| abstract |
A recombinant polynucleotide comprising a promoter sequence being: (a) an inducible promoter obtainable from apple, or (b) a functional portion thereof, or (c) a functional derivative or homolog promoter being at least 70 % homologous to either. The promoter sequence is preferably activated in response to which agents are specific to ripening fruit and is most preferably the apple β-Galactosidase (ABG1) promoter, or the 1-AminoCyclopropane-1-Carboxylate synthase (ACC Synthase) promoter. Vectors form a further part of the invention. Also provided are host plant cells, plus methods of producing transgenic plants and fruit which incorporate antisense RNA capable of down-regulating genes involved in ripening or peptides or proteins improving fungal, insect, bacterial, viral, herbicidal, nematode, or arachnid resistance. Such transgenic plants and fruit have storage and pest-resistance properties superior to non-transgenic varieties. |