ARS Patent:CONTROL OF FRUIT RIPENING THROUGH GENETIC CONTROL OF ACC SYNTHASE SYNTHESIS patent (6156956)

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CONTROL OF FRUIT RIPENING THROUGH GENETIC CONTROL OF ACC SYNTHASE SYNTHESIS

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Patent Number: 6156956
Docket Number: 14098
Serial Number: 9033349
Date Patented: 12/05/2000

Agricultural Research Service

Date Issued:

December 5, 2000

Abstract:

This invention is for a method to control fruit ripening using the ACC (aminocyclopropane carboxylate) synthase gene. ACC synthase regulates ethylene production. Ethylene is related to several events in plant growth and development, including fruit ripening. ARS researchers have found a way to turn off the ACC synthase gene, thus controlling ethylene levels and regulating plant growth and development functions controlled by ethylene. Most market fruits are picked before they are fully ripened, so that they can have a longer shelflife. This limits the time fruit has to develop its full flavor. This technique can be used to prolong freshness and flavor in many fruits and vegetables.

Inventors:

Athanasios Theologis
Plant Gene Expression Center
Albany, CA 94710
(510) 559-5911
E-mail: theo@nature.berkeley.edu Takahide Sato
(Same as first inventor)
(510) 559-5900

*CIP of 5,723,766, which issued March 3, 1998; which is a division of 5,824,860, which issued October 20, 1998.