WO1994021794A1 - Dna, dna constructs, cells and plants derived therefrom - Google Patents

Abstract

DNA constructs comprising DNA sequences encoding fruit-ripening-related proteins may be transformed into plants to modify plant characteristics (particularly fruit quality). New DNA sequences are disclosed; cDNA and genomic clones have been deposited; new ripening-related promoter sequences may also be obtained. Sense and antisense constructs for plant transformation are described. Genetically modified plants may be used to produce improved fruit and may also be used in breeding programmes to produce hybrid seed.

Description

DNA, DNA CONSTRUCTS, CELLS AND PLANTS DERIVED THEREFROM

This application relates to novel DNA constructs, plant cells containing the constructs and plants derived therefrom. In particular it involves the use of antisense or sense RNA technology to control gene expression in plants.

The modification of plant gene expression has been achieved by several methods. The molecular biologist can choose from a range of known methods to decrease or increase gene expression or to alter the spatial or temporal expression of a particular gene. For example, the expression of either specific antisense RNA or partial sense RNA has been utilised to reduce the expression of various target genes in plants (as reviewed by Bird and Ray, 1991, Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Reviews 9:207-227). These techniques involve the incorporation into the genome of the plant of a synthetic gene designed to express either antisense or sense RNA. They have been successfully used to down-regulate the expression of a range of individual genes involved in the development and ripening of tomato fruit (Gray et al, 1992, Plant Molecular Biology, 19:69-87). Methods to increase the expression of a target gene have also been developed. For example, additional genes designed to express RNA containing the complete coding region of the target gene may be incorporated into the genome of the plant to "over-express" the gene product. Various other methods to modify gene expression are known; for example, the use of alternative regulatory sequences. In work leading to the present invention, we have identified genes which encode proteins involved in ripening-related processes and which show novel expression patterns in normal and ripening inhibitor ( rin) mutant tomatoes. DNA sequences encoding these proteins have been cloned and characterised. The DNA sequences may be used to modify plant characteristics, particularly the ripening characteristics of fruit, including tomatoes. The sequences in question are encoded (almost completely) in the following clones: ERTlb, ERT10, ERT13, ERT14, ERT15, ERTlβb, ERT17, ERTD1, ERTR1 and ERTS2 (herein referred to as the "ERT clones" or "ERT sequences"). The clones were isolated as part of a research programme to identify genes expressed at the onset of tomato fruit ripening (Picton et al, 1993, Plant Molecular Biology, in press).

BACKGROUND TO THE ISOLATION OF THE ERT CLONES

Considering the large number of complex pathways involved in the fruit ripening process, and despite construction and screening of many tomato fruit cDNA libraries in the past decade, surprisingly few fruit- or ripening-specific genes and their functions have been identified. In order to address this specific area a new cDNA library was constructed (pERT clone series, Early Ripening Tomato) from the pericarp of a very early ripening stage of wild-type tomato fruit and differentially screened against mRNA obtained from the pericarp of ripening inhibitor ( rin) mutant fruit of a similar developmental stage.

The rin mutation, first reported in 1968, is recessive, maps to chromosome 5 and is closely linked to the macrocalyx locus. It has pleiotropic effects on ripening, resulting in an extremely retarded ripening phenotype. Fruit demonstrate an increased resistance to many common post harvest pathogens and have been maintained for years without further signs of normal ripening or deterioration. Following extensive storage of fruit, seeds may germinate and grow precociously within the fruit. Other aspects of plant growth and early fruit development appear unaffected by the rin mutation. However, the rin fruit fail to attain a normal level of pigmentation as a result of decreased accumulation of carotenoids, particularly lycopene, and there is a decreased rate of chlorophyll loss so that rin fruit remain green when wild-type fruit are fully red. The rin fruit eventually "ripen" to a lemon yellow colour after several weeks. These mutant fruit also fail to achieve normal flavour or aroma which has been correlated with the reduced production of a number of aromatic compounds.

Despite these considerable shortfalls the rin mutation is used in the heterozygous state in commercial tomato production, as in such a genetic state the deficiencies of the homozygous rin mutation regarding fruit quality are at least partially overcome. The major benefit of rin heterozygous tomatoes is the maintained firmness which gives the tomato improved handling characteristics particularly for fresh market applications.

Examination of total proteins of wild-type and rin pericarp reveals differences during ripening, some proteins being more abundant and others reduced in the mutant fruit as compared to wild- type. In vitro translation profiles suggest that such changes are the result of altered gene expression in the mutant fruit. Subsequent analysis with ripening-related cDNA clones showed altered patterns of accumulation of several mRNAs in the mutant fruit, suggesting that the rin mutation effects expression of many ripening- related genes.

At the onset of ripening, rin fruit do not show the autocatalytic rise in ethylene evolution characteristic of normal tomato fruit and ripen essentially as non-climacteric fruit. Therefore, it has been suggested that the rin mutation may affect ethylene receptors and thus lead to the retarded ripening phenotype. However, there is evidence that rin fruit are able to perceive ethylene but ethylene alone is unable to reverse the mutant phenotype. Application of high levels of exogenous ethylene does induce red pigmentation in rin fruit and leads to an increase in respiration rate but fails to induce autocatalytic ethylene production. Ethylene treatment also restores accumulation of some ripening-related mRNAs which are substantially reduced in the mutant fruit, namely those homologous to pTOM 5 (phytoene synthase), pTOM 13 (ethylene-forming enzyme), pTOM 99 (now known to be encoded by the ethylene responsive gene E8) and E4, but fails to significantly increase accumulation of polygalacturonase (pTOM 6) mRNA.

rin fruit, as a non-climacteric background, have been used to examine transcriptional activation and accumulation of a number of ethylene-responsive genes. These experiments indicate that rin effects both transcriptional and post-transcriptional events. Transcription of both polygalacturonase and E4 genes, and thus subsequent mRNA accumulation, are effectively abolished in rin fruit. In contrast, transcription of the E8 (pTOM 99) and J49 genes is reduced and their homologous mRNAs accumulate at a reduced level. In the case of the E17 gene, the rin mutation appears to have no effect on transcription, but mRNA accumulation is severely impaired.

In view of the extreme nature of the rin ripening mutant and its diverse effects at the molecular level, where it affects the expression of many ripening-related genes, it is not an ideal breeding tool. However, due to the nature of the mutation, we decided to use rin fruit mRNA as a probe to isolate fruit ripening-related cDNAs. A cDNA library produced from mRNA isolated from the pericarp of wild-type tomato fruit (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, cv Ailsa Craig) at the first visible sign of fruit ripening was differentially screened to identify clones whose homologous mRNAs were present at various levels in fruit of the tomato ripening mutant, ripening inhibitor ( rin) . We have now isolated, characterised and sequenced a series of new cDNA clones whose homologous mRNAs show altered patterns of expression in rin fruit during ripening. DNA CONSTRUCTS, CELLS AND PLANTS ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION

According to the present invention we provide a DNA construct comprising a DNA sequence as encoded by an ERT clone selected from the group comprising ERTlb, ERT10, ERT13, ERT14, ERT15, ERTlδb, ERT17, ERTDl, ERTR1 and ERTS2 or as obtainable by the use of said clone as a hybridization probe. The DNA sequence may be derived from cDNA, from genomic DNA or synthetic polynucleotides (synthesised ab initio) .

cDNA clones encoding the ERT sequences were deposited at The National Collections of Industrial and Marine Bacteria (23 St Machar Drive, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB2 1RY) under the terms of the Budapest Treaty on the dates and under the accession (NCIMB) numbers indicated below.

The base sequence of ERTlb (deposited on 18 March 1993 as NCIMB 40544) is set out in SEQ ID NO 1.

The base sequence of ERT10 (deposited on 18 March 1993 as NCIMB 40545) is set out in SEQ ID NO 2.

The base sequence of ERT13 (deposited on 18 March 1993 as NCIMB 40546) is set out in SEQ ID NO 3.

The base sequence of ERT14 (deposited on 18 March 1993 as NCIMB 40547) is set out in SEQ ID NO 4.

The base sequence of ERT15 (deposited on 18 March 1993 as NCIMB 40548) is set out in SEQ ID NO 5. The base sequence of ERTlδb (deposited on 18 March 1993 as NCIMB 40549) is set out in SEQ ID NO 6.

The base sequence of ERT17 (deposited on 5 July 1993 as NCIMB 40569) is set out in SEQ ID NO 7.

The base sequence of ERTDl (deposited on 30 September 1993 and 9 December 1993 as NCIMB 40588) is set out in SEQ ID NO 8.

The base sequence of ERTR1 (deposited on 18 March 1993 as NCIMB 40550) is set out in SEQ ID NO 9.

The base sequence of ERTS2 (deposited on 18 March 1993 as NCIMB 40551) is set out in SEQ ID NO 10.

The ERT cDNA sequences have been inserted into plasmids for replication purposes (designated pERTlb, etc) within an E coli host.

cDNA clones encoding the ERT ripening-related proteins/enzymes may also be obtained from the mRNA of tomatoes or other plants by known screening methods similar to that described by Slater et al (1985, Plant Molecular Biology, 5:137-147) using suitable probes derived from one of the sequences shown as SEQ ID NO 1 to SEQ ID NO 10. Sequences coding for the whole, or substantially the whole of the mRNA produced by the ERT gene or genes may thus be isolated.

An alternative source of the ERT DNA sequence is a suitable gene encoding the particular ERT protein. This gene may differ from the cDNA in that introns may be present. The introns are not transcribed into mRNA (or, if so transcribed, are subsequently cut out). Oligonucleotide probes or the cDNA clone may be used to isolate the actual ERT gene(s) by screening genomic DNA libraries. A series of genomic DNA clones has already been isolated from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) by hybridisation to ERT cDNAs. Three of these genomic clones have been deposited at The National Collections of Industrial and Marine Bacteria (23 St Machar Drive, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB2 IRY) under the terms of the Budapest Treaty:

ERT1 (genomic DNA related to pERTlb) was deposited on 24 December 1993 under the accession number NCIMB 40606;

ERT10 (genomic DNA related to pERTlO) was deposited on 24 December 1993 under the accession number NCIMB 40607;

ERT15 (genomic DNA related to pERT15) was deposited on 24 December 1993 under the accession number NCIMB 40608.

The ERT genomic sequences have been inserted into λ bacteriophage EMBL3 for replication purposes (designated gERTl, gERTIO, gERTlδ) using E coli K803 plating cells.

Such genomic DNA sequences may also be used as sources of gene promoters (transcriptional initiation sequences). The genomic clones may include control sequences operating in the plant genome. Thus it is also possible to isolate promoter sequences which may be used to drive expression of the ERT protein or any other protein. These promoters may be particularly responsive to ripening-related events and conditions. An ERT-gene promoter may be used to drive expression of any target gene. A further way of obtaining an ERT DNA sequence is to synthesise it ab initio from .the appropriate bases, for example using any one of SEQ ID NO 1 to SEQ ID NO 10 as a guide.

DNA sequences encoding the ERT ripening-related proteins or enzymes may be isolated not only from tomato but from any suitable plant species. Alternative sources of suitable genes may include bacteria, yeast, lower and higher eukaryotes.

The ERT sequences may be incorporated into DNA constructs suitable for plant transformation. These DNA constructs may then be used to modify ERT gene expression in plants. "Antisense" or "partial sense" or other techniques may be used to reduce the expression of the ERT protein(s) in developing and ripening fruit. The levels of the ERT proteins(s) may also be increased; for example, by incorporation of additional ERT sequence(s). The additional sequence(s) may be designed to give either the same or different spatial and temporal patterns of expression in the fruit. The overall level of ERT gene activity and the relative activities of the individual ERT proteins/enzymes affect plant (notably fruit) development and thus determine certain characteristics of the plant/fruit. Modification of ERT protein/enzyme activity can therefore be used to modify various aspects of plant or fruit quality when compared to similar unmodified plants or fruit at a corresponding development stage. The invention further provides a DNA construct comprising a DNA sequence as encoded by an ERT clone selected from the group consisting of ERTlb, ERT10, ERT13, ERT1 , ERT15, ERTlδb, ERT17, ERTD1, ERTRl and ERTS2 or as obtainable by the use of said clone as a hybridization probe, in which said DNA sequence is under the control of a transcriptional initiation region operative in plants, so that the construct can generate RNA in plant cells. Such a DNA construct may be an "antisense" construct generating "antisense" RNA or a "sense" construct (encoding at least part of the functional ERT protein) generating "sense" RNA. "Antisense RNA" is an RNA sequence which is complementary to a sequence of bases in the corresponding mRNA: complementary in the sense that each base (or the majority of bases) in the antisense sequence (read in the 3' to 5' sense) is capable of pairing with the corresponding base (G with C, A with U) in the mRNA sequence read in the 5' to 3' sense. Such antisense RNA may be produced in the cell by transformation with an appropriate DNA construct arranged to generate a transcript with at least part of its sequence complementary to at least part of the coding strand of the relevant gene (or of a DNA sequence showing substantial homology therewith). "Sense RNA" is an RNA sequence which is substantially homologous to at least part of the corresponding mRNA sequence. Such sense RNA may be produced in the cell by transformation with an appropriate DNA construct arranged in the normal orientation so as to generate a transcript with a sequence identical to at least part of the coding strand of the relevant gene (or of a DNA sequence showing substantial homology therewith). Suitable sense constructs may be used to inhibit gene expression (as described in International Patent Publication WO91/08299) or to over-express the protein/enzyme.

The transcriptional initiation region may be derived from any plant-operative promoter. The transcriptional initiation region may be positioned for transcription of a DNA sequence encoding RNA which is complementary to a substantial run of bases in a mRNA encoding a protein produced by an ERT gene (making the DNA construct a full or partial antisense construct).

The characteristics of plant parts, particularly fruit, may be modified by transformation with a DNA construct according to the invention. The invention also provides plant cells containing such constructs; plants derived therefrom showing modified ripening characteristics; and seeds of such plants.

The constructs of the invention may be inserted into plants to regulate the production of proteins encoded by genes homologous to the ripening-related ERT clone. The constructs may be transformed into any dicotyledonous or monocotyledonous plant. Depending on the nature of the construct, the production of the protein may be increased, or reduced, either throughout or at particular stages in the life of the plant. Generally, as would be expected, production of the protein is enhanced only by constructs which express RNA homologous to the substantially complete endogenous ERT mRNA. Constructs containing an incomplete DNA sequence shorter than that corresponding to the complete gene generally inhibit the expression of the gene and production of the proteins, whether they are arranged to express sense or antisense RNA. Full-length antisense constructs also inhibit gene expression.

The plants to which the present invention can be applied include commercially important fruit-bearing plants, in particular tomato. In this way, plants can be generated which, amongst other phenotypic modifications, may have one or more of the following fruit characteristics: improved resistance to damage during harvest, packaging and transportation due to slowing of the ripening and over-ripening processes; longer shelf life and better storage characteristics due to reduced activity of degradative pathways (e.g. cell wall hydrolysis); improved processing characteristics due to changed activity of proteins/enzymes contributing to factors such as: viscosity, solids, pH, elasticity; improved flavour and aroma at the point of sale due to modification of the sugar/acid balance and other flavour and aroma components responsible for characteristics of the ripe fruit; modified colour due to changes in activity of enzymes involved in the pathways of pigment biosynthesis (e.g. lycopene, b-carotene, chalcones and anthocyanins) ; increased resistance to post-harvest pathogens such as fungi.

The activity of the ERT protein may be either increased or reduced depending on the characteristics desired for the modified plant part (fruit, leaf, flower, etc). The levels of ERT protein may be increased; for example, by incorporation of additional ERT genes. The additional genes may be designed to give either the same or different spatial and temporal patterns of expression in the fruit. "Antisense" or "partial sense" or other techniques may be used to reduce the expression of ERT protein.

The activity of each ERT protein or enzyme may be modified either individually or in combination with modification of the activity ofone or more other ERT proteins/enzymes. In addition, the activities of the ERT proteins/enzymes may be modified in combination with modification of the activity of other enzymes involved in fruit ripening or related processes.

DNA constructs according to the invention may comprise a base sequence at least 10 bases (preferably at least 35 bases) in length for transcription into RNA. There is no theoretical upper limit to the base sequence - it may be as long as the relevant mRNA produced by the cell - but for convenience it will generally be found suitable to use sequences between 100 and 1000 bases in length. The preparation of such constructs is described in more detail below.

As a source of the DNA base sequence for transcription, a suitable cDNA or genomic DNA or synthetic polynucleotide may be used. The isolation of suitable ERT sequences is described above; it is convenient to use DNA sequences derived from the ERT clones deposited at NCIMB in Aberdeen. Sequences coding for the whole, or substantially the whole, of the appropriate ERT protein may thus be obtained. Suitable lengths of this DNA sequence may be cut out for use by means of restriction enzymes. When using genomic DNA as the source of a base sequence for transcription it is possible to use either intron or exon regions or a combination of both.

To obtain constructs suitable for expression of the appropriate ERT-related sequence in plant cells, the cDNA sequence as found in one of the pERT plasmids or the gene sequence as found in the gERT vectors or the chromosome of the plant may be used. Recombinant DNA constructs may be made using standard techniques. For example, the DNA sequence for transcription may be obtained by treating a vector containing said sequence with restriction enzymes to cut out the appropriate segment. The DNA sequence for transcription may also be generated by annealing and ligating synthetic oligonucleotides or by using synthetic oligonucleotides in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to give suitable restriction sites at each end. The DNA sequence is then cloned into a vector containing upstream promoter and downstream terminator sequences. If antisense DNA is required, the cloning is carried out so that the cut DNA sequence is inverted with respect to its orientation in the strand from which it was cut.

In a construct expressing antisense RNA, the strand that was formerly the template strand becomes the coding strand, and vice versa. The construct will thus encode RNA in a base sequence which- is complementary to part or all of the sequence of the ERT-protein-encoding mRNA. Thus the two RNA strands are complementary not only in their base sequence but also in their orientations

(5' to 3' ) .

In a construct expressing sense RNA, the template and coding strands retain the assignments and orientations of the original plant gene. Constructs expressing sense RNA encode RNA with a base sequence which is homologous to part or all of the sequence of the mRNA. in constructs which express the functional ERT protein, the whole of the coding region of the gene is linked to transcriptional control sequences capable of expression in plants.

For example, constructs according to the present invention may be made as follows. A suitable vector containing the desired base sequence for transcription (such as a pERT or gERT vector) is treated with restriction enzymes to cut the sequence out. The DNA strand so obtained is cloned (if desired, in reverse orientation) into a second vector containing the desired promoter sequence and the desired terminator sequence. Suitable promoters include the 35S cauliflower mosaic virus promoter and the tomato polygalacturonase gene promoter sequence (Bird et al, 1988, Plant Molecular Biology, 11:651-662) or other developmetally regulated fruit promoters. Suitable terminator sequences include that of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens nopaline synthase gene (the nos 3' end) .

The transcriptional initiation region (or promoter) operative in plants may be a constitutive promoter (such as the 35S cauliflower mosaic virus promoter) or an inducible or developmentally regulated promoter (such as fruit-specific promoters), as circumstances require. For example, it may be desirable to modify ERT protein activity only during fruit development and/or ripening. Use of a constitutive promoter will tend to affect ERT protein levels and functions in all parts of the plant, while use of a tissue specific promoter allows more selective control of gene expression and affected functions. Thus in applying the invention (for example, to tomatoes) it may be found convenient to use a promoter that will give expression during fruit development and/or ripening. Thus the antisense or sense RNA is produced only in the organ in which its action is required and/or only at the time required. Fruit development and/or ripening-specific promoters that could be used include the ripening-enhanced polygacturonase promoter (International Patent Publication Number WO92/08798), the E8 promoter (Diekman & Fischer, 1988, EMBO, 7:3315-3320), the fruit specific 2All promoter (Pear et al, 1989, Plant Molecular Biology, 13:639-651), the histidine decarboxylase promoter (HDC, Sibia) and the phytoene synthase promoter.

ERT protein or enzyme activity (and hence ripeing-related processes and fruit ripening characteristics) may be modified to a greater or lesser extent by controlling the degree of the appropriate ERT protein's sense or antisense mRNA production in the plant cells. This may be done by suitable choice of promoter sequences, or by selecting the number of copies or the site of integration of the DNA sequences that are introduced into the plant genome. For example, the DNA construct may include more than one DNA sequence encoding the ERT protein or more than one recombinant construct may be transformed into each plant cell.

The activity of each ERT protein may be separately modified by transformation with a suitable DNA construct comprising an ERT sequence. In addition, the activity of two or more ERT proteins may be simultaneously modified by transforming a cell with two or more separate constructs: the first comprising a first ERT sequence (such as ERTlb) and the second (or further) comprising a second ERT sequence (such as ERT10 and/or ERT13, etc). Alternatively, a plant cell may be transformed with a single DNA construct comprising both a first ERT sequence and a second ERT sequence.

It is also possible to modify the activity of the ERT protein(s) while also modifying the activity of one or more other enzymes. The other enzymes may be involved in cell metabolism or in fruit development and ripening. Cell wall metabolising enzymes that may be modified in combination with an ERT protein include but are not limited to: pectin esterase, polygalacturonase, β-galactanase, β-glucanase. Other enzymes involved in fruit development and ripening that may be modified in combination with an ERT protein include but are not limited to: ethylene biosynthetic enzymes, carotenoid biosynthetic enzymes including phytoene synthase, carbohydrate metabolism enzymes including invertase. Several methods are available for modification of the activity of the ERT protein(s) in combination with other enzymes. For example, a first plant may be individually transformed with an ERT construct and then crossed with a second plant which has been individually transformed with a construct encoding another enzyme. As a further example, plants may be either consecutively or co- transformed with ERT constructs and with appropriate constructs for modification of the activity of the other enzyme(s). An alternative example is plant transformation with an ERT construct which itself contains an additional gene for modification of the activity of the other enzyme(s). The ERT constructs may contain sequences of DNA for regulation of the expression of the other enzyme(s) located adjacent to the ERT sequences. These additional sequences may be in either sense or antisense orientation as described in International patent application publication number W093/23551 (single construct having distinct DNA regions homologous to different target genes). By using such methods, the benefits of modifying the activity of the ERT proteins may be combined with the benefits of modifying the activity of other enzymes.

A DNA construct of the invention is transformed into a target plant cell. The target plant cell may be part of a whole plant or may be an isolated cell or part of a tissue which may be regenerated into a whole plant. The target plant cell may be selected from any monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous plant species. Suitable plants include any fruit-bearing plant (such as tomatoes, mangoes, peaches, apples, pears, strawberries, bananas, melons). For any particular plant cell, the ERT sequence used in the transformation construct may be derived from the same plant species, or may be derived from any other plant species (as there will be sufficient sequence similarity to allow modification of related isoenzyme gene expression).

Constructs according to the invention may be used to transform any plant using any suitable transformation technique to make plants according to the invention. Both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plant cells may be transformed in various ways known to the art. In many cases such plant cells (particularly when they are cells of dicotyledonous plants) may be cultured to regenerate whole plants which subsequently reproduce to give successive generations of genetically modified plants. Any suitable method of plant transformation may be used. For example, dicotyledonous plants such as tomato and melon may be transformed by Agrobacterium Ti plasmid technology, such as described by Bevan (1984, Nucleic Acid Research, 12:8711-8721) or Fillatti et al (Biotechnology, July 1987, 5:726-730). Such transformed plants may be reproduced sexually, or by cell or tissue culture.

Transgenic plants and their progeny may be used in standard breeding programmes, resulting in improved plant lines having the desired characteristics. For example, fruit-bearing plants expressing an ERT construct according to the invention may be incorporated into a breeding programme to alter fruit-ripening characteristics and/or fruit quality. Such altered fruit may be easily derived from elite lines which already possess a range of advantageous traits after a substantial breeding programme: these elite lines may be further improved by modifying the expression of a single targeted ERT protein/enzyme to give the fruit a specific desired property.

By transforming plants with DNA constructs according to the invention, it is possible to produce plants having an altered (increased or reduced) level of expression of one or more ERT proteins, resulting from the presence in the plant genome of DNA capable of generating sense or antisense RNA homologous or complementary to the RNA that generates such ERT proteins. For fruit-bearing plants, fruit may be obtained by growing and cropping using conventional methods. Seeds may be obtained from such fruit by conventional methods (for example, tomato seeds are separated from the pulp of the ripe fruit and dried, following which they may be stored for one or more seasons). Fertile seed derived from the genetically modified fruit may be grown to produce further similar modified plants and fruit.

The fruit derived from genetically modified plants and their progeny may be sold for immediate consumption, raw or cooked, or processed by canning or conversion to soup, sauce or paste. Equally, they may be used to provide seeds according to the invention.

The genetically modified plants (transformed plants and their progeny) may be heterozygous for the ERT DNA constructs. The seeds obtained from self fertilisation of such plants are a population in which the DNA constructs behave like single Mendelian genes and are distributed according to Mendelian principles: eg, where such a plant contains only one copy of the construct, 25% of the seeds contain two copies of the construct, 50% contain one copy and 25% contain no copy at all. Thus not all the offspring of selfed plants produce fruit and seeds according to the present invention, and those which do may themselves be either heterozygous or homozygous for the defining trait. It is convenient to maintain a stock of seed which is homozygous for the ERT DNA construct. All crosses of such seed stock will contain at least one copy of the construct, and self-fertilized progeny will contain two copies, i.e. be homozygous in respect of the character. Such homozygous seed stock may be conventionally used as one parent in Fl crosses to produce heterozygous seed for marketing. Such seed, and fruit derived from it, form further aspects of our invention. We further provide a method of producing Fl hybrid plants expressing an ERT DNA sequence which comprises crossing two parent lines, at least one of which is homozygous for an ERT DNA construct. A process of producing Fl hybrid seed comprises producing a plant capable of bearing genetically modified fruit homozygous for an ERT DNA construct, crossing such a plant with a second homozygous variety, and recovering Fl hybrid seed. It is possible according to our invention to transform two or more plants with different ERT DNA constructs and to cross the progeny of the resulting lines, so as to obtain seed of plants which contain two or more constructs leading to reduced expression of two or more fruit-ripening -related ERT proteins. The invention will now be described further with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERTl antisense construct without the CaMV 35S 3' end.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERTl antisense construct with the CaMV 35S 3' end.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERTlb antisense construct.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERTIO antisense construct without the CaMV 35S 3' end.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERTIO antisense construct with the CaMV 35S 3' end.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERTl3 sense construct.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERTl4 antisense construct.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERT15 antisense construct.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERT16 antisense construct.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERT17 antisense construct.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERTRl antisense construct.

The invention is also described with reference to the SEQUENCE LISTING in which:

SEQ ID NO 1 shows the base sequence of the cDNA clone ERTlb.

SEQ ID NO 2 shows the base sequence of the cDNA clone ERTIO. SEQ ID NO 3 shows the base sequence of the cDNA clone ERT13.

SEQ ID NO 4 shows the base sequence of the cDNA clone ERT14.

SEQ ID NO 5 shows the base sequence of the cDNA clone ERT15.

SEQ ID NO 6 shows the base sequence of the cDNA clone ERT16b.

SEQ ID NO 7 shows the base sequence of the cDNA clone ERT17.

SEQ ID NO 8 shows the base sequence of the cDNA clone ERTD1.

SEQ ID NO 9 shows the base sequence of the cDNA clone ERTRl.

SEQ ID NO 10 shows the base sequence of the cDNA clone ERTS2.

The following Examples illustrate aspects of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Construction of a tomato wild-type ripening fruit cDNA library.

Tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, cv Ailsa Craig, +/+ and rin/rin genotypes) were grown under standard conditions. Flowers were tagged at anthesis and fruit removed from the plant, at a very early-breaker stage, when changes in pigmentation of the fruit were first apparent. This stage corresponded to 43 to 48 days post- anthesis. Pericarp samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80°C. Total RNA was extracted from the pooled pericarp of approximately four fruit as has been previously described. Poly(A)⁺mRNA was isolated by oligo dT Cellulose chromatography using a POLY(A)QUIK mRNA purification kit according to the manufacturers protocol (Stratagene,CA,USA) . Following two passages through the column, RNA was quantified spectrophotometrically. Double stranded cDNA was synthesised from approximately 5 g mRNA using a λ ZAP cDNA synthesis kit. cDNA was ligated into λ UNI-ZAP II, encapsidated iτ_ vitro and amplified immediately in E coli strain XLl-Blue following the manufacturers instructions (Stratagene, CA, USA).

EXAMPLE 2 Isolation of the pERT clones.

The wild-type tomato fruit cDNA library was estimated to represent >10 primary recombinants. Following a single amplification step, non- recombinants were estimated at less than 3% of the total recombinants. Insert size of cloned cDNAs, obtained following PCR of randomly selected clones using T3 and T7 oligonucleotide primers, was estimated to be between 500bp and 2.2Kb with a median of approximately 1.0Kb. Approximately 5 x 10 primary recombinants were screened in aliquots of 30-50,000 pfus on 14cm petri dishes. Duplicate plaque lifts were obtained from each plate using nylon membranes (Hybond N , Amersham PLC,UK). Differential hybridisation probes were obtained by reverse transcription of poly(A)⁺mRNA isolated from very early-breaker wild-type or rin fruit as described above. Following differential screening of 30-500,000 pfus, 53 potential positives showing reduced accumulation in the pericarp of early- breaker rin fruit were isolated, two clones showing a high level of accumulation in both wild-type and rin early-breaker fruit were identified and a further subset of 28 clones showed increased accumulation in the rin fruit. Following plaque purification and subsequent iτι vivo excision of the cloned inserts, 15 cDNAs continued to show reduced accumulation in rin fruit (the rin negative clones), a single clone showing high levels of accumulation in both wild-type and rin fruit (the early breaker, EB, clone) was identified and a further group of 14 clones showing increased accumulation in the pericarp of early-breaker rin fruit (the rin positive clones) were also obtained. This latter group of clones contains a family of 8 cross-hybridising cDNAs and 6 further unique clones.

The group of clones described as rin negative clones include ERTlb, ERTIO, ERT13, ERT14 and ERTl5.

The group of clones described as rin positive clones include ERT17, ERTD1, ERTRl and ERTS2.

ERTl6 is the clone which showed high levels of expression in both wild type and rin mutant fruit at early stages of ripening.

EXAMPLE 3 Characterisation of the ERT cDNA clones.

3.1 ERTlb

ERTl homologous transcripts are 1.8 kb in size and it is only found expressed during ripening of the wild type fruit. It is not found in other organs of the tomato plant. It's expression is highest during early stages of fruit ripening (eg breaker plus 3). After this the levels of ERTl mRNA decline. Levels of expression of this mRNA are low in rin mutant tomatoes and are restricted to ripening rin tomatoes. The gene is not activated upon wounding. The levels of mRNA homologous to ERTl were increased by ethylene treatment of the mutant fruit.

Initial sequence analysis of ERTl (1541 base pairs) indicated, by reference to the obtained transcript size, that the clone was not full length and the cDNA library was rescreened for a longer clone. A further clone, ERTlb was isolated and sequenced. ERTlb is totally homologous to ERTl but is longer (1669 base pairs). Further attempts are being made to re-screen the library for a full length ERTl cDNA.

The full DNA sequence and deduced amino acid sequence of ERTlb is shown in SEQ ID NO 1. The ERTlb sequence has been placed on the EMBL datase (accession number x 72729).

The ORF of ERTlb showed similarity to the amino acid sequence of UDP Flavonol-3-O-glucosyl transferase (EC 2.4.1.91) of maize (69% similarity, 26.3% identity over a region of 403 amino acids, accession numbers P16165-7) and barley (69.5% similarity, 27.1 % identity over a region of 354 amino acids, accession number P14726), and UDP- glucuronosyl transferases (EC 2.4.1.17) of rat (64.9% similarity, 25% identity over a region of 232 amino acids, accession number P08430) and human (66.2% similarity, 30.7% identity over a region of 114 amino acids, accession number P19224). Homology has also been shown at the DNA level to a transcribed A thaliana sequence (clone YAP004T7) with homology to maize flavanol-3-0-glucosyl transferase (58.1% identity in a 279bp overlap, accession number Z17579).

3.2 ERTIO

ERT 10 homologous transcripts are 1.35 kb in size and it is only found expressed during ripening of the wild type fruit. It is not found in other organs of the tomato plant. It's expression is highest during early stages of fruit ripening (eg breaker plus 3). After this the levels of ERTIO mRNA decline. Levels of expression of this mRNA are low in rin mutant tomatoes and are restricted to ripening rin tomatoes. The gene is not activated upon wounding.

The sequence of pERTIO is shown in SEQ ID NO 2. The ERTIO sequence has been placed on the EMBL datase (accession number x 72730).

An amino acid sequence derived from an ORF of ERTIO is a perfect match with the short-chain or "insect-type" alcohol dehydrogenase family signature (containing the tyrosine residue known to be involved in catalytic activity and/or subunit binding in some dehydrogenases) , however it shows an additional region of homology to glucose dehydrogenases.

3.3 ERTl3

ERT13 homologous transcripts are 1.1 kb in size and it is only found expressed during ripening of the wild type fruit. It is not found in other organs of the tomato plant. It's expression increases during fruit development and is highest around breaker stage (eg breaker plus 3). After this the levels of ERT13 mRNA decline. Levels of expression of this mRNA are also high during the early stages of fruit development of rin fruit. ERT13 is also expressed in the leaf and in wounded leaf of rin tomatoes. The gene is not activated upon wounding. The levels of mRNA homologous to ERT13 were increased by ethylene treatment of the mutant fruit.

The sequence of ERT13 is shown in SEQ ID NO 3. The ERTl3 sequence has been placed on the EMBL datase (accession number x 72731).

Searches in DNA sequence data bases have identified homology between the ERT13 cDNA sequence and the potato TUB8 cDNA sequence. TUB8 is a gene from Solanum tuberosum which is induced during the early stages of tuberisation in different organs of the potato plant (Taylor et al, 1992, Plant Molecular Biology, 20:641-651); a structural role is suggested for the encoded protein, which may be a stolon-tip protein.

3.4 ERTl4

ERTl4 homologous transcripts are 0.85 kb in size. It's expression is maximal at breaker plus one day with high levels of expression also detectable at breaker and in early fruit development stages. During fruit ripening the expression of ERT14 decreases. Expression is also detectable during fruit development of the rin fruit and in wounded and unwounded control and rin leaf. The levels of mRNA homologous to ERT14 were increased by ethylene treatment of the mutant fruit.

The sequence of ERT14 is shown in SEQ ID NO 4. The ERT14 sequence has been placed on the EMBL datase (accession number x 72732).

Searches in DNA and protein sequence data bases do not identify any homologies.

3.5 ERTl5

ERT15 homologous transcripts are 6.0 kb in size. It's expression is maximal at breaker plus one day with high levels of expression also detectable at breaker but not in early fruit development stages. During fruit ripening the expression of ERT15 decreases. In rin fruit expression is only detectable at the yellow colour stage. In wounded and unwounded control and rin leaf ERTl5 expression is also detectable.

The sequence of ERT15 is shown in SEQ ID NO 5. The ERT15 sequence has been placed on the EMBL datase (accession number x 72734).

Searches in DNA and protein sequence data bases do not identify any homologies.

3.6 pERTlδb

Using ERT16, the cDNA library was rescreened for a longer clone. A further clone, ERTlδb was isolated and sequenced. The ERT16b transcript is estimated to be approximately 1.0 kb.

It has been shown that the mRNA for which ERTlδb codes is expressed in the developing and ripening tomato fruit. ERT16b mRNA are easily detectable in immature green fruit and increase throughout fruit development reaching a peak of expression between breaker plus 5 to breaker plus seven days. The levels stay high even during late ripening stages. In the rin mutant fruit the expression of ERTlβb was similar to that of control tomaotes. In low ethylene tomatoes (eg low EFE tomatoes) levels of ERTlδb mRNA were similar to levels found in unmodified tomato fruit at any of the ripening stages investigated. On the other hand, ERTlδb mRNA levels were not seen in leaves or wounded leaves of tomato.

The sequence of ERTlδb is shown in SEQ ID NO 6. The ERTlδb sequence has been placed on the EMBL datase (accession number x 72733).

Searches of nucleotide sequence databases on the Daresbury SERC system (EMBL, GenBank) indicate the ERTlδb sequence is homologous to the sequence of a cDNA derived from ripe tomato fruit pericarp. The associated transcript is induced by water stress in leaves and ripening in fruit (sequence submitted by ND Lusem, DM Bartholomew and PA Scolnik; Accession Number L08255, TOMASRIP). The homology is 98.9% over 632 nucleotides (the full length of the ERTlδb sequence).

3.7 ERTl7

ERT17 mRNA is detected during fruit development and increases to a peak after the onset of ripening. It is present in leaves and at an increased level in senescing and mechanically wounded leaf tissue. Although ripening, wounding and foliar senescence are all ethylene mediated processes, ERT17 mRNA accumulation in fruit is not increased by ethylene treatment and thus its interrelationship with ethylene evolution appears casual not causal. The terminal differentiation of these ripening, senescent, and wounded tissues suggests a possible role for this E2._{g ς} enzyme in selective protein degradation that occurs during plant cell or organ senescence.

The three other plant E2s reported (Sullivan and Viestra, 1989, 1991) all show high homology with an E2 encoded by the S_ cerevisiae DNA repair gene, RAD6. The ERT17 sequence shows greatest homology with the yeast class I UBC4/UBC5 type E2 enzymes, implicated specifically in the ubiquitination and breakdown of very short-lived and abnormal proteins (Jentsch, 1992) and is the first E2 of this class to be identified from higher plants.

Both strands of the cDNA were sequenced by double-stranded miniprep plasmid DNA sequencing with Sequenase II (Synthetic oligonucleotides to the known sequence used as primers). The sequence of ERT17 is shown in SEQ ID NO 7. The complete cDNA and deduced amino acid sequences were compared with GenBank, DDJB and EMBL data bases. The ERT17 sequence has been placed on the EMBL datase (accession number x 72719).

The characteristics of the cDNA were analysed. The 5' flanking region is 12 nucleotides long. The 3' un-translated region is 212 nucleotides long and is followed by 18 base pairs of poly(A) tail. There is no obvious polyadenylation signal sequence. The sequence has 77.7% identity in a 395 nt overlap with a A thaliana clone YAP 161T7 (Z17692), 71.2% identity in a 410 nt overlap with the yeast UBC5 gene (P15732), 78.5% identity in a 247 nt overlap with a A thaliana clone TAY050 (Z18473) and 70.7% identity in a 396 nt overlap with the yeast UBC4 gene (P15731).

The structural features of the deduced protein were also analysed. There is an open reading frame of 148 amino acids, giving a predicted molecular mass of protein 16.5kD, pi 7.95. Comparisons with sequenced and deduced protein sequences using FASTA (Pearson, 1990, Methods Enzymol, 183:63-93) show strong homology with yeast UBC4 (78% identity, 95% similarity, P15731), and UBC5 (75% identity, 93% similarity, P15732) and the Drosophila UBC4 (78% identity, 89% similarity, P25867). There is also at least 33% identity (or 53% similarity) with a further 15 ubiquitin conjugating enzyme sequences from yeast (P06104, P21734, P23566, P14682, P28263, P29340), Drosophila (P25153), Arabidopsis (P25865), Triticum (P25866, P25868, P16577) and mammalian (P27924, P23567) and viral (P27949, P25869) sources. The deduced ERT17 protein contains the UBC putative active cysteine residue at position 85.

In summary, the clone ERT17 apparently encodes a tomato ubiquitin conjugating enzyme. ERTl7 is homologous at both amino acid and DNA level to several published ubiquitin conjugating enzymes. Ubiquitin is a small, abundant protein present seemingly in all eukaryotic cells, which is covalently ligated to specific protein substrate's via an ATP dependent reaction. This ubiquitination has been demonstrated to target proteins for subsequent cellular degradation. Briefly, the process involves activation of ubiquitin, catalysed by ubiquitin-activating enzymes (Els), transfer to a family of ubiquitin-carrier/ conjugating proteins with different substrate specificities (UBCs or E2s) and, finally, ubiquitin-protein ligation by either direct transfer of ubiquitin from E2 or mediated transfer utilising ubiquitin-protein ligases (E3s) (Hershko and Ciechanover, 1992, Ann Rev Biochem, 61:761-807; Jentsch, 1992, Ann Rev Genet, 26:179-207). The clone ERT17 includes a full length tomato UBC cDNA ( El, c c ) - Tbe cloned mRNA encodes a derived 148 amino acid sequence of 16.5kD with a pi of 7.95. The peptide has a conserved region containing a putative active cysteine residue at position 85 that is observed in other UBC or E2 sequences (Sullivan and Viestra, 1989, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 86:9861-9865; Jentsch et al, 1990, Trends Biochem Sci, 15:195-198) and thought to be required for the thiol ester formation with ubiquitin (van Nocker and Vierstra, 1991, Biochemistry, 88:10297-10301). In addition, a further cysteine residue is present at position 108. The presence of two cysteine residues and two ubiquitin thiol ester species has been observed for both wheat and Arabidopsis E2s, suggesting that the UBC may interact with more than a single ubiquitin simultaneously (Sullivan and Viestra, 1991, J Biol Chem, 266:23878-23885).

Modifying the expression of the ERTl7-related gene may affect metabolic processes involving ubiquitin (such as the rate and manner of protein degradation) and consequently produce plants with an altered phenotype.

3.8 ERTD1

ERTDl homologous transcripts are 1.8 kb in size.

The ERTDl homologous transcript is found throughout early fruit development of both wild-type and rin fruit. It is also detected at early stages of ripening of wild-type fruit but then- disappears. The transcript is detected throughout the entire ripening period in rin fruit. In other words, the transcript disappears during the early ripening of wild-type fruit but continues to be present throughout the ripening of rin fruit. The transcript is not detected in leaves or wounded leaves of either wild-type or rin.

The sequence of ERTDl is shown in SEQ ID NO 8. The sequence contains a region identified as a glutamate decarboxylase.

3.9 ERTRl

ERTRl homologous transcripts are 0.7 kb in size.

The ERTRl homologous transcript is found throughout early fruit development of both wild-type and rin fruit. It is also detected at early stages of ripening of wild-type fruit but then disappears. The transcript is detected throughout the entire ripening period in rin fruit. In other words, the transcript disappears during the early ripening of wild-type fruit but continues to be present throughout the ripening of rin fruit. The transcript is not detected in leaves or wounded leaves of either wild-type or rin.

The sequence of ERTRl is shown in SEQ ID NO 9. The sequence contains a region identified as a chitin binding site suggesting that this clone may be a fruit specific chitinase.

Upon recreening of the library, the longer clones ERTR1B1 and ERTRlCl were found and the extended ERTRl sequence was thus obtained. Stop codons at the beginning of the sequence are probably sequencing errors due to the poor resolution of the sequencing gels obtained for this region. The short region of the putative translation product which displays homology to plant chitinases is encoded from base number 89 to number 191, while the area containing the consensus chitin binding site is encoded from base number 95 to base number 180.

3.10 ERTS2

ERTS2 homologous transcripts are 4.7 kb in size and it is only found expressed during ripening of the rin fruit. It is present in wild type fruit but at a very low level.

The sequence of ERTS2 is shown in SEQ ID NO 10; it is not a full length clone but has an estimated transcript size of 4.5 Kb. Sequences searches in DNA and protein databases have not revealed any homology to known genes.

EXAMPLE 4 Characterisation of genomic ERT clones

Genomic clones corresponding to the ERT series of cDNA clones were identified as follows. A genomic library (ClonTech, Tomato variety VFN 8) was screened with the ERT clones using the entire cDNA insert as probe. Each clone was used as a screen against approximately 200,000 PFUs. All first round positives were cored and rescreened at lower density and, if needed, rescreened a third time to isolate plaque pure positives. The genomic clones are listed and described below.

4.1 qERTl gERTl is a genomic clone homologous to ERTl cDNA and the 5' ERTl PCR fragment.

The gene(s) is expressed in a highly fruit and ripening-specific manner, is not wound induced, is induced by ethylene treatment and present at only very low levels in rin tomatoes. Data suggests gERTl represents a single gene. It appears to be a member of the ERTl gene family, and is closely related to the gene expressing ERTl mRNA. The associated promoters may have the same expression pattern.

4.2 gERTl0.1 gERTl0.1 is a genomic clone homologous to ERTIO cDNA and the 5' ERTIO PCR fragment.

Data (including southerns) suggests that the ERTIO gene is single copy. Expression is highly fruit and ripening-specific, not wound induced, not ethylene induced and present at very low levels in rin.

A second clone (gERT10.2) hybridises with the ERTIO cDNA and originally lit up with the 5' PCR fragment, but a first attempt to subclone from it was unsuccessful.

4.3 gERTl3.1 gERTl3.1 is a genomic clone homologous to ERTl3 cDNA and the 5' ERTl3 PCR fragment.

The gene appears to be single copy and is expressed throughout fruit development, shows a 50% rise during ripening, is not would induced but increases 50% with ethylene treatment. Its pattern of accumulation in rin does not show the rise during ripening. A similar DNA sequence has been obtained from potato stolon tips, so it may show expression in roots as well (but in a regulated manner) .

A second clone, gERTl3.2, was also detected.

4.4 gERTl4 gERTl4 is a genomic clone homologous to ERT14 cDNA and the 5' ERTl4 PCR fragment.

The gene appears to be single copy and is expressed at substantial levels in both immature and mature fruit and also leaves. It shows a >50% rise during ripening of wild-type fruits but not rin. It is not would induced but increases dramatically following ethylene treatment.

4.5 gERTl5 gERTl5 is a genomic clone homologous to ERTl5 cDNA and the 5' ERT15 PCR fragment.

The gene appears to be single copy. Its expression is highly fruit and ripening-specific. It is present at low levels in leaves and is not wound or ethylene induced.

4.6 qERTlδ gERTl6 is a genomic clone homologous to ERT16 cDNA and the 5' ERTl6 PCR fragment.

This appears to be a multigene family. The gene(s) are active throughout fruit development and ripening and absent in leaves. The gene(s) are not induced by wounding but are induced by ethylene. EXAMPLE 5 Construction of antisense RNA vectors with the CaMV 35S promoter.

A vector is constructed using sequences corresponding to a restriction fragment obtained from a pERT vector and is cloned into the vectors GA643 (An e_t al., 1988, Plant Molecular Biology Manual A3: 1-19) or pDH51 (Pietrzak et al , 1986, Nucleic Acids Research, 14:5875-5869) which has previously been cut with a compatible restriction enzyme(s). A restriction fragment from the pERT/pDH51 clone containing the promoter, the pERT fragment and other pDH51 sequence is cloned into SLJ44026B or SLJ44024B (Jones et al., 1990, Transgenic Research, 1) or a Binl9 (Bevan, 1984, Nucleic Acids Research, 12:8711-8721) which permits the expression of the antisense RNA under control of the CaMV 35S promoter.

After synthesis of the vector, the structure and orientation of the sequences are confirmed by DNA sequence analysis.

EXAMPLE 6 Construction of antisense RNA vectors with the polygalacturonase promoter.

The fragment of the pERT cDNA described in Example 5 is also cloned into the vector pJR3. pJR3 is a Binl9 based vector, which permits the expression of the antisense RNA under the control of the tomato polygalacturonase promoter. This vector includes approximately 5 kb of promoter sequence and 1.8 kb of 3' sequence from the PG promoter separated by a multiple cloning site.

After synthesis, vectors with the correct orientation of pERT sequence are identified by DNA sequence analysis.

EXAMPLE 7 Construction of truncated sense RNA vectors with the CaMV 35S promoter.

The fragment of pERT cDNA described in Example 5 is also cloned into the vectors described in Example 5 in the sense orientation.

After synthesis, the vectors with the sense orientation of pERT sequence are identified by DNA sequence analysis.

EXAMPLE 8 Construction of truncated sense RNA vectors with the polygalacturonase promoter.

The fragment of pERT cDNA that was described in Example 5 is also cloned into the vector pJR3 in the sense orientation.

After synthesis, the vectors with the sense orientation of pERT sequence are identified by DNA sequence analysis. EXAMPLE 9 Construction of a pERT over-expression vector using the CaMV35S promoter.

The complete sequence of the pERT cDNA clone is inserted into the vectors described in Example 5.

EXAMPLE 10 Construction of a pERT over-expression vector using the polygalacturonase promoter.

The complete sequence of the pERT cDNA clone is inserted into pJR3.

EXAMPLE 11 Constructs made for plant transformation

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERTl antisense construct without the CaMV 35S 3' end (terminator). ERTl is the cDNA clone which is 128 bases shorter than ERTlb. pERTl was digested with BamHI and the resulting 340 base pair fragment was cloned into BamHI-cut pDH51. The EcoRI fragment (minus 60 base pairs of ERTl sequence) was removed from this vector and ligated into EcoRI-cut pSLJ44024A.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERTl antisense construct with the CaMV 35S 3' end. pERTl was digested with BamHI and the resulting 340 base pair fragment was cloned into BamHI-cut pDH51. Digestion with Sad, followed by partial digest with EcoRI, yielded a fragment with the CaMV 35S 3' end intact. This was ligated into EcoRI/Sacl-cut pSLJ44026.

Figure 3 is a diagram.showing the construction of an ERTlb antisense construct. pERTlb was digested with BamHI to release a 490 base pair fragment from the 5' end which was ligated into Bglll-cut pGA643.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERTIO antisense construct without the CaMV 35S 3' end (terminator). pERTIO was digested with BamHI and the resulting 350 base pair fragment was cloned into BamHI-cut pDH51. The EcoRI fragment (missing 60 base pairs of ERTIO sequence) was removed from this vector and ligated into EcoRI-cut pSLJ44024A.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERTIO antisense construct with the CaMV 35S 3' end. pERTIO was digested with BamHI and the resulting 350 base pair fragment was cloned into BamHI-cut pDH51. Digestion of this vector with PvuII and Sad resulted in a fragment with the CaMV 35S 3' end intact. pSLJ44026B was digested initially with EcoRI and the resulting cohesive ends blunted using Klenow enzyme. The vector was then cut with Sad and the PvuII/SacI fragment ligated into it.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERT13 sense construct. pERTl3 was digested with Sspl and Xhol to release a 180 base pair fragment (including the PolyA+ tail). This was ligated into Smal/Sall-cut pDH51. The EcoRI/SacI fragment was then cut from pDH51 and ligated into ECORI/Sacl pSLJ440426B.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERT14 antisense construct. pERTl4 was digested with BamHI and Dral to release a 300 base pair fragment which was ligated into BamHI/Smal-cut pDH51. The EcoRI/SacI fragment was removed from the vector and cloned into pSLJ44026B cut with EcoRI and Sad.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERT15 antisense construct. pERT15 was digested with Pstl to release a 730 base pair fragment which was cloned into Pstl-cut pDH51. This vector was then cut with EcoRI and Sad and the fragment released was ligated into EcoRI/SacI-CUt pSLJ44026B.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERTl6 antisense construct. pERTlδ was digested with Xbal and PvuII to release a 250 base pair fragment which was cloned into Xbal/Smal-cut pDH51. pSLJ44026B was initially digested with EcoRI and the resulting cohesive ends blunted using Klenow enzyme. This vector was then cut with Sad and the PvuII/SacI fragment cut from pDH51 ligated into it.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERT17 antisense construct. pERTl7 was digested with Pstl and Nsil to release a 600 base pair fragment which was ligated into Pstl-cut pDH51. EcoRI and Sad were used to digest pDH51 yielding a fragment which cloned into EcoRI/SacI-cut pSLJ44026B.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing the construction of an ERTRl antisense construct. pERTRl was digested with BamHI and Spel to release a 420 base pair fragment which was ligated into Bglll/Xbal-cut pGA643.

EXAMPLE 12 Generation of transformed plants

Vectors are transferred to Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 (a micro-organism widely available to plant biotechnologists) and are used to transform tomato plants.

Transformation of tomato cotyledons follows standard protocols (e.g. Bird et al, 1988, Plant Molecular Biology, 11:651-662). Transformed plants are identified by their ability to grow on media containing the antibiotic kanamycin. Plants are regenerated and grown to maturity.

Ripening fruit are analysed for modifications to their ripening characteristics.

EXAMPLE 13 Transgenic plants

Table 1 summarises the numbers of plants which have been transformed using the various constructs described in Example 11. These plants and their fruit are currently being analysed. Progeny will also be developed and analysed. Further plants are being transformed.

TABLE 1

CONSTRUCT SIZE OF NUMBER OF TRANSFORMED

INSERT PLANTS

(bp)

ERTl 280 15 in compost (fruiting) no terminator 37 in tissue culture

(antisense)

ERTl 340 14 in tissue culture

+ terminator

(antisense)

ERTlb 490 15 in compost (flowering) (antisense) 15 in tissue culture

ERTIO 290 15 in compost (fruiting) no terminator 47 in tissue culture

ERTl3 180 11 in tissue culture (SENSE)

ERTl4 300 3 in tissue culture (antisense)

ERTl5 730 15 in compost (flowering) (antisense) 30 in tissue culture

ERT16 250 5 in compost (flowering) (antisense) 2 in tissue culture

ERT17 600 9 in tissue culture (antisense) SEQUENCE LISTING

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(A) TELEPHONE: (+44) 0707 323400

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(C) TELEX: 94028500 ICIC G

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:l:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 1669 base pairs

(B) TYPE: nucleic acid

(C) STRANDEDNESS: single

(D) TOPOLOGY: linear

( ii ) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

(A) ORGANISM: ERT1B

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:l:

TAGAAAGAAA ACAGAGTGTA GTACTGGTAC CACACCCATA CCAGGGGCAT TTAACACCAA 60

TGCTACAGCT TGGTAGTATC CTTCATTCAC AAGGCTTTTC TGTTATAGTT GCACATACTC 120

AATACAATAC TCCTAATTAT TCCAATCATC CACAATTCGT CTTCCATTCT ATGGATGACG 180

GATTACAGGG AATCGACATG TCATTCCCGA GTTTAGAAAA CATATATGAT ATGAACGAAA 240

ACTGCAAGGC GCCTCTCAGA AACTACCTTG TTAGTATGAT GGAAGAGGAA GGTGATCAGC 300

TTGCTTGTAT CGTTTATGAC AACGTCATGT TCTTTGTCGA TGATGTAGCG ACTCAGTTGA 360 O 94/21794 '

- 48 -

AGCTTCCCAG CATTGTCCTG CGCACTTTCA GCGCTGCGTA TTTGCACTCT ATGATCACCA 420

TTTTACAGCA ACCTGAAATA TATTTACCTT TTGAAGATTC TCAGCTGCTG GATCCGTTAC 480

CGGAGCTTCA TCCCTTGAGA TTTAAGGATG TACCGTTTCC TATCATCAAT AATACAGTTC 540

CAGAACCGAT ACTAGACTTC TGTAGAGCAA TGAGTGATAT AGGATCATCT GTCGCGACTA 600

TATGGAACAC GATGCAAGAC TTGGAGAGTT CAATGTTGTT ACGCCTTCAA GAACATTACA 660

AGGTGCCCTT TTTTCCAATA GGCCCGGTAC ACAAAATGGC ATCTTTGGTC TCATCGACTA 720

GCATACTAGA AGAAGACAAT AGCTGCATCG AGTGGCTCGA TAGACAAGCC CCTAACTCTG 780

TTCTCTATGT CAGCTTGGGT AGCCTAGTGA GGATTGATCA CAAAGAGTTG ATTGAGACTG 840

CTTGGGGATT AGCTAATAGC GATCAACCGT TCTTGTGGGT TATTCGACCT GGCTCTGTCT 900

CTGGCTTTCA ATGTGCTGAG GCACTGCCTG ATGGTTTTGA GAAAATGGTA GGAGAAAGAG 960

GACGAATAGT GAAATGGGCA CCACAAAAAC AGGTGCTTGC ACATCCCGCG GTAGCAGGGT 1020

TTTTCACTCA TTGTGGTTGG AATTCTACGC TTGAAAGTAT ATGTGAAGAA GTCCCTATGG 1080

TGTGCAGGCC ATTTCTAGCA GACCAACTGG TGAACGCAAG GTATCTGAGC CAAATATACA 1140

AGGTTGGGTT CGAATTGGAG GTTATCGAGA GAACGGTCAT AGAGAAAACA ATAAGAAAAC 1200

TCATGTTAAG TGAAGAAGGC AAAGATGTGA AGAAAAGAGT AGCAGACATG AAACAAAAGA 1260

TAGTTGCTGG AATGCAGATT GATTGCACTT CACΛTAAGAA TCTGAATGAT TTGGTAGACT 1320

TCATTTCTGC CTTGCCATCA CGACTCGCTC CGCCAACGCC TGTCTTTGGG GCAATCATGA 1380

GCTCAAACCA CATAGCAAGC AAGTGTATCA TAGAGTCTTG AAGTTATTTT TGAGCTCAAA 1440

CCATATTTCT GTGGCCCCTT AGCTTGGCAA GACAATAAGT CCTTAATCAC AAAAGGAAGA 1500

ATAAGATAAG AAGTGAACTT TTCATAAATC CATGGTGCAA ATGCTGAAGC AATTTACTTT 1560

AGTTTGTTGA TTGGTTTATA AGTTGGGAAC CTTGACATAT TGTTTTCTAG TTGGTAGGAA 1620

AATATTTTCG TGGAAAATAA ATGATTTTCA AAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAA 1669

( 2 ) INFORMATI ON FOR SEQ I D NO : 2 :

( i ) SEQUENCE CHARACTERI STI CS :

( A ) LENGTH : 944 base pai rs

( B ) TYPE : nuclei c acid

( C ) STRANDEDNESS : s ingle

( D ) TOPOLOGY : l inea r

( i i ) MOLECULE TYPE : cDNA (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

(A) ORGANISM: ERTIO

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2:

GAATCATCGC TGCCGCTCGT CGAATCGATC GATTGCAATC TCTATGTGAT GAAATCAACT 60

CGAATTCATC GAACGGATCG ACGAAGTCGA GTCAGGATTT ACGTGCCGTA GCGATTGAGC 120

TTGACGTTAG CGCTAATGGT TCTGCCATTG AAGCCGCCGT ACAGAAAGCT TGGGATGCAT 180

TTGGACGTAT CGACGGTTTG GTTAATAACG CCGGCTTTCG AGGCAGTGTG CTTTCTCCAC 240

TGGAGTTGTC GGAGGAGGAA TGGGAGAAGA TCCACAAAAC GAACTTAAGA GGGGCATGGT 300

TGGTGACCAA ATATGTTTGT ATGCATATGC GCGCTGCTAA TCAAGGAGGA TCCATAATCA 360

ATATCTCTTC TATCGCTGGT ATTAATCGTG GACAACTACC AGGTAGTCTT GCTTATACGT 420

CTTCAAAGGA AGCTCTCAAC AGCATTACAA AGGTGTTGGC CCTCGAΛTTG GGACCATACA 480

AGATCAGAGT GAACTCAATA TCACCTGGAC TTTTCAAATC TGAGATAACA GAGGGTCTCA 540

TACAAAAAGA CTGGATTAAA AACATTGAAC TGAGAACTAT TCCGTTGAGA ACACATGGAA 600

CATCACATCC CGCTTTAACT TCAGTTGTAC GTTACCTGAT CCACGATTCC TCGGAATATG 660

TTTCAGGTAA CATGTTCATA GTAGATGCAG GAGCTACTTT ACCCGGTGTC CCGATTTTCT 720

CATCCCTCTA GTATAGAGAA AACAAATTAG AAAAATAAGG ATGGAAAATG GΛAATGTTTG 780

GGAAAGAACA GAGGCTTTAC TTTGGTTGCC TAAAAGAAAA TTTTATGTTT TTGTTTTGCT 840

CATGGAATTG TTTTTATATT TGTATCTGTT ATACCATTAA TTGAAATTAA TTAAACTCCT 900

ATGAAGTAAA GTTTGTTGCT TTTAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAA AAAA 944 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 334 base pairs

(B) TYPE: nucleic acid

(C) STRANDEDNESS: single

(D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

(A) ORGANISM: ERTl3

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:3: _{ττττττττττ} TTTTTTATAT TGAAATTTGG TTGAGTTTAT TGAGTTTTTT AGTTGAGTAT 60

TTTATTTACT GCTACTATTA TTATTACTAA AACTATATTT TAATATAATA TGGTTACAAT 120

GAGGGCATAT GTTAATATTT ATATATGCCT AGGTCTAGGT GGTCGGGTGG GATATTTTAC 180

ATAGTTTTTT TTTAAAGCTA TGTGTGTGTA ATCTTGTCCA GGGTTCTGTT TGTCATGGTT 240

TGATTAAAGA TGATATGAGA TTTGATCTCT AGTTTATTAT AATAATAAAG GGGTAATAAC 300

TTTTTTTTGT TGTTAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAA AAAA 334 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:4:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 617 base pairs

(B) TYPE: nucleic acid

(C) STRANDEDNESS: single

(D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

(A) ORGANISM: ERTl4

(Xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:4:

CAACTAATAC TTAGACGACC GAGCCCCTTG CACAAAAAGG AATTGGCAGA ACGGTGAGCA 60

CCAAATCGTT GCCCCAAAAT TCCATTGCTG ACGAGTGACG AGGGAAGCGA GAAGCTAACA 120

AGATGCTGCC ACAGCGGATG AAAAAGGTTA TGACAGACAA CCCAAAGAAG TTAGCCAATT 180

TGATTGACCT AGTAAATCTC CCTTCAACAC TTAGAGAGTT CATGGGTCAG TCACAGACCT 240

CCCGCTTGGG TTGTTTTAAA CGTGTCTGGT CTTACATCAA AGAAAACAAT CTCCAGGATC 300

CGAACAACAA GAACTTGGTT AATTGCGATG AAAAGTTGAA GACTGTGTTG TTGGGTAAGC 360

CCCAGGTTGA GCTTACTGAA CTGCCAACGC TGATCAAGTT GCACTTCCCC AAGCAACCAA 420

GATGATTGAG TTTATTGTAA TGTTTAATCT TAGTGCTTAA TCTTCGAACA CTATATAGAC 480

TCCACAGATT TTACGAAGAG TTAGTCTGAT TAAGTATCCT GGTAAAATGA CTTGTCTTAT 540

GAGTTACTAG TCAAAGCTCT ACAAGCAGAA GCAGCTCTAT AGTTTTGCGT TTTGCCATAA 600

AAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAA 617

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:5:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 1747 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid

(C) STRANDEDNESS: single

(D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: CDNA

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

(A) ORGANISM: ERTl5

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:5:

GATAACTTTT GATAGTACAA AGGGCCGTTT AATAGTACTT TGCGTCGAGC AAATGCAAAA 60

CTCAGATAGT GGATCAATTG CATTTTCTTC GAGGGCTGGA TCATCTTCTC AACGGACTTC 120

ACCTTTCCGT GAGGTTGGTG GATATGCTGC CGAACAGCTG TCTAGCAGTA GTATCTGTAG 180

CAGTCCTGAT GATAACAGTT GTGACGGGAT TAAGCTTGAG GAGAGTGAAG CATGGCACTT 240

AAGATTAGGT TATTCAACCA CTTOGCCTGG AATGGTGCTT GCAGTCTGCC CTTATCTTGA 300

TCGTTTTTTC TTGGCCTCTG CGGCTAATTG TTTCTATGTT TGTGGTTTTC CAAATGACAA 360

TGCCCAAAGA GTCAGACGCT TAGCAGTAGG AAGAACACGG TTCATGATCλ TGACTCTTAC 420

GGCACACTTC ACTAGAATTG CTGTTGGTGA TTGTCGTGAT GGCATCCTTT TCTACTCGTA 480

TCAAGAGGAT TCAAGAAAAC TAGATCAAAT TTACTGTGAC CCTGTCCΛGA GGTTAGTTTC 540

TGATTGCACT CTTATGGATG GAGACACAGC TGCCGTTTCA GATCGAAAGG GGAGTTTTGC 600

AATTTTATCA TGTCTGAATT ΛCΛTGGAΛGΛ TAATTTCAAC AGTCCAGAAC GCAATCTAGC 660

TCAAACTTGT TCATTCTACA TGGGCGAGAT AGCTATAAGA ATTCGAAAGG GGTCATTCTC 720

CTATAAACTT CCTGCAGATG ATGCACTTAG GGGCTGTCAA GCTACCAGCA TTGTCGGTGA 780

CATATCACAA AATAGTATCA TGGCTAGTAC GCTTTTAGGG AGCATAATTA TTTTTATTCC 840

TCTTACTAGG GAGGAATATG ATCTCTTAGA AGCAGTACAG GCCAGGCTTG TCATCCATCC 900

GCTGACTGCT CCTATTTTGG GAAATGACCA TACTGAATAT CGTTGTCGTG GAAGTATGGC 960

TAGGGTACCT AAAGCTCTGG ATGGTGATAT GCTTGCTCAG TTCTTGGAGC TTACTAGTAT 1020

GCAACAAGAA GCTGTATTAG CATTGCCTCT TGGCGCACAA AACACAATTA TGTTCAATTC 1080

GAAGCAATCT CCTGATCCAA TTACTGTTAA TCAGGTTGTG CGACTGCTAG AACGAATTCA 1140

TTATGCCCTG AACTGAATAT CAGGTTTATC TTTGTCCTGA TGCTTTGAGA GCTGTTTACT 1200

TGGTCTTTGA TTGACCGCGA AATCAAGTGG CCTTTGCTAG TGCCAATTGC CTATCTGTTC 1260 ATATTTTTGG AAGCAAGCAA GGTGATTATC TGTGATTGCC AGATGATGAT TGGAGCTGGG 1320

TTTAACATTG TCTACATGCA GGCTATTCTG GTTTGTTTCG CTGTTGTTGG GTTGGGAGTT 1380

GGGAGCTAGG TTGTGTGGAT TCTTCACTCT CGATGTTGCA CCCATGTCGG ATTCTCCAAC 1440

AATACACTAC TTTTGAAGAA GTATTCGGCA TGCATGAGTT GACAATTTTT TAAAGAGTTC 1500

AAGCAATGTG GATTGGGGTA ATGCAGAAAT AATTTTGCAG GGCGCTTCCT TCATGGTAAT 1560

AGTCTGTACC CAGTTTTGTA GCTTTTCACT TAATTGTTGT AAATATATGT TTAGCGGCCT 1620

CGATAGACAC AGTTATTCAA TATTTATTTG ATAAAATAAT CGAGGTGCTT CAAAGAAAAA 1680

AAAAAGGCAA AAATTAAAAC ATGAACCTCG ATTTAATTGG TCAGAGTAAA AAAAAAAAAA 1740

AAAAAAA 1747

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:6:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 641 base pairs

(B) TYPE: nucleic acid

(C) STRANDEDNESS: single

(D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: CDNA

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

(A) ORGANISM: ERTl6B

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:6:

GAGAAACACC ACCACCACCA CCTGTTCCAC CACAAGGACA AGGCGGAGGA GGGCCCCCGT 60

CGACTACGAA AAAGAAATCA AACACCATAA ACATCTCGAG CAAATCGGTA AACTTGGCAC 120

TGTTGCTGCC GGTGCCTACG CCTTGCATGA GAAACATGAG GCAAAGAAAG ATCCAGAACA 180

TGCACACAAA CACAAGATAG AGGAAGAGAT AGCAGCAGCT GCTGGTTGGG GCAGGTGGAT 240

TTGCATTCCA TGAGCATCAT GAGAAAAAAG ATGCCAAGAA AGAAGAAAAA AAAGCTGAGG 300

GGGGACACCA CCATCTCTTC TAAATTGTTA TTTTAGTTAC ATTTTTAATA TTCGTGGAAT 360

TTCCATATTT GGTATAAGTG TTGTGTCATC TTATCATATA TCGTGCATAA TAACAATAAA 420

TTTAGTGTGA TATTATAAAT GGATCGAGTT AAAAAAAAAG AGCAAAGTCA AAATATATTT 480

TACCAATCTC GTTGATGTAA AGAAGGATGT ATTGTGATTT CCAAAATGAT CATGTGTGTT 540

TTGGACTTTC CTCGCAATCT TCTGTTGAAT TACCTTGTAA AATGTTGCTT TTTTAAGTGG 600 TGTAATAAAT AATGAGTTTT CTAGTGAAAA AAAAAAAAAA A 641

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 7:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 686 base pairs

(B) TYPE: nucleic acid

(C) STRANDEDNESS: single

(D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA

(Vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

(A) ORGANISM: ERTl 7

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 7:

ATTTGGTCTG CTATGGCATC CAAGCGGATT CTCAAGGAGC TTAAGGATCT CCAGAAAGAT 60

CCTCCTACCT CTTGCAGTGC TGGCCCAGTA GCTGAAGATA TGTTCCATTG GCAAGCAACA 120

ATCATGGGTC CAGCTGACAG TCCCTATTCT GGTGGAGTGT TTCTTGTTAC TATTCATTTT 180

CCACCTGACT ATCCATTCAA GCCACCAAAG GTAGCTTTCA GGACAAAGGT TTTCCACCCG 240

AACATCAATA GCAATGGCAG CATTTGCCTT GACATTTTGA AGGAλCAGTG GAGCCCTGCλ 300

CTTACCATCT CCAAGGTACT GCTCTCTATC TGTTCTCTGC TGACAGλCCC TλλTCCCGAT 360

GλCCCTTTGG TGCCGGAGAT TGCTCATATG TACAAAACTG ATAGGAGCAA GTATGAGACA 420

ACTGCCCGGA GCTGGACTCA AAAATTTGCC ATGGGATAGT TGCTGTGACC ATCTCTGTCC 480

CTGCTGTGGT ATTTTGTATT ATCTATCGAA TAGTTGCTGT GACCATCGGG GTCTGATTCC 540

CTGCTGTGGT ATTTAGTAGT TTATATATTA TGTATTATGA AATTGTGTTC TTATGCATAA 600

TCAAAACTTA AAAGGCGGGA AAGTCGAACA GGTTCGTCGT GAAACAATTT GATTTTCTCT 660

TTGCTTGCAA AAAAAAAAAA AAAAAA 686 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 8:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 1783 base pairs

(B) TYPE: nucleic acid

(C) STRANDEDNESS: single

(D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA

(Vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

(A) ORGANISM: ERTDl ( x i ) SEQUENCE DESCRI PTION : SEQ ID NO : 8 :

AAAAAATGGT GTTAACAACG ACGTCGATAA GAGATTCAGA AGAGAGCTTG CACTGTACAT 60

TTGCATCAAG ATATGTACAG GAACCTTTAC CTAAGTTCAA AATGCCTAAA AAATCCATGC 120

CGAAAGAAGC AGCTTATCAG ATTGTAAACG ACGAGCTTAT GTTGGATGGT AACCCCAGGT 180

TGAATTTAGC TTCCTTTGTT AGCACATGGA TGGAGCCCGA GTGCGATAAG CTCATCATGT 240

CATCCATTAA TλλλλλCTAT GTCGACATGG ATGAGTλTCC TGTCλCCλCT GλλCTTCλλλ 300

ATAGATGTGT TAACATGTTA GCACATCTTT TCCATGCCCC GGTTGGTGAT GATGAGACTG 360

CAGTTGGAGT TGGTACλGTG GGTTCATCAG AGGCAATAAT GCTTGCTGGC CTTGCTTTCA 420

AACGCAAATG GCAATCGAAA AGAAAAGCAG AAGGCAAACC TTTCGATAAG CCTAATATAG 480

TCACTGGλGC TAATGTGCAG GTCTGCTGGG AAAAATTTGC AAGGTATTTT GAGGTTGAGT 540

TGAAGGAGGT GAAACTAAAA GAAGGATACT ATGTAATGGA CCCTGCCAAA GCAGTAGAGA 600

TAGTGGATGA GAATACAATA TGTGTTGCTG CAATCCTTGG TTCTACTCTG ACTGGGGAGT 660

TTGAGGATGT GAAGCTCCTA AACGAGCTCC TTλCAAAAAA GAACλAGGAA ACCGGATGGG 720

AGACACCGAT TCATGTCGAT GCTGCGAGTG GAGGATTTAT TGCTCCTTTC CTCTGGCCAG 780

ATCTTGAATG GGATTTCCGT TTGCCTCTTG TGAAAAGTAT λλλTGTCλGC GGTCλCλλGT 840

ATGGCCTTGT λTλTGCTGGT GTCGGTTGGG TGλTλTGGCG GλGCλλGGλλ GλCTTGCCCG 900 λTGAACTCGT CTTTCATλTλ λACTACCTTG GGTCTGλTCA GCCTACTTTT λCTCTCAACT 960

TCTCTAAAGG TTCCTATCAA ATAATTGCAC AGTATTATCA GTTAATAAGA CTTGGCTTTG 1020

AGGGTTATAA GAλCGTCATG AAGAATTGCT TATCAAACGC AAAAGTACTA ACAGAGGGAA 1080

TCACAAAAAT GGGGCGGTTC GATATTGTCT CTAAGGATGT GGGTGTTCCT GTTGTAGCAT 1140

TTTCTCTCAG GGACAGCAGC AAATATACGG TATTTGAAGT ATCTGAGCAT CTCAGAAGAT 1200

TTGGATGGAT CGTCCCTGCA TACACAATGC CACCGGATGC TGAACACATT GCTGTACTGC 1260

GGGTTGTCAT TAGAGAGGAT TTCAGCCACA GCCTAGCTGA GAGACTTGTT TCTGACATTG 1320

AGAAAATTCT GTCAGAGTTG GACACACAGC CTCCTCGTTT GCCCACCAAA GCTGTCCGTG 1380

TCACTGCTGA GGAAGTGCGT GATGACAAGG GTGATGGGCT TCATCATTTT CACATGGATA 1440

CTGTAGAGAC TCAGAAAGAC ATTATCAAAC ATTGGAGGAA AATCGCAGGG AAG AAG ACC A 1500 GCGGAGTCTG CTAGGTCTGG CCACACTTGT TATCTGGGCT CCGCTTCCAT CGCCATCCTG 1560

TAGTATGTAT TACGTGTGTT GTTTCCATCT TATGTAGTAG TTGGTACTGT AATCTGTGTA 1620

AATGCTTTCA TGATCTTGGC TCTGTλTλTG CTAAATAAGC ACTGCATTTC AAGTTCCTGG 1680

AAGTATTTAT GTATGAATCA ATCCGGGCAT AATTGGTAGA ATGCCCTCTC TGCGTCATCT 1740

TTGAATTTCA CGTGCAATAA TATTTGAAAT CTACλCCTAT TAT 1783

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:9:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 497 base pairs

(B) TYPE: nucleic acid

(C) STRANDEDNESS: single

(D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA

(vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:

(A) ORGANISM: ERTRl

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:9: λTTATATATT CλTλλλλTλλ GλλλλTGλλλ TGλTGλλTTT TTGCTTGTTG TAACTATTTT 60 λGCλTTGTTC TλλGTGTλGC AAATGCACAA CλλTGTGGλλ GTCλλGCTGG TGGλGCTTTG 120

TGTGCCλλTG GGTTλTGTTG TAGTCAλTλT GGCTλTTGTG GCACTACTCC TGλTTλCTGT 180

GGλCλGGGλT GCCλGλGTCλ λTGCλλCTλλ λTTλTGTCTT GTGTGTλCGT TCTλGCTTGλ 240

AGGCTATGAT AATAATAAGG TAATATATAT CCATGTGGTT GTGTGTTAAA ATATATAAAT 300

TTGTATTACT AGAATAAAGT GGGAACATGT ATGTACTGTG AGTTAATTCC ACAAGACCAA 360

GAλTλTλGTG TCTGGTCATG AACACTATλT ATGTACTλGT TTGTTTGTTT TCTλTTTCλ 420

TGTGATGTTT ATTAAGAATG GTCAAAAACC ACTTAATAAA AATGTCCACT ATTTAAGTAA 480

AAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAA 497 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:10:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 1224 base pairs

(B) TYPE: nucleic acid

(C) STRANDEDNESS: single

(D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: CDNA ( vi ) ORIGINAL SOURCE :

( A ) ORGANI SM : ERTS2

( xi ) SEQUENCE DESCRI PTION : SEQ ID NO : 10 :

GGAATTCGGC ACGAGGAAGA TGCAAACATG TCGAGGTGGA TGACAAGGTT GGTATGGAGA 60

AGAACGGAAA AAAGCTTGAT CAAGGTGGTA GTGCATCAGA TGGCTTTTCA GTACCATCAC 120

AGGAAAAGGC AATCACCATA GAGCAGCCTA CAGATACTAC CAACACGGAG GAATCAGAAA 180

CAλTTGAGGT TCTGCAGGAG AAAATGCAAA ATGCAGTTGA CAGAGATATT GAAATCCTTG 240

ATTCAGGAAA ACCAGTAGAA CAATCGCTGG AACCTCAACT ATCCATTGGT ACCAATGATG 300

AAGCTCGGGA GTACAAGCAG AAAATGGGGG AGGGλCλTλλ GGλGGTGCλλ GGTGλGGλλT 360

TGCAAGCTTG CGATGATGTT GTCGTCTCTG ATCATGACAA TGAλGGAAλλ GAGCATAλTG 420

TGGTGGTCGA GCAGCGGCAT GTGGAGAACT TCGAGATCCA AGCGAATGAA CCAGTAACTG 480

CCTATAATGC AGCACCTGTG ATCCAGGAAC CGGTGGλTGG AAGTAAAGCT ATTGCCλCTC 540

CAACGTCAGA AGCTGCAACT ACCGAGACAG AGATGTCAAG GGAGAAAGAA CTCGGTCTAG 600

CAGATGACCA CAACATACAT CCATCGATGT GTGTTGCCGG GGAAGTTAAT CCTGCTGλTG 660

CTTCCCATTC TTTTGGTTCT ACGCCTATTG AAGTCCCAGG TAAGAATGCA AATGAGCTTA 720

AGGAATGGAA GAAAATGGAC ATGTTACCGG CATCGCCTAC TGCCλGCCλλ GTλTCCTGTG 780

ATAGTGATGC CCTGTCTGAA AGCAACAGAA λλλTTλTλGλ GGλGλλTGλλ λλλTTλλGGG 840 λGλTGλTGGA GAAGTTAATC AAATCAGGGA ACGAACAGCT GAGTGCCATA TCGλGTCTTT 900

CTGGAAGAGT TAAAGAGCTG GAGAAGAGAT TGTCCAAGAA GAAGAAGCTA AAATTGAAAC 960

GAAATAGGGT ACCAGCAGCT GGATCAGCCT GTGTAAAGCC ATTGAATGAC TCACTTAGAA 1020

ATAGGAATGT GGGTTGGCAA TGTAAAACAA AAGCTTGGTC ATTCCTTTCA TAGAATAGTA 1080

ATTTGGTTCA TGTGGTCTGT TTGCGTTCCA TTGTATGCTA TGTATλλλTλ AGGCTTCTTC 1140

TGCTCAGTTG TTGTTCCTTG CAATAGCTAC TTTGAAATTA CTTTGTTTGG CACCGAGGCT 1200

GACAATAACA ACGAACTTCA AAAA 1224

Claims

1. A DNA construct comprising a DNA sequence as encoded by an ERT clone selected from the group consisting of ERTlb, ERTIO, ERT13, ERT14, ERT15, ERTlβb, ERT17, ERTDl, ERTRl and ERTS2 or as obtainable by the use of said clone as a hybridization probe.

2. A DNA construct as claimed in claim 1 in which the DNA sequence is under the control of a transcriptional initiation region operative in plants, so that the construct can generate RNA in plant cells.

3. A DNA construct as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the DNA sequence is derived from cDNA.

4. A DNA construct as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the DNA sequence is derived from genomic DNA.

5. A DNA construct as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the DNA sequence is synthetic DNA.

6. A DNA construct as claimed in claim 1 which is a cDNA clone deposited at The National Collections of Industrial and Marine Bacteria and selected from the group consisting of NCIMB 40544, NCIMB 40545, NCIMB 40546, NCIMB 40547, NCIMB 40548, NCIMB 40549, NCIMB 40569, NCIMB 40588, NCIMB 40550 and NCIMB 40551.

7. A DNA construct as claimed in claim 1 which is a genomic DNA clone deposited at The National Collections of Industrial and Marine Bacteria and selected from the group consisting of NCIMB 40606, NCIMB 40607 and NCIMB 40608.

8. A transcriptional initiation sequence derived from a genomic DNA sequence encoding an ERT protein selected from the group consisting of ERTlb, ERT10, ERT13, ERT14, ERT15, ERTlδb, ERT17, ERTDl, ERTRl and ERTS2.

9. A transcriptional initiation sequence as claimed in claim 8 which is derived from a genomic DNA clone deposited at The National Collections of Industrial and Marine Bacteria and selected from the group consisting of NCIMB 40606, NCIMB 40607 and NCIMB 40608.

10. A method to produce a plant having a modified characteristic when compared to a similar unmodified plant at a corresponding development stage comprising transformation of a plant with a DNA construct as claimed in claim 2.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10 comprising transformation of a fruit-bearing plant with a DNA construct as claimed in claim 2 to modify fruit-ripening characteristics.

12. A plant cell comprising a DNA construct as claimed in claim 2.

13. A plant derived from a plant cell as claimed in claim 12.

14. A fruit comprising a DNA construct as claimed in claim 2.

15. A seed comprising a DNA construct as claimed in claim 2.

16. A method of producing an Fl hybrid plant comprising crossing two parent lines, at least one of which is a genetically modified plant homozygous for a DNA construct as claimed in claim 2.

17. A process of producing Fl hybrid seed comprising producing a genetically modified plant which is homozygous for a DNA construct as claimed in claim 2, crossing such a plant with a second homozygous variety, and recovering Fl hybrid seed.