing expression of an exogenous gene in plant cells, such promoters being from a gene encoding an enzyme involved in the fructan biosynthetic pathway in plants.

The invention also relates to vectors including the nucleic acids and regulatory elements of the invention, plant cells, plants, seeds and other plant parts transformed with the regulatory elements, nucleic acids and vectors, and methods of using the nucleic acids, regulatory elements and vectors.

Fructans are a class of highly water-soluble polysaccharides which consist of linear or branched fructose chains attached to sucrose. They represent the major non-structural carbohydrate in many plant species.

Fructan synthesis in grasses is complex. Three enzymes

(fructosyltransferases) are involved; sucrose:sucrose 1 -fructosyltransferase (1 -

SST); fructan :fructan 1 -fructosyltransferase (1-FFT); and sucrose:fructan 6- fructosyltransferase (6-SFT) which synthesise the more complex fructans that prevail in grasses and cereals.

High amounts of fructans have been found to accumulate in ryegrasses (Lolium species) and fescues (Festuca species) in response to environmental stresses such as drought and cold.

Fructans are associated with various advantageous characters in forage grasses, such as cold and drought tolerance, increased tiller survival, enhanced persistence, good regrowth after cutting or grazing, improved recovery from stress and early spring growth. Furthermore, fructans in forage grasses contribute significantly to the readily available energy in the feed for grazing ruminant animals. The fermentation processes in the rumen require considerable readily available energy. The improvement of the readily available energy in the rumen can increase the efficiency of rumen digestion. An increased efficiency in rumen digestion leads to an improved conversion of the forage protein fed to the ruminant animal into milk or meat, and to a reduction in nitrogenous waste as environmental pollutant.

Thus, it would be desirable to have methods of manipulating fructan biosynthesis in plants, including grass species such as ryegrasses (Lolium species) and fescues (Festuca species), thereby facilitating the production of eg. pasture grasses with enhanced tolerance to abiotic stresses, enhanced persistence and improved herbage quality, leading to improved pasture production, improved animal production and reduced environmental pollution.

While nucleic acid sequences encoding some of the enzymes involved in the fructan biosynthetic pathway have been isolated for certain species of plants, there remains a need for materials useful in the modification of fructan biosynthesis in plants, particularly grass species such as ryegrasses and fescues, and also to engineer fructan accumulation in plants species which are naturally fructan-devoid.

Other phenotypic traits which may be improved by transgenic manipulation of plants include disease resistance, mineral content, nutrient quality and drought tolerance.

However, transgenic manipulation of phenotypic traits in plants requires the availability of regulatory elements capable of causing the expression of exogenous genes in plant cells.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least alleviate, one or more of the difficulties or deficiencies associated with the prior art. In one aspect, the present invention provides substantially purified or isolated nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments encoding fructosyl transferase homologues from a ryegrass or fescue species.

The ryegrass (Lolium) or fescue (Festuca) species may be of any suitable type, including Italian or annual ryegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, meadow fescue and red fescue. Preferably the ryegrass or fescue species is a ryegrass, more preferably perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne).

The nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment may be of any suitable type and includes DNA (such as cDNA or genomic DNA) and RNA (such as mRNA) that is single- or double-stranded, optionally containing synthetic, non-natural or altered nucleotide bases, and combinations thereof.

The term "isolated" means that the material is removed from its original environment (eg. the natural environment if it is naturally occurring). For example, a naturally occurring nucleic acid present in a living plant is not isolated, but the same nucleic acid separated from some or all of the coexisting materials in the natural system, is isolated. Such nucleic acids could be part of a vector and/or such nucleic acids could be part of a composition, and still be isolated in that such a vector or composition is not part of its natural environment.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the substantially purified or isolated nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment encodes a sucrose:fructan 6-fructosyltransferase (6-SFT) homologue from a ryegrass (Lolium) or fescue (Festuca) species. More preferably the substantially purified or isolated nucleic acid includes a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of (a) the sequences shown in Figures 1 , 10 and 14 hereto (Sequence ID Nos: 1 , 9 and 13, respectively); (b) complements of the sequences shown in Figures 1 , 10 and 14; (c) sequences antisense to the sequences recited in (a) and (b); and (d) functionally active fragments and variants of the sequences recited in (a), (b) and (c). In a further preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the substantially purified or isolated nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment encodes a fructan :fructan 1 -fructosyltransferase (1-FFT) homologue from a ryegrass (Lolium) or fescue (Festuca) species. More preferably the substantially purified or isolated nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment includes a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of (a) the sequence shown in Figure 2 hereto (Sequence ID No:3); (b) a complement of the sequence shown in Figure 2 (Sequence ID No:3); (c) sequences antisense to the sequences recited in (a) and (b); and (d) functionally active fragments and variants of the sequences recited in (a), (b) and (c).

In a further preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the substantially purified or isolated nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment encodes a sucrose:sucrose 1 -fructosyltransferase (1-SST) homologue from a ryegrass (Lolium) or fescue (Festuca) species. More preferably the substantially purified or isolated nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment includes a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of (a) the sequence shown in Figure 11 hereto (Sequence ID No: 11); (b) a complement of the sequence shown in Figure 11 (Sequence ID No: 11); (c) sequences antisense to the sequences recited in (a) and (b); and (d) functionally active fragments and variants of the sequences recited in (a), (b) and (c).

By "functionally active" is meant that the fragment or variant (such as an analogue, derivative or mutant) is capable of modifying fructan biosynthesis in a plant. Such variants include naturally occurring allelic variants and non- naturally occurring variants. Additions, deletions, substitutions and derivatizations of one or more of the nucleotides are contemplated so long as the modifications do not result in loss of functional activity of the fragment or variant. Preferably the functionally active fragment or variant has at least approximately 80% identity to the relevant part of the above mentioned sequence, more preferably at least approximately 90% identity, most preferably at least approximately 95% identity. Such functionally active variants and fragments include, for example, those having nucleic acid changes which result in conservative amino acid substitutions of one or more residues in the corresponding amino acid sequence. Preferably the fragment has a size of at least 10 nucleotides, more preferably at least 15 nucleotides, most preferably at least 20 nucleotides.

In a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a vector including a nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment according to the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the vector may include a regulatory element such as a promoter, a nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment according to the present invention and a terminator; said regulatory element, nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment and terminator being operatively linked.

By "operatively linked" is meant that said regulatory element is capable of causing expression of said nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment in a plant cell and said terminator is capable of terminating expression of said nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment in a plant cell. Preferably, said regulatory element is upstream of said nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment and said terminator is downstream of said nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment.

The vector may be of any suitable type and may be viral or non-viral. The vector may be an expression vector. Such vectors include chromosomal, non-chromosomal and synthetic nucleic acid sequences, eg. derivatives of plant viruses; bacterial plasmids; derivatives of the Ti plasmid from Agrobacterium tumefaciens; derivatives of the Ri plasmid from Agrobacterium rhizogenes; phage DNA; yeast artificial chromosomes; bacterial artificial chromosomes; binary bacterial artificial chromosomes; vectors derived from combinations of plasmids and phage DNA. However, any other vector may be used as long as it is replicable or integrative or and viable in the plant cell.

The regulatory element and terminator may be of any suitable type and may be endogenous to the target plant cell or may be exogenous, provided that they are functional in the target plant cell.

Preferably the regulatory element is a promoter. A variety of promoters which may be employed in the vectors of the present invention are well known to those skilled in the art. Factors influencing the choice of promoter include the desired tissue specificity of the vector, and whether constitutive or inducible expression is desired and the nature of the plant cell to be transformed (eg. monocotyledon or dicotyledon). Particularly suitable promoters include the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35S (CaMV 35S) promoter, the maize Ubiquitin promoter, the rice Actin promoter, the ryegrass endogenous 6- SFT, 1-FFT, 1-SST and invertase promoters.

A variety of terminators which may be employed in the vectors of the present invention are also well known to those skilled in the art. The terminator may be from the same gene as the promoter sequence or a different gene. Particularly suitable terminators are polyadenylation signals, such as the CaMV 35S polyA and other terminators from the nopaline synthase (nos) and the octopine synthase (ocs) genes.

The vector, in addition to the regulatory element, the nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment of the present invention and the terminator, may include further elements necessary for expression of the nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment, in different combinations, for example vector backbone, origin of replication (ori), multiple cloning sites, spacer sequences, enhancers, introns (such as the maize Ubiquitin Ubi intron), antibiotic resistance genes and other selectable marker genes [such as the neomycin phosphotransferase (npt2) gene, the hygromycin phosphotransferase (hph) gene, the phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (bar or pat) gene], and reporter genes (such as beta- glucuronidase (GUS) gene (gusA)]. The vector may also contain a ribosome binding site for translation initiation. The vector may also include appropriate sequences for amplifying expression.

As an alternative to use of a selectable marker gene to provide a phenotypic trait for selection of transformed host cells, the presence of the vector in transformed cells may be determined by other techniques well known in the art, such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction), Southern blot hybridisation analysis, histochemical GUS assays, thin layer chromatography (TLC), northern and Western blot hybridisation analyses.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various components of the vector are operatively linked, so as to result in expression of said nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment. Techniques for operatively linking the components of the vector of the present invention are well known to those skilled in the art. Such techniques include the use of linkers, such as synthetic linkers, for example including one or more restriction enzyme sites.

The vectors of the present invention may be incorporated into a variety of plants, including monocotyledons (such as grasses from the genera Lolium, Festuca, Paspalum, Pennisetum, Panicum and other forage and turf grasses, corn, oat, sugarcane, wheat and barley), dicotyledons (such as arabidopsis, tobacco, legumes, white clover, red clover, subterranean clover, alfalfa, oak, eucalyptus, canola, maple, soybean and chickpea) and gymnosperms. In a preferred embodiment, the vectors are used to transform monocotyledons, preferably grass species such as ryegrasses (Lolium species) and fescues (Festuca species), more preferably perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) including forage and turf type cultivars and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). In an alternative preferred embodiment, the vectors may be used to transform dicotyledons, preferably forage legume species such as clovers (Trifolium species) and medics (Medicago species), more preferably white clover (Trifolium repens), red clover (Trifolium pratense), subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) and lucerne (Medicago sativa). Other key target plants include plants which are naturally fructan devoid, such as potato, sugarbeet and maize.

Techniques for incorporating the vectors of the present invention into plant cells (for example by transduction, transfection or transformation) are well known to those skilled in the art. Such techniques include Agrobacterium mediated introduction, electroporation to tissues, cells and protoplasts, protoplast fusion, injection into reproductive organs, injection into immature embryos and high velocity projectile introduction to cells, tissues, calli, immature and mature embryos. The choice of technique will depend largely on the type of plant to be transformed.

Cells incorporating the vector of the present invention may be selected, as described above, and then cultured in an appropriate medium to regenerate transformed plants, using techniques well known in the art. The culture conditions, such as temperature, pH and the like, will be apparent to the person skilled in the art. The resulting plants may be reproduced, either sexually or asexually, using methods well known in the art, to produce successive generations of transformed plants.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part, including, eg transformed with, a vector of the present invention.

The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part may be from any suitable species, including monocotyledons, dicotyledons and gymnosperms. In a preferred embodiment the plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part may be from a monocotyledon, preferably a grass species, more preferably a ryegrass (Lolium species) or fescue (Festuca species), even more preferably a ryegrass, most preferably perennial ryegrass including forage- and turf- type cultivars. In an alternate preferred embodiment the plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part is from a dicotyledon, preferably forage legume species such as clovers (Trifolium species) and medics (Medicago species), more preferably white clover (Trifolium repens), red clover (Trifolium pratense), subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) and lucerne (Medicago sativa). Other key target plants include plants which are naturally fructan devoid, such as tobacco, potato, sugarbeet and maize.

The present invention also provides a plant, plant seed or other plant part derived from a plant cell of the present invention. The present invention also provides a plant, plant seed or other plant part derived from a plant of the present invention.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of modifying fructan biosynthesis in a plant, said method including introducing into said plant an effective amount of a nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment and/or a vector according to the present invention.

By "an effective amount" is meant an amount sufficient to result in an identifiable phenotypic trait in said plant, or a plant, plant seed or other plant part derived therefrom. Such amounts can be readily determined by an appropriately skilled person, taking into account the type of plant, the route of administration and other relevant factors. Such a person will readily be able to determine a suitable amount and method of administration. See, for example, Maniatis et al, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Using the methods and materials of the present invention, plant fructan biosynthesis may be increased, decreased or otherwise modified relative to an untransformed control plant. It may be increased or otherwise modified, for example, by incorporating additional copies of a sense nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment of the present invention. It may be decreased, for example, by incorporating an antisense nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment of the present invention. In addition, the number of copies of genes encoding for different enzymes in the fructan biosynthetic pathway may be manipulated to modify the relative amount of each molecule synthesized, thereby altering the composition of fructans produced. Also, the materials and methods of the present invention may be used to engineer fructan accumulation in fructan- devoid plants, particularly forage plants, such as clovers and lucerne. This may in turn provide enhanced quality and/or tolerance to abiotic stresses.

In a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided use of a nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment according to the present invention, and/or nucleotide sequence information thereof, as a molecular genetic marker.

More particularly, nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments according to the present invention and/or nucleotide sequence information thereof, may be used as a molecular genetic marker for qualitative trait loci (QTL) tagging, QTL mapping, DNA fingerprinting and in marker assisted selection, and may be used as candidate genes or perfect markers, particularly in ryegrasses and fescues. Even more particularly, nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments according to the present invention, and/or nucleotide sequence information thereof, may be used as molecular genetic markers in forage and turf grass improvement, eg tagging QTLs for dry matter digestibility, herbage quality, palatability, regrowth after cutting and grazing, cold tolerance, drought tolerance, tiller survival and plant persistence.

In a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a substantially purified or isolated fructosyl transferase homologue from a ryegrass (Lolium) or fescue (Festuca) species. Preferably, the fructosyl transferase homologue is a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of the enzymes 6-SFT, 1 -SST and 1 -FFT, and homologues thereof.

The ryegrass (Lolium) or fescue (Festuca) species may be of any suitable type, including Italian or annual ryegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, meadow fescue and red fescue. Preferably the species is a ryegrass, more preferably perennial ryegrass (L. perenne).

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the substantially purified or isolated 6-SFT homologue includes an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of sequences shown in Figures 1 , 10 and 14 hereto (Sequence ID Nos: 2,10 and 14 respectively); and functionally active fragments and variants thereof.

In a further preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the substantially purified or isolated 1-FFT homologue includes an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of the sequence shown in Figure 2 hereto (Sequence ID No: 4); and functionally active fragments and variants thereof.

In a still further preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the substantially purified or isolated 1-SST homologue includes an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of the sequence shown in Figure

11 hereto (Sequence ID No: 12); and functionally active fragments and variants thereof.

By "functionally active" in this context is meant that the fragment or variant has one or more of the biological properties of the proteins 6-SFT, 1- SST and 1-FFT, and homologues thereof, respectively. Additions, deletions, substitutions and derivatizations of one or more of the amino acids are contemplated so long as the modifications do not result in loss of functional activity of the fragment or variant. Preferably the fragment or variant has at least approximately 60% identity to the relevant part of the above mentioned sequence, more preferably at least approximately 80% identity, most preferably at least approximately 90% identity. Such functionally active variants and fragments include, for example, those having conservative amino acid substitutions of one or more residues in the corresponding amino acid sequence. Preferably the fragment has a size of at least 10 amino acids, more preferably at least 15 amino acids, most preferably at least 20 amino acids.

In a further embodiment of this aspect of the invention, there is provided a polypeptide recombinantly produced from a nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment according to the present invention. Techniques for recombinantly producing polypeptides are well known to those skilled in the art.

In a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a fructan or modified fructan substantially or partially purified or isolated from a plant, plant seed or other plant part of the present invention.

Such fructans may be modified from naturally occurring fructans in terms of length, the degree of polymerisation (number of fructose units), degree of branching and/or nature of linkages between fructose units.

Such fructans may be isolated from plants, plant seeds or other plant parts of plants which are naturally fructan-accumulators but have manipulated fructan accumulation (such as ryegrass, onion, artichoke) or from plants, plant seeds or other plant parts of plants which are naturally fructan-devoid but have been manipulated to produce fructans (such as tobacco, sugarbeet, potato, maize, clovers, lucerne).

These fructans may have important industrial uses, for example as low- calorie sweeteners.

In a still further aspect, the present invention provides an isolated regulatory element capable of causing expression of an exogenous gene in plant cells.

The regulatory element may be a nucleic acid molecule, including DNA (such as cDNA or genomic DNA) and RNA (such as mRNA) that is single- or double- stranded, optionally containing synthetic, non-natural or altered nucleotide bases, and combinations thereof.

Preferably the regulatory element includes a promoter, more preferably a fructosyl transferase homologue promoter, even more preferably a promoter from 1-FFT, 1-SST, 1-FFT or homologues thereof. Preferably, the promoter is from a ryegrass (Lolium) or fescue (Festuca) species, more preferably a ryegrass, most preferably perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne).

In a particularly preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the regulatory element includes a promoter from the 6-SFT cDNA homologues Lp6SFT1 and Lp6SFT3 from perennial ryegrass.

Preferably the regulatory element includes a nucleotide sequence including the first approximately 5700 nucleotides of the sequence shown in Figure 10 - hereto (Sequence ID No: 9); the first approximately 1600 nucleotides of the sequence shown in Figure 11 hereto (Sequence ID No: 11); or a functionally active fragment or variant thereof.

By "functionally active" in this context is meant that the fragment or variant (such as an analogue, derivative or mutant) is capable of causing expression of a transgene in plant cells. Such variants include naturally occurring allelic variants and non-naturally occurring variants. Additions, deletions, substitutions and derivatizations of one or more of the nucleotides are contemplated so long as the modifications do not result in loss of functional activity of the regulatory element. Preferably the functionally active fragment or variant has at least approximately 80% identity to the relevant part of the above sequence, more preferably at least approximately 90% identity, most preferably at least approximately 95% identity. Preferably the fragment has a size of at least 100 nucleotides, more preferably at least 150 nucleotides, most preferably at least 200 nucleotides.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the regulatory element includes a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of the Hindlll-EcoRI fragment of Lp6SFT1 shown in Figure 12 hereto; and the Xbal-EcoRI fragment of Lp6SFT1 shown in Figure 12 hereto;

or a functionally active fragment or variant thereof.

By an "exogenous gene" is meant a gene not natively linked to said regulatory element. In certain embodiments of the present invention the exogenous gene is also not natively found in the relevant plant or plant cell.

The exogenous gene may be of any suitable type. The exogenous gene may be a nucleic acid such as DNA (e.g. cDNA or genomic DNA) or RNA (e.g. mRNA) that is single- or double- stranded, optionally containing synthetic, non- natural or altered nucleotide bases, and combinations thereof. The exogenous gene may correspond to a target gene, for example a gene capable of influencing disease resistance, herbage digestibility, nutrient quality, mineral content or drought tolerance or be a fragment or variant (such as an analogue, derivative or mutant) thereof which is capable of modifying expression of said target gene. Such variants include nucleic acid sequences which are antisense to said target gene or an analogue, derivative, mutant or fragment thereof. The transgene may code for a protein or RNA sequence depending the target condition and whether down or up-regulation of gene expression is required. Preferably, the target gene is selected from exogenous coding sequences coding for mRNA for a protein, this protein may be of bacterial origin (such as enzymes involved in cell wall modification and cell wall metabolism, cytokinin biosynthesis), or eukaryotic origin (such as pharmaceutically active polypeptides) or of plant origin (such as enzymes involved in the synthesis of phenolic compounds, synthesis of fructans cell wall metabolism, sugar metabolism, lignin biosynthesis). Preferably, the target gene is selected from the group comprising 1-SST, 1-FFT, 6-SFT, O-methyltransferase, 4 coumarate CoA-ligase, cinnamoyl CoA reductase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, cinnamate 4 hydroxylase, phenolase, laccase, peroxidase, coniferol glucosyl transferase, coniferin beta-glucosidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, ferulate 5-hydroxylase, chitinase, glucanase, isopentenyltransferase, xylanase.

The plant cells, in which the regulatory element of the present invention is capable of causing expression of an exogenous gene, may be of any suitable type. The plant cells may be from monocotyledons (such as grasses from the genera Lolium, Festuca, Paspalum, Pennisetum, Panicum and other forage and turf grasses, corn, oat, sugarcane, wheat and barley), dicotyledons (such as arabidopsis, tobacco, legumes, alfalfa, oak, eucalyptus and maple) and gymnosperms. Preferably the plant cells are from a monocotyledon, more preferably a grass species such as a ryegrass (Lolium) or fescue (Festuca) species, even more preferably a ryegrass, most preferably perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Other key target plants include plants which are naturally fructan devoid, such as tobacco, potato, sugarbeet and maize.

The regulatory element according to the present invention may be used to express exogenous genes to which it is operatively linked in the production of transgenic plants. Accordingly, in a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a vector including a regulatory element according to the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the vector may include a regulatory element according to the present invention, an exogenous gene as hereinbefore described, and a terminator; said regulatory element, exogenous gene and terminator being operatively linked, such that said regulatory element is capable of causing expression of said exogenous gene in plant cells. Preferably, said regulatory element is upstream of said exogenous gene and said terminator is downstream of said exogenous gene.

The vector may be of any suitable type and may be viral or non-viral. The vector may be an expression vector. Such vectors include chromosomal, non-chromosomal and synthetic nucleic acid sequences, eg. derivatives of plant viruses; bacterial plasmids; derivatives of the Ti plasmid from Agrobacterium tumefaciens; derivatives of the Ri plasmid from Agrobacterium rhizogenes; phage DNA; yeast artificial chromosomes; bacterial artificial chromosomes; binary bacterial artificial chromosomes; vectors derived from combinations of plasmids and phage DNA. However, any other vector may be used as long as it is replicable or integrative or viable in the plant cell.

The terminator may be of any suitable type and includes for example polyadenylation signals, such as the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35S polyA (CaMV 35S polyA) and other terminators from the nopaline synthase (nos) and the octopine synthase (ocs) genes.

The vector, in addition to the regulatory element, the exogenous nucleic acid and the terminator, may include further elements necessary for expression of the nucleic acid, in different combinations, for example vector backbone, origin of replication (ori), multiple cloning sites, spacer sequences, enhancers, introns (such as the maize Ubiquitin Ubi intron), antibiotic resistance genes and other selectable marker genes [such as the neomycin phosphotransferase (npt2) gene, the hygromycin phosphotransferase (hph) gene, the phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (bar or pat) gene], and reporter genes (such as beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene (gusA)]. The vector may also contain a ribosome binding site for translation initiation. The vector may also include appropriate sequences for amplifying expression.

The regulatory element of the present invention may also be used with other full promoters or partial promoter elements.

As an alternative to use of a selectable marker gene to provide a phenotypic trait for selection of transformed host cells, the presence of the vector in transformed cells may be determined by other techniques well known in the art, such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction), Southern blot hybridisation analysis, histochemical GUS assays, northern and Western blot hybridisation analyses.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various components of the vector are operatively linked, so as to result in expression of said transgene. Techniques for operatively linking the components of the vector of the present invention are well known to those skilled in the art. Such techniques include the use of linkers, such as synthetic linkers, for example including one or more restriction sites.

The vectors of the present invention may be incorporated into a variety of plants, including monocotyledons, dicotyledons and gymnosperms. In a preferred embodiment the vectors are used to transform monocotyledons, preferably grass species such as ryegrasses (Lolium species) and fescues (Festuca species), more preferably perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) including forage- and turf- type cultivars.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part, including, eg. transformed with, a vector of the present invention.

The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part may be from any suitable species, including monocotyledons, dicotyledons and gymnosperms. In a preferred embodiment the plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part is from a monocotyledon, preferably a grass species, more preferably a ryegrass (Lolium species) or fescue (Festuca species), even more preferably perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), including forage- and turf-type cultivars.

The present invention also provides a plant, plant seed, or other plant part derived from a plant cell of the present invention.

The present invention also provides a plant, plant seed or other plant part derived from a plant of the present invention.

In a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a recombinant plant genome including a regulatory element according to the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention the recombinant plant genome further includes an exogenous gene operatively linked to said regulatory element.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for expressing an exogenous gene in plant cells, said method including introducing into said plant cells an effective amount of a regulatory element and/or a vector according to the present invention.

By "an effective amount" is meant an amount sufficient to result in an identifiable phenotypic change in said plant cells or a plant, plant seed or other plant part derived therefrom. Such amounts can be readily determined by an appropriately skilled person, taking into account the type of plant cell, the route of administration and other relevant factors. Such a person will readily be able to determine a suitable amount and method of administration. See, for example, Maniatis et al, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying Examples and drawings. It should be understood, however, that the description following is illustrative only and should not be taken in any way as a restriction on the generality of the invention described above.

In the Figures

Figure 1 shows the nucleotide (Sequence ID No: 1) and amino acid (Sequence ID No: 2) sequences of p6SFT1.

Figure 2 shows the nucleotide (Sequence ID No: 3) and amino acid (Sequence ID No: 4) sequences of Lp6SFT2.

Figure 3 shows a northern hybridisation analysis of total RNA isolated from different organs and developmental stages of perennial ryegrass and probed with p6SFT1 (upper blot) and p6SFT2 (lower blot). Lanes 1-10 contain RNA from: 1 cm seedlings - roots (lane 1), shoots (lane 5); 4-6cm seedlings - roots (Iane2), shoots (lane 6); 6 week plantlets - roots (lane 3), shoots (lane 7), stem (lane 9); 10 week plantlets - roots (lane 4), shoots (lane 8), stem (lane 10). Lanes 11 and 12 contain RNA from mature, whole plant tissue from Phalaris and Festuca.

Figure 4 shows Southern hybridisation analysis. 10 μg of digested perennial ryegrass genomic DNA was separated on a 1.0% agarose gel, transferred to Hybond N membrane and then hybridised with an p6SFT1 (left blot) and Lp6SFT2 (right blot) probe respectively.

Figure 5 shows the cDNAs encoding Lp6SFT1 , Lp6SFT2 and the barley

HvβSFT minus the 5' targeting signal cloned into the yeast transformation secretory plasmid pPICZ C.

Figure 6 shows high performance anion exchange chromatography

(HPAEC) traces of empty vector, Hv€SFT positive control corresponding to barley 6-SFT (HvδSFT), and p6SFT1 incubated with 50mM sucrose and

50mM 1-kestose for 48 h at 4°C. Peaks represent Glucose (G), Fructose (F),

Sucrose (S), 1-Kestose (1-K), and DP4 fructan.

Figure 7 shows A) pP\cαLp6SFT2 (yeast transformation vector for Lp6SFT2 from Figure 5) expressed in Pichia pastoris over 48 hours, 15μg total protein was added to 50mM sucrose and 50mM 1-Kestose and incubated 6 hours at 4^eC. The sample was diluted 4x, filtered and analysed using HPAEC. B) pPic (empty vector) expressed in Pichia pastoris over 48 hours, an aliquot of supernatant was added to 50mM sucrose and 50mM 1-Kestose and incubated 6 hours at 4⁹C. The sample was diluted 4x, filtered and analysed using HPAEC.

Figure 8 shows the nucleotide (Sequence ID No: 5) and amino acid (Sequence ID No: 6) sequences of partial cDNA clone p4Ad. Figure 9 shows the nucleotide (Sequence ID No: 7) and amino acid (Sequence ID No: 8) sequences of partial cDNA clone LpδCb.

Figure 10 - shows the nucleotide (Sequence ID No: 9) and amino acid (Sequence ID No: 10) sequences of genomic clone p6SFT1 from perennial ryegrass.

Figure 11 shows the nucleotide (Sequence ID No: 11) and amino acid (Sequence ID No: 12) sequences of genomic clone Z.p6SFT3 from perennial ryegrass.

Figure 12 shows a chimeric gusA gene under the control of the Z.p6SFT1 promoter (promoter sequence from Sequence ID No: 9).

Figure 13 shows A) Tobacco protoplasts were transformed with the vectors carrying the Lp6SFT1 or Lp6SFT3 promoter fused to the gusA gene. B) PCR analysis of 5 transformants and positive (SR1) and negative (H₂O) controls. C) Southern hybridisation analysis of DNA from 5 transformants using part of the Lp6SFT1 promoter as the probe. D) Southern hybridisation analysis of DNA from 5 transformants using part of the gusA gene as the probe. E) Histochemical staining of plant tissue for activity of the gusA protein to assess the expression of the Lp6SFT1 promoter.

Figure 14 shows the nucleotide (Sequence ID No: 13) and amino acid (Sequence ID No: 14) sequences of Lp6SFT4.

Figure 15 shows sense and antisense Lp6SFT1 and Lp6FT2 transformation vectors under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter and the maize Ubiquitin promoter.

Figure 16 shows molecular analysis of transgenic tobacco carrying the sense LpδSFTI transgene. A) Plasmid map of transformation vector carrying a chimeric sense Z.p6SFT1 gene under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter;

B) PCR analysis of 14 independent transgenic tobacco clones cotransformed with a chimeric neomycin phosphotransferase (npt2) gene and a chimeric LpδSFTI gene; C-D) Southern hybridization analysis of 14 independent transgenic tobacco plants from B) using an LpδSFTI -specific hybridization probe; E) Northern hybridization analysis of 5 independent transgenic tobacco plants from CD) using an LpδSFTI -specific hybridization probe. SRI = untransfόrmed tobacco negative control, + = plasmid DNA positive control, - = water negative control.

Figure 17 shows molecular analysis of transgenic tobacco carrying the sense Lp6SFT2 transgene. A) Plasmid map of transformation vector carrying a chimeric sense p6SFT2 gene under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter; B) PCR anaylsis of independent transgenic tobacco clones transformed with the chimeric Lp6SFT2 gene from A); C) Southern hybridization analysis of independent transgenic tobacco plants from B) using an Lp6SFT2-specific hybridization probe; D) Northern hybridization analysis of independent transgenic tobacco plants using an Lp6SFT2-specific hybridization probe. SRI = untransformed tobacco negative control, + = plasmid DNA positive control, - = water negative control.

Figure 18 shows A) Northern hybridisation analysis of T1 tobacco transgenic plants using a 2 kb Lp6SFT2-specific hybridization probe and RNA isolated from ryegrass pseudostems as positive control; B) Water soluble carbohydrates were isolated from callus from Lp6SFT2 sense and antisense transgenic T1 tobacco plants grown in the dark for 1 month: (i) sugars extracted from a northern positive sense transgenic tobacco plant, (ii) sugars extracted from an antisense control transgenic tobacco plant. The extracts were analysed by HPAEC and retention times checked against pure standards and fructan preparations from ryegrass.

Figure 19 shows the protocol for suspension culture-independent production of transgenic perennial ryegrass plants. A) Isolated zygotic embryos, plated on MSM5 medium, day 0; B) Embryogenic callus formation and proliferation, 6 - 8 weeks after embryo isolation; C) Embryogenic calli arranged on high osmotic MSM3Plus medium prior to biolistic transformation; D) Histochemical GUS assay showing GUS-expressing foci 3 - 4 days post- bombardment of chimeric gusA gene; E) Selection of embryogenic calli on MSM3 medium containing 100 mg/l paromomycin (Pm), 2 weeks after microprojectile bombardment; F) Regeneration of Pm resistant shoots on MSK medium containing 100 mg/l Pm, 4 weeks after microprojectile bombardment; G) In vitro plant regeneration from PM resistant embryogenic calli, 6 weeks after microprojectile bombardment; H) Transgenic perennial ryegrass plants 28 weeks after embryo isolation.

Figure 20 shows the map location of Lp6SFT1 and Lp6SFT2 (in bold) within the genetic linkage map of perennial ryegrass.

EXAMPLE 1

The isolation of cDNA clones encoding for fructan biosynthetic enzymes from perennial ryegrass

A cDNA library prepared from RNA extracted from perennial ryegrass seedlings was used to isolate fructosyltransferase homologues LpδSFTI and Lp6SFT2. These cDNA clones were isolated from the perennial ryegrass cDNA library using the barley 6SFT gene as a probe. The complete gene sequences of the isolated perennial ryegrass fructosyltransferase homologues are shown in Figures 1 and 2.

More particularly, a perennial ryegrass seedling cDNA library was screened with a 1 ,200 bp Pstl fragment isolated from a barley 6-SFT cDNA clone. Twelve cDNAs were isolated and separated into four groups by restriction digest analysis. Two full length clones Lp6SFT1 and Lp6SFT2 were selected for further characterisation.

The complete sequence of clone LpδSFTI was determined. The cDNA clone had a typical poly(A) tail, start and stop codon. The open reading frame (ORF) of the clone encoded for a putative protein of 651 amino acids. The complete sequence of the second L. perenne 6SFT cDNA homologue (Lp6SFT2) was determined. The full length cDNA clone had a typical poly(A) tail, start and stop codon and the 2013 bp ORF coded for a protein of 671 amino acids.

A northern hybridization analysis with RNA samples isolated from perennial ryegrass at different developmental stages hybridised to Lp6SFT1 (Figure 3, upper blot) and Lp6FST2 (Figure 3, lower blot) was performed to determine patterns of organ and developmental expression. Both probes hybridised to a single mRNA species of approximately 2.3 kb and 2.4 kb respectively. The LpδSFTI and Lp6SFT2 transcript was found to accumulate in young shoots and roots and mature stem tissue (Figure 3).

A Southern hybridisation analysis using DNA, isolated from a perennial ryegrass double haploid plant, digested with Dra\, Bam \, EcoRI, EcoRV, HincΛW and Xba\ was hybridised at high stringency with an LpδSFTI and Lp6SFT2 probe respectively. The hybridisation pattern revealed that both Lp6SFT1 (Figure 4, left blot) and Lp6SFT2 (Figure 4, right blot) correspond to a single copy gene in perennial ryegrass (Figure 4).

EXAMPLE 2

Functional analysis of ryegrass fructosyltransferases

The functionality of the ryegrass fructosyltransferase cDNA homologues

Lp6SFT1 and Lp6SFT2 have been determined by expression in the yeast strain Pichia pastoris. The enzyme activity of the secreted Lp6SFT1 and Lp6SFT2 recombinant proteins were both found to have fructosyltransferase activity when incubated with sucrose and the trisaccharide 1-kestose. These functional data demonstrate LpδSFTI and Lp6SFT2 are fructosyltransferases suitable for manipulating fructan pools in transgenic ryegrass.

To determine the functionality of the ryegrass fructosyltransferase cDNA homologues the cDNAs encoding LpδSFTI, Lp6SFT2 and the control barley HvδSFT minus the 5' targeting signal sequence have been cloned into the yeast transformation secrectory plasmid pPICZ C (vectors available for the production of recombinant protein) (Figure 5). The yeast strain Pichia pastoris has been transformed with the above plasmids and the corresponding empty parent vector as a control. The enzyme activity of the secreted LpδSFTI , Lp6SFT2 and HvδSFT recombinant protein was analysed for fructosyltransferase activity by incubating with sucrose and the trisaccharide 1 - kestose.

Pichia pastoris transformed with LpδSFTI produced and secreted a functional protein that had fructosyltransferase activity, similar to the activity of the recombinant HvδSFT protein. Both produced a DP4 fructan and small amounts of higher DP fructans with were absent in the control vector (Figure

6).

Pichia pastoris transformed with Lp6SFT2 produced and secreted a functional protein that had both fructosyltransferase and some invertase activity. The activity of Lp6SFT2 recombinant protein in the presence of sucrose and 1 -kestose produced DP4 and greater fructans, which were absent in the control vector when incubated under the same conditions (Figure 7).

EXAMPLE 3

Partial cDNA clones were isolated as previously described for LpδSFTI and Lp6SFT2 using the Barley 6SFT (HvδSFT) as a probe. These partial fructosyltransferases (4Ad and 6Cb; see Figures 8 and 9, respectively) have high amino acid homology to both LpδSFTI and Lp6SFT2 (see table below). They have been used to isolate additional fructosyltransferases such as the genomic clones Lp6SFT3 and Lp6SFT4. The high homology of these partial nucleotide sequences to other fructosyltransferases makes them excellent candidates for the isolation of additional cDNA and genomic clones encoding fructosyltransferases in plants. 4Ad 6Cb

Lp6SFT1 69% 70%

Lp6SFT2 64% 64%

Table: % Amino acid homology of partial ryegrass fructosyltransferases to Lp6SFT1 and Lp6SFT2.

EXAMPLE 4

The isolation and characterisation of fructosyltransferase genomic clones and promoters

Genomic clones and promoters of Lp6FST1 and Lp6SFT3 have been isolated from a perennial ryegrass genomic library. Both clones have been fully sequenced (Figures 10 and 11).

More particularly, a Lolium perenne genomic library was screened with a partial cDNA fragment designated Lp6SFT3. A 4819 bp genomic fragment was isolated, cloned into pBluescript and fully sequenced. The 4.8kb fragment was found to contain the entire Lp6SFT3 gene and 1.6kb of promoter sequence. The Lp6SFT3 genomic sequence including exon-intron organisation is illustrated in Figure 11.

EXAMPLE 5

Analysis of expression patterns from ryegrass fructosyltransferase promoters

Genomic clones and promoters of Lp6FST1 and Lp6SFT3 have been isolated from a perennial ryegrass genomic library. Both clones have been fully sequenced. Promoters have been fused to the gusA (Figure 12) reporter gene and introduced into tobacco by direct gene transfer for in planta expression pattern analysis. Plant material was histochemically assayed for β- glucuronidase (GUS) activity to determine patterns of expression from the LpδSFTI promoter in the heterologous system, tobacco. Weak GUS activity was detected in the leaf base and in leaf vascular tissue (Figure 13).

This example demonstrates the use of ryegrass fructosyltransferase promoter sequences for targeted gene expression in plants.

EXAMPLE 6

Isolation of genomic clone for the ryegrass fructosyltransferase

Lp6SFT4

Lp6SFT4 was isolated from a perennial ryegrass genomic library using the fructosyltransferase partial clone 4Ad (from Figure 8) as a hybridisation probe. The genomic clone Lp6SFT4 contains 966 bp of promoter sequence and the entire gene coding sequence. The Lp6SFT4 genomic sequence including exon-intron organisation is illustrated in Figure 14.

EXAMPLE 7

Development of sense and antisense vectors with fructosyltransferase sequences

To determine the functionality of the LpδSFTI and Lp6SFT2 fructosyltransferase homologues and to regulate the expression of these key enzymes in the biosynthesis of fructans in L. perenne a set of sense and antisense vectors have been generated. Transformation vectors with LpδSFTI and Lp6SFT2 cDNA sequences in sense and antisense orientation under the control of either the CaMV 35S and maize ubiquitin promoter have been generated (Figure 15). EXAMPLE 8

Production and characterisation of transgenic tobacco plants expressing the ryegrass fructosyltransferase Lp6SFT1 gene

Transformation experiments, using vectors carrying the chimeric ryegrass fructosyltransferase genes LpδSFTI in sense and antisense orientation under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter, have been performed in tobacco, a fructan-devoid plant, to assess the functionality of Lp6SFT1.

A set of transgenic tobacco plants generated using the LpδSFTI sense transformation vector were screened by PCR and analysed by Southern and northern hybridizations (Figure 16A, B, C, D, E).

PCR screening was undertaken using npt2 and Lp6SFT1 specific primers for the identification of the transgenic plants (Figure 16B). Independent transgenic plants were identified which were cotransformed with both the selectable marker (neomycinphosphotransferase npt2) and the ryegrass fructosyltransferase Lp6SFT1 gene.

Southern hybridization analysis was performed with DNA samples from the PCR positive transgenic plants in order to demonstrate the integration of the LpδSFTI transgene. Genomic DNA was digested with EcoRI and analysed by Southern hybridization analysis (Figure 16C, D). Hybridization to a band of the expected size (transgene plus promoter and terminator) was observed in transformed plants. Additional larger and smaller bands corresponding to multiply rearranged transgene copies were also found in individual transgenic plants (Figure 16C, D). No hybridizing bands were detected in the untransformed tobacco negative control (SR1).

Northern hybridization analysis of total RNA isolated from Southern positive LpδSFTI transgenic tobacco plants and probed with an LpδSFTI specific fragment revealed that the transgene was expressed in 1 out of the 5 LpδSFTI transgenic plants tested (Figure 16E). EXAMPLE 9

Production and characterisation of transgenic tobacco plants expressing the ryegrass fructosyltransferase Lp6SFT2 gene

Transformation experiments, using vectors carrying the chimeric ryegrass fructosyltransferase genes Lp6SFT2 in sense and antisense orientation under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter, have been performed in tobacco, a fructan-devoid plant, to assess the functionality of Lp6SFT2.

A set of transgenic tobacco plants generated using the Lp6SFT2 sense transformation vector were screened by PCR and analysed by Southern and northern hybridizations (Figure 17A, B, C, D).

PCR screening was undertaken using npt2 and Lp6SFT2 specific primers for the identification of the transgenic plants (Figure 17A). Independent transgenic plants were identified which were cotransformed with both the selectable marker (neomycinphosphotransferase npt2) and the ryegrass fructosyltransferase Lp6SFT2 gene (Figure 17B).

Southern hybridization analysis was performed with DNA samples from the PCR positive transgenic plants in order to demonstrate the integration of the Lp6SFT2 transgene. Genomic DNA was digested with EcoRI and analysed by Southern hybridization analysis (Figure 17C). Hybridization to a band of the expected size (transgene plus promoter and terminator) was observed in transformed plants. Additional larger and smaller bands corresponding to multiply rearranged transgene copies were also found in individual transgenic plants (Figure 17D). No hybridizing bands were detected in the untransformed tobacco negative control (SR1).

Northern hybridization analysis of total RNA isolated from Southern positive Lp6SFT2 transgenic plants and probed with an Lp6SFT2 specific gene fragment revealed that the Lp6SFT2 transgene was expressed in all 4 Lp6SFT2 transgenic plants tested (Figure 17D). Progenies (T1 plants) from the primary transgenic tobacco plants expressing the chimeric Lp6SFT2 gene were obtained. Callus generated from these T1 plants was screened by northern hybridization analysis (Fig. 18A). Callus was grown on MS morpho medium in the dark for 1 month. Soluble carbohydrates were isolated from transgenic plants and antisense negative controls and sugar products analysed by high performance anion exchange chromatography (HPAEC) (Fig 18Bi and 18Bii). Kestose or DP 3 fructan was detected and identified in the Lp6SFT2 callus (Fig. 18Bi) and was absent in the negative control samples (Fig. 18Bii), demonstrating fructosyltransferase activity in the callus samples from Lp6SFT2-expressing transgenic tobacco plants under these conditions.

This example demonstrates the use of ryegrass fructosyltransferase gene sequences for expression in plants leading to manipulated fructan accumulation.

EXAMPLE 10

Production of transgenic ryegrass plants for transgenic expression of fructosyltransferases

To investigate the effects of over-expression and down-regulation of fructosyltransferases in perennial ryegrass through sense and antisense technology, transformation vectors carrying chimeric fructosyltransferase genes in sense and antisense orientation were used for the biolistic transformation of embryogenic calli derived from mature seed-embryos. A robust and reliable procedure for the recovery of transgenic perennial ryegrass plants was used.

The procedure utilises embryogenic calli produced from mature seed- derived embryos as direct targets for biolistic transformation without requiring the establishment of embryogenic cell suspensions. The protocol, however, relies on a continuous supply of isolated zygotic embryos for callus induction. Transgenic ryegrass plants are regenerated 24 - 28 weeks after embryo isolation. Isolated embryos are plated onto MSM5 medium to produce embryogenic calli suitable as targets for biolistic transformation within 8 weeks. The embryogenic calli treated on high-osmoticum medium MSM3Plus prior to microprojectile bombardment, are selected on MSM3 medium containing 100 mg/l paromomycin (Pm) for 2 weeks before being transferred onto MSK with 100 mg/l Pm for further 4 weeks until differentiation of Pm resistant shoot (Figure 19). A set of transgenic plants for over-expression and down-regulation of fructosyltransferases using sense and antisense Lp6SFT1 and Lp6SFT2 chimeric genes was generated.

EXAMPLE 11

Genetic mapping of ryegrass fructosyltransferases

LpδSFTI and Lp6SFT2 clones were PCR amplified and radio-labelled for use as probes to detect restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). RFLPs were mapped using 110 progeny individuals of the p150/112 perennial ryegrass reference population restricted with the enzyme H/ndlll. Lp6SFT1 and Lp6SFT2 loci mapped to linkage groups LG7 and LG6, respectively (Figure 20). These gene locations can now be used as candidate genes for quantitative trait loci for fructan biosynthesis associated traits such as herbage quality, drought and cold tolerance and plant growth components.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention as outlined herein.

It will also be understood that the term "comprises" (or its grammatical variants) as used in this specification is equivalent to the term "includes" and should not be taken as excluding the presence of other elements or features.

Documents cited in this specification are for reference purposes only and their inclusion is not an acknowledgement that they form part of the common general knowledge in the relevant art.

Claims

1. A substantially purified or isolated nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment encoding a fructosyl transferase homologue from a ryegrass (Lolium) or fescue (Festuca) species.

2. A nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment according to claim 1 wherein said ryegrass or fescue species is perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne).

3. A nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment according to claim 1 encoding a sucrose:fructan 6-fructosyltransferase (6-SFT) homologue from a ryegrass (Lolium) or fescue (Festuca) species.

4. A nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment according to claim 4 including a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of (a) the sequences shown in Figures 1 , 10 and 14 hereto (Sequence ID Nos: 1 , 9 and 13, respectively); (b) complements of the sequences shown in Figures 1 , 10 and 14 ; (c) sequences antisense to the sequences recited in (a) and (b); and (d) functionally active fragments and variants of the sequences recited in (a), (b) and (c).

5. A nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment according to claim 1 encoding a fructan :fructan 1 -fructosyltransferase (1-FFT) homologue from a ryegrass (Lolium) or fescue (Festuca) species.

6. A nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment according to claim 5 including a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of (a) the sequence shown in Figure 2 hereto (Sequence ID No:3); (b) a complement of the sequence shown in Figure 2 (Sequence ID No:3); (c) sequences antisense to the sequences recited in (a) and (b); and (d) functionally active fragments and variants of the sequences recited in (a), (b) and (c).

7. A nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment according to claim 1 encoding a sucrose:sucrose 1 -fructosyltransferase (1-SST) homologue from a ryegrass (Lolium) or fescue (Festuca) species.

8. A nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment according to claim 7 including a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of (a) the sequence shown in Figure 11 hereto (Sequence ID No: 11); (b) a complement of the sequence shown in Figure 11 (Sequence ID No: 11); (c) sequences antisense to the sequences recited in (a) and (b); and (d) functionally active fragments and variants of the sequences recited in (a), (b) and (c).

9. A vector including a nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment according to claim 1.

10. A vector according to claim 9 further including a promoter and a terminator, said promoter, nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment and terminator being operatively linked.

11. A plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part according to claim 9.

12. A method of modifying fructan biosynthesis in a plant, said method including introducing into said plant an effective amount of a nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment according to claim 1 and/or a vector according to claim 9.

13. Use of a nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment according to claim 1 , and/or nucleotide sequence information thereof, as a molecular genetic marker.

14. A substantially purified or isolated fructosyl transferase homologue from a ryegrass (Lolium) or fescue (Festuca) species.

15. A fructosyl transferase homologue according to claim 14 selected from the group consisting of the enzymes 6-SFT, 1-SST and 1-FFT, and homologues thereof.

16. A fructosyl transferase homologue according to claim 14 wherein said ryegrass or fescue species is perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne).

17. A fructosyl transferase homologue according to claim 14 wherein said fructosyl transferase homologue is a 6-SFT homogoue and includes an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of sequences shown in Figures 1 , 10 and 14 hereto (Sequence ID Nos: 2,10 and 14 respectively); and functionally active fragments and variants thereof.

18. A fructosyl transferase homologue according to claim 14 wherein said fructosyl transferase homologue is a 1-FFT homologue and includes an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of the sequence shown in Figure 2 hereto (Sequence ID No: 4); and functionally active fragments and variants thereof.

19. A fructosyl transferase homologue according to claim 14 wherein said fructosyl transferase homologue is a 1 -SST homologue and includes an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of the sequence shown in Figure 11 hereto (Sequence ID No: 12); and functionally active fragments and variants thereof.

20. A fructan or modified fructan substantially or partially purified or isolated from a plant, plant seed or other plant part according to claim 11.

21. An isolated regulatory element capable of causing expression of an exogenous gene in plant cells wherein said regulatory element is isolated from a nucleic acid or nucleic acid fragment encoding fructosyl transferase homologue.

22. A regulatory element according to claim 21 wherein said regulatory element includes a promoter from 6-SFT, 1-SST, 1-FFT or homologues thereof.

23. A regulatory element according to claim 21 from a ryegrass (Lolium) or fescue (Festuca) species.

24. A regulatory element according^'to claim 21 including a nucleotide sequence including the first approximately 5700 nucleotides of the sequence shown in Figure 10 - hereto (Sequence ID No: 9); the first approximately 1600 nucleotides of the sequence shown in Figure 11 hereto (Sequence ID No: 11); or a functionally active fragment or variant thereof.

25. A vector including a regulatory element according to claim 21.

26. A vector according to claim 25 further including an exogenous gene and a terminator, said regulatory element, exogenous gene and terminator being operatively linked, such that said regulatory element is capable of causing expression of said exogenous gene in plant cells.

27. A plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part, including, a vector according to claim 25.

28. A method for expressing an exogenous gene in plant cells, said method including introducing into said plant cells an effective amount of a regulatory element according to claim 21 and/or a vector according to claim 25.