Abstract: Methods are provided for producing plants and seeds having altered isoprenoid content and compositions. The methods find particular use in increasing the isoprenoid levels in plants, and in providing desirable isoprenoid compositions in a host plant cell.

Abstract: Methods and materials are disclosed for the inhibition and control of gibberellic acid levels. In particular, nucleic acid sequences of copalyl diphosphate synthase, 3-&bgr; hydroxylase, and 2-oxidase and additional nucleic acid sequences are disclosed. Gibberellic acid levels may be inhibited or controlled by preparation of a chimeric expression construct capable of expressing a RNA or protein product which suppresses the gibberellin biosynthetic pathway sequence, diverts substrates from the pathway or degrades pathway substrates or products. The sequence is preferably a copalyl diphosphate synthase sequence, a 3&bgr;-hydroxylase sequence, a 2-oxidase sequence, a phytoene synthase sequence, a C20-oxidase sequence, and a 2&bgr;,3&bgr;-hydroxylase sequence. Administration of a complementing agent, preferably a gibberellin or gibberellin precursor or intermediate restores bioactivity.

Abstract: Isolated DNA fragments encoding a Rhodospirillum rubrum (ATCC 25903) polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase, or biologically functional equivalents thereof, are provided. Also provided is the deduced amino acid sequence of the R. rubrum PHA synthase. These molecules are useful in the production of PHAs in bacteria and plants.

Abstract: Genes encoding Class II EPSPS enzymes are disclosed. The genes are useful in producing transformed bacteria and plants which are tolerant to glyphosate herbicide. Class II EPSPS genes share little homology with known, Class I EPSPS genes, and do not hybridize to probes from Class I EPSPS's. The Class II EPSPS enzymes are characterized by being more kinetically efficient than Class I EPSPS's in the presence of glyphosate. Plants transformed with Class II EPSPS genes are also disclosed as well as a method for selectively controlling weeds in a planted transgenic crop field.

Abstract: Genes encoding Class II EPSPS enzymes are disclosed. The genes are useful in producing transformed bacteria and plants which are tolerant to glyphosate herbicide. Class II EPSPS genes share little homology with known, Class I EPSPS genes, and do not hybridize to probes from Class I EPSPS's. The Class II EPSPS enzymes are characterized by being more kinetically efficient than Class I EPSPS's in the presence of glyphosate. Plants transformed with Class II EPSPS genes are also disclosed as well as a method for selectively controlling weeds in a planted transgenic crop field.

Abstract: Promoters for enhanced expression of ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase in potato tubers and fruits such as tomato; methods of using them; DNA molecules, plant cells and plants containing them. A method of decreasing the oil content of seeds by expression of ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase.

Abstract: Promoters isolated from potato which cause expression of a gene of choice in tomato; tomato plant cells and plants containing them.

Abstract: A method for controlling the ripening of fruits and vegetables as well as a method for controlling senescence of plant tissue is described. The method generally embraces the expression of an ACC metabolizing enzyme in the fruit or other desired plant tissue to inhibit the production of ethylene in the fruit or plant tissue. The use of the ACC metabolizing enzyme ACC deaminase is described in detail. The ripening or senescence process in the fruit or plant tissue is inhibited by the expression of the ACC deaminase gene such that the shelf-life and marketability of the fruit or plant is enhanced. The ACC metabolizing enzyme may be used in combination with other methods for reducing ethylene production in transformed plants to further reduce the production of ethylene in the fruit or plant. DNA constructs containing the ACC deaminase gene are also described.

Abstract: Promoters for enhanced expression of ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase in potato tubers and fruits such as tomato; methods of using them; DNA molecules, plant cells and plants containing them. A method of decreasing the oil content of seeds by expression of ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase.

Abstract: Genes encoding a glyphosate oxidoreductase enzyme are disclosed. The genes are useful in producing transformed bacteria and plants which degrade glyphosate herbicide as well as crop plants which are tolerant to glyphosate herbicide.

Abstract: Glyphosate-tolerant 5-enolpyruvyl-3-phosphoshikimate (EPSP) synthases, DNA encoding glyphosate-tolerant EPSP synthases, plant genes encoding the glyphosate-tolerant enzymes, plant transformation vectors containing the genes, transformed plant cells and differentiated transformed plants containing the plant genes are disclosed. The glyphosate-tolerant EPSP synthases are prepared by substituting an alanine residue for a glycine residue in a conserved sequence found between positions 80 and 120 in the mature wild-type EPSP synthase.

Abstract: Glyphosate-tolerant 5-enolpyruvyl-3-phosphoshikimate (EPSP) synthases, DNA encoding glyphosate-tolerant EPSP synthases, plant genes encoding the glyphosate-tolerant enzymes, plant transformation vectors containing the genes, transformed plant cells and differentiated transformed plants containing the plant genes are disclosed. The glyphosate-tolerant EPSP synthases are prepared by substituting an alanine residue for a glycine residue in a first conserved sequence found between positions 80 and 120, and either an aspartic acid residue or asparagine residue for a glycine residue in a second conserved sequence found between positions 120 and 160 in the mature wild type EPSP synthase.

Abstract: A class of heterologous dominant conditional lethal genes is disclosed. The gene is useful in genetically modifying plant cells and plants to selectively induce cellular lethality for purposes such as inducing male sterility for hybrid seed production, cell ablation and counter-negative selection.

Abstract: A method for potentiating the insecticidal activity of a protein toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria is disclosed. A potentiating amount of trypsin inhibitor is co-administered to the insect along with the toxin. Improved insecticidal compositions are also disclosed which contain an insecticidal amount of a protein toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis and a potentiating amount of a trypsin inhibitor.

Abstract: Glyphosate-tolerant 5-enolpyruvyl-3-phosphoshikimate (EPSP) synthases, DNA encoding glyphosate-tolerant EPSP synthases, plant genes encoding the glyphosate-tolerant enzymes, plant transformation vectors containing the genes, transformed plant cells and differentiated transformed plants containing the plant genes are disclosed. The glyphosate-tolerant EPSP synthases are prepared by substituting an alanine residue for a glycine residue in a conserved sequence found between positions 80 and 120 in the mature wild-type EPSP synthase.

Abstract: Glyphosate-tolerant 5-enolpyruvyl-3-phosphosikimate (EPSP) synthases, DNA encoding glyhphosate-tolerant EPSP synthases, plant genes encoding the glyphosate-tolerant enzymes, plant transformation vectors containing the genes, transformed plant cells and differentiated transformed plants containing the plant genes are disclosed. The glyphosate-tolerant EPSP synthases are prepared by substituting an alanine residue for a glycine residue in a conserved sequence found between positions 80 and 120 in the mature wild-type EPSP synthase.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of L-phenylalanines and analogues thereof from trans-cinnamate, ring substituted trans-cinnamates or various acrylate derivatives and ammonia or an ammonia donor in the presence of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase enzyme and a desensitizing agent such as polyhydric alcohols and polyethylene glycol-(400) is disclosed. The process embraces the discovery that compounds such as polyhydric alcohols and polyethylene glycol-(400) desensitize the L-phenyalanine ammonia-lyase enzyme to substantially higher substrate concentrations than practiced heretofore. In addition, polyhydric alcohols and polyethylene glycol-(400) substantially enhance the instantaneous rate of reaction and inhibit inactivation of the L-phenylalanine ammonia lyase enzyme over longer reaction periods.