PROTOPORPHYRINOGEN OXIDASE (PPO) MODIFIED PLANTS WITH ADVENTITIOUS CHARACTERISTICS

Claims

Genetically modified plants and culture cells expressing a mutated plant protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) are provided. Methods for their preparation and their use in conferring herbicide resistance and controlling weeds in areas where the crop plants are grown are also described.

1. A culture plant or culture plant cell genetically modified to express a protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) peptide / protein from a mutated plant having an amino acid sequence comprising one or more mutations at one or more positions structurally corresponding to at least one amino acid position(s) selected from positions 123, 151, 225, 371, 409 and 412 or any combination thereof, of a PPO enzyme having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID No. 2, wherein the mutated PPO confers resistance or tolerance to at least one PPO-inhibiting herbicide compared to a non-genetically modified plant of the same genus.

32. A seed of the genetically modified plant of any of claims 1 to 31.

33. A product derived from the genetically modified crop plant or from a crop plant cell of any of claims 1 to 32.

42. A crop plant or a crop plant cell genetically modified to express a soybean protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) comprising one or more mutations at at least one position selected from Q123, F151, Y225, V371, L409 and I412, or any combination thereof, wherein the mutated PPO confers resistance or tolerance to at least one PPO-inhibiting herbicide.