Abstract: A process for the stable integration of a DNA comprising a gene that is functional in a cell of a cereal plant wherein the DNA is integrated into the nuclear genome of a cereal plant, the process comprising:(a) providing a compact embryogenic callus of the cereal plant,(b) wounding the compact embryogenic callus by cutting the callus into pieces or treating the compact embryogenic callus with a cell wall degrading enzyme for a period of time so as not to cause a complete disruption of tissues and transferring the DNA into the nuclear genome of a cell in the compact embryogenic callus by means of electroporation to generate a transformed cell, and(c) regenerating a transformed cereal plant from the transformed cell.

Abstract: Two new Bacillus thuringiensis strains, which are deposited at the DSM under accession nos. 5131 and 5132, produce crystal proteins during sporulation that are toxic to Coleoptera. The crystal proteins contain 74 kDa and 129 kDa protoxins, respectively, which can yield 68 and 66 kDa toxins, respectively, as trypsin-digestion products. A plant, the genome of which is transformed with a DNA sequence that comes from either one of the strains and that codes for its respective toxin, is resistant to Coleoptera. Each strain, itself, or its crystals, crystal proteins, protoxin or toxin can be used as the active ingredient in an insecticidal composition for combatting Coleoptera.

Abstract: A process for genetically transforming the nuclear genome of a cell of a rice plant, comprising the steps of: providing without any enzymatic pretreatment or mechanical cell wall removal a culture of aggregated suspension cells which are preplasmolyzed in a hypertonic buffer, transforming said cells by electroporating and optionally regenerating a transformed plant.

Abstract: New modified Cry proteins, particularly modified CryIIIA proteins, having significantly altered toxicity, and DNA sequences encoding these proteins, are designed. Analysis of solvent-accessible amino acid positions in domain II of the CryIIIA protein by alanine-scanning mutagenesis identified individual amino acids involved in corn rootworm toxicity. Random replacement of these amino acids identifies modified proteins with improved toxicity. A combination of all or most thus identified improved amino acids in a single protein yields modified CryIIIA proteins with significantly improved toxicity. Particularly regions protruding from the Cry molecule and located at the apex of the Cry proteins, were identified as involved in toxicity.

Abstract: Promoters from endogenous genes of plants are isolated, wherein said promoters direct gene expression selectively in stamen cells of said plant, particularly in tapetum cells of said plant. The promoters may be used to transform a plant with a foreign DNA sequence encoding a product which selectively disrupts the metabolism, functioning, and/or development of stamen cells of the plant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a DNA fragment containing a determined gene, the expression of which inhibits the antibiotic and herbicidal effects of Bialaphos and related products.It also relates to recombinant vectors, containing such DNA fragment, which enable this protective gene to be introduced and expressed into cells and plant cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a DNA fragment containing a determined gene, the expression of which inhibits the antibiotic and herbicidal effects of Bialaphos and related products.It also relates to recombinant vectors, containing such DNA fragment, which enable this protective gene to be introduced and expressed into cells and plant cells.

Abstract: A rapid and efficient method for transforming monocotyledonous plants, especially gramineous plants, particularly corn, using either intact tissue capable of forming compact embryogenic callus or compact embryogenic callus obtained from such tissue to obtain transgenic monocotyledonous plants, is provided. Preferably, the tissue or embryogenic callus is wounded and/or degraded prior to transformation. The resulting wounded and/or degraded, intact tissue or compact embryogenic callus is then transformed, preferably by direct gene transfer, e.g., by means of electroporation, with one or more DNA fragments (e.g., foreign DNA fragments).

Abstract: Rice anther-specific promoters which are of particular utility in the production of transgenic male-sterile monocots and plants for restoring their fertility.

Abstract: The invention concerns female-sterile plants that comprise a foreign DNA incorporated in the nuclear genome of their cells. This foreign DNA first comprises a female-sterility DNA encoding a protein or polypeptide such as barnase which, when produced in the cells of the plant, kills or significantly disturbs the metabolism, functioning or development of the cells. The foreign DNA also comprises a first promoter which directs expression of the female-sterility DNA selectively in style cells, stigma cells or style-and stigma cells of the female reproductive organs of the plants. The first promoter does not direct detectable expression of the female sterility DNA in the ovule or in other parts of the plant so that the plant remains male-fertile. The female-sterility DNA is in the same transcriptional unit as and under the control of the first promoter.

Abstract: A DNA fragment, encoding all or an insecticidally-effective part of a Bt crystal protein, is modified by changing A and T sequences to corresponding G and C sequences encoding the same amino acids.

Abstract: A method to combat or control Ostrinia nubilalis by contacting such insects with a CryIB protein or a combination of a CryIB protein and a CryIAb or CryIAc protein.

Abstract: A seed-specific promoter is described which is obtained from an Arabidopsis seed storage protein gene encoding 2S albumin.

Abstract: A process for the production of plants with increased content of appropriate amino acids having high nutritional properties through the modification of plant genes encoding plant storage proteins, particularly the 2S albumins. Seed-forming plants susceptible to Agrobacterium transformation, the genome of which plants includes a recombinant DNA encoding a precursor of a modified 2S albumin, under the control of a promoter, are described, including the particular recombinant DNA.

Abstract: The invention relates to stamen-specific promoters derived from corn genes. These promoters includes two DNA sequences selected from sequences in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:3. The invention also includes DNA including the stamen-specific promoters operably linked to a heterologous structural gene. The structural genes include those such as ribonuclease, barnase, and an A fragment of diphtheria toxin. The stamen-specific promoter may have its untranslated leader sequence replaced by the untranslated leader sequence of another gene. The invention also includes plant cells, plants, or seeds including these promoters and promoter-structural gene systems. The promoter may be in DNA that is stably integrated into the plant or seed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a DNA fragment containing a determined gene, the expression of which inhibits the antibiotic and herbicidal effects of Bialaphos and related products.It also relates to recombinant vectors, containing such DNA fragment, which enable this protective gene to be introduced and expressed into cells and plant cells.

Abstract: Novel transformation vectors containing novel chimeric genes allow the introduction of exogenous DNA fragments coding for polypeptide toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis or having substantial sequence homology to a gene coding for a polypeptide toxin as described herein and expression of the chimeric gene in plant cells and their progeny after integration into the plant cell genome. Transformed plant cells and their progeny exhibit stably inherited polypeptide toxin expression useful for protecting said plant cells and their progeny against certain insect pests and in controlling said insect pests.

Abstract: A method to combat or control Ostrinia nubilalis by contacting such insects with a CryIB protein or a combination of a CryIB protein and a CryIAb or CryIAc protein.

Abstract: A process is described for producing a polypeptide by cultivating a plant whose genome contains a recombinant DNA. The recombinant DNA includes:a) a first DNA sequence which encodes a precursor of a 2S albumin; andb) a heterologous second DNA sequence that encodes the polypeptide and that is inserted into, or replaces at least in part, a hypervariable region of the first DNA between codons which code for fourth and fifth cysteine residues of the large subunit of the 2S albumin. The ends of the second DNA sequence are each linked to one or more codons that encode one or more amino acid residues, to define first selectively cleavable border sites surrounding the polypeptide for separating the polypeptide from surrounding parts of the 2S albumin; and the hypervariable region, containing the second DNA sequence, encodes no more than approximately the same number of amino acids as are encoded by the hypervariable region without the second DNA sequence.

Abstract: Two new Bacillus thuringiensis strains, which are deposited at the DSM under accession nos 5870 and 5871, produce new crystal proteins during sporulation that are toxic to Coleoptera and that are encoded by new genes. The crystal proteins contain protoxins, which can yield toxins as trypsin-digestion products. A plant, the genome of which is transformed with a DNA sequence that comes from either one of the strains and that encodes an insecticidally effective portion of its respective protoxin or encodes its respective toxin, is resistant to Coleoptera. Each strain, itself, or its crystals, crystal proteins, protoxin, toxin and/or insecticidally effective protoxin portion can be used as the active ingredient in an insecticidal composition for combating Coleoptera.