Abstract: Compositions and methods for modifying the production levels of alkaloids in plants are provided. Alkaloid production can be genetically controlled by modulating the transcriptional activation of PMT genes mediated by members of the ERF family and/or Myc family of transcription factors. Novel nucleotide sequences encoding the Myc family of transcription factors are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biosafety-guarded photobiological butanol production technology based on designer transgenic plants, designer algae, designer blue-green algae (cyanobacteria and oxychlorobacteria), or designer plant cells. The designer photosynthetic organisms are created such that the endogenous photobiological regulation mechanism is tamed, and the reducing power (NADPH) and energy (ATP) acquired from the photosynthetic process are used for synthesis of butanol (CH3CH2CH2CH2OH) directly from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The butanol production methods of the present invention completely eliminate the problem of recalcitrant lignocellulosics by bypassing the bottleneck problem of the biomass technology.

Abstract: A mutation in the gene encoding the raffinose synthase 2 enzyme, RS2, in soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., is associated with a reduced raffinose and stachyose seed phenotype. Soybean homozygous for a mutant allele of the RS2 gene which encodes an amino acid change to isoleucine at position 107 of the enzyme's amino acid sequence exhibit significantly reduced seed raffinose and stachyose content, and increased seed sucrose content. Nucleic acid samples of soybean may be assayed for the presence of this mutant allele, and soybean containing the allele may be selected for breeding to generate reduced raffinose and stachyose soybean lines. Alternatively, the mutation may be detected by analysis of the RS2 enzyme produced in the soybean to determine the presence of either an isoleucine or a threonine at amino acid 107. Molecular markers have been developed for detecting the presence or absence of the mutant allele.

Abstract: A method of modifying at least one carbohydrate in a tissue of a plant is described. The method is typically applied to a sugarcane plant of the genus Saccharum method and includes the steps of inserting into a plant cell a gene silencing cassette which includes nucleic acid operably linked to transcription elements such as a monocotyledonous promoter for transcribing the nucleic acid in a plant cell, wherein transcription of the nucleic acid decreases activity of UMP synthase. The method further includes the steps of regenerating a transgenic plant from the plant cell and producing the tissue with increased carbohydrate content. Vectors for use therefor, as well as a transformed plant cell and a transgenic plant or plant part containing or derived from a transformed plant cell are also described.

Abstract: A new farnesene synthase was isolated from tomato. The farnesene synthase shows surprising properties with regard to the end products formed and its gene has, on a nucleotide level, low sequence identity with known farnesene synthase genes from other sources. The invention relates to isolated polynucleotides, polypeptides encoded by said polynucleotides, genetic constructs, vectors, hosts, in particular plants, harboring such polynucleotides, polypeptides and genetic constructs, and seed derived from such plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules useful for conferring broad and durable resistance to grapevine fanleaf virus in plants. The invention also relates to methods of enhancing resistance to plant pathogens and plants or plant components (such as grape plants) expressing such nucleic acid molecules. In addition, the invention relates to products (e.g., foodstuffs including beverages such as wine or juice) derived from grape plants transformed with such nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and concerns a method for enhancing yield-related traits in plants, in particular for increasing plant yield and/or early vigor, relative to control plants. More specifically, the present invention concerns a method for enhancing yield-related traits comprising modifying the expression of a nucleic acid encoding a HAL3 polypeptide, MADS15 polypeptide, PLT transcription factor polypeptide, basic/helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, or SPL15 transcription factor. The invention also provides constructs useful in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of bolting and flowering time control in sugar beet, specifically to methods as well as nucleic acid molecules, chimeric constructs, and vectors for engineering bolting resistance in sugar beet by means of altering the expression of the Beta vulgaris homologues BvFT1 and BvFT2 of the FT gene. In particular, the present invention provides sugar beet plants having a phenotype of bolting resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having carboxypeptidase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of generating or increasing a pathogen resistance in plants by reducing the expression of at least one subtilisin polypeptide or a functional equivalent thereof. The invention relates to novel nucleic acid sequences coding for a Hordeum vulgare subtilisin (HvRNR9) and Triticum aestivum subtilisin (TaRNR9) polynucleotide and describes homologous sequences (RNR9) thereof, and to their use in methods for obtaining a pathogen resistance in plants, and to nucleic acid constructs, expression cassettes and vectors which comprise these sequences and which are suitable for mediating a fungal resistance in plants. The invention furthermore relates to transgenic organisms, in particular plants, which are transformed with these expression cassettes or vectors, and to cultures, parts or transgenic propagation material derived therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fusion polynucleotides for biosynthesis of beta-carotene and a method for producing beta-carotene using the same. More particularly, it relates to fusion polynucleotides encoding phytoene synthase, connective sequences of FMDV-derived 2A sequence or internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and carotene desaturase, and a method for producing beta-carotenes using the same. Fusion polynucleotides and the recombinant vector using the same of the present invention have the effect of expression both phytoene synthase gene and carotene desaturase gene stably within cell transformants. Accordingly, fusion polynucleotides of the present invention can be used to regulate the biosynthetic metabolism of plant producing beta-carotene. Furthermore, it can be applied to effectively increase the content of beta-carotene, a useful metabolite.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of utilizing the pts gene and antisense ads to increase patchouli alcohol content in Artemisia annua L. plants. Using transgenic Artemisia annua L. plants, the method of the invention consistently increases the patchouli alcohol content in those plants, thus laying down a solid foundation for large-scale production of patchouli alcohol and other secondary metabolites such as terpenes other than artemisinin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of utilizing the pts gene and RNA interference of the ads gene to increase patchouli alcohol content in Artemisia annua L. plants. Using transgenic Artemisia annua L. plants, the method of the invention consistently increases the patchouli alcohol content in those plants, thus laying down a solid foundation for large-scale production of patchouli alcohol and other secondary metabolites such as terpenes other than artemisinin.

Abstract: This invention relates to isolated polynucleotides encoding enzymes consisting of a carboxypeptidase-like protein, a methyltransferase and a glucosyltransferase, involved in the biosynthesis of ?-amyrin-derived triterpenes in plants and seeds. The invention also relates to the construction of recombinant DNA constructs comprising all or a portion of the isolated polynucleotides of the invention, in sense or antisense orientation, operably linked to at least one regulatory sequence.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH444919. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH444919, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH444919 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH444919.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing the level of gossypol in cottonseed. The method generally includes selectively inducing RNA gene silencing in the seed of a transgenic cotton plant, to interfere with expression of the ?-cadinene synthase gene or the ?-cadinene-8-hydroxylase gene in the seed of the cotton plant without substantially affecting expression of that gene in the foliage, floral parts, and roots of the plant. The transgenic cotton plant comprises at least one of a ?-cadinene synthase gene trigger sequence and/or a ?-cadinene-8-hydroxylase gene trigger sequence operably linked to one or more a seed-specific promoter gene sequences, and the trigger sequence(s) is/are able to induce RNA gene silencing when expressed in cottonseed of the plant.

Abstract: The inventors herein disclose a new transporter that participates in guard cell movement. The inventors have now found that AtCHX20 is preferentially expressed in guard cells using microarray and promoter TGUS analyses. The inventors have also found a guard cell specific promoter which serves as a powerful tool to manipulate the opening and closing of guard cells and thus the ability to control water loss and gas exchange of plants. Such a tool can be particularly useful when applied to crops and other plants of economic importance, thus the present inventors have identified homologous genes in several other plants that fall within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the increase in yield in a plant organisms by reducing gene expression. The invention furthermore relates to nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, nucleic acid constructs, vectors, antisense molecules, antibodies, host cells, plant tissue, propagation material, harvested material and plants.

Abstract: Transgenic corn seed with high levels of free lysine resulting from a recombinant DNA construct having an endosperm specific promoter and an embryo specific promoter operably linked to gene suppression elements for suppressing the production of an endogenous lysine catabolite.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH652359. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH652359, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH652359 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH652359.