DNA construct for enhancing nuclear encoded plastid membrane protein levels in photosynthetic organisms

摘要

The DNA construct comprises a 35S cauliflower mosaic virus promoter, a translational enhancer and transit peptide from the small subunit of Rubisco, a polyadenylation signal, such as from a cab gene, and a gene encoding a nuclear encoded plasmid membrane protein, such as a chlorophyll a/b binding protein. Specific examples of chlorophyll a/b binding protein genes are Lhca1, Lhca2, Lhca3, Lhca4, Lhcb1, Lhcb2, Lhcb3, Lhcb4, Lhcb5 and Lhcb6. A plant or photosynthetic organism may be transformed with a cloning vector comprising this DNA construct to provide increased conversion of light to chemical energy in the plastid of the plant cell or the cell of the photosynthetic organism. Expression of the DNA construct in a plant will provide increased biomass, enhanced pigmentation, increased carbohydrate content , more uniform growth, larger seeds or fruits, increased stem growth or enhanced photosynthesis under low light conditions, as compared to wild type plants under the same conditions.