Disclosed herein are an Arabidopsis gene (AtLEJ1), acting as an inhibitor
of the biosynthesis of the phytohormones jasmonic acid and ethylene, and
a method for producing a male sterile transgenic plant using the same.
The gene guarantees stable male sterile strains which need no maintainers
for the maintenance thereof. Also, the transgenic plants comprising the
gene can be readily restored to a fertile phenotype merely through
hormonal treatment. Although the preferred embodiments of the present
invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in
the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit
of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.