| abstract |
The present invention relates to methods and materials in the field of molecular biology and the regulation of polypeptides synthesis through genetic engineering of plants and/or microorganisms. More particularly, the invention relates to newly-isolated nucleotide sequences, nucleotide sequences having substantial identity thereto and equivalents thereof, as well as polypeptides encoded thereby. The invention also involves the introduction of foreign nucleotide sequences into the genome of a plant and/or microorganism, wherein the introduction of the nucleotide sequence effects an increase in the transformant's resistance to toxic isoleucine structural analogs. Inventive sequences may therefore be used as excellent molecular markers for screening successful transformants, thereby replacing antibiotic resistance genes used in the prior art. Transformants harboring a nucleotide sequence comprising a promoter operably linked to an inventive nucleotide sequence demonstrate increased levels of isoleucine production, thereby providing an improved nutrient source. |