Robert J Grebenok

US Patent:

20050102716, May 12, 2005

Filed:

Jan 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/647517

Inventors:

Mylavarapu Venkatramesh - Ballwin MO, US
David Corbin - Chesterfield MO, US
B. Bhat - St. Louis MO, US
Sekhar Boddupalli - San Jose CA, US
Robert Grebenok - East Amherst NY, US
Ganesh Kishore - Creve Coeur MO, US
Kathryn Lardizabal - Woodland CA, US
Michael Lassner - Foster City CA, US
Shaukat Rangwala - Chesterfield MO, US

International Classification:

A01H001/00
C12N015/82

US Classification:

800287000, 435468000

Abstract:

Provided are recombinant constructs comprising DNA sequences encoding enzymes effective in altering the biosynthesis and accumulation of sterol compounds and tocopherols in transgenic plants. Also provided are methods of using such constructs to produce transgenic plants, seeds of which contain elevated levels of sitostanol and/or sitostanol esters, and α-tocopherol, as well as reduced levels of campesterol and campestanol and their corresponding esters. These seeds also contain the novel sterol brassicastanol. Oil obtained from seeds of such transgenic plants is also provided. This oil can be used to prepare food and pharmaceutical compositions effective in lowering the level of low density lipoprotein cholesterol in blood serum. In addition, novel DNA sequences encoding plant steroid 5α-reductases are also disclosed.