Patent ID: 7939709
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: C12N,C12P

Abstract:
1. A method of producing male or female sterile plants comprising the steps of: a) transforming plant material with a polynucleotide which encodes at least one enzyme which reacts with a non-phytotoxic substance to produce a phytotoxic one, wherein the enzyme is expressed preferentially in either male or female reproductive structures and characterized in that the enzyme is a mutant D-amino acid oxidase, derived from b) regenerating the thus transformed material into a plant; c) applying the said non-phytotoxic substance to the plant up to the time of male or female gamete formation and/or maturation, so that the non-phytotoxic substance provides for the production of a phytotoxic one which selectively prevents the formation of or otherwise renders the said gametes non-functional; and d) selecting for the plant with male or female sterility.