Patent ID: 6989236
Filing Date: 2006-01-24
Classification: C12N

Abstract:
1. A method for identifying plant genetic material whose actions cause increased production of a metabolite or metabolites of interest in plant cells, said method comprising: a) causing random integration into the plant genome in plant protoplasts of at least one enhancer-containing T-DNA genetic element harboring sequences to enable bacterial replication and selection; b) growing said protoplasts to the stage of callus cultures; c) sampling said callus cultures in such a manner as to retain viability thereof and to obtain cells for continued growth and recovery, d) analyzing said cells by at least one radioligand displacement assay to identify the callus cultures producing the metabolite or metabolites of interest, wherein the radioligand is a nicotine acetylcholine receptor antagonist or a nicotine acetylcholine receptor agonist; and e) isolating and identifying the plant genetic material, the action of which has been stimulated by the enhancer-containing T-DNA genetic element in the sampled, identified callus cultures.