| abstract |
The present invention provides plant riboflavin biosynthesis genes, including a gene that encodes the beta subunit of the plant riboflavin synthase enzyme complex (lumazine synthase) and a gene that encodes the bifunctional enzyme GTP cyclohydrolase II/DHBP synthase. Also disclosed are the recombinant production of these plant riboflavin biosynthesis enzymes in heterologous hosts, screening chemicals for herbicidal activity using these recombinantly produced enzymes, and the use of thereby identified herbicidal chemicals to suppress the growth of undesired vegetation. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods for the development of herbicide tolerance in plants, plant tissues, plant seeds and plant cells using the riboflavin biosynthesis genes of the invention. |