WO2004006656A2

WO2004006656A2 - Transgenic bioluminescent plants

Info

Publication number: WO2004006656A2
Application number: PCT/US2003/021531
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruce Eric Hudkins
Original assignee: Bruce Eric Hudkins
Priority date: 2002-07-15
Filing date: 2003-07-10
Publication date: 2004-01-22
Also published as: CN1668747A; CA2492038A1; AU2003259103A1; EP1534838A4; EP1534838A2; US7049483B1; WO2004006656A3

Abstract

Transgenic plants are created having incorporated into them a luciferase enzyme gene and a corresponding luciferin substrate gene. These genes are regulated such that for a certain amount of time after dark, these genes are expressed resulting in bioluminescence. Different luciferin/luciferase combinations may be utilized for these transgenic plants, depending on the desired wavelength and the plant species transfected.

Description

TRANSGENIC BIOLUMINESCENT PLANTS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention.

The present invention relates to transgenic bioluminescent plants . More specifically,

the present invention relates to plant cells of which have been transfected via agro-bacterian

or other means known to those in the art with nucleic acid molecules which encode

luciferase and luciferin such that the resulting plant luminesces, in whole or in part. The

nucleic acid molecules may be regulated by promoter regions designed to regulate the timing

and duration of the genetically engineered bioluminescence, to which the molecules have

been operably linked.

Prior Art.

It has been known in the art for some time that certain enzymes called luciferases

will bioluminesce in the presence of a substrate, such as a luciferin. Luciferases comprise

a broad class of proteins that are produced in inter alia, bacteria, jelly fish, fireflies and a

variety of other organisms. Nucleic acid molecules which encode luciferase have been

identified, and their bioluminescent activities have been used extensively to study gene

regulation and expression. Essentially, by inserting a luciferase protein encoding sequence

downstream from a promoter to be studied, one may easily tell when that promoter has been

activated by the resulting bioluminescence.

Luciferins tend to be complex organic molecules. Some are thought to be formed

by means of complex catabolic pathways. Others, such as coelenterazine, result from the

cyclization of amiiio acids of apolypeptide. Until recently, nucleic acid molecules encoding

luciferin were not known. This meant that, in order to detect luciferase, luciferin was applied directly to the organism expressing the luciferase. The luciferin had to be absorbed

by the target, and as a result cells, and relatively thin tissue cultures, including very small

seedlings, were the only suitable hosts. Often, the organisms expressing luciferase were

lysed and then exposed to a luciferin solution. This obviously kills the host organism.

There has been a significant amount of work done to improve the use of luciferase

in studying gene expression; however, all efforts have been limited by the inability to

produce in vivo bioluminescence without the addition of chemicals, outside a laboratory

environment, and in larger organisms.

• U.S. Patent No. 5,093,240 to Inouye et al. incorporated by reference discloses the

transgenic use of the luciferase known as aequorin and derivatives thereof. This patent

discloses the use of a luciferase enzyme in a vector designed for mass production. The

patent suggests that large quantities of luciferase may be grown in bacterial culture. The

patent does not disclose nucleic acid molecules which produce intracellular luciferin. It also

does not contemplate or disclose suitable methods for inserting sequences that encode

luciferin into a plant cell.

U.S. Patent No. 5,162,227 to Cormier, incorporated by reference, also discloses

recombinant DNA vectors into which a sequence encoded luciferase has been inserted. As

well, the above referenced patent, it contemplates use of these vectors for mass production

of luciferase in bacterial culture. It contemplates use of the luciferase gene as a marker, or

selection, gene sequence. It does not contemplate the addition of a luciferin coded sequence

into the vector, in vivo bioluminescence or the formation of a transfection vector suitable for plant cells.

U.S. Patent No. 5,422,266 to Cormier et al., also incorporated herein by reference, discloses an invention very similar to the one described in the above paragraph. It discloses

the insertion of a luciferase gene into a vector suitable for use in microorganisms. Like the

above mentioned patent, it does not contemplate the additional insertion of a luciferin coded

sequence, in vivo bioluminescence or use of vectors suitable for insertion into plant cells.

U.S. Patent No.5,583,024 to McElroy et al, incorporated by reference, discloses use

of a second luciferase that is useful in a transcription assay. The patent contemplates use of

the luciferase to quantify transcription levels of various promoter sequences. It requires

lysis, and thus death, of the transformed cells. It does not contemplate in vivo

bioluminescence or the use of a luciferin encoded sequence.

U.S. Patent No. 5,976,796 to Szalay et al., incorporated by reference, discloses a

fusion protein comprising a luciferase and a fluorescing protein. The patent contemplates

the use of a luciferase protein as a double marker in transcription assays. It does not provide

for intracellular luciferin or in vivo bioluminescence.

U.S. Patent No. 5,221 ,623 to Legocki et al., also incorporated by reference, discloses

the use of the lux bacterial luciferase gene in transcription assays of various promoters. It

does not contemplate in vivo bioluminesce in mature plants or the use of a luciferin encoding

sequence. Furthermore, the lux bioluminescence mechanism requires a substantial

concentration of organic aldehydes. The patent discloses applying aldehyde vapors to the

microorganisms. This would be impractical for use in the present invention.

U.S. Patent Nos. 5,876,995 and 6,247,995 both to Bryan and both incorporated by reference, disclose the use of bioluminescent luciferase/luciferin mechanisms for use in a

wide variety of novelty items. The luciferase enzyme is added to a large variety of products

and the luciferin is added subsequently. This patent does not disclose recombinant uses for luciferase / luciferin recombinant DNA; however, the specification of this patent is very

useful in that it gives a very detailed, textbook-like description of the entire field of

bioluminescence.

U.S. Patent No. 5,741,668 to Ward et al., incorporated by reference, discloses a

polypeptide capable of spontaneously forming the luciferin coelenterazine in vivo. The

patent, discloses mass production of coelenterazine by expressing code sequences,

appropriate sequences and harvesting the resulting proteins. It does not contemplate

combining coelenterazine coding sequences with luciferase in a single vector and using that

vector to form bioluminescent organisms, such as mature plants.

It is therefore desirable to provide a method for causing bioluminescence in a mature multi cellular organism, such as a plant.

It is also desirable to provide a method for inducing bioluminescence without the

need to apply chemicals to an organism.

It is also desirable to provide for a mature plant capable of bioluminescence outside

I of a laboratory setting and without the need of applying special chemicals.

It is also desirable to provide a mature plant capable of bioluminescence where the

timing of that bioluminescence is controlled.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the use of bioluminescent mechanisms to create

transgenic organisms, such as multicellular plants, capable of bioluminescence. There are

foreseeable advantages to bioluminescent plants, such as food crops. Crops capable of

producing light facilitate night-time harvesting. Once harvested, they would eventually

cease to glow. Hence, crops could be harvested at any time, including during the cooler

evening hours. This facilitates harvest and lengthens the period of time when harvest is

possible.

It is preferred that common house and landscaping plants be used for the present

invention. The present invention enhances the aesthetic qualities of landscape vegetation.

In order to facilitate bioluminescence in plants, at least two coding sequences must

be added to the plants. The first is a sequence encodes a luciferase, and the second encodes

luciferin, the substrate of luciferase. There are many different types of luciferase found in

nature. Different luciferases have different luciferins as their substrates, and appropriate

pairings of luciferins and luciferase are known to the skilled artesian.

Luciferases and the corresponding luciferins have been found in fireflies, jellyfish

and sea life that lives on the bottom of the ocean. For years, these combinations have been

used by scientists to study gene regulation and expression in a variety of organisms.

Luciferases serve as excellent markers because of the ease with which their expression may

be detected. In current genetic expression assays involving bioluminescence, a luciferase coding

sequence is placed downstream from a promoter region to be studied. This recombinant

DNA is then inserted into a vector which is subsequently used to transform a plant, animal or bacterial cell. The luciferase gene either will or will not be expressed depending upon

promoter activity. The cells are then lysed in a bioluminescence buffer and luciferin is

added. Emission spectra are then measured. If the sample luminesces it means that the

promoter region has induced expression. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these

are common expression assays.

Until recently, methods of in vivo production of luciferins were unknown. This is

why cells had to be lysed and luciferin added thereto. Recently, however, as disclosed in

U.S. Patent No. 5,741,668 to Ward et al., the metabolic pathway for the formation of a

luciferin, coelenterrazine, has been elucidated. Coelenterrazine is the substrate for a small

group of luciferases found in jellyfishes. This allows a luciferin to be produced within a

living cell. Because of this, any organism susceptible to transformation may now be induced

to bioluminesce, by using appropriate nucleic acid molecules.

In accordance with the present invention, a luciferase and pre-coelenterazine are

expressed within plant cells. Preferably they are only expressed within the leaves of plants.

To accomplish this, coding sequences for luciferase and pre-coelenterazine are inserted into

plant cells by means of a vector. One method of restricting expression of the genes to leaf

cells is to include upstream promoter regions specific for leaf cell expression only. Somatic

or other plant cells that have been successfully transfected are grown to mature plants. The

process of producing mature plants from individual plant cells is well known in the art. A

control sequence, such as a rubisco small unit promoter region, or the Cab2 promoter

(another known circadian clock promoter) sequence is inserted upstream of the luciferase

and pre-coelenterazine coding regions. This ensures that these two genes are only expressed

in the leaves of the plants. Rubisco and Cab2 are down regulated at night. This means that

the two inserted genes will also be down regulated in the dark. This prevents the expression of the inserted genes from placing too much stress on the plant. Because coelenterazine is

a fragile organic molecule having a half life of one and a half to two hours, the

bioluminescent activity of the plant will cease within three to four hours after dusk.

In some cases it may be desirable to utilize a different promoter for the encoded

genes. Specifically, it may be desirable to use a promoter that induces expression only in

the dark. This would result in the bioluminescence beginning at night and ending at dawn.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there a large variety of promoters that cause

downstream expression conditions. Which promoter will be most desirable will depend on

the plant variety as well as additional factors unique to the situation under consideration, and

need not be eluciated here.

Coelenterazine requires O₂ and calcium ions in addition to luciferase in order to

induce bioluminescence. It may therefore be desirable to have the luciferase and the

coelenterazine peptides targeted to specific organelles. Those skilled in the art will

appreciate that there are a variety of known target sequences that may be added to the N

terminus of a polypeptide. This is done by inserting a polynucleotide sequence coding for

a targeting sequence at the 5' end of the coding sequence. When this is expressed, the target

sequence will be included in the translated polypeptide. The target sequence will then direct

the polypeptides to a specific organelle. This may be desirable in order to insure that any

required co-factors are present. In addition, all polypeptides function at an optimum pH.

Certain organelles may have an internal pH more preferable for the luciferase and luciferin.

Various organelles may also provide an environment that improves the stability of the

polypeptides. Those skilled in the art will realize that these are only some of many factors

that may target the luciferase and luciferin to specific organelles. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that it may be desirable to add one or

more additional sequences to the vector used for transfection. Some promoters used to

regulate the inserted bioluminescent genes may require other proteins in order to be

activated or deactivated. It is often desirable with transfection vectors to include a selection

sequence. The selection sequences code for genes that confer resistance to various

antibiotics such as kanamycin and streptomycin. Such selection sequences are generally

used to isolate cells that have been successfully transfected. Bioluminescence can also be

used as an indicator. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a selection sequence. Cells that

have been successfully transfected may be induced to bioluminesce and may therefore

picked out of cells that have not been transfected. It may be desirable to include additional

sequences, such as sequences which encode transporter proteins, or an additional desired

protein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a recombinant DNA vector of the present

invention.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a method of forming a transgenic plant of the

present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In describing the present invention, the following terminology will be used in

accordance with the definitions set out below. This terminology is well known to those

skilled in the art.

"Recombinant polynucleotide" refers to a polynucleotide of genomic, cDNA,

semisynthetic, or synthetic origin which, by virtue of its origin or manipulation: (1) is not

associated with all or a portion of the polynucleotide with which it is associated in nature,

and/or (2) is linked to a polynucleotide other than that to which it is linked in nature, or (3)

does not occur in nature.

"Polynucleotide" refers to a polymeric form of nucleotides of any length, either

ribonucleotides or deoxyribonucleotides. This term refers only to the primary structure of

the molecule. Thus, the term includes double- and single-stranded DNA, as well as double-

and single-stranded RNA. It also includes modified ("modified" means, for example,

modification by methylation, phosphorylation, and/or by capping) and unmodified forms of

the polynucleotide. "Replicon" refers to any genetic element, e.g., a plasmid, a

chromosome, a virus, that behaves as an autonomous unit of polynucleotide replication

within a cell; i.e., capable of replication under its own control.

"Vector" as used herein refers to a replicon in which another polynucleotide segment

is attached, so as to bring about the replication and/or expression of the attached segment.

Vectors may have one or more polynucleotide or recombinant polynucleotide and one or

more control sequences, such vectors as used herein always include a promoter in operable

linkage with the coding sequences.

"Control sequence" refers to polynucleotide sequences which are necessary to effect the expression and/or secretion of coding sequences to which they are ligated. The nature

of such control sequences differs depending upon the host organism. In prokaryotes, such

control sequences generally include a promoter, a ribosomal binding site, and a terminator.

In eukaryotes, generally such control sequences include promoters, terminators and, in some

instances enhancers. In addition, in both prokaiyotes and eulcaryotes, some control

sequences direct the expressed polypeptide to a particular location within the cell or region

within a multicellular organism. The term "control sequences" is intended to include, at a

minimum, all components whose presence is necessary for expression, and may also include

additional polynucleotide sequences that influence the expression of a protein.

"Promoter" refers to a polynucleotide sequence upstream from an expressed

polynucleotide. A promoter sequence signals the cellular machinery to express the

polynucleotide downstream from it. Some promoters operate like a switch and only signal a cell to express a downstream polynucleotide under certain conditions, such as when the

organism is under insect/pathogen attack, is in an environment above a certain temperature,

or in the presence of a particular chemical such as IPTG.

"Host cells", "microbial cells", "cells" and other terms denoting microorganisms or

higher eukaryotic cell lines cultured as unicellular entities, are used interchangeably, and

refer to cells which can be, or have been, used as recipients for recombinant vector or other

transfer polynucleotides, and include the progeny of the original cell which has been

transfected. It is understood that the progeny of a single parental cell may not necessarily be

completely identical in morphology or in genomic or total DNA complement as the original

parent, due to accidental or deliberate mutation. Progeny of the parental cell which are

sufficiently similar to the parent can be characterized by a relevant property, such as the presence of a nucleotide sequence encoding a desired peptide, are included in the progeny

intended by this definition, and are covered by the above terms.

"Transformation" or "transfection" refer to the insertion of an exogenous

polynucleotide into a microbial cell, or cells of a multicellular organism such as a plant,

irrespective of the method used for insertion, for example, direct uptake, transduction, f-

mating, particle bombardment or bacteria-mediated gene transfer. The exogenous

polynucleotide may be maintained as a non-integrated vector, for example, a plasmid, or

alternatively, may be integrated into the host genome.

"Polypeptide" refers to the amino acid product of a sequence encoded within a

polynucleotide, and does not refer to a specific length of the product. Thus, peptides,

oligopeptides, and proteins are included within the definition of polypeptide. This term also

does not refer to post-expression modifications of the polypeptide, for example,

glycosylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, sialylation, and the like. The polypeptides may

be so modified, however.

"Transforming Polynucleotide" refers to any of a number of polynucleotide

structures known in the art and used for transforming cells. They include, but are not limited

to, plasmids, phagemids, cosmids, and bacterial artificial chromosomes (BAC's). They

include the TI plasmids and other structures capable of transforming plant cells, as well as other types of cells.

Promoters, a subclass of control sequences, are required in order for a polynucleotide

to be expressed. There are many known promoters. Which promoter is best for a given

transgenic organism will depend on the desired level of expression and the type of organism

being transformed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in addition to the wide variety of vectors

available for the techniques described herein, there are also a wide variety of control

sequences that may be added to a polynucleotide sequence. It is possible that in some or all

plants bioluminescence will be enhanced by directing the luciferase and corresponding luciferin to a specific location within the plant. This may be accomplished using control

sequences that result in the addition of amino acids at either the N-terminus or C-terminus

of the proteins. These added amino acids utilize mechanisms within a plant to direct the

protein to which they are attached to specific regions of the plant cell. For example, some

control sequences direct proteins to the chloroplasts, and some result in the protein attaching

to a membrane. The techniques of utilizing theses control sequences to direct a certain

protein to a certain location are well known to those skilled in the art.

It is also well known to those skilled in the art that control sequences may also be

used to regulate both the translation and transcription of a polynucleotide sequence. These

control sequences may be employed to regulate the concentration of the protein within the

organism that is expressing it. The addition of these various types of control sequences to

any given vector is a relatively simple procedure.

Some control sequences require the addition of a second, regulatory sequence. For

example, some control sequences inhibit gene translation only when an inhibitor protein is

present. In this situation, it is necessary to add a sequence that encodes the inhibitor protein

to the vector. This inhibitor protein sequence may in turn have its own control sequences

upstream or downstream from it. It is even possible for an inhibitor protein sequence to

have a control sequence that requires a second inhibitor protein sequence in order to function

properly. In addition, just as there are control sequences that require inhibitor proteins, there are also control sequences that require activation proteins that increase gene translation.

These control sequences require the addition of an activation protein.

There are also control sequences that regulate expression of coding sequences at the

transcription stage. These sequences inhibit or facilitate ribosomal activity on mRNA. All

of these mechanisms are well known to those skilled in the art.

Which control sequences, promoters and vectors are used for a particular plant will

be depend on the method of transformation, the plant into which the vector is introduced and

personal discretion.

"Luciferase" refers to any of a wide variety of enzymes that oxidize a corresponding

luciferin thereby causing bioluminesce. The present invention is generally drawn to

luciferases found in certain jellyfish. The term luciferase also refers to oxidizing enzymes

found in fireflies, bacteria, fish, squids and other organisms capable of bioluminesce.

"Luciferin" refers to other compounds, some of which are derived from oligopeptides

and are susceptible to oxidation by a luciferase. In the particular embodiment described

below, coelenterazine is the preferred luciferin, however, those skilled in the art will

appreciate that any luciferin that may be successfully produced inside a plant cell will be

suitable for the invention. Aside from jellyfish, different luciferins are found in jellyfish,

bacteria, fish, squids and other organisms, and all are incorporated herein.

"Green Fluorescent Protein" or "GFP" refers to a protein that absorbs blue light

emitted by coelenterate luciferases and emits green light by means of fluorescence. The

Forster energy transfer effect is believed to allow for a highly efficient conversion of blue

light to green light. GFP generally is noncovalently bound to luciferase/luciferin complexes .

The purpose of changing the wavelength of the bioluminescence is unknown. The pre- coelenterazine polypeptide disclosed herein has the same sequence as GFP, except for a

single change in its amino acid sequence.

"Selection sequence" refers to any of a number of polynucleotide sequences that may

be placed in a vector to allow successfully transfected cells to be distinguished from cells

that have not been transfected. An example of such a selection sequence is a polynucleotide

sequence coding for a promoter, and one which confers kanamycin resistance. Those skilled

in the art will appreciate that there are a variety of sequences that encode for antibiotic

resistance, that are commonly used to select transfected cells. Those skilled in the art will

also appreciate that there other selection sequences other than those that encode for antibiotic

resistance.

"Sterility operon" refers to one or more genes added to a transfection vector that

cause a plant or other organism to be incapable of reproduction. Those skilled in the art will

appreciate that a successful sterility operon has been developed by and is currently being

used by Monsanto Corporation in their ROUNDUP READY™ soybeans. Those skilled in

the art will also appreciate that this is only one of many methods of inducing sterility within

a plant or other organism. Such methods are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,723,765,

6,297,426 and 6,228,643, all of which are incorporated by reference.

The present invention relates to the use of two or more nucleotide sequences to

construct a bioluminescence mechanism within plant cells. The resulting plants will

luminesce for at least a portion of a given time period. It is preferable to have the plant

luminesce in the evening or for at least a few hours.

The invention may be applied to any type of plant. The invention is especially

desirable in landscaping and houseplants. Trees, shrubs, flowers and grass are desirable plants for use in the present invention. These are plants typically found in the landscaping

of a home's curtilage, where increased security and pleasant appearance is highly desirable.

Both monocotyledons such as grasses and palms, and dicotyledons, such as trees and most

flowers, may be used in the present invention. Current plant transformation techniques,

discussed below, now provide for means for genetically modifying any type of plant.

Luciferases have been known to the art for some time. Their polynucleotide and

amino acids sequences, chromosomal loci, crystal structures and active sites have been

elucidated. Jellyfish luciferases having coelenterazine as a substrate typically have a

tyrosine peptide at their active sites. The family of jellyfish luciferases having

coelenterazine as their substrate include aequorin, obelin and renilla luciferase. These luciferases, known as coelenterate luciferases, are all suitable for the present invention.

They are capable of oxidizing coelenterazine in the presence of oxygen and calcium. This

makes them especially suitable for use with pre-coelenterazine encoding sequences.

Once a suitable luciferase/luciferin bioluminescence mechanism has been chosen,

appropriate nucleotide sequences are then utilized to transform, or "transfect," eukaryotic

cells. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are a number of methods for

transfecting a plant cell. The most common method of transfecting plant cells is to utilize

the "TI" plasmid from Agro-bacterium tumefaciens. The TI plasmid contains a T-DNA

segment that it transfers into the chromosome of a plant cell it has infected. The T-DNA of

the wild type agro bacterium may be replaced with a polynucleotide up to 25 Kb long. In

the present invention, a luciferase gene, a luciferin gene, promoters, and optional selections

sequence and optional additional control sequences, including targeting sequences, may be

inserted in the place of the T-DNA. Transfection by agro-bacterium will then result in a plant cell in which these polynucleotide sequences have been incorporated into its genome.

By exposing the plant cell to the appropriate amounts of hormones and nutrients, a fully

mature plants may be developed from the single cell.

The tumefaciens TI plasmid only tranfects dicotyledon cells, limiting its use,

however, the Agro-Bacterium rhizogenes has been found to successfully transfect

monocotyledon cells utilizing a similar TI plasmid. Those skilled in the art will appreciate

that different types of plant cells require different types of plasmids and bacteria in order to

successfully transfect plant cells.

Other methods for transforming plant cells exist. For example, the art of biolistics

has been utilized to transform plant cells. In this method, metal micro particles are coated

with the desired recombinant DNA. This recombinant DNA may be the same

polynucleotide described above. The DNA coated micro particles are then accelerated

using gunpowder, helium gas or other methods known to those skilled in the art, to a

velocity such that they may penetrate the plant cell. One of the advantages to biolistics is

that it can be utilized on any plant cell.

Micro-injection is another method of transforming plants. This involves the use of

a microscopic needle to penetrate and inject DNA directly into the plant cell nucleus.

Another transformation method suitable for all plant cell types is electroporation.

Electroporation involves shocking the plant cells with a powerful electric pulse. This

momentarily disrupts the plant cell membrane causing pores to form therein. Recombinant

polynucleotides in the surrounding solution then enter the plant cell through these pores.

Yet another method of transforming plant cells is to expose them to polyethylene

glycol (PEG). Exposure of plant cell protoplasts to PEG makes them momentarily permeable. Like electroporation, this allows the DNA in a surrounding solution to simply

seep into the cell.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are still other methods of

transforming plant cells, including the use of silicone fibers. Which method of

transformation is most suitable will depend on a variety of factors known to those skilled in

the art. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the type of plant cell being transformed,

the type of luciferase and luciferin genes being utilized, the size of the recombinant DNA

molecule to be inserted, the available facilities and the relative expenses of the methods.

Bacterial artificial chromosomes "BAC's" may be used to transform plant cells with

recombinant polynucleotide fragments up to 350 kb long. Furthermore, the TI plasmid from

Agro-Bacterium rhizogenes has been found to successfully transfect monocotyledon cells.

Binary vectors, like the pBIN 20 vector are plasmids that contain the TI plasma and bordered

sequences, allowing them to also transfect plant cells.

In plant cells transformed and grown into a mature plant, the bioluminescent

mechanism encoded by the recombinant DNA will be expressed according to the promoter used, and cause the plant to bioluminesce.

In one particular embodiment of the present invention, with reference to Figure 1,

recombinant TI plasmid 10 is utilized to transfect plant cells. Plasmid 10 is comprised of

virulence coding region 12, insert region 52 and non-coding regions 50. Non-coding regions

50 do not code for any peptides and have no control sequences . Origin of replacation region

48 contains sequences recognized by DNA polymerase and is the point at which replication

of the plasmid begins. Virulence region 12 is a relatively large operon that contains polynucleotides

sequences that code for the proteins that cause the Agro-Bacterium tumefaciens to invade

plant cells. These include virA 14, virB 16, virG 18, virC 20, virD 22, virE 24, virF 26 and

virH 28. The proteins and enzymes encoded by these genes detects chemicals released by

plants that have been wounded. They then allow attachment to and invasion into a plant

cell. They are components of a TI plasmid that are necessary in order for it to successfully

transfect a plant cell. Insertion region 52 contains all of the coding and control sequences

to be inserted into a plant's genome. Left border 32 and right border 30 each consist of a 25

base pair polynucleotide sequence that is responsible for inserting the insertion region 52

into the plant genome. Restriction regions 54 are each comprised of a series of restriction

sites. Those skilled in the art will be intimately familiar with restrictions sites. They are

very short sequences recognized by endonucleases and facilitate splicing of polynucleotide

sequences into the T-DNA region. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are

many known modifications of the TI plasmid Agro-Bacterium. There are at least several

dozen versions of the TI plasmid and the actual restriction sites present on regions 54 will

be determined by which modified TI plasmid is used, generally, which restriction sites are

used to splice desired insertion region DNA into. The plasmid makes no difference. It is

generally desirable to use different restriction sites on the 5' and 3' ends of an insertion

region recombinant DNA. This prevents plasmids from ligating to themselves without an

insertion region. It is also possible to use the same restriction enzyme on both the 5 and 3

ends.

Sequence 36 codes for a luciferase gene. It is regulated by promoter sequence 34.

In this particular embodiment, targeting sequence 46 is located at the 5' end of luciferase gene sequence 36. Targeting sequence 46 codes for an additional peptide sequence that is

added to the N' terminus end of the luciferase enzyme. This targeting sequence causes the

intracellular machinery to direct the luciferase enzyme to a specific organelle or region of

the cell. The targeting sequence may direct proteins to a variety of organelles including, but

not being limited to, the Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, lysosomes,

peroxisomes, the nucleosone or other organelles. Including targeting sequence 46 is optional

as the luciferase/luciferin reaction will go forward in the cytosol, however, targeting the

enzyme and its substrate to a specific organelle may be advantageous for a number of

reasons. Various organelles may have optimal pH, higher concentrations of O₂ ATP and/or

calcium. Also, directing all of the luciferase and luciferin to an organelle will result in a

higher relative concentration of the enzymes and accelerate the reaction. This has the result

of shortening the length of time it takes to consume the luciferin, but it also increases the brightness of the bioluminescent plant.

Promoter region 34 may be any of a variety of promoter sequences known in the art.

In this particular embodiment, the Cab2 promoter region of the a/b photo active complex is

used. The Cab2 promoter down regulates a downstream sequence when night falls. This

means the luciferase sequence will stop being expressed around dusk. Down regulating the

foreign sequence allows the plant to use its energy and amino acids and ribosomes for other,

natural functions. It is possible to utilize other promoters that are never turned off, i.e.

constitutive promotes. It is also possible to utilize promoters that up regulate at night and

down regulate during the day. It is known in the art that there are a number of promoter

regions relating to the "circadian" clock that regulate expression according to the amount of

sunlight to which they are exposed. Because the bioluminescence of these plants can only be seen in the dark, it is preferred that bioluminescence be regulated by the amount of light

they are exposed to. This is not necessary, however, and any desired promoter may be used.

A wide variety of plant promoters are known and may be used to facilitate expression

of the bioluminescing machinery in a variety of locations within a plant. In flowering plants,

it may be desirable to induce bioluminescence in the flowers themselves. Alternatively, it

may be desirable in fruiting plants to induce bioluminescence in the fruit only. The desired

location of the bioluminescence, the desired duration and the species of plant will determine

the promoter used.

Luciferin coding region 40 is similarly regulated by promoter region 38. It is

preferable that promoter sequence 34 and promoter sequence 38 are part of the same

sequence, but this is not necessary. In this particular embodiment, the luciferase utilizes

coelenterazine and coding region 40 codes for a pre-coelenterazine peptide, e.g. such as the

one described in the '668 patent to Ward et al, incorporated by reference. Once the gene

is transcribed and then translated into a polypeptide, the pre-coelenterazine polypeptide

spontaneously reacts with itself, resulting in a cyclic tripeptide comprised of two tyrosines

and a phenylalinine to form coelenterazine. Coelenterazine has a relatively short half life,

i.e. about one and a half to two hours, so it may be desirable to use a different promoter

sequence for promoter 38 than is used for promoter sequence 34. This promoter region 38

is comprised of the Cab2 or other circadian clock promoter that turns off in the nighttime.

As such, bioluminescence of this particular embodiment will only last a few hours after

dusk. It may be more desirable to utilize a promoter that turns on at dusk. It may also be

preferable to utilize a promoter that is not dependent upon the circadian clock. In this particular embodiment, luciferin gene 40 codes for pre-coelenterazine. Those

skilled in the art will appreciate that other luciferins may require a metabolic pathway and

therefore an operon of more than one gene in order to form intracellular luciferin. Those

skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be comprised of these other

more complex operons in place of a single polypeptide. As also known in the art and

described herein, the use of an alternative luciferin would require use of an alternative

luciferase gene 36.

This particular embodiment also includes a selection sequence 42 coding for

kanamycin resistance. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this is only one of several

possible selection sequences. Other ubiquitous antibiotic resistance selections sequences

include those that confer resistance to streptomycin and hygromycin. Those skilled in the

art will also appreciate that a selection sequence is not per se necessary, because

bioluminescence itself may serve as the selecting marker. It is still possible to use antibiotic

resistance or other selection markers, if desired.

Certain promoter regions require additional genes to assist in regulating them. It is

possible to include these genes in insertion region 52. In this particular embodiment, Cab2

promoter regions are used and additional control sequences are therefore unnecessary.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the use of Cab2 means that this plasmid will be

appropriate for transforming arabidopsis, as well as other plants. Which promoter will be

used will depend upon the type of plant being transformed as well as the desired timing of

the bioluminescence.

Figure 2 shows a method for forming a bioluminescent plant utilizing the plasmid

shown in Figure 1. Plasmid 10 is inserted into Agro-bacterium tumefaciens and is placed in an inoculation solution 64 along with leaf fragment 62. Leaf fragment 62 has torn

portions 72 where the leaf has been wounded. Once leaf fragment 62 has been inoculated,

it is transferred to petri dish 66 having growth medium 76. Growth medium 76 has nutrients

sufficient to keep transfected cells alive. Leaf fragments 62 now has a region of transfected

cells 74 along wounded portion 72. Maturing solution 68 is repeatedly added to petri dish

66. Maturing solution 68 is comprised of nutrients and hormones that cause the transfected

cells to develop into a mature plant. In this particular embodiment, the transfected cells are

left on leaf fragment 62 to result in a single transgenic plant 70. Those skilled in the art will

appreciate that each transfected cell may be separated and grown into a mature plant by

itself. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this diagram is a simplification of the

process and that there are many steps involved and may take several weeks or months to

develop a young plant. In the case of transgenic trees and large shrubs, that may be several

years before a mature transgenic bioluminescent plant develops.

It may be desirable to insure that these transgenic bioluminescent plants are sterile.

Those who oppose the genetic modification of organisms may be more accepting of these

plants if they are incapable of reproducing. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that

methods for making genetically modified organisms sterile have already been developed.

Such methods are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,723,765, 6,297,426 and 6,228,643,

referred to supra. Those skilled in the art of embryology will appreciate that there are

several promoter sequences that are regulated by the age of the organism. When plants first

sprout, a number of promoters are turned on and the number of promoters are turned off.

Several of these promoters will eventually be turned off as the plant ages and some of the

promoters will be turned on as the plant ages. Recombinant polynucleotides having genes to be inserted into a plants genome may include an operon that is activated by an early

development promoter sequence. This would cause the operon, illustrated as operon 44 in

Figure 1 , to induce production of a toxin which would kill the seedling. This would prevent

the plant from producing offspring.

In this particular embodiment, toxin gene sequence 44 codes for a ribosomal

inhibitory protein (RIP) that inhibits intracellular machinery. Promoter 58 has any of a number of promoter sequences known to those skilled in the art that are active at the time

of germination but are inactive shortly thereafter. Sequences 58 and 44 are optional.

Not all luciferin catabolic pathways have been elucidated. However, those skilled in the art will realize that there are a variety of methods to accomplish this. One preferred method is the utilization of a genomic library. For example, the entire genome of a particular species may be chopped into several shorter strands of DNA. Chromosomes are mixed with one or more restriction enzymes, resulting in the chromosomes being cut into many strands of DNA. The restriction enzymes are then deactivated by denaturation or other methods known in the art. The DNA strands are then inserted into plasmids, phagemids, cosmids or BAC's. Those skilled in the art will recognize that this process is commonly used to form genomic libraries of various species. Individual plant cells may be cultured in a petri dish, liquid media or other means known in the art. They are then transformed with the TI plasmid or other methods as described above. This transformation is utilized to

insert DNA coding for a luciferase protein. Using control sequences, such as kanamycin resistance disclosed above, is a common method for selectively growing only transformed plant cells. The successfully transformed plant cells are capable of expressing luciferase. The C b2 promoter, temperature sensitive promoter, or other means may be used to regulate translation and transcription of the luciferase gene. These plant cells having the luciferase gene encoded in them may then be transformed a second time, using the genomic library created by the method described above. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the luciferase used in the initial transformation of the plant cells must come from the same species from which the DNA library is derived. Those skilled in the art of bioluminescence are aware that luciferases from various species are generally incompatible with luciferins from other species.

A control sequence located within the plasmid, phagemid, cosmid or B AC used to make the library is preferably different from the control sequence used in the initial transformation. For example, if the initial plasmid possesses kanamycin resistance, it would be preferable if the second polynucleotide sequence used for transformation encode resistance to another antibiotic, such as gentamycin. The transformed plant cells may then be grown in a media containing both kanamycin and gentamycin such that it is selected only for plant cells that contain both plasmids. This results in selection for plants that have incorporated within them a luciferase gene and a portion of a genomic library. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is likely that the operon coding for the luciferin catabolic pathway is present in at least one of these twice transformed plant cells. The plant cells are then grown under conditions that provide for expression of the luciferase gene and the genes of the genomic library. Any plant cells that catabolize luciferin will bioluminesce. These plant cells may then be grown into mature plants that bioluminesce. Alternatively, it may be desirable to isolate plant cells that bioluminesce and identify the polynucleotide sequence responsible for luciferin catabolism. Once the luciferin catabolism operon has been isolated, it may be incorporated into the same plasmid, phagemid, cosmid or BAC as the original luciferase gene. This new transforming

polynucleotide may be used to transform plant cells, thereby providing bioluminescing plant cells by means of a single transformation. The cells may then be grown up into mature plants that bioluminesce.

The method described above may be utilized to elucidate luciferase/luciferin genes from many species. One example of additional modifications to a plant cell in order to facilitate bioluminescence is presented in the addition of the lux operon into plants. The lux operon has generally been thought to be ineffective in plant cells. This is due, in part to the lack of available flavin mononucleotide that is not bound to flavoproteins and is both free within the cytosol and is present in its reduced state. FMNH₂ is a required substrate for the lux bioluminescence reaction. To ensure that adequate FMNH₂ is present in the cytosol, two steps may be taken. First an FMN reductase gene is incorporated into the transforming polynucleotide. It may be regulated by the same or different promoter used to regulate the luciferase and/or luciferin genes. It is generally desirable that the reductase protein be expressed in an amount sufficient to provide adequate amounts of FMNH₂ to facilitate the bioluminescent reaction. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that over-expression of the reductase protein may disrupt intracellular chemistry.

Another method of regulating the amount of intracellular FMNH₂ is to include within the transforming polynucleotide an operon encoding the proteins necessary for FMNH₂ catabolism. Appropriate promoter sequences may be used in order to provide an adequate amount of free FMNH₂ in the cytosol. This operon may or may not include an FMN

reductase gene.

Yet another method of providing free FMNH, in the cytosol is to include in the transforming polynucleotide a control sequence that up regulates the native FMNH, catabolic pathway within the plant cell. This up regulating control sequence may itself be regulated by a promoter region that controls the degree of up regulation of the native FMNH₂ catabolism operon.

Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method for making a transgenic bioluminescent plant comprising:

transfecting at least one plant cell with at least one vector encoding a gene

for a luciferase and a gene for a luciferin that is compatible with the encoded

luciferase;

growing said at least one plant cell into a mature plant; and,

providing a means for regulation of expression of said gene for encoding luciferase and said gene for encoding luciferin.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said gene encoding for a luciferase is a gene

encoding for aequorin.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said gene encoding for a luciferase is a gene

encoding for obelin.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said gene encoding for a luciferase is a gene

encoding for renilla luciferase.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said gene encoding for a luciferin encodes for a

coelenterazine precursor.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said vector further comprises a sterility operon and

is incapable of reproduction.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said sterility operon encodes a at least one gene

sequence for a toxin having a upstream promoter sequence that is activated at the

time of germination but is not activated in a mature plant.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said toxin is a ribosomal inhibitor protein.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said means for regulating the expression of said gene

encoding for luciferase and said gene encoding for luciferin is the rubisco 5'

promoter region.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said gene encoding for a luciferase further includes

a targeting sequence such that the expressed polypeptide is directed to a specific

organelle.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said specific organelle is selected from the group

consisting of perixosomes, lysosomes, mitochondria, cliloroplasts, golgi apparati and

nucleoli.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said means for regulating the expression of said gene

encoding for luciferase and said gene encoding for luciferin is the rubisco 5'

promoter region.

13. A transgenic plant formed by the method of claim 1 wherein said luciferase encoding

gene encodes for aequorin, and said luciferin encoding gene encodes for a pre- coelenterazine protein and wherein said luciferase encoding gene and said luciferin

encoding gene are regulated by the rubisco small unit 5' promoter region.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein said means for regulating the expression of said gene

encoding for luciferase and said gene encoding for luciferin is the Cab2 promoter

region.

15. A transgenic bioluminescent plant comprising:

at least one plant cell;

a recombinant segment of DNA incorporated into the genome of said at least

one plant cell;

wherein said recombinant DNA comprises at least one gene encoding a

luciferase and at least one gene encoding for at least one protein capable of forming

an intracellular luciferin; and,

at least one 5' promoter sequence upstream from said gene encoding a

luciferase and at least one 5' promoter sequence upstream from said at least one gene

encoding for at least one protein capable of forming an intracellular luciferin.

16. The plant of claim 15 wherein said gene encoding for a luciferase encodes for

aequorin.

17. The plant of claim 15 wherein said gene encoding for a luciferase encodes for obelin.

18. The plant of claim 15 wherein said gene encoding for a luciferase encodes for renilla luciferase.

19. The plant of claim 15 wherein said gene encoding for a luciferin encodes for a coelenterazine pre-cursor.

20. The plant of claim 15 wherein said recombinant segment of DNA further comprises

a sterility operon and is incapable of reproduction.

21. The plant of claim 20 wherein said sterility operon comprises a gene encoding for

a toxin having a 5 ' promoter sequence that is activated at the time of germination but

deactivated in mature plants.

22. The plant of claim 15 wherein said at least one 5' promoter sequence upstream from

said gene encoding for luciferase and said at least one 5' promoter sequence

upstream from said at least one gene encoding for at least one protein capable of

forming an intracellular luciferin is selected from the group consisting of the Cab2

promoter region and the rubisco promoter region.

23. A method for creating a bioluminescent plant comprising:

transforming a plant cell with a transforming polynucleotide having a gene encoding

a luciferase enzyme;

transforming the plant cell a second time with transforming polynucleotides from a genomic library;

selecting plant cells capable of bioluminescence; and

growing the bioluminescing plant cells into mature plants.

24. A method for creating bioluminescent plants comprising:

providing free reduced flavin mononucleotide in the cytosol pf plant cells;

transforming the plant cells with a transforming polynucleotide having the lux operon

incorporated in it; and

growing the plant cells into mature plants.