Patent Number: 6737260
Docket Number: 22999
Serial Number: 9965175
Date Patented: 05/18/2004

Technology Description: This invention includes nucleic acid sequences that have antimicrobial capabilities. It consists of a gene from Pseudomonas chlororaphis that functions in chemically modifying certain phenazine and other aromatic compounds. Phenazine compounds play a major role in the biocontrol activity of certain Pseudomonas species that possess the ability to reproduce on roots and fight diseases caused by fungal plant pathogens. These strains can be modified to yield a variety of strain-specific products with differing antimicrobial activity. The invention also includes recombinant bacteria that express the genes. Recombinant biocontrol agents have improved antifungal activity, which can be effective against plant or animal pathogens. There are more than 50 naturally-occurring phenazines, but few are produced by plant-associated strains. Some of them are phytotoxic, some have weak antifungal activity, and some may be highly active against fungal plant pathogens, but are opportunistic human pathogens. Biotechnology companies using nucleic acids to produce antimicrobial compounds could use this technology. Novel hybrid phenazines and other aromatic compounds may have pharmacological value.  Reference: Please refer to patent application S.N. 10/810,904 (Docket #0077.04), "Sequences Encoding PhzO and Methods," which was filed on March 26, 2004, and is a divisional of USPN 6,737,260 (Docket #0229.99), which issued on May 18, 2004.  Foreign rights are not available.       Inventors: Linda S. Thomashow Root Disease and Biological   Control Research Pullman, WA  99164-6430 (509) 335-0930 / Fax: (509) 335-7674 thomasho@mail.wsu.edu David M. Weller (Same as first inventor) (509) 335-6210 / Fax: (509) 335-7674 wellerd@mail.wsu.edu Dmitri V. Mavrodi Department of Plant Pathology Washington State University Pullman, WA  99164 (509) 335-1116 / Fax: (509) 335-7674 Shannon M. Delaney Departmetn of Plant Pathology Washington State University Pullman, WA  99164 (509) 335-1116 / Fax: (509) 335-7674