Abstract: Disclosed are novel synthetically-modified B. thuringiensis chimeric crystal proteins having improved insecticidal activity against coleopteran, dipteran and lepidopteran insects. Also disclosed are the nucleic acid segments encoding these novel peptides. Methods of making and using these genes and proteins are disclosed as well as methods for the recombinant expression, and transformation of suitable host cells. Transformed host cells and transgenic plants expressing the modified endotoxin are also aspects of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for increasing the activity of B. thuringiensis .delta.-endotoxins against Coleopteran insect pests. Also disclosed are methods for mutagenizing nucleic acid sequences encoding these polypeptides, and increasing insect resistance in transgenic plants expressing these genes.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel synthetically-modified B. thuringiensis nucleic acid segments encoding .delta.-endotoxins having insecticidal activity against lepidopteran insects. Also disclosed are synthetic crystal proteins encoded by these novel nucleic acid sequences. Methods of making and using these genes and proteins are disclosed as well as methods for the recombinant expression, and transformation of suitable host cells. Transformed host cells and transgenic plants expressing the modified endotoxin are also aspects of the invention. Also disclosed are methods for modifying, altering, and mutagenizing specific loop regions between the .alpha. helices in domain 1 of these crystal proteins, including Cry1C, to produce genetically-engineered recombinant cry* genes, and the proteins they encode which have improved insecticidal activity. In preferred embodiments, novel Cry1C* amino acid segments and the modified cry1C* nucleic acid sequences which encode them are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides transgenic plants and transformed host cells which express modified cry 3B genes with enhanced toxicity to Coleopteran insects. Also disclosed are methods of making and using these transgenic plants, methods of making recombinant host cells expressing these .delta.-endotoxins, and methods of killing insects such as Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), southern corn rootworm (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber) and western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte.

Abstract: The invention relates to genetically engineered plant-colonizing microorganisms which prolife-rate in symbiotic or non-detrimental relationships with the plant in the plant environment. Such microorganisms contain DNA derived from Bacillus thuringiensis which codes for the insecticidal crystal protein toxin. The engineered plant-colonizing microorganisms of the invention and their progeny are active against a variety of lepidopterous pests. The invention further relates to the use of such plant-colonizing microorganisms in a method of killing or inhibiting lepidopterous pests and to insecticidal compositions containing the plant-colonizing microorganism as the active insecticidal agent.

Abstract: A plant promoter that is a nucleic acid region located upstream of the 5' end of a plant DNA structural coding sequence that is transcribed at high levels in meristematic tissue and/or rapidly dividing cells. This promoter region is capable of conferring high levels of transcription in meristematic tissue and/or rapidly dividing cells when used as a promoter for a heterologous coding sequence in a chimeric gene. The promoter and any chimeric gene in which it may be used can be used to obtain transformed plants or plant cells. A DNA coding sequence that codes for a gene that is highly transcribed in meristematic tissue of Arabidopsis thaliana is also disclosed. This coding sequence can be used to obtain a cDNA probe useful in obtaining analogous promoters from a homologous coding sequence in other plant species. Chimeric genes including the isolated promoter region, transformed plants containing the isolated promoter region, transformed plant cells and seeds are also disclosed.

Abstract: DNA sequences encoding plant viral proteins which contain modifications of the amino acid sequence -Gly1-Xaa1-Xaa2-Xaa3-Xaa4-Gly2-Lys- are disclosed. These modified proteins confer viral resistance when expressed in transformed plants. A method for providing resistance to infection by a geminivirus in a susceptible plant are disclosed. Plants expressing the modified genes which are resistant to viral infection are also disclosed.

Abstract: Genes encoding Class II EPSPS enzymes are disclosed. The genes are useful in producing transformed bacteria and plants which are tolerant to glyphosate herbicide. Class II EPSPS genes share little homology with known, Class I EPSPS genes, and do not hybridize to probes from Class I EPSPS's. The Class II EPSPS enzymes are characterized by being more kinetically efficient than Class I EPSPS's in the presence of glyphosate. Plants transformed with Class II EPSPS genes are also disclosed as well as a method for selectively controlling weeds in a planted transgenic crop field.