Background

The progression of cells is regulated by a network of gene products and factors. These factors exert their influences on cell cycle machinery via various pathways. At the centre of the machinery lies an enzyme complex which regulates the essential process of cell division, consisting of a cyclin-dependent protein kinase (CDK) and a regulatory subunit, cyclin, The progression of cell cycle events is achieved by the sequential association of CDKs with different cyclins.

A new aspect of regulating CDK activity was discovered with the identification of CDK inhibitors. CDK inhibitors are small proteins that bind stoichiometrically to negatively regulate the activity of CDKs. Recent studies have shown that these proteins have the ability to modify the growth and morphology of plants by affecting cell division. This technology can be used to improve plant morphology and architecture through modifications of specific plant tissues and organs using plant CDK inhibitor genes.

New Technology

In an extension of the background work outlined above scientists at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), in collaboration with the University of Saskatchewan have also developed and patented (pending) a method to modify CDK inhibitor activity by introducing genes into plants. These genes encode for proteins that are able to interact with CDK inhibitors, counteracting the effects on plant growth and morphology that the CDK inhibitors would otherwise have had allowing reversible control of plant growth that may be useful in modifying plant phenotypes including organ size and shape, and sterility.

Potential applications for this invention include agricultural crops, horticultural plants and trees.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the University of Saskatchewan.

AAFC on behalf of its research collaborators is looking for a private firm in the plant biotechnology field interested in licensing this technology.