Abstract: Detection of a cellular factor from pea and tobacco which binds to a repeated pentameric motif of TGACG present in the -90 to -60 region of the CaMV 35S promoter is disclosed. Also disclosed is a 21 bp promoter element which is capable of imparting root expression capability to a rbcS-3A promoter, normally a green tissue specific promoter.

Abstract: A method for regenerating soybean plants from cotyledonary nodes is disclosed. Soybean seeds are germinated on nutrient medium containing a cytokinin to produce a donor plant. The cotyledonary nodes of the donor plant are excised and divided into pieces. The cotyledonary node pieces are cultured on nutrient medium containing a cytokinin until callus tissue develops which contains shoots. The shoots are removed and rooted on nutrient medium free of exogenous hormone to form a plantlet.

Abstract: A transacting DNA binding factor is disclosed. The ASF-1 protein factor specifically binds to the sequence motif TGACG found upstream of the promoter in many plant genes. Co-expression of this protein factor augments the level of expression of the up-regulated promoter containing the TGACG motif.

Abstract: Glyphosate-tolerant 5-enolpyruvyl-3-phosphosikimate (EPSP) synthases, DNA encoding glyhphosate-tolerant EPSP synthases, plant genes encoding the glyphosate-tolerant enzymes, plant transformation vectors containing the genes, transformed plant cells and differentiated transformed plants containing the plant genes are disclosed. The glyphosate-tolerant EPSP synthases are prepared by substituting an alanine residue for a glycine residue in a conserved sequence found between positions 80 and 120 in the mature wild-type EPSP synthase.

Abstract: Transgenic plants are disclosed which are resistant to virus infection by Potato Virus X and Potato Virus Y. Plant genes and transformation vectors are also disclosed. Potato plants, for example, Russet Burbank variety, are made resistant to dual infection by Potato Virus X and Potato Virus Y by transforming the plant to express the coat proteins of the two viruses.

Abstract: This invention involves a cloning or expression vector comprising a gene which encodes 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) polypeptide which, when expressed in a plant cell contains a chloroplast transit peptide which allows the polypeptide, or an enzymatically active portion thereof, to be transported from the cytoplasm of the plant cell into a chloroplast in the plant cell, and confers a substantial degree of glyphosate resistance upon the plant cell and plants regenerated therefrom.The EPSPS coding sequence may be ligated to a strong promoter, such as the 35S promoter from cauliflower mosaic virus, to create a chimeric gene. Such genes can be inserted into plant transformation vectors, and subsequently introduced into plant cells. Plant cells transformed using such genes and plants regenerated therefrom have been shown to exhibit a substantial degree of glyphosate resistance.

Abstract: An improved countercurrent solid-liquid contacting apparatus, and more particularly an improved counter-current crystallizer column is disclosed. The present invention embraces the discover that column efficiency and product purity can be substantially enhanced by reducing axial liquid back-mixing by using stationary solid beds and transport means at spaced intervals along the column length.

Abstract: An enhanced 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid composition and method of preparation are disclosed. The enhanced composition comprises greater than 2.2 and less than about 10 moles of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid equivalent per mole of calcium.

Abstract: Synthetic polypeptides are disclosed which exhibit potent serine protease inhibition. Methods and compositions useful for treating conditions caused by unwanted serine protease activity are also disclosed.

Abstract: Ortho-alkylanilines are prepared by catalytic hydrodesulfurization of ortho-aminobenzyl sulfides using a cobalt-molybdenum oxide catalyst. For example, 2-methyl-6-trifluoromethylaniline is prepared by catalytic hydrodesulfurization of 3-trifluoromethyl-2-aminobenzyl sulfides. The substituted anilines prepared by the method of this invention are useful as intermediates in the synthesis of compounds shown to have herbicidal activity.

Abstract: A process for surface modifying a variety of polymeric support surfaces is disclosed in which a predetermined modifying polymer is irreversibly absorbed onto essentially all the surfaces of the support polymer accessible to the modifying polymer. The modifying polymer is selected to impart the desired surface characteristics to the modified polymeric surface.

Abstract: This invention discloses the use of marker genes which do not involve antibiotics for environmental tracking of microorganisms. Such marker genes include chromogenic marker genes, and marker genes that allow a cell to proliferate on media containing a sole nutrient source which cannot be utilized by untransformed cells. Genetic transformation using such marker genes is used to create cells with two or more phenotypic traits that do not coexist in natural, untransformed cells. As one example, pseudonomad cells have been transformed with beta-galactosidase and lactose permease genes, to create cells which are (1) fluorescent, (2) able to hydrolyze X-gal or ONPG, and (3) capable of proliferation on lactose as a sole carbon source. Such cells are useful as soil inoculants, and their descendants can be tracked by using these characteristics. The marker genes may be placed under the control of inducible promoters.

Abstract: A regioselective process for the preparation of .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester is disclosed. A controlled aqueous coupling reaction between .beta.-methyl-L-aspartate-N-carboxyanhydride and L-phenylalanine produces the aspartyl methyl ester of .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine which is subsequently hydrolyzed and selectively esterified without isolation. The hydrochloride salt of .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester, which is selectively precipitated from the esterification mixture, can be neutralized to .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester.

Abstract: Methods of solubilization and naturation of somatotropin protein from refractile bodies of host cells are disclosed. The solubilization methods embrace the discovery that an aqueous urea solution can be effectively used to solubilize refractile bodies containing such somatotropin protein. Surprisingly, it has been further found that once solubilized, such somatotropin protein can be natured in the urea solution by contacting the solution with a mild oxidizing agent for a time sufficient to result in the formation of the disulfide protein. Naturation can efficiently occur even at high protein concentration, in an impure preparation and in the absence of reducing agent.

Abstract: A method of separating a first polypeptide fraction from a second polypeptide fraction of a mixed solution is disclosed. A predetermined charged polymer is admixed with the mixed solution preferably in the presence of a neutral polymer. The charged polymer interacts with the first fraction to form a precipitate. The neutral polymer enhances the effectiveness of the charged polymer in precipitating the first fraction. By proper selection of the polymer combination the desired polypeptide fraction can be precipitated from solution leaving the other polypeptide fraction in solution or vice versa.

Abstract: Enhanced HMBA compositions which comprise 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid and at least one metallic cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, magnesium and zinc ions are disclosed. The enhanced HMBA compositions are prepared by contacting HMBA and predetermined metallic cation(s) in molar ratios which are hyperstoichiometric and less than about five.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of L-phenylalanines and analogues thereof from trans-cinnamate, ring substituted trans-cinnamates or various acrylate derivatives and ammonia or an ammonia donor in the presence of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase enzyme and a desensitizing agent such as polyhydric alcohols and polyethylene glycol-(400) is disclosed. The process embraces the discovery that compounds such as polyhydric alcohols and polyethylene glycol-(400) desensitize the L-phenyalanine ammonia-lyase enzyme to substantially higher substrate concentrations than practiced heretofore. In addition, polyhydric alcohols and polyethylene glycol-(400) substantially enhance the instantaneous rate of reaction and inhibit inactivation of the L-phenylalanine ammonia lyase enzyme over longer reaction periods.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of conjugated dienes, particularly isoprene, from the corresponding aliphatic aldehyde using an acidic dehydration catalyst is disclosed. The present invention embraces the surprising discovery that catalyst activity and selectivity, particularly for boron phosphate catalyst, can be substantially prolonged by reducing the aldehyde liquid hourly space velocity to less than about 3.0 hr.sup.-1 and preferably to less than about 1.0 hr.sup.-1.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid having improved color, odor and lower viscosity. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid which is also known as 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid, is hydrolyzed with sulfuric acid having an initial strength of between about 50% by weight and about 70% by weight on an organic-free basis, thereby producing an intermediate aqueous hydrolysis product solution containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyramide. The 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyramide is hydrolyzed with sulfuric acid having a strength of between about 30% by weight and about 50% by weight on an organic-free basis to produce an aqueous hydrolyzate containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid. The hydrolyzate solution is contacted with a substantially water-immiscible organic solvent in a liquid-liquid extraction system to produce an extract comprising the solvent and 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid transferred from the hydrolyzate. The acid product is then recovered from the extract.

Abstract: A plasma arc spray overlay of cladding metals is used over joints between clad metal pieces to provide a continuous cladding metal surface. The technique permits applying an overlay of a high melting point cladding metal to a cladding metal surface without excessive heating of the backing metal.