New DNA sequences involved in isoprenoid biosynthesis, useful in screening for compounds with e.g. antimicrobial and herbicidal activity

摘要

DNA sequence (I) that encodes one of sequences (5) or (14), of 539 and 343 amino acids (aa), respectively, or their analogs or derivatives in which one or more aa are deleted, inserted or exchanged, provided that enzymatic activity of the protein is not significantly reduced. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) DNA sequence (Ia) comprising (I) plus a promoter and 3'-untranslated sequences that are functional in viruses, eukaryotes or prokaryotes; (2) expression vector containing at least one (I); (3) protein (II) that is encoded by (i) sequences (1; 1920 bp) or (9; 1320 bp), (ii) sequences that hybridize to (1) or (9), or to their fragments that encode mature proteins, or (iii) sequences that would, but for the degeneracy of the genetic code, hybridize with (ii); (4) plant cells containing (I); (5) transformed plant cells, and transgenic plants regenerated from them, containing (I); (6) transgenic viruses, eukaryotes and prokaryotes containing (I) and able to produce isoprenoids; (7) method (M1) for isolating (II) from the culture supernatant or lysate of parasites, by chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques; (8) method (M2) for isolating (II) by expression of exogenous DNA; (9) method (M3) for determining the enzymatic activity of LytB and YfgB proteins; (10) method (M4) for preparing organisms of (6); and (11) method (M5) of screening for compounds (A) for antimycotic, antibiotic, antiparasitic, antiviral, bactericidal, fungicidal and herbicidal activities.