Abstract: Recombinant constructs and methods useful for improvement of plants are provided. In particular, recombinant constructs comprising promoters functional in plant cells positioned for expression of polynucleotides encoding polypeptides from microbial sources are provided. The disclosed constructs and methods find use in production of transgenic plants to provide plants, particularly crop plants, having improved properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences from the bacterium, Myxococcus xanthus and, in particular, to genomic DNA sequences. The invention encompasses nucleic acid molecules present in non-coding regions as well as nucleic acid molecules that encode proteins and fragments of proteins. In addition, proteins and fragments of proteins so encoded and antibodies capable of binding the proteins are encompassed by the present invention. The invention also encompasses oligonucleotides including primers, e.g. useful for amplifying nucleic acid molecules, and collections of nucleic acid molecules and oligonucleotides, e.g. in microarrays. The invention also provides constructs and transgenic cells and organisms comprising nucleic acid molecules of the invention.

Abstract: By this invention, further properties and uses of plant medium chain thioesterases are provided. In particular, it is now seen that plant seed which would not normally contain medium-chain fatty acid, either as free fatty acids or incorporated into triglyceride molecules, can be found to contain such medium-chain fatty acids. By seed which would not normally contain medium-chain fatty acid is meant seed which contains less than 0.1 mole percent of a given medium-chain fatty acid in total fatty acids. Thus, any plant seed containing a minimum of 1.0 mole percent of a given medium-chain fatty acid in total fatty acids is significantly modified. In one embodiment, this invention relates to plant seed and oil derived from that seed, which normally do not contain laurate, but now are found to contain laurate.

Abstract: This invention relates to plant thioesterases, specifically plant acyl-ACP thioesterases having substantial activity on palmitoyl-ACP substrates. DNA constructs useful for the expression of a plant palmitoyl-ACP thioesterase in a plant seed cell are described. Such constructs will contain a DNA sequence encoding the plant palmitoyl-ACP thioesterase of interest under the control of regulatory elements capable of preferentially directing the expression of the plant palmitoyl-ACP thioesterase in seed tissue, as compared with other plant tissues, when such a construct is expressed in a transgenic plant. This invention also relates to methods of using a DNA sequence encoding a plant palmitoyl-ACP thioesterase for the modification of the proportion of free fatty acids produced in a plant seed cell. Plant palmitoyl-ACP thioesterase sequences exemplified herein include Cuphea, leek, mango and elm.

Abstract: By this invention, a plant cytoplasmic synthase protein is provided which is selected from the group consisting of a .beta.-ketoacyl-CoA synthase and a wax synthase, and is also free from intact cells of said plant and capable of catalyzing the production of very long chain fatty acid molecules. Also contemplated are constructs comprising the nucleic acid sequence and a heterologous DNA sequence not naturally associated with the plant cytoplasmic protein encoding sequences, and which provide for at least transcription of a plant cytoplasmic protein encoding sequence in a host cell. In this fashion very long chain fatty acid molecules may be produced in a host cell. Included are methods of modifying the composition of very long chain fatty acid molecules in a plant cell.

Abstract: By this invention, further properties and uses of plant medium-chain thioesterases are provided. In a first embodiment, this invention relates to plant seed and oil derived from that seed, which normally do not contain laurate, but now are found to contain laurate. In yet a different embodiment, this invention relates to a particular medium-chain thioesterase sequence, the Bay medium-chain thioesterase DNA sequence and to DNA constructs for the expression of this enzyme in a host cell. Other aspects of this invention relate to methods for using a plant medium-chain thioesterase. Expression of a plant medium-chain thioesterase in a bacterial cell to produce medium-chain fatty acids is provided. Methods to produce an unsaturated medium-chain thioesterase by the use of a plant medium-chain thioesterase are also described herein.

Abstract: Novel compositions and methods useful for genetic engineering of plant cells to provide a method of controlling the timing or tissue pattern of expression of foreign DNA sequences inserted into the plant plastid genome are provided in the instant invention. Constructs include those for nuclear transformation which provide for expression of a viral single subunit RNA polymerase in plant cell tissues, and targeting of the expressed polymerase protein into the plant cell plastids. In addition, plastid expression constructs comprising a viral gene promoter region which is specific to the RNA polymerase expressed from the nuclear expression constructs described above, and a DNA sequence of interest to be expressed in the transformed plastid cells are provided. Plant cells and plants comprising the nuclear and/or plastid constructs described herein are of interest.

Abstract: This invention relates to plant LPAATs, means to identify such proteins, amino acid and nucleic acid sequences associated with such protein, methods to obtain, make and/or use such plant LPAATs. Purification, especially the removal of plant membranes and the substantial separation away from other plant proteins, and use of the plant LPAAT is provided, including the use of the protein as a tool in gene isolation for biotechnological applications.

Abstract: Novel compositions and methods useful for genetic engineering of plant cells to provide increased expression in the plastids of a plant or plant cell of a protein which produces a phenotype which is present when the plant or plant cell is grown in the absence of means for selecting transformed cells. Expression of the Bacillus thuringiensis bacterial protoxin in a plant chloroplast is exemplified.

Abstract: Novel DNA constructs which may be used as molecular probes or inserted into a plant host are provided. These constructs comprise a sequence obtainable from the Bce4 gene that is capable of directing transcription in seed tissue at least as early as 11 days after anthesis until approximately 30-35 days after anthesis, joined to a nucleic acid sequence of interest, and a transcription termination region. Thus, transcription of a message encoded by a nucleic acid sequence under the control of the Bce4 regulatory region will occur at a specific time of seed development. In this manner, production of exogenous products, as well as modulation of endogenous products, may be achieved.

Abstract: DNA sequences are provided coding for acyl carrier protein, which sequence can be used for production of acyl carrier protein as an end product or in plant seed to enhance seed oil production. A regulated promoter is provided which substantially limits expression of the acyl carrier protein to seed tissue.