Abstract: Synthetic elements for enhancing expression of genes in plant cells are disclosed. These include a promoter with a “TATA to start” sequence containing 64% or greater GC content and an synthetic upstream element incorporating several OCS binding motifs and novel flanking sequences. Upstream activating regions (UARs) are also disclosed that can further increase the constitutive transcriptional activity when they are operably linked to said promoter and/or the synthetic upstream element. In particular, the nucleotide sequence of the UAR of the maize Ubi-1 gene is provided and its use in expression cassettes and vectors containing these promoter elements. Cells and plants transformed with these vectors are further provided. These include a transgenic sunflower expressing an exogenous oxalate oxidase gene at a high level under the transcriptional control of a recombinant promoter having at least one upstream activating region of the 35S CaMV promoter.

Abstract: Methods to find optimal integration sites within a plant genome are provided. More particularly, a plant is transformed with a target site having an expression cassette comprising a nucleotide sequence operably linked to a promoter active in the plant. The target site is flanked by non-identical recombination sites, Transformed protoplast, tissues, or whole plants can be tested to determine the levels of activity of the inserted gene, By comparison of cellular activities of the gene in different insertion sites, preferred integration sites may be found wherein the gene is expressed at high or acceptable levels. These plants can then be utilized with subsequent retargeting techniques to replace the nucleotide sequence with other genes or nucleotide sequences of interest contained in a transfer cassette.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences encoding two RAD51 recombinases active in maize plants are provided. cDNA sequences including the ZmRAD51 coding sequences and unique 3′-untranslated regions which are useful as RFLP probes, are also provided. The production of plasmids containing a nucleic acid sequence encoding a ZmRAD51 fusion protein, as well as the use of the plasmids to introduce the ZmRAD51 coding sequence into a host cell, such as maize cell, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for altering a nucleotide sequence of interest in a plant is provided. The method involves introducing a chimeric oligonucleotide into a RNA residues with intervening DNA residues. The RNA blocks are homologous to a plant nucleotide sequence. The chimeric oligonucleotide is capable of folding to form a duplex oligonucleotide. The chimeric oligonucleotide is maintained within the nucleus of the plant whereby the alteration is introduced into the target sequences of the plant genome.

Abstract: A method for the production of transgenic plants is provided in which a vector carrying a gene encoding the green fluorescent protein is introduced into cells, the cells are screened for the protein and transformed cells are selected and regenerated. The cellular toxicity of the green fluorescent protein is circumvented by regulating expression of the gene encoding the protein or directing the protein to a subcellular compartment where it is not toxic to the cell. DNA constructs are provided for cell transformation in which the expression of a gene encoding the green fluorescent protein is placed under the control of an inducible promoter. In addition, DNA constructs are provided in which a nucleotide sequence encoding the green fluorescent protein is operably linked to a signal sequence which directs the expressed protein to a subcellular compartment where the protein is not toxic to the cell.

Abstract: Methods and compositions to remove a nucleotide sequence of interest in a plant and plant cell are provided. In particular the methods of the invention comprise providing a plant cell having stably incorporated into its genome a transfer cassette comprising a nucleotide sequence of interest flanked by non-identical recombination sites and introducing into the plant cell a chimeric RNA-DNA oligonucleotide molecule. The chimeric RNA-DNA oligonucleotide is capable of recognizing and implementing a nucleotide conversion in one of the non-identical recombination sites so as to create two identical recombination sites. An appropriate recombinase is provided which excises the sequences between the two identical recombination sites.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the stacking of multiple nucleotide sequences at precise locations in the genome of a plant or plant cell are provided, Specifically, transfer cassettes comprising nucleotide sequences of interest flanked by non-identical recombination sites are used to transform a plant comprising a target site. The target site contains at least a set of non-identical recombination sites corresponding to those on the transfer cassette. exchange of the nucleotide sequences flanked by the recombination sites is effected by a recombinase. The transfer cassettes and target sites are designed so as to allow for the stacking or ordering of nucleotide sequences at precise locations in the plant genome.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions relating to altering RecA content and/or composition of plants. The invention provides isolated nucleic acids and their encoded proteins that are homologous to bacterial RecA genes. The invention further provides recombinant expression cassettes, host cells, transgenic plants, and antibody compositions. The plant recA polynucleotides and their cognate products are useful for gene targeting in maize and other plant species and for use as a molecular marker.

Abstract: This invention relates to newly identified polynucleotides and polypeptides, variants and derivatives of same; methods for making the polynucleotides, polypeptides, variants, derivatives and antagonists. In particular the invention relates to polynucleotides and polypeptides of the phytate metabolic pathway.

Abstract: This invention relates to newly identified polynucleotides and polypeptides, variants and derivatives of same; methods for making the polynucleotides, polypeptides, variants, derivatives and antagonists. In particular the invention relates to polynucleotides and polypeptides of the phytate metabolic pathway.

Abstract: Compositions and methods to aid in protecting the plant from invading pathogenic organisms are provided. The compositions of the invention comprise genes that influence the levels of nitric oxide in plant cells. Such genes include those encoding nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) as well as natural resistance-associated macrophage proteins (NRAMP) and NRAMP homologues. A pathogen inducible promoter or alternatively a constitutive, preferably a weak constitutive, promoter is used to control the desired level of disease control in the plant. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided having enhanced disease resistance.

Abstract: Methods for the targeted integration of nucleotide sequences into a plant are provided. Transfer cassettes comprising nucleotide sequences of interest flanked by non-identical recombination sites are used to transform a plant comprising a target site. The target site contains at least a set of non-identical recombination sites corresponding to those on the transfer cassette. Exchange of the nucleotide sequences flanked by the recombination sites is effected by a recombinase.

Abstract: A nucleic acid sequence effectively expressing FLP recombinase in monocot plants, particularly in maize. Stable, transformed maize plants harboring a gene encoding FLP or harboring FRT nucleic acid sequences enable efficient site-directed recombination of nucleic acid sequences in a monocot's genome.

Abstract: Synthetic elements for enhancing expression of genes in plant cells are disclosed. These include a promoter with a "TATA to start" sequence containing 64% or greater GC content and an synthetic upstream element incorporating several OCS binding motifs and novel flanking sequences. Upstream activating regions (UARs) are also disclosed that can further increase the constitutive transcriptional activity when they are operably linked to said promoter and/or the synthetic upstream element. In particular, the nucleotide sequence of the UAR of the maize Ubi-1 gene is provided and its use in expression cassettes and vectors containing these promoter elements. Cells and plants transformed with these vectors are further provided. These include a transgenic sunflower expressing an exogenous oxalate oxidase gene at a high level under the transcriptional control of a recombinant promoter having at least one upstream activating region of the 35S CaMV promoter.

Abstract: Methods for identifying organisms capable of degrading fumonisin. Fumonisin can be incorporated into culture medium for selection of organisms resistant to fumonisin and/or capable of growing on fumonisin as a sole carbon source. Using this method, several organisms have been identified. These organisms can be used to isolate the enzymes and the genes responsible for conferring fumonisin-resistance. The gene can be cloned and inserted into a suitable expression vector so that the protein can be further characterized. Additionally, the DNA encoding for fumonisin degrading enzymes can be used to transform plant cells normally susceptible to Fusarium or other toxin-producing fungus infection. Plants can be regenerated from the transformed plant cells. In this way, a transgenic plant can be produced with the capability of degrading fumonisin, as well as with the capability of producing the degrading enzymes.

Abstract: A quantitative and functional DNA ligase assay is disclosed. The assay involves the disruption, using restriction enzymes, of a plasmid containing a reporter gene, followed by a ligation step performed in the presence of the biological sample being assayed for DNA ligase activity. The ligation reaction products are then subjected to a coupled transcription-translation reaction, and the extent of DNA ligation is then quantified.

Abstract: A nucleic acid sequence effectively expressing FLP recombinase in monocot plants, particularly in maize. Stable, transformed maize plants harboring a gene encoding FLP or harboring FRT nucleic acid sequences enable efficient site-directed recombination of nucleic acid sequences in a monocot's genome.

Abstract: To obtain a transgenic cereal plant which is stably transformed, an exposed cereal meristem is subjected to biolistic bombardment in order to target non-differentiated meristem cells for transformation. Immature embryos at the early proembryo, mid proembryo, late proembryo, transitional or early coleoptilar stage are harvested for biolistic bombardment. The meristem tissue or cells fated to contribute to the meristem then are manipulated in order to enlarge transgenic sectors, either through selection and/or through effecting a proliferation from the tissue of shoots or multiple meristems per se. The shoot population thus obtained then is screened, by means of a nonlethal enrichment assay, to identify either chimeric sectors that will contribute to germline transmission, or non-sectored, L2 periclinal chimeras that will by definition transmit to progeny.