AU743540B2 - Gene sequences useful in diagnosing fungal infection in plants - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

(ORIGINAL)

IP Australia Documents received on: 2a SEP 1999

(D

Batch No: E a a.

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventors: Address for Service: Invention Title: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, of Limestone Avenue, Campbell ACT 2601, Australia Anthony J PRYOR and James K ROBERTS DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, of 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia "Gene sequences useful in diagnosing fungal infection in plants" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: -1- P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/9/99 1A- GENETIC SEQUENCES USEFUL IN DIAGNOSING FUNGAL INFECTION IN PLANTS The present invention relates generally to genetic sequences which are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections in plants which involve a susceptible interaction between a fungal pathogen and the host plant. In particular, the present invention provides genetic sequences, such as structural genes and fragments thereof, the expression of which is induced in response to a susceptible interaction between a plant and a fungal pathogen. By virtue of their pattern of expression, the structural genes and fragments are useful in methods 10 for the detection of infection by a fungal pathogen in a susceptible interaction and for the .9.9.9 production oftransgenic plants with improved resistance to said fungal pathogen. The present invention is particularly useful for developing disease resistance in crop varieties.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires 15 otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

2 Bibliographic details of the publications referred to by author in this specification are collected at the end of the description. Sequence identity numbers (SEQ ID NOs.) for the nucleotide and amino acid sequences referred to in the specification are defined after the bibliography.

Advances in plant biotechnology have dramatically altered the approaches taken to increase the economic output of productive units of agriculture. Of major significance to the agricultural and horticultural industries are the reduced productivity, due to infection by plant pathogens. Plant fungal pathogens, in particular rust fungi, represent an especially significant problem amongst broadacre crops such as legume and cereal grains. Biotechnology offers considerable scope for addressing this problem, by introducing recombinant genes into plants that either kill or disable a fungal pathogen, or restrict a fungal pathogen to a limited zone of infection, thereby preventing significant deterioration of an economically-important crop. Thus, P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9199 -2the development of disease resistant plants by biotechnological means, is an important goal in agricultural and horticultural research.

Genetic analyses indicate that rust resistance genes of the plant genome control specific recognition of the products of rust avirulence genes. An interaction between a rust pathogen and a plant host may be classed as either "resistant" or "susceptible" depending on how the fungal infection proceeds. In a resistant interaction, infection by a fungal pathogen produces a "plant hypersensitive response" (Marineau et al, 1987; Dixon and Lamb, 1990) resulting in cell death to limit spread of the fungus. During the hypersensitive response, the expression of several S 10 infection-related genes, for example genes encoding phytoalexins, antimicrobial agents and pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, is switched on. In contrast, a susceptible interaction involves no hypersensitive cell death and the infection alters host cell gene expression in such a way as to provide gene products that are essential for the biotrophic growth of an obligate plant pathogen. Thus, the two processes are quite distinct, involving different host cell genes and mechanisms regulating the expression of said host cell genes. This distinction is of paramount importance. For example, those host genes induced in a susceptible interaction may be essential to allow the rust to grow in the plant tissues.

Most studies have concentrated an identifying and manipulating genes encoding proteins *o.

involved in the hypersensitive response of the resistant interaction (Collinge and Slusarenko, 1987; Dixon and Lamb, 1990; Keen, 1992; van Loon, 1985; Ohashi and Ohshima, 1992).

Marlini and Strittmatter (Patent Application WO 9319188) have constructed a fungusresponsive chimaeric gene, using a promoter sequence from the prpl gene, in particular the prpl-1 gene, to direct expression of a "killer" gene in plant cells infected by a fungal pathogen.

However the prpl genetic sequence is induced in a resistant interaction only in a pathogenesis-related fungal infection). Although genetic sequences such as the prpl gene may provide a means of control of a pathogen in a resistant interaction, the isolation of host cell genetic sequences involved in a susceptible interaction between a plant and a fungal pathogen has not been a straightforward procedure.

In full-susceptible interactions between the flax plant Linum usitatissimum and the flax P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 -3rust Melampsora lini, there is no immediate host cell death or chlorosis. Instead, host cell metabolism is directed toward the production of viable fungal spores, including for example, the translocation of photosynthates via the haustorium or fungal absorptive organ to the fungal mycelium. Although altered patterns of protein synthesis have been observed following a susceptible rust infection of flax plants (Sutton and Shaw, 1986), it has not been possible, until the present invention, to differentiate between fungal protein synthesis and modifications to plant protein synthesis. Thus, the isolation of flax genetic sequences, the expression of which is induced during a susceptible rust infection, has not been a straightforward procedure.

S 10 In work leading up to the present invention, the inventors sought to develop plants with improved resistance to fungal pathogens which would otherwise infect the plant in a susceptible interaction. Accordingly, the inventors identified plant genetic sequences in flax and maize, the expression of which increases in response to a susceptible rust infection. The cloning of these sequences provides a means of generating transgenic plants with de novo, improved, or 15 otherwise enhanced antifungal properties. In particular, by placing a cytotoxic gene, anti-fungal gene, antisense, ribozyme or co-supression molecule operably under control of a promoter sequence derived from a genetic sequence which is normally transcriptionally up-regulated in response to a susceptible infection, and introducing the resulting chimeric gene into a plant, disease resistance against said fungal pathogen is conferred or otherwise facilitated in said plant.

20 The present invention also permits the screening, through genetic or immunological means, similar susceptible reaction-responsive (SRR) genetic sequences in other plants, for use in developing or enhancing the antifungal properties of commercially- and economically-important species.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention comprises an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence of nucleotides which is capable of conferring, activating, enhancing or otherwise increasing the expression of a structural gene in response to a susceptible interaction between a host plant and a fungal pathogen.

Hereinafter the term "susceptible reaction-responsive promoter" or "SRR promoter", or similar term shall be used to define a nucleic acid molecule which is capable of activating or P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/9/99 -4increasing the expression of a structural gene following interaction between a host plant or host plant cell and a fungal pathogen capable of producing a susceptible infection in said host.

Reference herein to a "promoter" is to be taken in its broadest context and includes the cis-regulatory sequences of a classical genomic gene, including the TATA box which is required for accurate transcription initiation, with or without a CCAAT box sequence and additional regulatory elements upstream activating sequences, enhancers and silencers) which alter gene expression in response to developmental and/or environmental stimuli, or in a tissuespecific manner. A promoter is usually, but not necessarily, positioned upstream or of a 1 0 structural gene, the expression of which it regulates. Furthermore, the regulatory elements comprising a promoter are usually positioned within 2 kb of the start site of transcription of the gene.

In the present context, the term "promoter" is also used to describe a synthetic or fusion 15 molecule, or derivative which confers, activates or enhances expression of a structural gene or other nucleic acid molecule, in response to a susceptible interaction between a host and a fungal ot. pathogen. Preferred SRR promoters may contain additional copies of one or more specific regulatory elements to further enhance expression following fungal infection, and/or to alter the time taken between infection and the enhanced expression, the only requirement being that the Q 20 SRR promoters are derived from naturally-occurring SRR promoters by standard recombinant techniques.

Generally, an SRR promoter sequence may be subjected to mutagenesis to produce single or multiple nucleotide substitutions, deletions and/or additions. Nucleotide insertional derivatives of the SRR promoter sequence of the present invention include 5' and 3' terminal fusions as well as intra-sequence insertions of single or multiple nucleotides. Insertional nucleotide sequence variants are those in which one or more nucleotides are introduced into a predetermined site in the nucleotide sequence although random insertion is also possible with suitable screening of the resulting product. Deletional variants are characterised by the removal of one or more nucleotides from the sequence. Substitutional nucleotide variants are those in which at least one nucleotide in the sequence has been removed and a different nucleotide P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 inserted in its place.

The present invention therefore, is directed in one embodiment to the SRR promoter sequences of a classical genomic gene the expression of which is up-regulated in response to a susceptible interaction between a host plant and a fungal pathogen, wherein said SRR promoter sequences confer or activate high-level expression on the gene as a result of said susceptible interaction. It will also be known to those skilled in the art that the activation of gene expression which is observed following a susceptible interaction between a host plant and a i °"fungal pathogen is the result of an interaction between said SRR promoter sequences and any number of cell-specific trans-acting transcription factors. However, the present invention lies in the nucleic acid molecule which comprises said SRR promoter sequences which are particularly useful in conferring high-level expression in a plant cell, on any structural gene to which it is operably linked, wherein the activated expression is in response to a susceptible interaction. For the successful performance of the present invention, it is not necessary that the trans-acting transcription factors are isolated or even known, merely that a plant cell carrying the nucleic acid molecule of the invention produces said factors.

As used herein, the term "structural gene" shall be taken in its broadest context to refer °•to the transcribed portion of a gene comprising a DNA segment encoding a protein, polypeptide 20 or a portion thereof and includes introns, exons, 5' and 3' untranslated regions of a gene. A structural gene may constitute an uninterrupted coding sequence or it may include one or more introns, bounded by the appropriate plant-functional splice junctions. A structural gene may be a composite or segments derived from a plurality of sources, naturally occurring or synthetic.

A structural gene may also encode a fusion protein.

Expression of a structural gene in a cell is regulated by the cis-regulatory sequences to which it is operably linked. The cis-regulatory sequence may be a homologous or heterologous sequence, relative to the structural gene.

A homologous cis-regulatory sequence is one which is operably linked to a particular structural gene in the cell from which it was originally isolated, without any genetic P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 -6manipulation having been performed thereon. A classical genomic gene, therefore, comprises a homologous cis-regulatory sequence operably linked to a structural gene.

Hereinafter, the term "genetically-linked in vivo to a structural gene" shall be taken to define such homologous cis-regulatory sequences.

A heterologous cis-regulatory sequence is one which is operably linked to a structural gene other than the structural gene to which it would be linked in the absence of human intervention.When a heterologous cis-regulatory sequence is operably linked to a structural S 10 gene, the resulting gene is usually termed a "chimeric gene".

Those skilled in the art are aware that the percentage nucleotide sequence identity between homologous genomic genes isolated from different species is highest within the region comprising the structural gene, in particular the coding region thereof. Furthermore, although 15 the cis-regulatory sequences of such homologous genomic genes may possess some nucleotide sequence identity, the regions of highest identity are usually limited to short stretches of approximately 6-10 nucleotides in length. However, features of secondary structure in the cisregulatory sequences as a whole, which may be as long as 2.5 kilobases, may contribute to the "•-overall regulatory activity of any particular cis-regulatory sequence.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention, provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule which is capable of conferring or activating expression on a structural gene in response to a susceptible interaction between a plant cell and a fungal pathogen, wherein said nucleic acid molecule is genetically-linked in vivo to a structural gene which is at least 40% identical to the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a complementary strand thereof.

Preferably, the percentage similarity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 is at least More preferably, the percentage similarity is at least 60-65%. Still more preferably, the percentage similarity is at least 70-75%. Even more preferably, the percentage similarity as at least 80-90%, including at least 91% or 93% or P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/9/99 -7- For the purposes of nomenclature, the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 is the flax Fisi structural gene. The flax Fis] genomic gene was is normally expressed in rsponse to a susceptible interaction beween the flax plant Linum usitatissimum and the flax rust Melampsora lini (Table for example between L. usitatissimum cv. Hoshangabad and M. lini CH5, as described in Example 1 described herein.

In an alternative embodiment, the present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule which is capable of conferring or activating expression on a structural gene in response to a susceptible interaction between a plant cell and a fungal pathogen, wherein said nucleic acid "10 molecule is genetically-linked in vivo to a structural gene which hybridises under at least low stringency conditions to the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a complementary strand thereof.

For the purposes of defining the level of stringency, a low stringency is defined herein 15 as being a hybridisation and/or a wash carried out in 6xSSC buffer, 0.1% SDS at 28 C.

Generally, the stringency is increased by reducing the concentration of SSC buffer, and/or increasing the concentration of SDS and/or increasing the temperature of the hybridisation and/or wash. Conditions for hybridisations and washes are well understood by one normally skilled in the art. For the purposes of clarification, (to parameters affecting hybridisation 20 between nucleic acid molecules), reference is found in pages 2.10.8 to 2.10.16. of Ausubel et al. (1987), which is herein incorporated by reference.

More preferably, the present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule which is capable of conferring or activating expression on a structural gene in response to a susceptible interaction between a plant cell and a fungal pathogen, wherein said nucleic acid molecule: is genetically-linked in vivo to a structural gene which hybridises under at least low stringency conditions to the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or a complementary strand thereof; and (ii) is genetically-linked in vivo to a structural gene which is at least 40% identical to the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a complementary strand thereof.

P\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 -8- In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided an isolated nucleic acid molecule which is capable of conferring or activating expression on a structural gene in response to a susceptible interaction between a plant cell and a fungal pathogen, wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises a sequence of nucleotides of at least 2 kb in length, wherein said sequence includes at the 5'-end the sequence of nucleotides set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 or a homologue, analogue or derivative thereof and at the 3'-end the sequence of nucleotides set forth in SEQ ID NO:4 or a homologue, analogue or derivative thereof.

For the purposes of nomenclature, the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 3 and/or SEQ ID NO: 4 relate to the 5' and 3' ends of the Fis 1 gene promoter isolated from flax, which is capable of inducing expression of the flax Fis 1 gene following infection with flax rust, in a susceptible interaction. The complete nucleotide sequence of the Fis I promoter, intervening between SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4, is contained in a single 2.2 kb DNA fragment, as described in Example 5 below. The utility of this nucleic acid molecule is exemplified in, but not limited to, the disclosures of Examples 7, 8, and 9 below.

More particularly preferred, the isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention comprises a sequence of nucleotides which is capable of hybridising under at least low stringency conditions to the SRR promoter sequence of the flax Fisl gene contained in the 20 microorganism deposited under AGAL Accession No. N96/027087.

Optionally, the isolated nucleic molecule according to these particularly preferred embodiments of the invention is operably linked to a structural gene.

Those skilled in the art will be aware that the expression of any structural gene may be operably linked to the isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention and as a consequence, the scope of the present invention extends to the use of any structural gene, the expression of which is desired to be increased in response to a susceptible infection by a fungal pathogen.

In a most particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structural gene is a reporter gene selected from the list comprising the bacterial P-glucuronidase (uidA or GUS) P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/9/99 -9and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase genes and the firefly luciferase gene, amongst others or a cytotoxin gene for example the Barnase gene or other gene encoding a ribonuclease enzyme, amongst others.

Cytotoxin genes are well-known to those skilled in the art, as are the methods required for the genetic manipulation and expression in transgenic plants. Whilst not being bound by any theory or mode of action, wherein the structural gene encodes a cytotoxin molecule, the expression of said structural gene in a plant under the control of the SRR promoter sequences of the invention, will be induced in response to a susceptible interaction between said plant and 10 a fungal pathogen, thereby killing the plant cells at the site of infection and preventing the •spread of the fungal pathogen to other sites on the same plant or to neighbouring plants.

invention to control the expression of a nucleotide sequence encoding an antisense or a 15 ribozyme molecule, wherein said ribozyme or antisense molecule is capable of inhibiting the expression of a gene required for viability of a plant cell. According to this embodiment, the expression of said antisense or ribozyme molecule will kill the cells which have been infected by an invading fungal pathogen in a susceptible interaction between said pathogen and plant, thereby preventing the continued growth or reproduction of the fungal pathogen in the infected 20 plant, analogous to the mode of action of a cytotoxin gene placed operably under the control of an SRR promoter sequence.

The invention further contemplates the use of the SRR promoter sequence of the invention to control the expression of a nucleotide sequence encoding a ribozyme, antisense or co-supression molecule, wherein said ribozyme, antisense or co-supression molecule is capable of inhibiting the expression of a fungal gene, for example a fungal gene which is required for fungal growth or reproduction. According to this embodiment, the expression of said antisense or ribozyme molecule will prevent the continued growth or reproduction of the fungal pathogen in the infected plant following a susceptible interaction, thereby conferring some degree of protection on the host plant.

P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/9/99 Ribozymes are synthetic RNA molecules which comprise a hybridising region complementary to two regions, each of at least 5 contiguous nucleotide bases in the target mRNA. In addition, ribozymes possess highly specific endoribonuclease activity, which autocatalytically cleaves the target mRNA. A complete description of the function of ribozymes is presented by Haseloff and Gerlach (1988) and contained in International Patent Application No. W089/05852. The present invention extends to ribozymes which target an mRNA encoding an SR gene product.

Antisense molecules are nucleic acid molecules which are capable of forming a double- 10 stranded duplex with an mRNA molecule, thereby preventing its translation into a polypeptide.

Co-suppression is the reduction in expression of an endogenous gene that occurs when one or more copies of said gene, or one or more copies of a substantially similar gene are introduced into the cell.

The present invention is particularly directed to an SRR promoter, preferably the flax Fis 1 gene promoter, that induces host gene expression in a susceptible interaction between the flax plant Linum usitatissimum and the flax rust Melampsora lini. Examples of flax SRR promoter sequences that induce gene expression in a susceptible interaction with a flax rust, 20 include, but are not limited to, the flax Fis 1 gene promoter sequence.

The subject invention clearly contemplates other sources of SRR promoter sequences, such as but not limited to the cereal plants wheat, maize, barley, rye, oats and rice amongst others. According to this embodiment of the present invention, non-limiting examples of potential sources of SRR promoter sequences and the susceptible host/rust interactions in which they induce gene expression, is presented in Table 1.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the present invention extends to the SRR promoter sequence from the maize Misi gene which is induced in the susceptible interaction between maize and the maize rust Puccinia sorghi, in particular between maize and P. sorghi race 1.

P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/9/99 -11- TABLE 1: Examples of susceptible interactions between plant species and their respective fungal pathogens

S

PATHOGEN

Puccinia graminis Puccinia striformis Puccinia recondita Puccinia hordei Puccinia coronata Puccinia sorghi Puccinia polysora Puccinia purpurea Puccinia sacchari Puccinia kuehnii Puccinia arachidis Puccinia stachmanii Uromyces striatus medicaginis Uromyces phaseoli Hemileia vastatrix Melampsora lini Gymnosporangiumjuniperi-virginianae Cronartium ribicola Cronartium fusiforme HOST PLANT wheat, barley and rye wheat and rye rye and wheat barley oat maize maize sorghum sugar cane sugar cane peanut cotton alfalfa phaseolus beans coffee rust flax cedar and apple white pine loblolly and slash pine The genetic sequences comprising an SRR promoter sequence may correspond to the naturally-occurring sequence, or may differ by one or more nucleotide substitutions, deletions and/or additions.

It is understood in the art that modifications may be made to the structural arrangement of specific enhancer and promoter elements of the SRR promoter molecule described herein P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/9/99 -12without destroying the improved enhancing activity of gene expression. For example, it is contemplated that a substitution may be made in the choices of plant-expressible enhancer and promoter elements without significantly affecting the function of the recombinant SRR promoter molecule of this invention. Further, it is contemplated that nucleotide sequences homologous to the active enhancer elements utilized herein may be employed advantageously, either as a substitution or an addition to the recombinant promoter construct for improved gene expression in plant cells, in response to infection of said plant cell with a rust fungus, in a susceptible interaction. It will also be understood by one normally skilled in the art that the function of an SRR promoter sequence also results from the arrangement, orientation and spacing of the 10 difference enhancer elements with respect to one another, and with respect to the position of the S.: TATA box. Accordingly, the present invention extends to SRR promoter sequences and any functional promoters, derivatives, parts, fragments, homologues, or analogues thereof, or nonfunctional molecules which are at least useful as, for example genetic probes in the isolation of similar sequences, or primer sequences in the enzymatic or chemical synthesis of said gene, or in the generation of immunologically interactive recombinant molecules.

The SR structural genetic sequence is particularly useful in isolating the homologous SRR promoter to which it is operably linked in vivo. Thus, by using the SR structural gene as a probe, or to design PCR primers, it is possible to isolate SRR promoter sequences which fall 20 within the scope of the present invention. For example, the inventors have used the Fisl promoter sequence to isolate the corresponding maize Misl gene, via the Fisl structural gene intermediate, as described in Example 11 incorporated herein.

The present invention clearly extends to a genetic sequence comprising at least, the coding region ofa gene, hereinafter defined as a "susceptible reaction structural gene", or "SR structural gene" which, in its native state is expressed in response to a susceptible interaction between a host and a rust fungus. Reference herein to "SR structural genes" is to be taken in its broadest context and includes: a classical genomic SR structural gene consisting of transcriptional and/or translational regulatory sequences and/or a coding region and/or non-translated sequences introns, and untranslated sequences); or P:\OPER\MRO\SPCIF-I\FISGENEDIV -30/10/01 -13- (ii) mRNA or cDNA corresponding to the coding regions exons) and and 3'untranslated sequences of the gene.

The term "SR structural gene" is also used to describe synthetic or fusion molecules encoding all or part of a functional product. Preferred SR structural genes may be derived from a naturally-occurring SR structural gene by standard recombinant techniques. Generally, an SR structural gene may be subjected to mutagenesis to produce single or multiple nucleotide substitutions, deletions and/or additions. Nucleotide insertional derivatives of the SR structural gene of the present invention include 5' and 3' terminal fusions as well as intra-sequence insertions of single or multiple nucleotides. Insertional nucleotide sequence variants are those in which one or more nucleotides are introduced into a predetermined site in the nucleotide sequence although random insertion is also possible with suitable screening of the resulting product. Deletional variants are characterised by the removal of one or more nucleotides from the sequence. Substitutional nucleotide variants are those in which at least one nucleotide in the sequence has been removed and a different nucleotide inserted in its place. Such a substitution may be "silent" in that the substitution does not change the amino acid defined by the codon. Alternatively, substituents are designed to alter one amino acid for another similar acting amino acid, or amino acid of like charge, polarity, or hydrophobicity.

Accordingly, a second aspect of the present invention is directed to an isolated nucleic acid molecule which comprises an SR structural gene which is capable of being induced in response to a susceptible interaction between a host plant and a fungal pathogen, wherein said SR structural gene comprises a sequence of nucleotides which is at least 70% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1 or a complementary strand thereof.

Preferably, said SR structural gene comprises a sequence of nucleotides which corresponds or is complementary to a sequence which is at least 70% identical to the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, more preferably at least about 75% and even still more preferably at least about 80-90% identity to SEQ ID NO:1 or a complementary starnd thereof..

In an alternative embodiment of this aspect of the inventon, said nucleic acid molecule is capable of hybridising under at least low stringency conditions to the nucleic acid molecule set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, or to a complementary strand thereof.

P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 -14- According to this aspect, said SR structural gene encodes, or is complementary to a sequence encoding, a polypeptide which is expressed in response to a susceptible interaction between a host and a rust fungus.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, said SR structural gene is the flax Fisl gene set forth in SEQ ID NO: which encodes the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or a homologue, analogue or derivative thereof.

The SR structural gene is particularly useful as a molecular tag in the identification of 10 homologous nucleic acid molecules which are expressed in response to a susceptible infection by a fungal pathogen. This attribute of the SR structural gene arises from the fact that it is normally expressed under the control of an SRR promoter sequence, for example the flax Fisl promoter sequence and, as a consequence, expression of the homologous sequence is upregulated in the cell in response to said fungal infection. In this regard, the SR structural gene 15 is useful in the detection of increased expression of any SR structural gene to which it is capable of hybridising or to which at least 10 contiguous nucleotides derived therefrom are capable of hybridising under at least low stringency conditions.

oAccordingly, the present invention provides, in a further aspect, a method of detecting 20 infection of a plant by a fungal pathogen which is capable of forming a susceptible interaction therewith, said method comprising the step of detecting increased expression of an SR structural gene in said plant.

Preferably, said step of detecting increased expression is performed by contacting a nucleic acid molecule derived from said plant with a second nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: or a fragment of at least 10 contiguous nucleotides in length derived therefrom for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow a double-stranded nucleic acid molecule to form.

More preferably, the second nucleic acid molecule is labelled with a reporter molecule such as a radioactive or biotinylated molecule, enzyme, antibody or any other molecule which P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 can be assayed by known methods. According to this embodiment, the amount of bound nucleic acid molecule formed during the hybridisation step can be assayed by determining the amount of bound reporter molecule.

The method according to this aspect of the invention is particularly applicable to the detection of an infection in a plant by a fungal pathogen, wherein said plant and respective fungal pathogen is selected from the list of pathogen:host plant combinations set forth in Table 1.

S 10 The SRR promoter sequence and/or the SR structural genetic sequence of the present .***invention are further useful in the isolation of said related SRR promoter sequences and SR structural genes from other plants. Where the level of nucleotide sequence identity between the SRR promoter sequnce of the invention and the related sequence is sufficiently high, it is possible to use the SRR promoter directly as a hybridisation probe. However, where there is insufficient nucleotide sequence similarity between the SRR promoter of the invention and a functionally-related SRR promoter, the related SR structural gene and/or the genomic clone equivalents thereof may be isolated first and used in turn to isolate the related SRR promoter sequence.

*o According to this embodiment, there is contemplated a method for identifying a related SRR promoter sequence, or SR structural genetic sequence, said method comprising contacting genomic DNA, or mRNA, or cDNA, or parts of fragments thereof, or a source thereof, with a hybridisation-effective amount of a first SRR promoter sequence or first SR structural gene, or a part thereof, and then detecting said hybridisation.

The related SRR promoter sequence or SR structural genetic sequence may be in a recombinant form, in a virus particle, bacteriophage particle, yeast cell, animal cell, or a plant cell. Preferably, the related genetic sequence originates from Triticum aestivum or similar plant such as barley, rye, oats, maize or rice and/or wild varieties and/or hybrids or derivatives and/or ancestral progenitors of same. In addition, the related genetic sequence may be bound to a support matrix, for example nylon, nitrocellulose, polyacrylamide, agarose, amongst others.

P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 16- Preferably, the first SRR promoter sequence, or first SR structural genetic sequence, is from flax, or other plant such as wheat, barley, rye, oats, maize or rice.

Preferably, the SR structural gene comprises a sequence ofnucleotides which is capable of hybridising under at least low stringency conditions to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a complement, homologue, analogue or derivative thereof.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the SRR promoter sequence comprises a sequence of nucleotides of at least 2 kb in length, wherein said sequence includes at the S 10 the sequence ofnucleotides set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 or a homologue, analogue or derivative thereof and at the 3'-end the sequence of nucleotides set forth in SEQ ID NO:4 or a homologue, analogue or derivative thereof.

More particularly preferred, the first SRR promoter comprises a sequence of nucleotides which is capable of hybridising under at least low stringency conditions to the SRR promoter sequence of the flax Fisl gene contained in the microorganism deposited under AGAL Accession No. N96/027087.

*.a •Preferably, the SRR promoter sequence, or SR structural gene is labelled with a reporter molecule capable of producing an identifiable signal (eg. a radio isotope such as 32 P, or 35S, or a biotinylated molecule) to facilitate its use as a hybridisation probe in the isolation of related SRR promoter sequences and SR structural genes.

For the purposes of defining the level of stringency, a low stringency is defined herein as being a hybridisation and/or a wash carried out in 6xSSC buffer, 0.1% SDS at 28 0

C.

Generally, the stringency is increased by reducing the concentration of SSC buffer, and/or increasing the concentration of SDS and/or increasing the temperature of the hybridisation and/or wash. Conditions for hybridisations and washes are well understood by one normally skilled in the art. For the purposes of clarification, (to parameters affecting hybridisation between nucleic acid molecules), reference is found in pages 2.10.8 to 2.10.16. of Ausubel et al. (1987), which is herein incorporated by reference.

P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV -24/9/99 -17- Alternatively, an SR structural gene and/or the genomic clone equivalent thereof which is related to the flax Fisl structural gene set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 may be isolated by amplification using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) employing oligonucleotide primers derived from SEQ ID NO: 1. The polymerase chain reaction procedure used in the present invention involves hybridising a nucleic acid primer molecule of at least 10 nucleotides in length to a nucleic acid "template molecule", said template molecule herein defined as a SRR promoter sequence, or SR structural genetic sequence, or a functional part thereof, or its complementary sequence. A related SRR promoter may subsequently be isolated, either directly S0 from said genomic clone equivalent or alternatively, by hybridisation using the related SR 10 structural gene as a hybridisation probe. Such methods are well-known to those skilled in the art.

The nucleic acid primer molecule or molecule effective in hybridisation may be contained in an aqueous mixture of other nucleic acid primer molecules or in a substantially pure form.

In a preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid primer molecule comprises at least contiguous nucleotides in length derived from the from a flax Fisi sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID Nos: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7. For the purposes of nomenclature, SEQ ID NOs: 5-7 each comprise a degenerate sequence of nucleotides which encode or are complementary to a sequence of nucleotides which encode an SR gene product motif set forth in Table 2.

More preferably, said oligonucleotide molecule comprises a sequence of nucleotides substantially the same as the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6 or SEQ ID NO:7 or a homologue, analogue or derivative thereof.

The nucleic acid template molecule may be in a recombinant form, in a virus particle, bacteriophage particle, yeast cell, animal cell, or a plant cell. Preferably, the related genetic sequence originates from Triticum aestivum or similar plant such as barley, rye, oats, maize, or rice and/or wild varieties and/or hybrids or derivatives and/or ancestral progenitors of same.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 -18oligonucleotide molecule which is useful as a hybridisation probe or PCR primer derived from the nucleotide sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID Nos: 1, 3 or 4 or a homologue, analogue or derivative thereof.

More preferably, said oligonucleotide molecule comprises a sequence of nucleotides substantially the same as the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6 or SEQ ID NO:7 or a homologue, analogue or derivative thereof.

A further aspect of the present invention is directed to a genetic construct comprising 10 an SRR promoter sequence or a homologue, analogue or derivative thereof as hereinbefore defined.

The SRR promoter sequence or a functional derivative, part, fragment, homologue, or analogue thereof may be used to regulate the expression of a heterologous structural gene such as a reporter gene or gene encoding a cytotoxin or alternatively, it may regulate the expression of a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a ribozyme or antisense molecule.

Placing a structural gene under the regulatory control of an SRR promoter means positioning the structural gene such that the expression of the gene is controlled by these promoter sequences. Promoters are generally positioned 5' (upstream) to the genes that they control. In the construction of heterologous promoter/structural gene combinations it is generally preferred to position the promoter at a distance from the gene transcription start site that is approximately the same as the distance between that promoter and the gene it controls in its natural setting, the gene from which the promoter is derived. As is known in the art, some variation in this distance can be accommodated without loss of promoter function.

Similarly, the preferred positioning of a regulatory sequence element with respect to a heterologous gene to be placed under its control is defined by the positioning of the element in its natural setting, the genes from which it is derived. Again, as is known in the art and demonstrated herein with multiple copies of regulatory elements, some variation in this distance can occur.

P:\OPER\MRO\TISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 -19- Preferred reporter genes include the P-glucuronidase gene, chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene or the firefly luciferase gene, amongst others. Preferred cytotoxin genes include the barnase gene or other ribonuclease gene.

The cytotoxin gene or ribozyme or antisense molecule may be any of those discussed supra which, when produced in a plant cell either kills, disables or repels a fungus, or kills or at least significantly alters host cell metabolism to limit spread and/or development of said fungus.

S 10 Preferably, the SRR promoter sequence comprises a sequence of nucleotides of at least 2 kb in length, wherein said sequence includes at the 5'-end the sequence of nucleotides set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 or a homologue, anaologue or derivative thereof and at the 3'-end the sequence of nucleotides set forth in SEQ ID NO:4 or a homologue, analogue or derivative thereof.

More particularly preferred, the first SRR promoter comprises a sequence of nucleotides which is capable of hybridising under at least low stringency conditions to the SRR promoter sequence of the flax Fisl gene contained in the microorganism deposited under AGAL Accession No. N96/027087.

In a most particularly preferred embodiment, the genetic construct of the present invention comprises the GUS reporter gene operably linked to the flax Fis] promoter sequence, for example in the pFisGUS52 genetic construct set forth in Figure 2a and deposited under AGAL Accession No. N96/027087.

A further aspect of the present invention contemplates a transgenic plant such as a crop plant, carrying a non-endogenous SRR promoter sequence and/or an SR structural genetic sequence as hereinbefore defined. Preferably the SRR promoter sequence or the SR structural genetic sequence are essentially identical to, or derived from, the flax Fis I nucleotide sequence.

Preferably, the transgenic plant is a flax plant. More preferably, the transgenic plant is one or more of the following: flax, wheat, barley, oats, rye, rice, maize, amongst others.

P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 Additional species are not excluded.

In a most particularly preferred embodiment, the transgenic plant is a flax plant which has been transformed with the genetic construct deposited under AGAL Accession No.

N96/027087.

Methods for the transformation of plant tissue are well-known to those skilled in the art.

The technique used for a given plant species or specific type of plant tissue depends on the known successful techniques. Means for introducing recombinant DNA into plant tissue S 10 include, but are not limited to, transformation (Paszkowski et al., 1984), electroporation (Fromm et al., 1985), or microinjection of the DNA (Crossway et al., 1986) or T-DNA-mediated transfer from Agrobacterium to the plant tissue. Representative T-DNA vector systems are described in the following references: An et al. (1985); Herrera-Estrella et al. (1983 Herrera-Estrella "et al. (1985). Once introduced into the plant tissue, the expression of the structural gene may be assayed in a transient expression systems, or it may be determined after selection for stable integration within the plant genome. Techniques are known for the in vitro culture of plant tissue, and for regeneration into whole plants. Procedures for transferring the introduced gene from the originally transformed plant into commercially useful cultivars are known to those skilled in the art.

The present invention extends to the progeny derived from said transgenic plant.

A further aspect of the invention provides for the expression of an SR structural gene in a suitable host (eg a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell) to produce a full-length or non-full-length recombinant SR gene product.

Preferably the SR gene product further contains two, still more preferably three and even still more preferably four of the amino acid sequence motifs comprising the list set forth in Table 2. Preferably, the SR gene product has a sequence that is at least 40% identical to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 or a homologue, analogue or derivative thereof.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the SR gene product comprises a sequence of amino P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 -21acids which is substantially the same as the flax Fis polypeptide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.

The present invention extends also to a synthetic peptide fragment of an SR gene product, preferably the SR gene product set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2.

c r r r r TABLE 2: SR gene product motifs

MOTIF

GPL

GSG

GQG

EEP

AMINO ACID SEQUENCE

WPFGPVAIITPFNFPLEIPVLQLMGALYMGNKPLLKV

RMTLFTGSSRVAEKLALDLKGRIKLED

DAYACSGQKCSAQSILFMHE

NYELVTKEIFGPFQVVTEYKNSQLPMVLEA

In an alternative embodiment, the present invention extends to an SR gene product comprising an amino acid sequence motif which is at least 40% similar, or preferably 40-60% similar, or more preferably 60-90% similar, or still more preferably 90-100% similar, to an amino acid sequence motif selected from the list set forth in Table 2.

The present invention extends further to a recombinant gene product comprising an amino acid sequence motif selected from the list set forth in Table 2 in any relative combination, or frequency, or a functional derivative thereof, having at least 40% similarity to same.

According to this aspect, the recombinant SR gene product of the present invention, or a functional derivative thereof, may be used to produce immunologically interactive molecules, such as antibodies, or functional derivatives thereof, the only requirement being that the recombinant products are immunologically interactive with antibodies to all or part of an SR gene product.

P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 22 Antibodies to a recombinant SR gene product are particularly useful in the screening of plants for the presence of said gene product. Another aspect of the present invention is, therefore, directed to antibodies to a recombinant SR gene product or part or fragment thereof.

Such antibodies may be monoclonal or polyclonal and may be selected from naturally occurring antibodies to an SR gene product or may be specifically raised to a recombinant SR gene product. In the case of the latter, the SR gene product may first need to be associated with a carrier molecule. Alternatively, fragments of antibodies may be used such as Fab fragments.

Furthermore, the present invention extends to recombinant and synthetic antibodies and to ooeo antibody hybrids. A "synthetic antibody" is considered herein to include fragments and hybrids of antibodies. The antibodies and/or the recombinant SR gene products of the present invention are particularly useful for the immunological screening of SR gene products in various plants, leading to the isolation of related SRR promoter sequences and SR structural genes.

In one embodiment, specific antibodies are used to screen for SR gene products in plants. Techniques for the assays contemplated herein are known in the art and include, for example, sandwich assays and ELISA.

It is within the scope of this invention to include any second antibodies (monoclonal, polyclonal or fragments of antibodies) directed to the first mentioned antibodies discussed above. Both the first and second antibodies may be used in detection assays or a first antibody may be used with a commercially available anti-immunoglobulin antibody. An antibody as contemplated herein includes any antibody specific to any region of a recombinant SR gene product.

Both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies are obtainable by immunisation with a recombinant SR gene product and either type is utilisable for immunoassays. The methods of obtaining both types of sera are well known in the art. Polyclonal sera are less preferred but are relatively easily prepared by injection of a suitable laboratory animal with an effective amount of recombinant SR gene product, or antigenic or immunointeractive parts thereof, collecting serum from the animal and isolating specific sera by any of the known immunoadsorbent techniques. Although antibodies produced by this method are utilisable in virtually any type of P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/9/99 23 immunoassay, they are generally less favoured because of the potential heterogeneity of the product.

The use of monoclonal antibodies in an immunoassay is particularly preferred because of the ability to produce them in large quantities and the homogeneity of the product. The preparation of hybridoma cell lines for monoclonal antibody production derived by fusing an immortal cell line and lymphocytes sensitised against the immunogenic preparation can be done by techniques which are well known to those who are skilled in the art (see, for example, :°ooo, 1Douillard and Hoffman, 1981; Kohler and Milstein, 1975; Kohler and Milstein, 1976).

*The presence of an SR gene product in a plant or more commonly plant e.xtract may be accomplished in a number of ways such as by Western blotting and ELISA procedures. A wide range of immunoassay techniques are available as can be seen by reference to US Patent Nos. 4,016,043, 4, 424,279 and 4,018,653. These, of course, includes both single-site and twosite or "sandwich" assays of the non-competitive types, as well as in the traditional competitive •binding assays. These assays also include direct binding of a labelled antibody to a target.

Sandwich assays are among the most useful and commonly used assays and are favoured S: for use in the present invention. A number of variations of the sandwich assay technique exist, and all are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Briefly, in a typical forward assay, an unlabelled antibody is immobilised on a solid substrate and the sample to be tested brought into contact with the bound molecule. After a suitable period of incubation, for a period of time sufficient to allow formation of an antibody-antigen complex, a second antibody specific to the antigen, labelled with a reporter molecule capable of producing a detectable signal is then added and incubated, allowing time sufficient for the formation of another complex of antibodyantigen-labelled antibody. Any unreacted material is washed away, and the presence of the antigen is determined by observation of a signal produced by the reporter molecule.

In this case, the first antibody is raised to a recombinant SR gene product and the antigen is an SR gene product in a plant.

P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/9/99 -24- The results may either be qualitative, by simple observation of the visible signal, or may be quantitated by comparing with a control sample containing known amounts of hapten.

Variations on the forward assay include a simultaneous assay, in which both sample and labelled antibody are added simultaneously to the bound antibody. These techniques are well known to those skilled in the art, including any minor variations as will be readily apparent. In accordance with the present invention the sample is one which might contain an SR gene product and include crude or purified plant extract such as extracts of leaves, roots and stems.

:°oooe In the typical forward sandwich assay, a first antibody raised against a recombinant SR gene product is either covalently or passively bound to a solid surface. The solid surface is typically glass or a polymer, the most commonly used polymers being cellulose, polyacrylamide, nylon, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene. The solid supports may be in the form of tubes, beads, discs of microplates, or any other surface suitable for conducting an S. immunoassay. The binding processes are well-known in the art and generally consist of crosslinking, covalent binding or physically adsorption, the polymer-antibody complex is washed in preparation for the test sample. An aliquot of the sample to be tested is then added to the solid phase complex and incubated for a period of time sufficient 2-40 minutes) and under suitable conditions 25°C) to allow binding of any antigen present in the sample to the o antibody. Following the incubation period, the reaction locus is washed and dried and incubated S.i with a second antibody specific for a portion of the first antibody. The second antibody is linked to a reporter molecule which is used to indicate the binding of the second antibody to the hapten.

An alternative method involves immobilising the target molecules in the biological sample and then exposing the immobilised target to specific antibody which may or may not be labelled with a reporter molecule. Depending on the amount of target and the strength of the reporter molecule signal, a bound target may be detected by direct labelling with the antibody.

Alternatively, a second labelled antibody, specific to the first antibody is exposed to the targetfirst antibody complex to form a target-first antibody-second antibody tertiary complex. The complex is detected by the signal emitted by the reporter molecule.

By "reporter molecule" as used in the present specification, is meant a molecule which, P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 by its chemical nature, provides an analytically identifiable signal which allows the detection of antigen-bound antibody. Detection may be either qualitative or quantitative. The most commonly used reporter molecules in this type of assay are either enzymes, fluorophores or radionuclide containing molecules radioisotopes) and chemiluminescent molecules.

In the case of an enzyme immunoassay, an enzyme is conjugated to the second antibody, generally by means of glutaraldehyde or periodate. As will be readily recognised, however, a wide variety of different conjugation techniques exist, which are readily available to the skilled Sartisan. Commonly used enzymes include horseradish peroxidase, glucose oxidase, beta- 10 galactosidase and alkaline phosphatase, amongst others. The substrates to be used with the specific enzymes are generally chosen for the production, upon hydrolysis by the corresponding enzyme, of a detectable colour change. Examples of suitable enzymes include alkaline phosphatase and peroxidase. It is also possible to employ fluorogenic substrates which yield a fluorescent product rather than the chromogenic substrates noted above. In all cases, the enzyme-labelled antibody is added to the first antibody-hapten complex, allowed to bind, and then the excess reagent is washed away. A solution containing the appropriate substrate is then added to the complex of antibody-antigen-antibody. The substrate will react with the enzyme linked to the second antibody, giving a qualitative visual signal, which may be further quantitated, usually spectrophotometrically, to give an indication of the amount of hapten which .9 was present in the sample. The term "reporter molecule" also extends to use of cell agglutination or inhibition of agglutination such as red blood cells on latex beads, and the like.

Alternately, fluorescent compounds, such as fluorescein and rhodamine, may be chemically coupled to antibodies without altering their binding capacity. When activated by illumination with light of a particular wavelength, the fluorochrome-labelled antibody adsorbs the light energy, inducing a state to excitability in the molecule, followed by emission of the light at a characteristic colour visually detectable with a light microscope. As in enzyme immunoassays (EIA), the fluorescent labelled antibody is allowed to bind to the first antibodyhapten complex. After washing off the unbound reagent, the remaining tertiary complex is then exposed to the light of the appropriate wavelength the fluorescence observed indicates the presence of the hapten of interest. Immunofluorescene and EIA techniques are both very well P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 -26established in the art and are particularly preferred for the present method. However, other reporter molecules, such as radioisotope, chemiluminescent or bioluminescent molecules, may also be employed.

Microorganism deposits A host Escherichia coli cell transformed with a vector designated pFisGUS52 comprising the flax Fisl gene promoter driving GUS reporter gene expression has been deposited in accordance with the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the 10 Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure, with the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories P.O. Box 385 Pymble, New South Wales 2073, Australia on 3 May, 1996 under Accession No. N96/027087.

S •ooo P:\QPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/9/99 -27- The present invention is further described by reference to the following non-limiting Figures and Examples.

In the Figures: Figure 1 is a photographic representation of a Southern blot hybridisation demonstrating the origin ofpFIS1 from the flax genome. Equal amounts (10 tg) of flax DNA (lanes 1 to 3) and rust DNA (lanes 4 to 6) were digested with the restriction enzymes, BglII (lanes 1 and EcoRI 1: (lanes 2 and 5) and HindII (lines 3 and The DNA was transferred to membrane and probed with pFISl.

Figure 2(a) is a schematic representation of a recombinant DNA molecule comprising the bacterial P-glucuronidase (uidA) structural gene placed operably under control of the flax Fis 1 gene promoter sequence. The hatched area indicates the Fis 1 promoter. The filled-in area indicates the P-glucuronidase structural gene.

Figure 2(b) is a photographic representation showing GUS reporter gene expression under control of the flax Fis I gene promoter sequence, in leaf cells of a transgenic flax plant carrying the recombinant DNA molecule of Figure following infection with Melampsora lini. GUS gene expression which appears as intense blue colouration in plant cells, following staining with X-glucuronide, is indicated in the Figure by the dark spotted regions. Original colour prints are available from the applicant upon request.

Figure 3 is a photographical representation of a northern blot showing the level of Fis ImRNA during susceptible rust infection. Each lane contains 20g of total RNA isolated from germinated rust spores leaves from susceptible flax plant 1 day after inoculation with rust spores 2 days after inoculation leaves 3 days after inoculation 4 days after inoculation 5 days after inoculation 6 days after inoculation and uninfected leaves The arrows indicate the position of the large and small ribosomal RNAs.

A) The filter was hybridised with the coding region of the Fis I structural gene.

B) To demonstrate that approximately equal amounts of RNA were loaded the same P:\QPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 -28filter as in A was hybridised with a flax cDNA, pFCSl (Flax Constant Sequence) that does not change during infection (note that exposure was 5 times longer than when probed with pFIS 1).

C) The same filter hybridised with an anionic peroxidase cDNA cloned (see Materials and Methods for complete description of peroxidase clone).

Figure 4 is a photographic representation of a northern blot showing the level of Fis 1 mRNA during resistant infections of flax with flax rust. Each lane contains 20apg per lane of total RNA from leaves of a susceptible plant 5 days after inoculation and RNA from leaves of resistant flax, uninfected 1 day after inoculation 2 days 3 days and 4 days 10 and 5 days after inoculation.

A) The filter was hybridised with pFIS 1.

B) The same filter hybridised with an anionic peroxidase cDNA demonstrating the induction of this PR protein during the resistant infection.

C) The same filter as in A probed with flax cDNA pFCS1 as a control to demonstrate equal loading of each lane.

Figure 5 is a graphical representation showing a comparison of the amino acid sequences of the maize Misl (row 1) and flax Fisl (row 3) SR gene product motifs, including the GPL motif, GSG motif, EEP motif and active site incorporating the GQG motif. Row 2 in each case shows conserved amino acid residues, with conservative amino acid substitutions indicated by the plus sign Figure 6 is a photographic representation of a northern blot showing the induction of mRNA during the five day period following infection of susceptible maize plants with Puccinia sorghi race 1. Each lane contains approximately 30/pg of total RNA isolated from leaves of uninfected plants (lane 1) or infected plants, harvested 2, 3, 4 or 5 days post-infection (lanes 2 to 5 respectively).

Figure 7 is a photographic representation of a Southern blot probed with the Mis] sequence under standard stringency hybridisation conditions [insert conditions]. Each lane contains approximately 10g of NcoI-digested total genomic DNA isolated from seedlings of P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV -24/9/99 -29barley cv Franklin (lane barley cv Himalaya (lane oats cv Ascenceo (lane oats cv Victoria (lane wheat cv Chinese Spring (lane maize cv Tx303 (lane 6) and maize cv CO159 (lane 7).

Single letter and three letter abbreviations used for amino acid residues in the specification are defined in Table 3.

P: \OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/9/99 TABLE 3 Amino Acid Three-letter One-letter Abbreviation Symbol Alanine Ala A Arginine Arg R Asparagine Asn N Aspartic acid Asp D Cysteine Cys C *Glutaniine Gin

Q

Glutamic acid Glu E Glycine Gly G Histidine His H Isoleucine Ile I Leucine Leu L :Lysine, Lys K Methionine Met M Phenylalanine Phe F Proline, Pro P Serine Ser S Threonine Thr T Tryptophan Trp W Tyrosine Tyr Y Valine, Val V P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/999 -31- EXAMPLE1 PLANT MATERIAL AND RUST STRAINS All susceptible infections with the rust strain CH5 were done on 12-day old flax seedlings (Linum usitatissimum cv. Hoshangabad). Fresh spores were sprinkled over the seedlings and allowed to germinate overnight at 20 0 C, in a humidified environment. For resistant infections, flax seedlings usitatissimum cv. Forge, Ellis et al., 1992) was used as the host for rust strain EXAMPLE 2 ISOLATION OF RNA AND DNA FROM FLAX SEEDLINGS Flax seedling leaves were ground in liquid nitrogen and suspended in 20 mM TRIS pH 7.5, 100 mM NaC1, 2.5 mM EDTA, 1% SDS, 0.5% 2-mercaptoethanol (5ml/g). Protein was removed by extraction three times with phenol:chloroform:isoamyl alcohol. Total nucleic acid was precipitated with an equal volume of iso-propanol, collected by centrifugation and resuspended in TE (maniatis et al., 1982). The RNA was precipitated from the DNA and contaminating carbohydrates by the addition of solid NaCI to a final concentration of 3M NaC1.

DNA was extracted in a similar procedure but after the precipitation of total nucleic acid the DNA was purified on a CsCl density gradient (Maniatis et al., 1982).

EXAMPLE 3 ISOLATION OF A SUSCEPTIBLE RESPONSE cDNA Total RNA was extracted from flax leaves (cv. Hoshangabad) infected heavily with rust spores, as described in Examples 1 and 2. Poly A+ RNA was purified on oligo d(T) magnetic beads and reverse-transcribed using an oligo d(T) primer molecule containing a NotI restriction site (GGCCGATGCGGCCGC(T),7) as the primer for cDNA synthesis. The cDNA was enriched for sequences specific to the rust-infected leaves, by substrative hybridisation to of biotinylated polyA+ RNA from uninfected flax leaves. The subtraction procedure was carried out three times, after which the purified cDNA sequences were tailed at the 3'-termini P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 -32using dATP and terminal transferase (BRL, Gainsville, FL USA). The cDNA sequences were subsequently amplified in a polymerase chain reaction and cloned into the plasmid (Promega, Madison, WI USA) as NotI DNA fragments.

Seven unique cDNA clones were isolated, which were expressed at low levels in uninfected flax leaves. The expression of one cDNA clone, pFIS 1, was induced by infection of flax leaves with rust spores in a susceptible infection and was therefore deemed to correspond to an SR structural genetic sequence. The nucleotide sequence of the Fisi structural gene is set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.

EXAMPLE 4 THE SR STRUCTURAL GENE Fis 1 IS A FLAX GENETIC SEQUENCE .o S: To demonstrate that the cDNA pFIS 1, of the foregoing Example 3, is a genetic sequence derived from the flax plant and not from the flax rust, DNA was isolated from both the flax and the rust organisms and hybridised to the pFIS1 cDNA insert.

As shown in Figure 1, pFIS 1 hybridised to flax DNA and not to rust DNA confirming that pFIS 1 is from a flax gene defined asfisl. The hybridisation pattern was simple, suggesting fis] is a low copy number gene. Two hybridising bands were present in both HindIII and BglII digestions. Since the pFIS 1 probe used does not contain these restriction enzyme recognition sites, these data are consistent with there being two genes homologous to pFIS1.

ISOLATION OF THE Fis 1 GENE PROMOTER A genomic clone containing a 2.2 kb SRR promoter fragment was isolated, using the SR structural genetic sequence of the foregoing Examples 3 and 4 as a hybridisation probe. A lambda genomic library was screened using a 5' end probe from the FIS1 cDNA, the NruI/AccI fragment. Genomic clones which hybridised to this 5' end probe were screened based on their restriction digestion pattern with the enzymes Bgl II and Ace I, (there is an Ace I site at position P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 -33- 295 and a Bgl II site at position 1143 in FIS1 cDNA) and the size of the inserts was compared with that obtained when genomic DNA is cut with Bgl II and Acc I. In genomic DNA, there are two fragments that hybridise with the 5' end probe. The 6 genomic clones that were isolated were grouped into two classes based on the restriction digestion pattern with Bgl II and Acc I.

The Bgl II fragments containing hybridising DNA were subcloned into a plasmid vector, (Bluescript) and partial sequence data was obtained from each end. Sequence analysis (from the internal Bgl II site) showed that of the two classes of clones, one was 100% similar to the Fis] cDNA and the other was only about 95% similar. One of those that was 100% similar was used to construct the promoter fusion with the E coli P-glucuronidase (GUS) gene as described in Example 7 below. The 5' end and 3' end of the Fis 1 gene promoter have been sequenced and the nucleotide sequences are set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4, respectively.

EXAMPLE 6 NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE ANALYSIS OF THE Fis 1 GENETIC SEQUENCES DNA was sequenced using the Applied Biosystems double stranded DNA sequencing system (Perkin-Elmer, CA, USA). The sequence was analyzed with the Wisconsin GCG .package.

Sequence data of the Fis I cDNA clone pFIS 1 reveals an ATG translation start codon at nucleotide 57 in SEQ ID NO: 1. The longest open reading frame (1653 base pairs) found in pFIS 1 had 551 amino acids and a predicted molecular weight of approximately 61 kDa.

A search of the Blocks (v6.0) and Prosite databases (Henikoff and Henikoff, 1991) of conserved protein sequence motifs revealed that the amino acid sequence of the Fis 1 gene product, set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, has several conserved sequence motifs that are found in aldehyde dehydrogenases (Hempel et al., 1993). Amino acids residues surrounding Cys-332 match the consensus for the cysteine active site found in all aldehyde dehydrogenases (Henikoff and Henikoff, 1991). In addition to this "cysteine active site", the Blocks search revealed three other sequence motifs that are also found in aldehyde dehydrogenases, and are shown in Table P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/9/99 -34- 2. The search of the Blocks database gave an estimate p-value p<7.8e-07 and a "shuffled" score of 1450=99.86th percentile for the aldehyde dehydrogenase blocks. The first such amino acid sequence identified is between Gly-193 and Lys-226 known as the GPL motif. The second is the GSG motif between Phe-276 and Ala-282. The third motif between Lys-435 and Pro-550 is the EEP motif. A comparison of FIS1 GPL motif sequence with the corresponding region of the E. coli proline dehydrogenase polypeptide showed that from amino acids 192 to 225 there is 50% similarity (36/71 amino acids) between the two sequences. Similarly, there is 65% and 50% similarity in GSG motif and the EEP motif,m respectively, between flax FIS1 and the E.

coli proline dehydrogenase polypeptide. The relative size of FIS 1 protein is also consistent with 10 it being an aldehyde dehydrogenase. A glutamic acid containing sequence, known as the FGS o motif which is present in aldehyde dehydrogenases except the subclass of methylmalonatesemialdehyde dehydrogenases was also missing from FIS1.

EXAMPLE 7 EXPRESSION OF A Fis 1/GUS GENETIC CONSTRUCT IN TRANSGENIC PLANTS The bacterial P-glucuronidase structural gene was placed operably under control of the SRR promoter sequence, corresponding to the flax Fis 1 gene promoter of the foregoing Examples 5 and 6, as shown in Figure 2a.

The binary plant transformation vector, pBI101 was used as the source of the GUS gene.

The pBI101 plasmid was cut with Bam HI and then filled in with E coli DNA polymerise, Klenow fragment, to form a blunt end. This blunt end was then used in a digestion with Xba I to give a plasmid with a 5' Xba I end and a 3' blunt end (the GUS end). The 2 kb 5' region of the Fis 1 gene from the Nru I site in the gene, to the Xba I in the bluescript vector, was then ligated into the pBI101 plasmid. This resulted in the addition of 43 amino acid from the Fis 1 coding region being added to the GUS protein. The resultant plasmid, designated pFisGUS52 and shown in Figure 2(a) has been deposited under AGAL Accession No. N96/027087.

The genetic construct was then introduced into flax plants by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation procedures known to those skilled in the art. Transgenic plants were selected on P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/9/99 kanamycin containing media. The regenerated plants were tested for GUS activity by infiltrating leaves in 10mM phosphate buffer, 0.5mM K ferricyanide, 0.5mM K ferrocyanide, ImM X-glucuronide, overnight at 37 0 C. Leaves of T2 transgenic plants were infected with rust for 4 days and then GUS stained to reveal the pattern of expression. As shown in Figure 2(b), the GUS gene is expressed in plant cells infected in a susceptible interaction with a fungal pathogen. Uninfected cells do not show detectable GUS gene expression.

EXAMPLE 8 ANALYSIS OF FLAX Fis 1 GENE EXPRESSION DURING 10 A SUSCEPTIBLE RUST INFECTION Flax RNA was electrophoresed using standard denaturing formaldehyde gels (Maniatis et al., 1982) to separate 10 or 20 p.g of total RNA. The RNA was then transferred with SSC to Hybond N membranes (Amersham International, UK). DNA probes were labelled with [a-32P]dCTP using the Megaprime system (Amersham). The amounts of P-labelled probe hybridizing to the filters was quantified with a Phosphor Imager (Molecular Dynamics, CA USA), using data from three separate experiments.

.i The pFIS1 cDNA hybridised to a mRNA in Hoshangabad flax which increased in abundance after infection with the flax rust CH5 (Figure 3A). The increase in pFIS 1 mRNA paralleled the development of infection with rust. In the early stage of infection (1 and 2 days post inoculation) the level of RNA is almost unchanged. Later (5-6 days after inoculation) when many mesophyll cells are infected with rust, the level of mRNA homologous to pFIS 1 increased fold, consistent with the expected pattern of induction for an SRR structural gene. The data shown in Figure 2b indicate, however, that the number of leaf cells which contribute to this fold overall increase in expression is small, suggesting that the actual level of Fisl gene induction per cell is much greater than 10-fold. Clearly, the 10-fold induction observed for the whole leaf is subject to a significant dilution effect from the contribution of the vast majority of cells in which no induction occurs.

The Fis 1 mRNA is approximately 1.9 kb in size. To check that there was P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 -36approximately equal loading of RNA, a low abundance cDNA (pFCS 1 Flax Control Sequence) whose mRNA does not change was used to probe the same northern blot (Figure 3B).

Slightly less hybridization was detected in leaves 6 days after inoculation. This minor decrease may reflect a dilution effect due to the increase in the proportion of fungal RNA, thus causing a dilution of plant transcripts.

EXAMPLE 9 EXPRESSION OF THE SR STRUCTURAL GENE Fis 1 IS NOT INDUCED IN A RESISTANT RUST INTERACTION To determine whether expression of the SR structural gene Fis 1 is induced during a resistant rust infection, northern hybridisations were performed on Forge flax infected with the flax rust CH5 as described in the preceding Examples, using the pFIS1 cDNA insert as a hybridisation probe.

In the resistant reaction, there was no increase in the observed levels offisl mRNA over a 5 day period (Figure 4A). In contrast, a 5-fold increase (on average) was observed in the level of the control anionic peroxidase mRNA, at the very early stages of the resistant infection (Figure 4B). The pattern of accumulation of Fis 1 mRNA was unlike the induction pattern of a gene for a typical PR protein. These data and the data from Example 8 suggest that the SR structural gene, Fis 1 is regulated by distinct cellular mechanisms to those processes which regulate host cell gene expression during a resistant interaction between said host and a rust fungus.

P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/9/99 -37- EXAMPLE ISOLATION OF THE MAIZE HOMOLOGUE OF THE FLAX Fisl GENE In order to isolate maize cDNAs similar to the flax cDNA (pFIS1) degenerate oligonucleotide primers to two regions (the GPL and EEP motifs shown in Table 2) of the flax protein (FIS1) were designed. The nucleotide sequences of the digonucleotides used are set forth in SEQ ID Nos: 5, 6 and 7.

The fragments were then cloned into the Promega vector pGEM-T utilizing the "A overhang" added by Taq polymerse.

The expected size of the amplification product is approximately 700bp, based on the Fisl structural gene sequence. However, the PCR reactions produced at least three additional DNA fragments, 2 smaller and one larger than the expected 700 base pair fragment was used for further experiments because it was assumed to have GPL and EEP motifs in the same position as FIS1.

The template cDNA for PCR was synthesized from maize RNA, extracted from 3 week old maize plants 6 days after a susceptible infection with a maize rust. Total RNA was treated with Rnase free DNAse (DnaseQ) prior to cDNA synthesis, using the conditions supplied by, Promega. The reverse transcriptase reactions used 20/pg of total RNA and was primed with 200kg of oligo d(T) in a 2 5 pl reactions using MMV reverse transcriptase from New England Biolabs in the recommended conditions. After the reverse transcription 0.51.l of this reactions was used in a 20,l PCR reactions. The PCR conditions were as follows, mM Kcl, 10mM Tris pH8.3, 1.5mM MgC1, 2/M each primers, 2mM each dNTP and 1 unit of Taq polymerase from Boehringer Mannheim. The cycling parameters were: (94°C, 1 min; 30 sec; 73°C, 2 min) 6X; (94°C, 10 sec; 45°C, 20 sec; 73°C, 2 min) 32X; (94°C, sec; 45°C, 20 sec; 73°C, 3.5 min) 1X using a Corbett Research thermal cycler. The primers were, EEP=5' AAA/g GAA/g ATA/t/c TTT/c GGI CCI TT 3' (SEQ ID NO: 5) and GPL=5' ATA/t/c ACI CCI TTT/c AAT/c TTT/c CC 3' (SEQ ID NO: 6) (I=inosine).

P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 -38- The products of the PCR reaction were separated on a TBE, 1% agarose gel and the 700 base pair fragment was eluted from the gel using the Qiagen gel extract kit.

The 700 base pair PCR product was then sequenced using an ABI automated sequencer. The sequence was used to search the data bases for similar sequences. The closest match to the maize sequence was that of the flax gene Fisl. This gave a blast score of 494, while the next highest score was 90 for a comparison to p5C dehydrogenase carboxylate dehydrogenase), an aldehyde dehydrogenase from Bacillus subtilis. The maize Misl structural gene is 72% identical over 633 nucleotides to the flax Fis] structural gene at the nucleotide sequence level and 84% identical over 204 amino acids at the amino acid level.

A comparison of the derived maize Misi and flax Fisi polypeptides is provided in Figure EXAMPLE 11 .EXPRESSION OF THE MAIZE SR STRUCTURAL GENE Mis 1 IN A SUSCEPTIBLE INTERACTION WITH Puccinia sorghi race 1 Maize RNA was electrophoresed using standard denaturing formaldehyde gels (Maniatis et al., 1982) to separate 30 tg of total RNA. The RNA was then transferred with 20X SSC to Hybond N membranes (Amersham International, UK). DNA probes were labelled with [a- 32 P]dCTP using the Megaprime system (Amersham). The amounts of P-labelled probe hybridizing to the filters was quantified with a Phosphor Imager (Molecular Dynamics, CA USA), using data from three separate experiments.

The maize Misl structural gene hybridised to a mRNA which increased in abundance after infection with the maize rust Puccinia sorghi race 1 (Figure The increase in Mis] mRNA observed is consistent with the expected pattern of induction for an SR structural gene.

P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 -39- EXAMPLE 12 IDENTIFICATION OF FURTHER GENES RELATED Fis] AND Mis] To determine whether other cereal crop plant species contain SRR promoters and SR structural genes related to Fis] or Misl, genomic DNA was isolated from seedlings of barley, oats, wheat and maize and transferred to a membrane support and probed with the Mis] SR structural gene sequence.

The data indicate the presence of SR-regulated genes such as Fis] and Mis] in all species examined (Figure Those skilled in the art will be aware that the demonstration of such sequences in other plants provides a means for their subsequent isolation EXAMPLE 13 EXPRESSION OF THE BARNASE GENE UNDER CONTROL OF THE Fis] PROMOTER IN TRANSGENIC PLANTS The barnase structural gene is placed operably under control of the Fis] promoter sequence by replacing the GUS gene present in the binary vector described above, in "Example 7" with the coding region of the barnase gene. Such methods are well within the means of those ordinarily skilled in the art, without undue experimentation.

The resultant genetic construct comprising the barnase coding region placed operably behind the Fisl promoter is then introduced into Hoshangabad flax plants by Agrobacteriummediated transformation procedures as described in Example 7. Transgenic plants are selected on kanamycin containing media and screened for expression of the barase gene using conventional northern hybridisation, RNase protection or PCR approaches.

The regenerated transformed plants are subsequently infected with a flax rust capable of forming a susceptible interaction with the host plant, in particular the strain CH5, to determine whether the transgenic plants exhibit improved resistance to the flax rust. Control P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 experiments ar performed using non-transformed isogenic flax plants of similar age and grown under identical conditions.

Statistically-significant protection (p<0.05) is afforded the transgenic plants by the expression of the barnase gene under control of the flax Fis] gene promoter, following a susceptible interaction with Melampsora lini. In particular, although infection rates of nontransformed control plants and transformed plants are similar within the first 24hr postinfection, the level of lesions in the transformed plants is markedly reduced within 14 days postinfection and the transformed plants recover their vigour rapidly. Thus, the approach of expressing a cytotoxin gene under the control of an SRR promoter sequence such as FisI is useful in providing protection against fungal pathogens in a susceptible interaction.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes S"all of the steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features.

to°I.

P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/9/99 -41-

REFERENCES

1. An etal (1985) EMBO J. 4:277-284.

2. Ausubel, Brent, Kingston, Moore, Seidman, Smith, J.A.

and Struhi, K. (1987) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Wiley Interscience (ISBN 047140338).

3. Collinge, D.B. and Slusarenko, A.J. (1987) Plant Mol. Biol. 9:3 89-4 4. Crossway et aL (1986) Mol. Gen. Genet. 202:179-185.

Dixon, R.E. and Lamb, C.J. (1990) Ann. Rev. Plant Physio. Plant Mol. Biol. 41:339- 367.

6. Douilard and Hoffman (1981) Basic Facts about Hybridomas. In: Compendium of Immunology Vol II (ed. Schwarz).

C. Ellis, Finnegan, E.J. and Lawrence, G.J. (1992) Theor. and Applied Genetics 85:46-54.

8. Fromm et al (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) 82:5824-5828.

9. Haseloff, J. and Gerlach, W.L (1988) Nature 334:586-5 94.

Hempel, Nicholas, H. and Lindahi, R. (1993) Protein Sci. 2:1890-1900.

11. Henikoff, S. and Henikoff, J.G. (1991) Nucl. Acids Res. 19:6565-6572.

12. Herrera-Estrella et al. (I1983a) Nature 303:209-2 13.

P:\OPERMRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/9/99 42 13. Herrera-Estrella et A (1 983b) EMBO J. 2:987-995/ 14. Herrera-Estrella et A (1985) In: Plant Genetic Engineering, Cambridge University Press, NY, pp 63-93.

Keen, N.T. (1992) Plant Mol. Biol. 19:109-122.

S:.16. Kohler and Milstein (1975) Nature 256:495-499.

*17. Kohler and Milstein (1976) Eur.J. Immunology 6:511-519.

18 aits .,Fish n abok J 18) oeclrCoig 18. Mattnai, FritScha, and86 San.rook. (413198.MlcarCoigA 19. Maneauo, LC. MatnDP.adB95n 18) Plant Mol. Biol. 9:335-342.

P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 -43- SEQUENCE LISTING GENERAL INFORMATION: APPLICANT: COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION AND THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY (ii) TITLE OF INVENTION: PLANT PROMOTER ACTIVATED BY FUNGAL INFECTION (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 7 (iv) CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS: ADDRESSEE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE STREET: 1 LITTLE COLLINS STREET CITY: MELBOURNE STATE: VICTORIA COUNTRY: AUSTRALIA ZIP: 3000 COMPUTER READABLE FORM: MEDIUM TYPE: Floppy disk COMPUTER: IBM PC compatible OPERATING SYSTEM: PC-DOS/MS-DOS SOFTWARE: PatentIn Release Version #1.25 (vi) CURRENT APPLICATION DATA: APPLICATION NUMBER: PCT International FILING DATE: 03-MAY-1996 (vii) PRIOR APPLICATION DATA: APPLICATION NUMBER: AU PN 2834/95 FILINE DATE: 05-MAY-1995 (viii) ATTORNEY/AGENT INFORMATION: NAME: SLATTERY MR, JOHN M REFERENCE/DOCKET NUMBER: JMS/MRO (ix) TELECOMMUNICATION INFORMATION: TELEPHONE: +61 3 254 2777 TELEFAX: +61 3 254 2770 TELEX: AA31787 P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 44- INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:1: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 1853 base pairs TYPE: nucleic acid STRANDEDNESS: single TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: CDS LOCATION: 54..1706 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:1: ATCAGAGGTC GCCATAGAGA TCATTTCCAC TCCAATCAAG CCCTCTGACC ATC ATG 56 Met 1 TAC AGG CCA CTT GTT GCC AGG TTG CTG CGA GAC AGC GTC GCT ACC CGA 104 Tyr Arg Pro Leu Val Ala Arg Leu Leu Arg Asp Ser Val Ala Thr Arg 10 AAG GGC TCG TCC CAT TTC GCC CGG AGG TTT TCT CAT TCT TTG CCC TTC 152 Lys Gly Ser Ser His Phe Ala Arg Arg Phe Ser His Ser Leu Pro Phe 20 25 GCG ACC GTA GAT GCG GAG GAG CTA TCT GGT GCT AAA CCA GCT GAA GTG 200 Ala Thr Val Asp Ala Glu Glu Leu Ser Gly Ala Lys Pro Ala Glu Val 40 CTT AAC TTG GTT CAG GGG AAT TGG GGA GGT TCT TCC AGT TGG CAC ACG 248 Leu Asn Leu Val Gln Gly Asn Trp Gly Gly Ser Ser Ser Trp His Thr 50 55 60 GTG GTT GAT CCT TTA AAC GGA GAA CCG TTT ATC AAA GTT GCT GAA GTA 296 Val Val Asp Pro Leu Asn Gly Glu Pro Phe Ile Lys Val Ala Glu Val 75 GAC GAG ACA GAA ATC AAG CCA TTT GTG GAG AGC TTG TCC AAG TGC CCT 344 Asp Glu Thr Glu Ile Lys Pro Phe Val Glu Ser Leu Ser Lys Cys Pro 90 AAA CAT GGA CTG CAC AAC CCC TTT AAG TCG CCT GAG AGG TAT CTT CTG 392 Lys His Gly Leu His Asn Pro Phe Lys Ser Pro Glu Arg Tyr Leu Leu 100 105 110 TAT GGG GAC ATA TCT ACA AAG GCA GGA CAC ATG CTT TCC ATA CCA AAG 440 Tyr Gly Asp Ile Ser Thr Lys Ala Gly His Met Leu Ser Ile Pro Lys 115 120 125 GTG TCG GAG TTC TTT GCA AGG CTA ATA CAA AGA GTT GCC CCG AAG AGT 488 Val Ser Glu Phe Phe Ala Arg Leu Ile Gin Arg Val Ala Pro Lys Ser 130 135 140 145 TAC CAC CAG GCT CTT GGT GAA GTT CAA GTC ACC CAG AAG TTT TTT GAG 536 Tyr His Gln Ala Leu Gly Glu Val Gin Val Thr Gin Lys Phe Phe Glu 150 155 160 AAC TTC ACT GGT GAT CAG GTT CGT TTC TTG GCA AGA TCA TTT GGA GTG 584 Asn Phe Thr Gly Asp Gin Val Arg Phe Leu Ala Arg Ser Phe Gly Val 165 170 175 CCG GGA AAC CAT CTT GGT CAG CAA AGT AAT GGC TTC CGA TGG CCT TTT 632 Pro Gly Asn His Leu Gly Gln Gin Ser Asn Gly Phe Arg Trp Pro Phe 180 185 190 P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 GGT CCT GTT GCA ATA ATC ACT CCA TTC AAT TTC CCA CTA GAG ATT CCG Gly Pro Val Ala Ile Ile Thr Pro Phe Asn Phe Pro Leu Glu Ile Pro 195 200 205 cc r cc

GTT

Val 210

AAA

Lys

CTT

Leu

GAT

Asp

ACA

Thr

TTA

Leu 290

CTA

Leu

CAA

Gin

CTA

Leu

AAG

Lys

GTC

Val 370 CTT CAG TTG Leu Gin Leu ATG GGT Met Gly 215 AAG GTG Lys Val 230 GGT TTG Gly Leu ATG AAC Met Asn GGT AGC Gly Ser CGC ATC Arg Ile GAT GTC Asp Val 310 TAT GCA Tyr Ala 325 CAC GAG His Glu GCA GAG Ala Glu GTT ACC Val Thr GCT TTA TAC ATG Ala Leu Tyr Met TCC ATT GTT ATG Ser Ile Val Met 235 CCT GTG GGA GAT Pro Val Gly Asp 250 AAG ATA CTA CTG Lys Ile Leu Leu 265 TCA AGA GTT GCG Ser Arg Val Ala 280 TTG GAA GAT GCA Leu Glu Asp Ala GAG GCA GAC TAT Glu Ala Asp Tyr 315 AGT GGT CAG AAG Ser Gly Gin Lys 330 TGG GCT GCT ACT Trp Ala Ala Thr 345 AGA AAG TTG GAA Arg Lys Leu Glu 360 GAA GCG ATG CTG Glu Ala Met Leu

AAC

Asn

CAA

Gin

GAC

Asp

GCT

Ala

AAG

Lys 285

TTT

Phe

GCT

Ala

TCT

Ser

CTC

Leu

CTA

Leu 365

CAC

His 680 728 776 824 872 920 968 1016 1064 1112 1160 1208 CTT CAG Leu Gin AAT CAT Asn His TAT GTC Tyr Val ACA AAG Thr Lys 435 AGT CAA Ser Gin 450 TTA ACA Leu Thr CTG CTC TTT Leu Leu Phe 395 TAT GGT GCC Tyr Gly Ala 410 CTG AAA GTG Leu Lys Val 425 TTC CAG GTT Phe Gin Val GGC GGC Gly Gly GTG AAA Val Lys AGT AAC Ser Asn GTA ACG Val Thr 445 GAG AGG Glu Arg 460 CTG TTT Leu Phe 1256 1304 1352 1400 1448 1496 TTC GGA Phe Gly ATG GTT Met Val 455 GTA GTT Val Val 470 P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/199 -46 ATC GGG AAC ACT GTG AAT GGC ACA ACT TAT GCC GGG TTG CGA GCA AGA 1544 Ile Gly Asn Thr Val Asn Gly Thr Thr Tyr Ala Gly Leu Arg Ala Arg 485 490 495 ACG ACA GGA GCT CCG CAG AAT CAT TGG TTT GGA CCA GCT GGA GAC CCG 1592 Thr Thr Gly Ala Pro Gln Asn His Trp Phe Gly Pro Ala Gly Asp Pro 500 505 510 AGA GGT GCA GGG ATT GGA ACA CCA GAA GCC ATT AAA CTT GTC TGG TCT 1640 Arg Gly Ala Gly Ile Gly Thr Pro Glu Ala Ile Lys Leu Val Trp Ser 515 520 525 TGC CAC CGA GAG ATC ATT TAC GAT ATC GGC CCT GTA TCA CAC CAT TGG 1688 Cys His Arg Gu Ile Ile Tyr Asp Ile Gly Pro Vai Ser His His Trp 530 535 540 545 GAA ATT CCT CCA TCC ACT TAGAGAGAGA GTGAGAGATT TGTAAAACTG 1736 Glu Ile Pro Pro Ser Thr .*.*550 .TTGAGATGTA GCTGACTGAT CCATGTATCA GAAGTAGGCA TTCATCAGCC CGTGTACCGT 1796 TACTTTCTAC GAATAAAAAT GCCGGGAAGT CTGTAGATCA AAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAA 1853 P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/9/99 47 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 551 amino acids TYPE: amino acid TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein (xi) SEQUENCE Met Tyr Arg Pro Leu a DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID Val Ala Arg Leu Leu His Phe Ala Arg Arg Ala Glu Giu Leu Ser Gin Gly Asn Trp Gly Leu Asn Gly Giu Pro Ile Lys Pro Phe Val His Asn Pro Phe Lys 105 Ser Thr Lys Ala Gly 120 Phe Ala Arg Leu Ile 135 Leu Gly Giu Val Gin 150 Asp Gin Val Arg Phe 170 Leu Gly Gin Gin Ser 185 Ile Ile Thr Pro Phe 200 Met Gly Ala Leu Tyr 215 Lys Val Ser Ile Val 230 Gly Leu Pro Val Gly 250 Met Asn Lys Ile Leu 265 Gly Ser Ser Arg Val 280 Ile Lys Leu Giu Asp 295 NO: 2: Arg Asp Phe Ser Gly Ala Gly Ser Phe Ile Giu Ser Ser Pro His Met Gin Arg 140 Val Thr 155 Leu Ala Asn Gly Asn Phe Met Gly 220 Met Giu 235 Asp Ala Val Ser Pro Ser Val Ser Arg 110 Ser Al a Lys Ser Arg 190 Leu Lys Met Phe Asn 270 Leu Asp Ser Met Asp Leu Gly Pro Asp Asn Glu Ala Asp Tyr Val 315 AspTyrValAla Trp Val Cys 315 320 P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/9/99 -48 Asp Gin Asp Ala *S Ile Leu Pro Leu 385 Giu Val Vai Asn His 465 Vai Arg Pro Ser Trp 545 Tyr 325 His Aia Vai Pro Ile 405 Leu Ile Pro Al a Thr 485 Ala Gly Giu Pro Trp Arg 360 Glu Lys Ile Ile Pro 440 Leu Ser Gly Asn Thr 520 Tyr Ala Cys Ser Gly Ala 345 Lys Ala Leu Tyr Leu 425 Phe Giu Asn Thr His 505 Pro Asp Ser Ala Gin 335 Leu Ile Ser 350 Leu Thr Val 365 His Leu Asn Gly Lys Pro Lys Pro Thr 415 Asn Tyr Giu 430 Thr Giu Tyr 445 Arg Met His Phe Leu Gin Gly Leu Arg 495 Pro Ala Gly 510 Lys Leu Val 525 Val Ser His P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 -49- SEQUENCE LISTING INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 347 base pairs TYPE: nucleic acid STRANDEDNESS: single TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:3:

ATAAACCTCC

TTGCATCAAA

AGGCAGTGAA

GAGAAGAGTT

AAAGAGGAAT

TGTGTTCACT

TATGACTTAC

ACCACCGCCG

GTTAGTAGAG

AGCGGCAAAG

CGCAAAAGAA

CTCCCTCTAT

CGAGCAAATG

TAGCTGCCGA

GAAACAGAAA

AGAAGGAGAC

GAGAGCGATC

CTCTACTTGC

CGGCTGCGGA

CGTTAAAGTA

CTGCAGTAAA

TACCATGGAA

TTAAAGCTGC

GTCTTGTGTT

ACCACTCGAA TCTACCACTC TCCAGAGATA GCAAGTGACG ATCATTTCAA ATAACAGAGA ACAAAGCTTG AAAACGAAGG ATTTGGCCTC CCTTTCGCGG

CTCGGCA

INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:4: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 161 base pairs TYPE: nucleic acid STRANDEDNESS: single TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE.DIV 24/9/99 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:4: ATAAACCTCC ATCACTACCT CTAAAGCTGC ACGGCTGACA CCGCAACACC AAATAACTTG CCACATTTTC TCTCTATCCA AATCCAAAAT CGACGTCTCT TTCTCCTCCT CATCACTGAG 120 TTTGTTCATA CTTGCCCAAC CAAAAGCTTG GTACTTTTAG C 161 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 21 base pairs TYPE: nucleic acid STRANDEDNESS: single TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA degenerate oligonucleotide for which R=purine, Y=pyrimidine, I=inosine) (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID AARGARAT(Y/A)T TYGGICCITT Y 21 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:6: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 21 base pairs TYPE: nucleic acid STRANDEDNESS: single TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA degenerate oligonucleotide for which R=purine, Y=pyrimidine, I=inosine) P:\OPER\MRO\FISGENE. DIV 24/9199 51 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:6: AT(Y/A)ACICCIT TYAAYTTYCC I 21 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:7: Wi SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 24 base pairs TYPE: nucleic acid STRANDEDNESS: single TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA degenerate oligonucleotide for which R=purine, Y=pyrimidine, I=inosine) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:7: TGY (G/C)IGGIC ARAARTGY IGCI 24

Claims (20)

1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule which comprises an SR structural gene, which is capable of being induced in response to a susceptible interaction between a host plant and a fungal pathogen, wherein said SR structural gene comprises a sequence of nucleotides which is at least 70% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1 or a complementary strand thereof.

2. The isolated nucleic acid molecule according to claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid molecule originates from a crop plant selected from the list comprising flax, maize, rice, barley, rye and oats, amongst others.

3. The isolated nucleic acid molecule according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said SR structural gene further comprises a sequence of nucleotides which is at least 75% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1 or a complementary strand thereof.

4. The isolated nucleic acid molecule according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said SR structural gene further comprises a sequence of nucleotides which is at least 80-90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1 or a complementary strand thereof. The isolated nucleic acid molecule according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said nucleic acid molecule is capable of hybridising under at least low stringency conditions to the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or to a complementary strand thereof.

6. The isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence of nucleotides which encodes or is complementary to a sequence which encodes an SR gene product induced in response to a susceptible interaction between a host plant and a fungal pathogen, wherein said SR gene product comprises an amino acid sequence which is at least 40% identical to the polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2.

7. The isolated nucleic acid molecule according to claim 6, originating from a crop .RAL, plant selected from the list comprising flax, maize, rice, barley, rye and oats, amongst others. P:\OPER\MRO\SPECIF-I\FISGNE.DIV -30/10/01 -53

8. The isolated nucleic acid molecule according to claim 7, wherein if said nucleic acid molecule originates from maize it encodes the Mis] polypeptide.

9. The isolated nucleic acid molecule according to claim 7, wherein if said nucleic acid molecule originates from flax it encodes the Fis] polypeptide. An isolated nucleic acid primer molecule of at least 10 contiguous nucleotides in length derived from a flax Fisi structural gene sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 OR 7.

11. A genetic construct which comprises the nucleic acid molecule according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. The genetic construct according to claim 11, wherein said nucleic acid molecule is operably linked to a promoter sequence that is operable in plants.

13. A transgenic plant transformed with a genetic construct according to claim 12.

14. A genetic construct comprising the primer molecule of claim A recombinant SR gene product comprising a sequence of amino acids which is at least 40% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2.

16. The recombinant SR gene product according to claim 15 further comprising at least one of the amino acid sequence motifs selected from the list comprising GPL, GSG, GQG and EEP as.hereinbefore defined in Table 2.

17. A method of detecting infection of a plant by a fungal pathogen in a susceptible interaction, said method comprising detecting increased expression of an SR structural gene in said plant by contacting a nucleic acid molecule derived from said plant with an isolated SRAL/ SR structural gene which comprises a sequence of nucleotides which is at least 70% identical to SEQ ID NO:1 or a fragment of at least 10 contiguous nucleotides in length derived P \OPER\MRO\SPECIF-\FISGENEDIV 30/10/01 *r 4 4 4 4 -54- therefrom for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow a double-stranded nucleic acid molecule to form.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the isolated SR structural gene comprises the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or a fragment of at least 10 contiguous nucleotides in length derived therefrom.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the isolated SR structural gene is labelled with a reporter molecule.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of detecting the amount of bound reporter molecule.

21. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein said plant is selected from the list comprising flax, maize, wheat, barley, oats, rye and rice.

22. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 20 for the detection of an infection of a plant by a fungal pathogen in a susceptible interaction, wherein said plant and respective fungal pathogen is selected from the list of pathogen:host plant combinations comprising: PATHOGEN Puccinia graminis Puccinia striformis Puccinia recondita Puccinia hordei Puccinia coronata Puccinia sorghi Puccinia polysora Puccinia purpurea Puccinia sacchari Puccinia kuehnii Puccinia arachidis HOST PLANT wheat, barley and rye wheat and rye rye and wheat barley oat maize maize sorghum sugar cane sugar cane peanut P:\OPER\MRO\SPECIF-I\FISGENE.DIV- 30/10/01 Puccinia stachmanii Uromyces striatus medicaginis Uromyces phaseoli Hemileia vastatrix Melampsora lini Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae Cronartium ribicola Cronartium fusiforme cotton alfalfa phaseolus beans coffee rust flax cedar and apple white pine loblolly and slash pine

23. A progeny plant derived from the transgenic plant according to claim 13, wherein said progeny plant comprises the nucleic acid molecule according to any one of claims 1 to 9 operably linked to a promoter sequence that is operable in plants. DATED this 30th day of October 2001. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation by Davies Collison Cave Patent Attorneys for the Applicant