Abstract: The invention relates to an insect steroid receptor protein which is capable of acting as a gene switch which is responsive to a chemical inducer enabling external control of the gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel AlcR regulatory elements and nucleic acid sequences coding therefor, and their use in controlling gene expression in organisms such as plants. DNA constructs containing such nucleic acids, in particular, expression cassettes comprising inducible promoter elements and regulatory elements of the invention, which are capable of acting as “gene switches”, form further aspects of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insect steroid receptor protein which is capable of acting as a gene switch which is responsive to a chemical inducer enabling external control of the gene.

Abstract: A recombinant nucleic acid which comprises a promoter sequence of the ZmC5 gene in maize, or a variant or fragment thereof, which acts as a promoter in pollen.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insect steroid receptor protein which is capable of acting as a gene switch which is responsive to a chemical inducer enabling external control of the gene.

Abstract: Antifungal compositions having enhanced antifungal activity comprising an antifungal agent and a food additive are described. Also described are a method for inhibiting fungal growth using the compositions with enhanced activity and the use of a food additive to enhance the antifungal properties of an antifungal agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insect steroid receptor protein which is capable of acting as a gene switch which is responsive to a chemical inducer enabling external control of the gene.

Abstract: Disclosed are isolated DNA constructs including (a) a first DNA sequence including either an inducible promoter sequence responsive to the presence or absence of an exogenous inducer or a developmental gene promoter capable of initiating gene expression in a selected tissue or at a selected stage of development of an organism; (b) a second DNA sequence including a DNA sequence coding for a protease enzyme operably linked and under the control of the promoter sequence specified at (a); whereby the presence or absence of the exogenous inducer or the activation of the developmental gene promoter specified at (a) results in expression of the protease enzyme. These constructs are preferably rendered reversible by the presence of further elements. These constructs can be used in plant or mammalian cells for disruption of cell function, controlling senescence and modifying the metabolism of stored proteins.

Abstract: A promoter comprising the DNA sequence of an oil seed rape cysteine protease gene promoter of class 1, 2 or 6 is described. The promoter may be used in an expression system for at least the tissue or tissues of a germinating seedling or developing grain or plant (e.g. in the root, cotyledons, leaves and stem). In a preferred embodiment, the expression system comprises a disrupter gene fused to a promoter according to the present invention.

Abstract: Male sterility is imparted to a plant by a cascade of gene sequences which expresses a protein which disrupts the biosynthesis of viable pollen. Expression of the disrupter protein is restricted to male parts of the plant by an upstream promoter sequence which is specific to male flowers, the male specific promoter being under control of an operator sequence. The cascade also includes a gene encoding a repressor protein specific for that operator. Expression of the repressor protein is under control of a chemically inducible promoter which is inducible by the application to the plant by, spraying or like process, of an exogenous chemical. In the absence of the exogenous chemical inducer, no repressor protein is expressed, resulting in expression of the disrupter protein and, consequently, male sterility.

Abstract: The chemically-inducible 27 kD subunit of the enzyme glutathione-S-transferase, isoform II (GST-II-27) and sequences encoding it are provided. In particular, a genomic DNA sequence encoding the gene promoter for the GST-II-27 subunit is provided. Then linked to an exogenous gene and introduced into a plant by transformation, and GST-II-27 promoter provides a means for the external regulation of expression of that exogenous gene. Transformation with DNA encoding glutathione-S-transferase polypeptides produces herbicide resistance transgenic plants.

Abstract: A promoter derived from an SHH gene, especially the SHH gene of Arabidopsis thaliana which is capable of directing expression on a variety of operator genes in both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants. The promoter of the invention may be used for directing expression of pathogen resistance genes to disease or wound sites.

Abstract: Pseudo-operator sequences may be located in (or inserted into) plant genomes and utilized to drive expression of foreign genes. These pseudo-operator sequences are nucleotide sequences which are present at a suitable location in a gene at which repressor binding will lead to inhibitation or enhancement of gene expression. The disclosed technique permits the design of altered specificity repressors, which bind the pseudo-operators.

Abstract: A chemically inducible gene promoter sequence, and particularly, but not exclusively, a chemically inducible gene promoter sequence based on cis regulatory elements from the maize glutathione S-transferase 27 (GST-27) gene. In a preferred embodiment, the promoter sequence is operatively linked or fused to a gene or series of genes whereby expression of the gene or series of genes may be controlled by application of an effective exogenous inducer.

Abstract: The chemically-inducible 27 kD subunit of the enzyme glutathione-S-transferase, isoform II (GST-II-27) and sequences encoding it are provided. In particular, a genomic DNA sequence encoding the gene promoter for the GST-II-27 subunit is provided. Then linked to an exogenous gene and introduced into a plant by transformation, and GST-II-27 promoter provides a means for the external regulation of expression of that exogenous gene. Transformation with DNA encoding glutathione-S-transferase polypeptides produces herbicide resistance transgenic plants.

Abstract: Male sterility is imparted to a plant by a cascade of gene sequences which expresses a protein which disrupts the biosynthesis of viable pollen. Expression of the disrupter protein is restricted to male parts of the plant by an upstream promoter sequence which is specific to male flowers, the male specific promoter being under control of an operator sequence. The cascade also includes a gene encoding a repressor protein specific for that operator. Expression of the repressor protein is under control of a chemically inducible promoter which is inducible by the application to the plant by, spraying or like process, of an exogenous chemical. In the absence of the exogenous chemical inducer, no repressor protein is expressed, resulting in expression of the disrupter protein and, consequently, male sterility.