Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
88
CLAIMS
1. A transformed plant cell with tolerance and/or resistance to an
environmental
stress as compared to a corresponding non-transformed wild type plant cell,
wherein the tolerance and/or resistance to an environmental stress is
increased
by an inactivated or down-regulated gene.
2. The transformed plant cell of claim 1, wherein the tolerance and/or
resistance to
an environmental stress is increased by one or more inactivated or down-
regulated genes encoded by one or more nucleic acid sequences selected from
the group consisting of:
a) nucleic acid molecule encoding the polypeptide according to SEQ ID NO:
2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40,
42,
44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80
and/or 82
and/or 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122,
124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152,
154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182,
184, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212,
214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242,
244, 246, 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264, 266, 268, 270, 272,
274, 276, 278, 280, 282, 284, 286, 288, 290, 292, 294, 296, 298, 300, 302,
304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332,
334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 344, 346, 348, 350, 352, 354, 356, 358, 360, 362,
364, 366, 368, 370, 372, 374, 376, 378, 380, 382, 384, 386, 388, 390, 392,
394, 396, 398, 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 422,
424, 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 440, 442, 444, 446, 448, 450, 452,
454, 456, 458, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468, 470, 472, 474, 476, 478, 480, 482,
484, 486, 488, 490, 492, 494, 496, 498, 500, 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512,
514, 516, 518, 520, 522, 524, 526, 528, 530, 532, 534, 536, 538, 540, 542,
544, 546, 548, 550, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 562, 564, 566, 568, 570, 572,
574, 576, 578, 580, 582, 584, 586, 588, 590, 592, 594, 596, 598, 600, 602,
604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, 620, 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632,
634, 636, 638, 640, 642, 644, 646, 648, 650, 652, 654, 656, 658, 660, 662,
664, 666, 668, 670, 672, 674, 676, 678, 680, 682, 684, 686, 688, 690, 692,
694, 696, 698, 700, 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, 714, 716, 718, 720, 722,
724, 726, 728, 730, 732, 734, 736, 738, 740, 742, 744, 746, 748, 750, 752,
89
754, 756, 758, 760, 762, 764, 766, 768, 770, 772, 774, 776, 778, 780, 782,
784, 786, 788, 790, 792, 794, 796, 798, 800, 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812,
814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826, 828, 830, 832, 834, 836, 838, 840, 842,
844, 846, 848, 850, 852, 854, 856, 858, 860, 862, 864, 866 and/or 868;
b) nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleic acid molecule according to
SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35,
37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73,
75,
77, 79 and/or 81
and/or 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121,
123, 125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151,
153, 155, 157, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169, 171, 173, 175, 177, 179, 181,
183, 185, 187, 189, 191, 193, 195, 197, 199, 201, 203, 205, 207, 209, 211,
213, 215, 217, 219, 221, 223, 225, 227, 229, 231, 233, 235, 237, 239, 241,
243, 245, 247, 249, 251, 253, 255, 257, 259, 261, 263, 265, 267, 269, 271,
273, 275, 277, 279, 281, 283, 285, 287, 289, 291, 293, 295, 297, 299, 301,
303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 313, 315, 317, 319, 321, 323, 325, 327, 329, 331,
333, 335, 337, 339, 341, 343, 345, 347, 349, 351, 353, 355, 357, 359, 361,
363, 365, 367, 369, 371, 373, 375, 377, 379, 381, 383, 385, 387, 389, 391,
393, 395, 397, 399, 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, 415, 417, 419, 421,
423, 425, 427, 429, 431, 433, 435, 437, 439, 441, 443, 445, 447, 449, 451,
453, 455, 457, 459, 461, 463, 465, 467, 469, 471, 473, 475, 477, 479, 481,
483, 485, 487, 489, 491, 493, 495, 497, 499, 501, 503, 505, 507, 509, 511,
513, 515, 517, 519, 521, 523, 525, 527, 529, 531, 533, 535, 537, 539, 541,
543, 545, 547, 549, 551, 553, 555, 557, 559, 561, 563, 565, 567, 569, 571,
573, 575, 577, 579, 581, 583, 585, 587, 589, 591, 593, 595, 597, 599, 601,
603, 605, 607, 609, 611, 613, 615, 617, 619, 621, 623, 625, 627, 629, 631,
633, 635, 637, 639, 641, 643, 645, 647, 649, 651, 653, 655, 657, 659, 661,
663, 665, 667, 669, 671, 673, 675, 677, 679, 681, 683, 685, 687, 689, 691,
693, 695, 697, 699, 701, 703, 705, 707, 709, 711, 713, 715, 717, 719, 721,
723, 725, 727, 729, 731, 733, 735, 737, 739, 741, 743, 745, 747, 749, 751,
753, 755, 757, 759, 761, 763, 765, 767, 769, 771, 773, 775, 777, 779, 781,
783, 785, 787, 789, 791, 793, 795, 797, 799, 801, 803, 805, 807, 809, 811,
813, 815, 817, 819, 821, 823, 825, 827, 829, 831, 833, 835, 837, 839, 841,
843, 845, 847, 849, 851, 853, 855, 857, 859, 861, 863, 865 and/or 867;
c) nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence, which, as a
result of the degeneracy of the genetic code, can be derived from a
polypeptide sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16,
90
18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54,
56,
58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and/or 82
and/or 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122,
124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152,
154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182,
184, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212,
214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242,
244, 246, 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264, 266, 268, 270, 272,
274, 276, 278, 280, 282, 284, 286, 288, 290, 292, 294, 296, 298, 300, 302,
304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332,
334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 344, 346, 348, 350, 352, 354, 356, 358, 360, 362,
364, 366, 368, 370, 372, 374, 376, 378, 380, 382, 384, 386, 388, 390, 392,
394, 396, 398, 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 422,
424, 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 440, 442, 444, 446, 448, 450, 452,
454, 456, 458, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468, 470, 472, 474, 476, 478, 480, 482,
484, 486, 488, 490, 492, 494, 496, 498, 500, 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512,
514, 516, 518, 520, 522, 524, 526, 528, 530, 532, 534, 536, 538, 540, 542,
544, 546, 548, 550, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 562, 564, 566, 568, 570, 572,
574, 576, 578, 580, 582, 584, 586, 588, 590, 592, 594, 596, 598, 600, 602,
604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, 620, 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632,
634, 636, 638, 640, 642, 644, 646, 648, 650, 652, 654, 656, 658, 660, 662,
664, 666, 668, 670, 672, 674, 676, 678, 680, 682, 684, 686, 688, 690, 692,
694, 696, 698, 700, 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, 714, 716, 718, 720, 722,
724, 726, 728, 730, 732, 734, 736, 738, 740, 742, 744, 746, 748, 750, 752,
754, 756, 758, 760, 762, 764, 766, 768, 770, 772, 774, 776, 778, 780, 782,
784, 786, 788, 790, 792, 794, 796, 798, 800, 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812,
814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826, 828, 830, 832, 834, 836, 838, 840, 842,
844, 846, 848, 850, 852, 854, 856, 858, 860, 862, 864, 866 and/or 868;
d) nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide having at least 50% identity
with the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide encoded by the nucleic
acid molecule of (a) to (c) and having the biological activity represented by
protein of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30,
32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68,
70,
72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and/or 82
and/or 96,98,100,102,104,106,108,110,112,114,116,118,120,122,
124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152,
154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182,
91
184, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212,
214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242,
244, 246, 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264, 266, 268, 270, 272,
274, 276, 278, 280, 282, 284, 286, 288, 290, 292, 294, 296, 298, 300, 302,
304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332,
334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 344, 346, 348, 350, 352, 354, 356, 358, 360, 362,
364, 366, 368, 370, 372, 374, 376, 378, 380, 382, 384, 386, 388, 390, 392,
394, 396, 398, 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 422,
424, 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 440, 442, 444, 446, 448, 450, 452,
454, 456, 458, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468, 470, 472, 474, 476, 478, 480, 482,
484, 486, 488, 490, 492, 494, 496, 498, 500, 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512,
514, 516, 518, 520, 522, 524, 526, 528, 530, 532, 534, 536, 538, 540, 542,
544, 546, 548, 550, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 562, 564, 566, 568, 570, 572,
574, 576, 578, 580, 582, 584, 586, 588, 590, 592, 594, 596, 598, 600, 602,
604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, 620, 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632,
634, 636, 638, 640, 642, 644, 646, 648, 650, 652, 654, 656, 658, 660, 662,
664, 666, 668, 670, 672, 674, 676, 678, 680, 682, 684, 686, 688, 690, 692,
694, 696, 698, 700, 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, 714, 716, 718, 720, 722,
724, 726, 728, 730, 732, 734, 736, 738, 740, 742, 744, 746, 748, 750, 752,
754, 756, 758, 760, 762, 764, 766, 768, 770, 772, 774, 776, 778, 780, 782,
784, 786, 788, 790, 792, 794, 796, 798, 800, 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812,
814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826, 828, 830, 832, 834, 836, 838, 840, 842,
844, 846, 848, 850, 852, 854, 856, 858, 860, 862, 864, 866 and/or 868;
e) nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide which is isolated with the aid
of monoclonal antibodies against a polypeptide encoded by one of the
nucleic acid molecules of (a) to (d) and having the biological activity
represented by the protein of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20,
22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58,
60,
62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and/or 82
and/or 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122,
124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152,
154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182,
184, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212,
214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242,
244, 246, 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264, 266, 268, 270, 272,
274, 276, 278, 280, 282, 284, 286, 288, 290, 292, 294, 296, 298, 300, 302,
304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332,
92
334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 344, 346, 348, 350, 352, 354, 356, 358, 360, 362,
364, 366, 368, 370, 372, 374, 376, 378, 380, 382, 384, 386, 388, 390, 392,
394, 396, 398, 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 422,
424, 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 440, 442, 444, 446, 448, 450, 452,
454, 456, 458, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468, 470, 472, 474, 476, 478, 480, 482,
484, 486, 488, 490, 492, 494, 496, 498, 500, 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512,
514, 516, 518, 520, 522, 524, 526, 528, 530, 532, 534, 536, 538, 540, 542,
544, 546, 548, 550, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 562, 564, 566, 568, 570, 572,
574, 576, 578, 580, 582, 584, 586, 588, 590, 592, 594, 596, 598, 600, 602,
604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, 620, 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632,
634, 636, 638, 640, 642, 644, 646, 648, 650, 652, 654, 656, 658, 660, 662,
664, 666, 668, 670, 672, 674, 676, 678, 680, 682, 684, 686, 688, 690, 692,
694, 696, 698, 700, 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, 714, 716, 718, 720, 722,
724, 726, 728, 730, 732, 734, 736, 738, 740, 742, 744, 746, 748, 750, 752,
754, 756, 758, 760, 762, 764, 766, 768, 770, 772, 774, 776, 778, 780, 782,
784, 786, 788, 790, 792, 794, 796, 798, 800, 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812,
814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826, 828, 830, 832, 834, 836, 838, 840, 842,
844, 846, 848, 850, 852, 854, 856, 858, 860, 862, 864, 866 and/or 868;
nucleic acid molecule which is obtainable by screening a suitable nucleic
acid library under stringent hybridisation conditions with a probe
comprising one of the sequences of the nucleic acid molecule of (a) or (b)
or with a fragment thereof having at least 15 nt, preferably 20 nt, 30 nt, 50
nt, 100 nt, 200 nt or 500 nt of the nucleic acid molecule characterized in (a)
to (c) and encoding a polypeptide having the biological activity represented
by protein whose reduction or deletion results in increased tolerance
and/or resistance to an environmental stress
or which comprises a sequence which is complementary thereto.
3. The transformed plant cell of claim 1 or 2 with one or more nucleic acid
sequences homolog to one of the sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11,
13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49,
51, 53,
55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79 and/or 81
and/or 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123,
125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151, 153,
155,
157, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169, 171, 173, 175, 177, 179, 181, 183, 185,
187,
189, 191, 193, 195, 197, 199, 201, 203, 205, 207, 209, 211, 213, 215, 217,
219,
221, 223, 225, 227, 229, 231, 233, 235, 237, 239, 241, 243, 245, 247, 249,
251,
93
253, 255, 257, 259, 261, 263, 265, 267, 269, 271, 273, 275, 277, 279, 281,
283,
285, 287, 289, 291, 293, 295, 297, 299, 301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 313,
315,
317, 319, 321, 323, 325, 327, 329, 331, 333, 335, 337, 339, 341, 343, 345,
347,
349, 351, 353, 355, 357, 359, 361, 363, 365, 367, 369, 371, 373, 375, 377,
379,
381, 383, 385, 387, 389, 391, 393, 395, 397, 399, 401, 403, 405, 407, 409,
411,
413, 415, 417, 419, 421, 423, 425, 427, 429, 431, 433, 435, 437, 439, 441,
443,
445, 447, 449, 451, 453, 455, 457, 459, 461, 463, 465, 467, 469, 471, 473,
475,
477, 479, 481, 483, 485, 487, 489, 491, 493, 495, 497, 499, 501, 503, 505,
507,
509, 511, 513, 515, 517, 519, 521, 523, 525, 527, 529, 531, 533, 535, 537,
539,
541, 543, 545, 547, 549, 551, 553, 555, 557, 559, 561, 563, 565, 567, 569,
571,
573, 575, 577, 579, 581, 583, 585, 587, 589, 591, 593, 595, 597, 599, 601,
603,
605, 607, 609, 611, 613, 615, 617, 619, 621, 623, 625, 627, 629, 631, 633,
635,
637, 639, 641, 643, 645, 647, 649, 651, 653, 655, 657, 659, 661, 663, 665,
667,
669, 671, 673, 675, 677, 679, 681, 683, 685, 687, 689, 691, 693, 695, 697,
699,
701, 703, 705, 707, 709, 711, 713, 715, 717, 719, 721, 723, 725, 727, 729,
731,
733, 735, 737, 739, 741, 743, 745, 747, 749, 751, 753, 755, 757, 759, 761,
763,
765, 767, 769, 771, 773, 775, 777, 779, 781, 783, 785, 787, 789, 791, 793,
795,
797, 799, 801, 803, 805, 807, 809, 811, 813, 815, 817, 819, 821, 823, 825,
827,
829, 831, 833, 835, 837, 839, 841, 843, 845, 847, 849, 851, 853, 855, 857,
859,
861, 863, 865 and/or 867, wherein the plant is selected from the group
comprised of maize, wheat, rye, oat, triticale, rice, barley, soybean, peanut,
cotton, rapeseed, canola, manihot, pepper, sunflower, flax, borage, safflower,
linseed, primrose, rapeseed, turnip rape, tagetes, solanaceous plants, potato,
tobacco, eggplant, tomato, Vicia species, pea, alfalfa, coffee, cacao, tea,
Salix
species, oil palm, coconut, perennial grass, forage crops and Arabidopsis
thaliana.
4. The transformed plant cell of claim 3, wherein the nucleic acid is at least
about
50 % homologous to said sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17,
19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55,
57, 59,
61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79 and/or 81
and/or 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123,
125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151, 153,
155,
157, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169, 171, 173, 175, 177, 179, 181, 183, 185,
187,
189, 191, 193, 195, 197, 199, 201, 203, 205, 207, 209, 211, 213, 215, 217,
219,
221, 223, 225, 227, 229, 231, 233, 235, 237, 239, 241, 243, 245, 247, 249,
251,
253, 255, 257, 259, 261, 263, 265, 267, 269, 271, 273, 275, 277, 279, 281,
283,
94
285, 287, 289, 291, 293, 295, 297, 299, 301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 313,
315,
317, 319, 321, 323, 325, 327, 329, 331, 333, 335, 337, 339, 341, 343, 345,
347,
349, 351, 353, 355, 357, 359, 361, 363, 365, 367, 369, 371, 373, 375, 377,
379,
381, 383, 385, 387, 389, 391, 393, 395, 397, 399, 401, 403, 405, 407, 409,
411,
413, 415, 417, 419, 421, 423, 425, 427, 429, 431, 433, 435, 437, 439, 441,
443,
445, 447, 449, 451, 453, 455, 457, 459, 461, 463, 465, 467, 469, 471, 473,
475,
477, 479, 481, 483, 485, 487, 489, 491, 493, 495, 497, 499, 501, 503, 505,
507,
509, 511, 513, 515, 517, 519, 521, 523, 525, 527, 529, 531, 533, 535, 537,
539,
541, 543, 545, 547, 549, 551, 553, 555, 557, 559, 561, 563, 565, 567, 569,
571,
573, 575, 577, 579, 581, 583, 585, 587, 589, 591, 593, 595, 597, 599, 601,
603,
605, 607, 609, 611, 613, 615, 617, 619, 621, 623, 625, 627, 629, 631, 633,
635,
637, 639, 641, 643, 645, 647, 649, 651, 653, 655, 657, 659, 661, 663, 665,
667,
669, 671, 673, 675, 677, 679, 681, 683, 685, 687, 689, 691, 693, 695, 697,
699,
701, 703, 705, 707, 709, 711, 713, 715, 717, 719, 721, 723, 725, 727, 729,
731,
733, 735, 737, 739, 741, 743, 745, 747, 749, 751, 753, 755, 757, 759, 761,
763,
765, 767, 769, 771, 773, 775, 777, 779, 781, 783, 785, 787, 789, 791, 793,
795,
797, 799, 801, 803, 805, 807, 809, 811, 813, 815, 817, 819, 821, 823, 825,
827,
829, 831, 833, 835, 837, 839, 841, 843, 845, 847, 849, 851, 853, 855, 857,
859,
861, 863, 865 and/or 867.
5. The transformed plant cell of one of the claims 1- 4 derived from a
monocotyledonous plant.
6. The transformed plant cell of one of the claims 1- 4 derived from a
dicotyledonous plant.
7. The transformed plant cell of one of the claims 1 - 6, wherein the plant is
selected from the group comprised of maize, wheat, rye, oat, triticale, rice,
barley, soybean, peanut, cotton, rapeseed, canola, manihot, pepper, sunflower,
flax, borage, safflower, linseed, primrose, rapeseed, turnip rape, tagetes,
solanaceous plants, potato, tobacco, eggplant, tomato, Vicia species, pea,
alfalfa, coffee, cacao, tea, Salix species, oil palm, coconut, perennial
grass,
forage crops and Arabidopsis thaliana, preferably Brassica napus, Glycine max,
Zea mays or Oryza sativa.
8. The transformed plant cell of one of the claims 1- 4, derived from a
gymnosperm plant.
95
9. A transformed plant generated from a plant cell according to of one of the
claims 1- 7 and which is a monocot or dicot plant.
10. A transformed plant of claim 12, which is selected from the group
comprised of
maize, wheat, rye, oat, triticale, rice, barley, soybean, peanut, cotton,
rapeseed,
canola, manihot, pepper, sunflower, flax, borage, safflower, linseed,
primrose,
rapeseed, turnip rape, tagetes, solanaceous plants, potato, tobacco, eggplant,
tomato, Vicia species, pea, alfalfa, coffee, cacao, tea, Salix species, oil
palm,
coconut, perennial grass, forage crops and Arabidopsis thaliana, preferably
Brassica napus, Glycine max, Zee mays or Oryza sativa.
11. A transformed plant generated from a plant cell according to of one of the
claims 1- 4 or 8 and which is a gymnosperm plant.
12. A seed produced by a transformed plant of one of the claims 9 to 11,
wherein
the seed is at least genetically heterozygous for a gene, that when
inactivated
or down-regulated confers increased tolerance to environmental stress as
compared to a wild type plant.
13. A method of producing a transformed plant with increased tolerance and/or
resistance to environmental stress as compared to a corresponding non-
transformed wild type plant by inactivation or down-regulation of a gene in
the
transformed plant resulting in increased tolerance and/or resistance to
environmental stress as compared to a corresponding non-transformed wild
type plant, comprising
(a) transforming a plant cell by inactivation or down-regulation of one or
more genes, preferably encoded by one or more nucleic acids selected
from a group consisting of sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11,
13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49,
51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79 and/or 81
and/or 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119,
121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147,
149, 151, 153, 155, 157, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169, 171, 173, 175,
177, 179, 181, 183, 185, 187, 189, 191,193, 195, 197, 199, 201, 203,
205, 207, 209, 211, 213, 215, 217, 219, 221, 223, 225, 227, 229, 231,
233, 235, 237, 239, 241, 243, 245, 247, 249, 251, 253, 255, 257, 259,
96
261, 263, 265, 267, 269, 271, 273, 275, 277, 279, 281, 283, 285, 287,
289, 291, 293, 295, 297, 299, 301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 313, 315,
317, 319, 321, 323, 325, 327, 329, 331, 333, 335, 337, 339, 341, 343,
345, 347, 349, 351, 353, 355, 357, 359, 361, 363, 365, 367, 369, 371,
373, 375, 377, 379, 381, 383, 385, 387, 389, 391, 393, 395, 397, 399,
401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, 415, 417, 419, 421, 423, 425, 427,
429, 431, 433, 435, 437, 439, 441, 443, 445, 447, 449, 451, 453, 455,
457, 459, 461, 463, 465, 467, 469, 471, 473, 475, 477, 479, 481, 483,
485, 487, 489, 491, 493, 495, 497, 499, 501, 503, 505, 507, 509, 511,
513, 515, 517, 519, 521, 523, 525, 527, 529, 531, 533, 535, 537, 539,
541, 543, 545, 547, 549, 551, 553, 555, 557, 559, 561, 563, 565, 567,
569, 571, 573, 575, 577, 579, 581, 583, 585, 587, 589, 591, 593, 595,
597, 599, 601, 603, 605, 607, 609, 611, 613, 615, 617, 619, 621, 623,
625, 627, 629, 631, 633, 635, 637, 639, 641, 643, 645, 647, 649, 651,
653, 655, 657, 659, 661, 663, 665, 667, 669, 671, 673, 675, 677, 679,
681, 683, 685, 687, 689, 691, 693, 695, 697, 699, 701, 703, 705, 707,
709, 711, 713, 715, 717, 719, 721, 723, 725, 727, 729, 731, 733, 735,
737, 739, 741, 743, 745, 747, 749, 751, 753, 755, 757, 759, 761, 763,
765, 767, 769, 771, 773, 775, 777, 779, 781, 783, 785, 787, 789, 791,
793, 795, 797, 799, 801, 803, 805, 807, 809, 811, 813, 815, 817, 819,
821, 823, 825, 827, 829, 831, 833, 835, 837, 839, 841, 843, 845, 847,
849, 851, 853, 855, 857, 859, 861, 863, 865 and/or 867 and/or
homologs thereof and
(b) generating from the plant cell a transformed plant with an increased
tolerance and/or resistance to environmental stress as compared to a
corresponding wild type plant.
14. A method of inducing increased tolerance and/or resistance to
environmental
stress as compared to a corresponding non-transformed wild type plant in a
plant cell of one of the claims 1 - 8 or plant of one of the claims 9-12 by
inactivation or down-regulation of one or more genes encoded by one or more
nucleic acids selected from a group consisting of sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1,
3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41,
43, 45,
47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79 and/or 81
and/or 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113,115, 117, 119, 121, 123,
125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151, 153,
155,
157, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169, 171, 173, 175, 177, 179, 181, 183, 185,
187,
97
189, 191, 193, 195, 197, 199, 201, 203, 205, 207, 209, 211, 213, 215, 217,
219,
221, 223, 225, 227, 229, 231, 233, 235, 237, 239, 241, 243, 245, 247, 249,
251,
253, 255, 257, 259, 261, 263, 265, 267, 269, 271, 273, 275, 277, 279, 281,
283,
285, 287, 289, 291, 293, 295, 297, 299, 301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 313,
315,
317, 319, 321, 323, 325, 327, 329, 331, 333, 335, 337, 339, 341, 343, 345,
347,
349, 351, 353, 355, 357, 359, 361, 363, 365, 367, 369, 371, 373, 375, 377,
379,
381, 383, 385, 387, 389, 391, 393, 395, 397, 399, 401, 403, 405, 407, 409,
411,
413, 415, 417, 419, 421, 423, 425, 427, 429, 431, 433, 435, 437, 439, 441,
443,
445, 447, 449, 451, 453, 455, 457, 459, 461, 463, 465, 467, 469, 471, 473,
475,
477, 479, 481, 483, 485, 487, 489, 491, 493, 495, 497, 499, 501, 503, 505,
507,
509, 511, 513, 515, 517, 519, 521, 523, 525, 527, 529, 531, 533, 535, 537,
539,
541, 543, 545, 547, 549, 551, 553, 555, 557, 559, 561, 563, 565, 567, 569,
571,
573, 575, 577, 579, 581, 583, 585, 587, 589, 591, 593, 595, 597, 599, 601,
603,
605, 607, 609, 611, 613, 615, 617, 619, 621, 623, 625, 627, 629, 631, 633,
635,
637, 639, 641, 643, 645, 647, 649, 651, 653, 655, 657, 659, 661, 663, 665,
667,
669, 671, 673, 675, 677, 679, 681, 683, 685, 687, 689, 691, 693, 695, 697,
699,
701, 703, 705, 707, 709, 711, 713, 715, 717, 719, 721, 723, 725, 727, 729;
731,
733, 735, 737, 739, 741, 743, 745, 747, 749, 751, 753, 755, 757, 759, 761,
763,
765, 767, 769, 771, 773, 775, 777, 779, 781, 783, 785, 787, 789, 791, 793,
795,
797, 799, 801, 803, 805, 807, 809, 811, 813, 815, 817, 819, 821, 823, 825,
827,
829, 831, 833, 835, 837, 839, 841, 843, 845, 847, 849, 851, 853, 855, 857,
859,
861, 863, 865 and/or 867 and/or homologs thereof.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the gene encoding nucleic acid is at least
about 50% homologous to sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15,
17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53,
55, 57,
59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79 and/or 81
and/or 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123,
125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151, 153,
155,
157, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169, 171, 173, 175, 177, 179, 181, 183, 185,
187,
189, 191, 193, 195, 197, 199, 201, 203, 205, 207, 209, 211, 213, 215, 217,
219,
221, 223, 225, 227, 229, 231, 233, 235, 237, 239, 241, 243, 245, 247, 249,
251,
253, 255, 257, 259, 261, 263, 265, 267, 269, 271, 273, 275, 277, 279, 281,
283,
285, 287, 289, 291, 293, 295, 297, 299, 301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 313,
315,
317, 319, 321, 323, 325, 327, 329, 331, 333, 335, 337, 339, 341, 343, 345,
347,
349, 351, 353, 355, 357, 359, 361, 363, 365, 367, 369, 371, 373, 375, 377,
379,
381, 383, 385, 387, 389, 391, 393, 395, 397, 399, 401, 403, 405, 407, 409,
411,
98
413, 415, 417, 419, 421, 423, 425, 427, 429, 431, 433, 435, 437, 439, 441,
443,
445, 447, 449, 451, 453, 455, 457, 459, 461, 463, 465, 467, 469, 471, 473,
475,
477, 479, 481, 483, 485, 487, 489, 491, 493, 495, 497, 499, 501, 503, 505,
507,
509, 511, 513, 515, 517, 519, 521, 523, 525, 527, 529, 531, 533, 535, 537,
539,
541, 543, 545, 547, 549, 551, 553, 555, 557, 559, 561, 563, 565, 567, 569,
571,
573, 575, 577, 579, 581, 583, 585, 587, 589, 591, 593, 595, 597, 599, 601,
603,
605, 607, 609, 611, 613, 615, 617, 619, 621, 623, 625, 627, 629, 631, 633,
635,
637, 639, 641, 643, 645, 647, 649, 651, 653, 655, 657, 659, 661, 663, 665,
667,
669, 671, 673, 675, 677, 679, 681, 683, 685, 687, 689, 691, 693, 695, 697,
699,
701, 703, 705, 707, 709, 711, 713, 715, 717, 719, 721, 723, 725, 727, 729,
731,
733, 735, 737, 739, 741, 743, 745, 747, 749, 751, 753, 755, 757, 759, 761,
763,
765, 767, 769, 771, 773, 775, 777, 779, 781, 783, 785, 787, 789, 791, 793,
795,
797, 799, 801, 803, 805, 807, 809, 811, 813, 815, 817, 819, 821, 823, 825,
827,
829, 831, 833, 835, 837, 839, 841, 843, 845, 847, 849, 851, 853, 855, 857,
859,
861, 863, 865 and/or 867.
16. A plant expression cassette comprising a nucleic acid construct, which
when
expressed allows inactivation or down-regulation of one or more genes encoded
by one or more nucleic acids selected from the group consisting of sequences
of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33,
35,
37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73,
75, 77,
79 and/or 81; and/or
95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125,
127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151, 153, 155,
157,
159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169, 171, 173, 175, 177, 179, 181, 183, 185, 187,
189,
191, 193, 195, 197, 199, 201, 203, 205, 207, 209, 211, 213, 215, 217, 219,
221,
223, 225, 227, 229, 231, 233, 235, 237, 239, 241, 243, 245, 247, 249, 251,
253,
255, 257, 259, 261, 263, 265, 267, 269, 271, 273, 275, 277, 279, 281, 283,
285,
287, 289, 291, 293, 295, 297, 299, 301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 313, 315,
317,
319, 321, 323, 325, 327, 329, 331, 333, 335, 337, 339, 341, 343, 345, 347,
349,
351, 353, 355, 357, 359, 361, 363, 365, 367, 369, 371, 373, 375, 377, 379,
381,
383, 385, 387, 389, 391, 393, 395, 397, 399, 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411,
413,
415, 417, 419, 421, 423, 425, 427, 429, 431, 433, 435, 437, 439, 441, 443,
445,
447, 449, 451, 453, 455, 457, 459, 461, 463, 465, 467, 469, 471, 473, 475,
477,
479, 481, 483, 485, 487, 489, 491, 493, 495, 497, 499, 501, 503, 505, 507,
509,
511, 513, 515, 517, 519, 521, 523, 525, 527, 529, 531, 533, 535, 537, 539,
541,
543, 545, 547, 549, 551, 553, 555, 557, 559, 561, 563, 565, 567, 569, 571,
573,
99
575, 577, 579, 581, 583, 585, 587, 589, 591, 593, 595, 597, 599, 601, 603,
605,
607, 609, 611, 613, 615, 617, 619, 621, 623, 625, 627, 629, 631, 633, 635,
637,
639, 641, 643, 645, 647, 649, 651, 653, 655, 657, 659, 661, 663, 665, 667,
669,
671, 673, 675, 677, 679, 681, 683, 685, 687, 689, 691, 693, 695, 697, 699,
701,
703, 705, 707, 709, 711, 713, 715, 717, 719, 721, 723, 725, 727, 729, 731,
733,
735, 737, 739, 741, 743, 745, 747, 749, 751, 753, 755, 757, 759, 761, 763,
765,
767, 769, 771, 773, 775, 777, 779, 781, 783, 785, 787, 789, 791, 793, 795,
797,
799, 801, 803, 805, 807, 809, 811, 813, 815, 817, 819, 821, 823, 825, 827,
829,
831, 833, 835, 837, 839, 841, 843, 845, 847, 849, 851, 853, 855, 857, 859,
861,
863, 865 and/or 867 and/or homologs thereof and/or parts thereof by a method
of one of the claims 13-15.
17. A method of detecting environmental stress in plant cells or plants
comprising
screening the plant cells for increased tolerance and/or resistance to
environmental stress as compared to non-stress conditions.
18. A method of screening plant cells or plants for increased tolerance and/or
resistance to environmental stress comprising screening the plant cells under
stress conditions for increased tolerance and/or resistance to environmental
stress as compared to non-stress conditions.
19. A method of breeding plant cells or plants towards increased tolerance
and/or
resistance to environmental stress comprising screening the plant cells under
stress conditions for increased tolerance and/or resistance to environmental
stress as compared to non-stress conditions and selecting those with increased
tolerance and/or resistance to environmental stress.
20. The method of one of the claims 24 - 25, wherein the increased tolerance
and/or resistance to environmental stress is due to one or more inactivated or
down-regulated genes.
21. The method of one of the claims 18 - 19, wherein tolerance and/or
resistance to
environmental stress is increased by one or more inactivated or down-regulated
genes encoded by one or more nucleic acid sequences selected from the group
consisting of sequences of nucleic acids shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9,
11,
13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49,
51, 53,
55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79 and/or 81
100
and/or 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123,
125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151, 153,
155,
157, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169, 171, 173, 175, 177, 179, 181, 183, 185,
187,
189, 191, 193, 195, 197, 199, 201, 203, 205, 207, 209, 211, 213, 215, 217,
219,
221, 223, 225, 227, 229, 231, 233, 235, 237, 239, 241, 243, 245, 247, 249,
251,
253, 255, 257, 259, 261, 263, 265, 267, 269, 271, 273, 275, 277, 279, 281,
283,
285, 287, 289, 291, 293, 295, 297, 299, 301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 313,
315,
317, 319, 321, 323, 325, 327, 329, 331, 333, 335, 337, 339, 341, 343, 345,
347,
349, 351, 353, 355, 357, 359, 361, 363, 365, 367, 369, 371, 373, 375, 377,
379,
381, 383, 385, 387, 389, 391, 393, 395, 397, 399, 401, 403, 405, 407, 409,
411,
413, 415, 417, 419, 421, 423, 425, 427, 429, 431, 433, 435, 437, 439, 441,
443,
445, 447, 449, 451, 453, 455, 457, 459, 461, 463, 465, 467, 469, 471, 473,
475,
477, 479, 481, 483, 485, 487, 489, 491, 493, 495, 497, 499, 501, 503, 505,
507,
509, 511, 513, 515, 517, 519, 521, 523, 525, 527, 529, 531, 533, 535, 537,
539,
541, 543, 545, 547, 549, 551, 553, 555, 557, 559, 561, 563, 565, 567, 569,
571,
573, 575, 577, 579, 581, 583, 585, 587, 589, 591, 593, 595, 597, 599, 601,
603,
605, 607, 609, 611, 613, 615, 617, 619, 621, 623, 625, 627, 629, 631, 633,
635,
637, 639, 641, 643, 645, 647, 649, 651, 653, 655, 657, 659, 661, 663, 665,
667,
669, 671, 673, 675, 677, 679, 681, 683, 685, 687, 689, 691, 693, 695, 697,
699,
701, 703, 705, 707, 709, 711, 713, 715, 717, 719, 721, 723, 725, 727, 729,
731,
733, 735, 737, 739, 741, 743, 745, 747, 749, 751, 753, 755, 757, 759, 761,
763,
765, 767, 769, 771, 773, 775, 777, 779, 781, 783, 785, 787, 789, 791, 793,
795,
797, 799, 801, 803, 805, 807, 809, 811, 813, 815, 817, 819, 821, 823, 825,
827,
829, 831, 833, 835, 837, 839, 841, 843, 845, 847, 849, 851, 853, 855, 857,
859,
861, 863, 865 and/or 867 and/or homologs thereof.
22. A transformed plant cell with an inactivated or down-regulated gene
encoded by
a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of sequences of
SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35,
37,
39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75,
77, 79
and/or 81
and/or 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123,
125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151, 153,
155,
157, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169, 171, 173, 175, 177, 179, 181, 183, 185,
187,
189, 191, 193, 195, 197, 199, 201, 203, 205, 207, 209, 211, 213, 215, 217,
219,
221, 223, 225, 227, 229, 231, 233, 235, 237, 239, 241, 243, 245, 247, 249,
251,
253, 255, 257, 259, 261, 263, 265, 267, 269, 271, 273, 275, 277, 279, 281,
283,
101
285, 287, 289, 291, 293, 295, 297, 299, 301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 313,
315,
317, 319, 321, 323, 325, 327, 329, 331, 333, 335, 337, 339, 341, 343, 345,
347,
349, 351, 353, 355, 357, 359, 361, 363, 365, 367, 369, 371, 373, 375, 377,
379,
381, 383, 385, 387, 389, 391, 393, 395, 397, 399, 401, 403, 405, 407, 409,
411,
413, 415, 417, 419, 421, 423, 425, 427, 429, 431, 433, 435, 437, 439, 441,
443,
445, 447, 449, 451, 453, 455, 457, 459, 461, 463, 465, 467, 469, 471, 473,
475,
477, 479, 481, 483, 485, 487, 489, 491, 493, 495, 497, 499, 501, 503, 505,
507,
509, 511, 513, 515, 517, 519, 521, 523, 525, 527, 529, 531, 533, 535, 537,
539,
541, 543, 545, 547, 549, 551, 553, 555, 557, 559, 561, 563, 565, 567, 569,
571,
573, 575, 577, 579, 581, 583, 585, 587, 589, 591, 593, 595, 597, 599, 601,
603,
605, 607, 609, 611, 613, 615, 617, 619, 621, 623, 625, 627, 629, 631, 633,
635,
637, 639, 641, 643, 645, 647, 649, 651, 653, 655, 657, 659, 661, 663, 665,
667,
669, 671, 673, 675, 677, 679, 681, 683, 685, 687, 689, 691, 693, 695, 697,
699,
701, 703, 705, 707, 709, 711, 713, 715, 717, 719, 721, 723, 725, 727, 729,
731,
733, 735, 737, 739, 741, 743, 745, 747, 749, 751, 753, 755, 757, 759, 761,
763,
765, 767, 769, 771, 773, 775, 777, 779, 781, 783, 785, 787, 789, 791, 793,
795,
797, 799, 801, 803, 805, 807, 809, 811, 813, 815, 817, 819, 821, 823, 825,
827,
829, 831, 833, 835, 837, 839, 841, 843, 845, 847, 849, 851, 853, 855, 857,
859,
861, 863, 865 and/or 867 and/or homologs thereof.
23. An isolated nucleic acid molecule which comprises a nucleic acid molecule
selected from the group consisting of:
a) nucleic acid molecule which encodes a polypeptide comprising the
polypeptide according to SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22,
24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60,
62,
64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and/or 82
and/or 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122,
124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152,
154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182,
184, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212,
214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242,
244, 246, 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264, 266, 268, 270, 272,
274, 276, 278, 280, 282, 284, 286, 288, 290, 292, 294, 296, 298, 300, 302,
304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332,
334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 344, 346, 348, 350, 352, 354, 356, 358, 360, 362,
364, 366, 368, 370, 372, 374, 376, 378, 380, 382, 384, 386, 388, 390, 392,
394, 396, 398, 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 422,
102
424, 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 440, 442, 444, 446, 448, 450, 452,
454, 456, 458, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468, 470, 472, 474, 476, 478, 480, 482,
484, 486, 488, 490, 492, 494, 496, 498, 500, 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512,
514, 516, 518, 520, 522, 524, 526, 528, 530, 532, 534, 536, 538, 540, 542,
544, 546, 548, 550, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 562, 564, 566, 568, 570, 572,
574, 576, 578, 580, 582, 584, 586, 588, 590, 592, 594, 596, 598, 600, 602,
604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, 620, 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632,
634, 636, 638, 640, 642, 644, 646, 648, 650, 652, 654, 656, 658, 660, 662,
664, 666, 668, 670, 672, 674, 676, 678, 680, 682, 684, 686, 688, 690, 692,
694, 696, 698, 700, 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, 714, 716, 718, 720, 722,
724, 726, 728, 730, 732, 734, 736, 738, 740, 742, 744, 746, 748, 750, 752,
754, 756, 758, 760, 762, 764, 766, 768, 770, 772, 774, 776, 778, 780, 782,
784, 786, 788, 790, 792, 794, 796, 798, 800, 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812,
814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826, 828, 830, 832, 834, 836, 838, 840, 842,
844, 846, 848, 850, 852, 854, 856, 858, 860, 862, 864, 866 and/or 868;
b) nucleic acid molecule which comprising the polynucleotide shown in SEQ
ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37,
39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75,
77,
79 and/or 81
and/or 95,97,99,101,103,105,107,109,111,113,115,117,119,121,
123, 125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151,
153, 155, 157, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169, 171, 173, 175, 177, 179, 181,
183, 185, 187, 189, 191,193,195, 197, 199, 201, 203, 205, 207, 209, 211,
213, 215, 217, 219, 221, 223, 225, 227, 229, 231, 233, 235, 237, 239, 241,
243, 245, 247, 249, 251, 253, 255, 257, 259, 261, 263, 265, 267, 269, 271,
273, 275, 277, 279, 281, 283, 285, 287, 289, 291, 293, 295, 297, 299, 301,
303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 313, 315, 317, 319, 321, 323, 325, 327, 329, 331,
333, 335, 337, 339, 341, 343, 345, 347, 349, 351, 353, 355, 357, 359, 361,
363, 365, 367, 369, 371, 373, 375, 377, 379, 381, 383, 385, 387, 389, 391,
393, 395, 397, 399, 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, 415, 417, 419, 421,
423, 425, 427, 429, 431, 433, 435, 437, 439, 441, 443, 445, 447, 449, 451,
453, 455, 457, 459, 461, 463, 465, 467, 469, 471, 473, 475, 477, 479, 481,
483, 485, 487, 489, 491, 493, 495, 497, 499, 501, 503, 505, 507, 509, 511,
513, 515, 517, 519, 521, 523, 525, 527, 529, 531, 533, 535, 537, 539, 541,
543, 545, 547, 549, 551, 553, 555, 557, 559, 561, 563, 565, 567, 569, 571,
573, 575, 577, 579, 581, 583, 585, 587, 589, 591, 593, 595, 597, 599, 601,
603, 605, 607, 609, 611, 613, 615, 617, 619, 621, 623, 625, 627, 629, 631,
103
633, 635, 637, 639, 641, 643, 645, 647, 649, 651, 653, 655, 657, 659, 661,
663, 665, 667, 669, 671, 673, 675, 677, 679, 681, 683, 685, 687, 689, 691,
693, 695, 697, 699, 701, 703, 705, 707, 709, 711, 713, 715, 717, 719, 721,
723, 725, 727, 729, 731, 733, 735, 737, 739, 741, 743, 745, 747, 749, 751,
753, 755, 757, 759, 761, 763, 765, 767, 769, 771, 773, 775, 777, 779, 781,
783, 785, 787, 789, 791, 793, 795, 797, 799, 801, 803, 805, 807, 809, 811,
813, 815, 817, 819, 821, 823, 825, 827, 829, 831, 833, 835, 837, 839, 841,
843, 845, 847, 849, 851, 853, 855, 857, 859, 861, 863, 865 and/or 867;
c) nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence, which, as a
result of the degeneracy of the genetic code, can be derived from a
polypeptide sequence depicted (b) and having the biological activity
represented by protein according to SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16,
18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54,
56,
58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and/or 82
and/or 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122,
124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152,
154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182,
184, 186,188, 190, 192,194,196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212,
214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242,
244, 246, 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264, 266, 268, 270, 272,
274, 276, 278, 280, 282, 284, 286, 288, 290, 292, 294, 296, 298, 300, 302,
304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332,
334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 344, 346, 348, 350, 352, 354, 356, 358, 360, 362,
364, 366, 368, 370, 372, 374, 376, 378, 380, 382, 384, 386, 388, 390, 392,
394, 396, 398, 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 422,
424, 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 440, 442, 444, 446, 448, 450, 452,
454, 456, 458, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468, 470, 472, 474, 476, 478, 480, 482,
484, 486, 488, 490, 492, 494, 496, 498, 500, 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512,
514, 516, 518, 520, 522, 524, 526, 528, 530, 532, 534, 536, 538, 540, 542,
544, 546, 548, 550, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 562, 564, 566, 568, 570, 572,
574, 576, 578, 580, 582, 584, 586, 588, 590, 592, 594, 596, 598, 600, 602,
604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, 620, 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632,
634, 636, 638, 640, 642, 644, 646, 648, 650, 652, 654, 656, 658, 660, 662,
664, 666, 668, 670, 672, 674, 676, 678, 680, 682, 684, 686, 688, 690, 692,
694, 696, 698, 700, 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, 714, 716, 718, 720, 722,
724, 726, 728, 730, 732, 734, 736, 738, 740, 742, 744, 746, 748, 750, 752,
754, 756, 758, 760, 762, 764, 766, 768, 770, 772, 774, 776, 778, 780, 782,
104
784, 786, 788, 790, 792, 794, 796, 798, 800, 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812,
814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826, 828, 830, 832, 834, 836, 838, 840, 842,
844, 846, 848, 850, 852, 854, 856, 858, 860, 862, 864, 866 and/or 868;
d) nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide having at least 50% identity
with the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide encoded by the nucleic
acid molecule of (a) or (c) and having a biological activity represented by
protein according to SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24,
26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62,
64,
66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and/or 82
and/or 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122,
124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152,
154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182,
184, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212,
214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242,
244, 246, 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264, 266, 268, 270, 272,
274, 276, 278, 280, 282, 284, 286, 288, 290, 292, 294, 296, 298, 300, 302,
304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332,
334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 344, 346, 348, 350, 352, 354, 356, 358, 360, 362,
364, 366, 368, 370, 372, 374, 376, 378, 380, 382, 384, 386, 388, 390, 392,
394, 396, 398, 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 422,
424, 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 440, 442, 444, 446, 448, 450, 452,
454, 456, 458, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468, 470, 472, 474, 476, 478, 480, 482,
484, 486, 488, 490, 492, 494, 496, 498, 500, 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512,
514, 516, 518, 520, 522, 524, 526, 528, 530, 532, 534, 536, 538, 540, 542,
544, 546, 548, 550, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 562, 564, 566, 568, 570, 572,
574, 576, 578, 580, 582, 584, 586, 588, 590, 592, 594, 596, 598, 600, 602,
604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, 620, 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632,
634, 636, 638, 640, 642, 644, 646, 648, 650, 652, 654, 656, 658, 660, 662,
664, 666, 668, 670, 672, 674, 676, 678, 680, 682, 684, 686, 688, 690, 692,
694, 696, 698, 700, 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, 714, 716, 718, 720, 722,
724, 726, 728, 730, 732, 734, 736, 738, 740, 742, 744, 746, 748, 750, 752,
754, 756, 758, 760, 762, 764, 766, 768, 770, 772, 774, 776, 778, 780, 782,
784, 786, 788, 790, 792, 794, 796, 798, 800, 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812,
814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826, 828, 830, 832, 834, 836, 838, 840, 842,
844, 846, 848, 850, 852, 854, 856, 858, 860, 862, 864, 866 and/or 868;
e) nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide, which is isolated with the
aid of monoclonal antibodies against a polypeptide encoded by one of the
105
nucleic acid molecules of (a) to (c) and having a biological activity
represented by protein X;
f) nucleic acid molecule which is obtainable by screening a suitable library
under stringent hybridisation conditions with a probe comprising one of the
sequences of the nucleic acid molecule of (a) to (c) or with a fragment of at
least 15 nt, preferably 20 nt, 30 nt, 50 nt, 100 nt, 200 nt or 500 nt of the
nucleic acid molecule characterized in (a) to (i) and encoding a polypeptide
having the biological activity represented by protein X;
g) a nucleic acid molecule having at least 70% sequence identity to
polynucleotide selected from the groups consisting of the polynucleotides
shown in SEQ ID NO 1 , 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29,
31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67,
69,
71, 73, 75, 77, 79 and/or 81
and/or 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121,
123, 125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151,
153, 155, 157, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169, 171, 173, 175, 177, 179, 181,
183, 185, 187, 189, 191, 193, 195, 197, 199, 201, 203, 205, 207, 209, 211,
213, 215, 217, 219, 221, 223, 225, 227, 229, 231, 233, 235, 237, 239, 241,
243, 245, 247, 249, 251, 253, 255, 257, 259, 261, 263, 265, 267, 269, 271,
273, 275, 277, 279, 281, 283, 285, 287, 289, 291, 293, 295, 297, 299, 301,
303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 313, 315, 317, 319, 321, 323, 325, 327, 329, 331,
333, 335, 337, 339, 341, 343, 345, 347, 349, 351, 353, 355, 357, 359, 361,
363, 365, 367, 369, 371, 373, 375, 377, 379, 381, 383, 385, 387, 389, 391,
393, 395, 397, 399, 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, 415, 417, 419, 421,
423, 425, 427, 429, 431, 433, 435, 437, 439, 441, 443, 445, 447, 449, 451,
453, 455, 457, 459, 461, 463, 465, 467, 469, 471, 473, 475, 477, 479, 481,
483, 485, 487, 489, 491, 493, 495, 497, 499, 501, 503, 505, 507, 509, 511,
513, 515, 517, 519, 521, 523, 525, 527, 529, 531, 533, 535, 537, 539, 541,
543, 545, 547, 549, 551, 553, 555, 557, 559, 561, 563, 565, 567, 569, 571,
573, 575, 577, 579, 581, 583, 585, 587, 589, 591, 593, 595, 597, 599, 601,
603, 605, 607, 609, 611, 613, 615, 617, 619, 621, 623, 625, 627, 629, 631,
633, 635, 637, 639, 641, 643, 645, 647, 649, 651, 653, 655, 657, 659, 661,
663, 665, 667, 669, 671, 673, 675, 677, 679, 681, 683, 685, 687, 689, 691,
693, 695, 697, 699, 701, 703, 705, 707, 709, 711, 713, 715, 717, 719, 721,
723, 725, 727, 729, 731, 733, 735, 737, 739, 741, 743, 745, 747, 749, 751,
753, 755, 757, 759, 761, 763, 765, 767, 769, 771, 773, 775, 777, 779, 781,
783, 785, 787, 789, 791, 793, 795, 797, 799, 801, 803, 805, 807, 809, 811,
106
813, 815, 817, 819, 821, 823, 825, 827, 829, 831, 833, 835, 837, 839, 841,
843, 845, 847, 849, 851, 853, 855, 857, 859, 861, 863, 865 and/or 867 ;
or which comprises a sequence which is complementary thereto; whereby the
nucleic acid molecule according to (a) to (g) is at least in one or more
nucleotides different from the sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9,
11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47,
49, 51,
53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79 and/or 81
and/or 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123,
125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151, 153,
155, 157, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169, 171, 173, 175, 177, 179, 181, 183,
185, 187, 189, 191, 193, 195, 197, 199, 201, 203, 205, 207, 209, 211, 213,
215, 217, 219, 221, 223, 225, 227, 229, 231, 233, 235, 237, 239, 241, 243,
245, 247, 249, 251, 253, 255, 257, 259, 261, 263, 265, 267, 269, 271, 273,
275, 277, 279, 281, 283, 285, 287, 289, 291, 293, 295, 297, 299, 301, 303,
305, 307, 309, 311, 313, 315, 317, 319, 321, 323, 325, 327, 329, 331, 333,
335, 337, 339, 341, 343, 345, 347, 349, 351, 353, 355, 357, 359, 361, 363,
365, 367, 369, 371, 373, 375, 377, 379, 381, 383, 385, 387, 389, 391, 393,
395, 397, 399, 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, 415, 417, 419, 421, 423,
425, 427, 429, 431, 433, 435, 437, 439, 441, 443, 445, 447, 449, 451, 453,
455, 457, 459, 461, 463, 465, 467, 469, 471, 473, 475, 477, 479, 481, 483,
485, 487, 489, 491, 493, 495, 497, 499, 501, 503, 505, 507, 509, 511, 513,
515, 517, 519, 521, 523, 525, 527, 529, 531, 533, 535, 537, 539, 541, 543,
545, 547, 549, 551, 553, 555, 557, 559, 561, 563, 565, 567, 569, 571, 573,
575, 577, 579, 581, 583, 585, 587, 589, 591, 593, 595, 597, 599, 601, 603,
605, 607, 609, 611, 613, 615, 617, 619, 621, 623, 625, 627, 629, 631, 633,
635, 637, 639, 641, 643, 645, 647, 649, 651, 653, 655, 657, 659, 661, 663,
665, 667, 669, 671, 673, 675, 677, 679, 681, 683, 685, 687, 689, 691, 693,
695, 697, 699, 701, 703, 705, 707, 709, 711, 713, 715, 717, 719, 721, 723,
725, 727, 729, 731, 733, 735, 737, 739, 741, 743, 745, 747, 749, 751, 753,
755, 757, 759, 761, 763, 765, 767, 769, 771, 773, 775, 777, 779, 781, 783,
785, 787, 789, 791, 793, 795, 797, 799, 801, 803, 805, 807, 809, 811, 813,
815, 817, 819, 821, 823, 825, 827, 829, 831, 833, 835, 837, 839, 841, 843,
845, 847, 849, 851, 853, 855, 857, 859, 861, 863, 865 and/or 867
and which encodes a protein which differs at least in one or more amino acids
from the protein sequences depicted in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16,
18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54,
56, 58,
60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and/or 82
107
and/or 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122,
124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152,
154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182,
184, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212,
214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242,
244, 246, 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264, 266, 268, 270, 272,
274, 276, 278, 280, 282, 284, 286, 288, 290, 292, 294, 296, 298, 300, 302,
304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332,
334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 344, 346, 348, 350, 352, 354, 356, 358, 360, 362,
364, 366, 368, 370, 372, 374, 376, 378, 380, 382, 384, 386, 388, 390, 392,
394, 396, 398, 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 422,
424, 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 440, 442, 444, 446, 448, 450, 452,
454, 456, 458, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468, 470, 472, 474, 476, 478, 480, 482,
484, 486, 488, 490, 492, 494, 496, 498, 500, 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512,
514, 516, 518, 520, 522, 524, 526, 528, 530, 532, 534, 536, 538, 540, 542,
544, 546, 548, 550, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 562, 564, 566, 568, 570, 572,
574, 576, 578, 580, 582, 584, 586, 588, 590, 592, 594, 596, 598, 600, 602,
604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, 620, 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632,
634, 636, 638, 640, 642, 644, 646, 648, 650, 652, 654, 656, 658, 660, 662,
664, 666, 668, 670, 672, 674, 676, 678, 680, 682, 684, 686, 688, 690, 692,
694, 696, 698, 700, 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, 714, 716, 718, 720, 722,
724, 726, 728, 730, 732, 734, 736, 738, 740, 742, 744, 746, 748, 750, 752,
754, 756, 758, 760, 762, 764, 766, 768, 770, 772, 774, 776, 778, 780, 782,
784, 786, 788, 790, 792, 794, 796, 798, 800, 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812,
814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826, 828, 830, 832, 834, 836, 838, 840, 842,
844, 846, 848, 850, 852, 854, 856, 858, 860, 862, 864, 866 and/or 868.
24. An isolated polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid molecule as claimed in
claim 23.
25. An antibody, which specifically binds to the polypeptide as claimed in
claim 24.
26. A transformed plant cell wherein the increased tolerance and/or resistance
to an
environmental stress is conferred by one or more inactivated or down-regulated
genes encoded by one or more nucleic acid sequences selected from the group
consisting of:
108
a) nucleic acid molecule encoding the polypeptide shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4,
6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44,
46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and/or
82
and/or 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122,
124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152,
154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182,
184, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212,
214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242,
244, 246, 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264, 266, 268, 270, 272,
274, 276, 278, 280, 282, 284, 286, 288, 290, 292, 294, 296, 298, 300, 302,
304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332,
334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 344, 346, 348, 350, 352, 354, 356, 358, 360, 362,
364, 366, 368; 370, 372, 374, 376, 378, 380, 382, 384, 386, 388, 390, 392,
394, 396, 398, 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 422,
424, 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 440, 442, 444, 446, 448, 450, 452,
454, 456, 458, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468, 470, 472, 474, 476, 478, 480, 482,
484, 486, 488, 490, 492, 494, 496, 498, 500, 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512,
514, 516, 518, 520, 522, 524, 526, 528, 530, 532, 534, 536, 538, 540, 542,
544, 546, 548, 550, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 562, 564, 566, 568, 570, 572,
574, 576, 578, 580, 582, 584, 586, 588, 590, 592, 594, 596, 598, 600, 602,
604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, 620, 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632,
634, 636, 638, 640, 642, 644, 646, 648, 650, 652, 654, 656, 658, 660, 662,
664, 666, 668, 670, 672, 674, 676, 678, 680, 682, 684, 686, 688, 690, 692,
694, 696, 698, 700, 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, 714, 716, 718, 720, 722,
724, 726, 728, 730, 732, 734, 736, 738, 740, 742, 744, 746, 748, 750, 752,
754, 756, 758, 760, 762, 764, 766, 768, 770, 772, 774, 776, 778, 780, 782,
784, 786, 788, 790, 792, 794, 796, 798, 800, 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812,
814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826, 828, 830, 832, 834, 836, 838, 840, 842,
844, 846, 848, 850, 852, 854, 856, 858, 860, 862, 864, 866 and/or 868;
b) nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleic acid molecule shown in SEQ
ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37,
39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75,
77,
79 and/or 81
and/or 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121,
123, 125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151,
153, 155, 157, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169, 171, 173, 175, 177, 179, 181,
109
183, 185, 187, 189, 191, 193, 195, 197, 199, 201, 203, 205, 207, 209, 211,
213, 215, 217, 219, 221, 223, 225, 227, 229, 231, 233, 235, 237, 239, 241,
243, 245, 247, 249, 251, 253, 255, 257, 259, 261, 263, 265, 267, 269, 271,
273, 275, 277, 279, 281, 283, 285, 287, 289, 291, 293, 295, 297, 299, 301,
303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 313, 315, 317, 319, 321, 323, 325, 327, 329, 331,
333, 335, 337, 339, 341, 343, 345, 347, 349, 351, 353, 355, 357, 359, 361,
363, 365, 367, 369, 371, 373, 375, 377, 379, 381, 383, 385, 387, 389, 391,
393, 395, 397, 399, 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, 415, 417, 419, 421,
423, 425, 427, 429, 431, 433, 435, 437, 439, 441, 443, 445, 447, 449, 451,
453, 455, 457, 459, 461, 463, 465, 467, 469, 471, 473, 475, 477, 479, 481,
483, 485, 487, 489, 491, 493, 495, 497, 499, 501, 503, 505, 507, 509, 511,
513, 515, 517, 519, 521, 523, 525, 527, 529, 531, 533, 535, 537, 539, 541,
543, 545, 547, 549, 551, 553, 555, 557, 559, 561, 563, 565, 567, 569, 571,
573, 575, 577, 579, 581, 583, 585, 587, 589, 591, 593, 595, 597, 599, 601,
603, 605, 607, 609, 611, 613, 615, 617, 619, 621, 623, 625, 627, 629, 631,
633, 635, 637, 639, 641, 643, 645, 647, 649, 651, 653, 655, 657, 659, 661,
663, 665, 667, 669, 671, 673, 675, 677, 679, 681, 683, 685, 687, 689, 691,
693, 695, 697, 699, 701, 703, 705, 707, 709, 711, 713, 715, 717, 719, 721,
723, 725, 727, 729, 731, 733, 735, 737, 739, 741, 743, 745, 747, 749, 751,
753, 755, 757, 759, 761, 763, 765, 767, 769, 771, 773, 775, 777, 779, 781,
783, 785, 787, 789, 791, 793, 795, 797, 799, 801, 803, 805, 807, 809, 811,
813, 815, 817, 819, 821, 823, 825, 827, 829, 831, 833, 835, 837, 839, 841,
843, 845, 847, 849, 851, 853, 855, 857, 859, 861, 863, 865 and/or 867;
c) nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence, which, as a
result of the degeneracy of the genetic code, can be derived from a
polypeptide sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16,
18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54,
56,
58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and/or 82;
d) nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide having at least 50% identity
with the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide encoded by the nucleic
acid molecule of (a) to (c) and having the biological activity represented by
protein of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30,
32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68,
70,
72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and/or 82
and/or 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122,
124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152,
154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182,
110
184, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212,
214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242,
244, 246, 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264, 266, 268, 270, 272,
274, 276, 278, 280, 282, 284, 286, 288, 290, 292, 294, 296, 298, 300, 302,
304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332,
334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 344, 346, 348, 350, 352, 354, 356, 358, 360, 362,
364, 366, 368, 370, 372, 374, 376, 378, 380, 382, 384, 386, 388, 390, 392,
394, 396, 398, 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 422,
424, 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 440, 442, 444, 446, 448, 450, 452,
454, 456, 458, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468, 470, 472, 474, 476, 478, 480, 482,
484, 486, 488, 490, 492, 494, 496, 498, 500, 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512,
514, 516, 518, 520, 522, 524, 526, 528, 530, 532, 534, 536, 538, 540, 542,
544, 546, 548, 550, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 562, 564, 566, 568, 570, 572,
574, 576, 578, 580, 582, 584, 586, 588, 590, 592, 594, 596, 598, 600, 602,
604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, 620, 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632,
634, 636, 638, 640, 642, 644, 646, 648, 650, 652, 654, 656, 658, 660, 662,
664, 666, 668, 670, 672, 674, 676, 678, 680, 682, 684, 686, 688, 690, 692,
694, 696, 698, 700, 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, 714, 716, 718, 720, 722,
724, 726, 728, 730, 732, 734, 736, 738, 740, 742, 744, 746, 748, 750, 752,
754, 756, 758, 760, 762, 764, 766, 768, 770, 772, 774, 776, 778, 780, 782,
784, 786, 788, 790, 792, 794, 796, 798, 800, 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812,
814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826, 828, 830, 832, 834, 836, 838, 840, 842,
844, 846, 848, 850, 852, 854, 856, 858, 860, 862, 864, 866 and/or 868;
e) nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide which is isolated with the aid
of monoclonal antibodies against a polypeptide encoded by one of the
nucleic acid molecules of (a) to (d) and having the biological activity
represented by the protein of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20,
22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58,
60,
62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and/or 82
and/or 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122,
124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152,
154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182,
184, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212,
214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242,
244, 246, 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264, 266, 268, 270, 272,
274, 276, 278, 280, 282, 284, 286, 288, 290, 292, 294, 296, 298, 300, 302,
304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332,
111
334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 344, 346, 348, 350, 352, 354, 356, 358, 360, 362,
364, 366, 368, 370, 372, 374, 376, 378, 380, 382, 384, 386, 388, 390, 392,
394, 396, 398, 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 422,
424, 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 440, 442, 444, 446, 448, 450, 452,
454, 456, 458, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468, 470, 472, 474, 476, 478, 480, 482,
484, 486, 488, 490, 492, 494, 496, 498, 500, 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512,
514, 516, 518, 520, 522, 524, 526, 528, 530, 532, 534, 536, 538, 540, 542,
544, 546, 548, 550, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 562, 564, 566, 568, 570, 572,
574, 576, 578, 580, 582, 584, 586, 588, 590, 592, 594, 596, 598, 600, 602,
604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, 620, 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632,
634, 636, 638, 640, 642, 644, 646, 648, 650, 652, 654, 656, 658, 660, 662,
664, 666, 668, 670, 672, 674, 676, 678, 680, 682, 684, 686, 688, 690, 692,
694, 696, 698, 700, 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 712, 714, 716, 718, 720, 722,
724, 726, 728, 730, 732, 734, 736, 738, 740, 742, 744, 746, 748, 750, 752,
754, 756, 758, 760, 762, 764, 766, 768, 770, 772, 774, 776, 778, 780, 782,
784, 786, 788, 790, 792, 794, 796, 798, 800, 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812,
814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826, 828, 830, 832, 834, 836, 838, 840, 842,
844, 846, 848, 850, 852, 854, 856, 858, 860, 862, 864, 866 and/or 868;
f) nucleic acid molecule which is obtainable by screening a suitable nucleic
acid library under stringent hybridisation conditions with a probe
comprising one of the sequences of the nucleic acid molecule of (a) or (b)
or with a fragment thereof having at least 15 nt, preferably 20 nt, 30 nt, 50
nt, 100 nt, 200 nt or 500 nt of the nucleic acid molecule characterized in (a)
to (c) and encoding a polypeptide having the biological activity represented
by protein whose reduction or deletion results in increased tolerance
and/or resistance to an environmental stress; and
g) a nucleic acid molecule having at least 70% sequence identity to
polynucleotide selected from the groups consisting of the polynucleotides
shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29,
31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67,
69,
71, 73, 75, 77, 79 and/or 81
and/or 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121,
123, 125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151,
153, 155, 157, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169, 171, 173, 175, 177, 179, 181,
183, 185, 187, 189, 191, 193, 195, 197, 199, 201, 203, 205, 207, 209, 211,
213, 215, 217, 219, 221, 223, 225, 227, 229, 231, 233, 235, 237, 239, 241,
243, 245, 247, 249, 251, 253, 255, 257, 259, 261, 263, 265, 267, 269, 271,
112
273, 275, 277, 279, 281, 283, 285, 287, 289, 291, 293, 295, 297, 299, 301,
303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 313, 315, 317, 319, 321, 323, 325, 327, 329, 331,
333, 335, 337, 339, 341, 343, 345, 347, 349, 351, 353, 355, 357, 359, 361,
363, 365, 367, 369, 371, 373, 375, 377, 379, 381, 383, 385, 387, 389, 391,
393, 395, 397, 399, 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, 415, 417, 419, 421,
423, 425, 427, 429, 431, 433, 435, 437, 439, 441, 443, 445, 447, 449, 451,
453, 455, 457, 459, 461, 463, 465, 467, 469, 471, 473, 475, 477, 479, 481,
483, 485, 487, 489, 491, 493, 495, 497, 499, 501, 503, 505, 507, 509, 511,
513, 515, 517, 519, 521, 523, 525, 527, 529, 531, 533, 535, 537, 539, 541,
543, 545, 547, 549, 551, 553, 555, 557, 559, 561, 563, 565, 567, 569, 571,
573, 575, 577, 579, 581, 583, 585, 587, 589, 591, 593, 595, 597, 599, 601,
603, 605, 607, 609, 611, 613, 615, 617, 619, 621, 623, 625, 627, 629, 631,
633, 635, 637, 639, 641, 643, 645, 647, 649, 651, 653, 655, 657, 659, 661,
663, 665, 667, 669, 671, 673, 675, 677, 679, 681, 683, 685, 687, 689, 691,
693, 695, 697, 699, 701, 703, 705, 707, 709, 711, 713, 715, 717, 719, 721,
723, 725, 727, 729, 731, 733, 735, 737, 739, 741, 743, 745, 747, 749, 751,
753, 755, 757, 759, 761, 763, 765, 767, 769, 771, 773, 775, 777, 779, 781,
783, 785, 787, 789, 791, 793, 795, 797, 799, 801, 803, 805, 807, 809, 811,
813, 815, 817, 819, 821, 823, 825, 827, 829, 831, 833, 835, 837, 839, 841,
843, 845, 847, 849, 851, 853, 855, 857, 859, 861, 863, 865 and/or 867;
or which comprises a sequence which is complementary thereto.
27. A plant comprising a cell of claim 26.