Abstract: This invention relates to plant breeding and the protection of plants from insects. More specifically, this invention includes novel transformation events of cotton plants comprising one or more polynucleotide sequences, as described herein, inserted into specific site(s) within the genome of a cotton cell. In highly preferred embodiments, said polynucleotide sequences encode “stacked” Cry1F and Cry1Ac lepidopteran insect inhibitory proteins. However, the subject invention includes plants having single cry1F or cry1Ac events, as described herein. Additionally, the invention is related to cotton plants derived from that transformation event and to assays for detecting the presence of the event in a sample. More specifically, the present invention provides DNA and related assays for detecting the presence of certain insect-resistance events in cotton. The assays are based on the DNA sequences of recombinant constructs inserted into the cotton genome and of the genomic sequences flanking the insertion sites.

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 plant cell, wherein the oligonucleotide comprises at least two intervening blocks of 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: The invention provides isolated Rad23 nucleic acids and their encoded proteins. The present invention provides methods and compositions relating to altering Rad23 concentration and/or composition of plants. The invention further provides recombinant expression cassettes, host cells, transgenic plants, and antibody compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides DNA compositions that relate to transgenic insect resistant maize plants. Also provided are assays for detecting the presence of the maize TC1507 event based on the DNA sequence of the recombinant construct inserted into the maize genome and the DNA sequences flanking the insertion site. Kits and conditions useful in conducting the assays are provided.

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 introduced into 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Methods and compositions for the targeted integration of nucleotide sequences into a plant are provided. Particularly, the present invention is drawn to compositions comprising polynucleotide sequences having the following operably linked components: an intron, a nucleotide sequence of interest, and a terminator region, wherein the polynucleotide sequence comprises one or more recombination sites. The recombination sites are non-identical to one another and one of the recombination sites is contained within the intron.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for introducing a DNA of interest into a genomic target site are provided. In particular, the methods and compositions involve the use of a combination of target sites for two site specific recombinases and expression of a chimeric recombinase with dual target site specificity. Thus, the compositions comprise novel site-specific recombinases with specificities to multiple target sites, and nucleotide sequences and expression cassettes encoding these recombinases or target sites. The methods involve transforming a eukaryotic cell having target sites for the novel recombinase with a DNA of interest that is flanked by corresponding target sites. Expression of the recombinase results in integration of the DNA of interest into the genome of the cell. The compositions and methods of the invention have use in the construction of stably transformed eukaryotic cells, and in particular, plant cells.

Abstract: Methods for reducing the complexity of 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: 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: Compositions and methods for introducing a DNA of interest into a genomic target site are provided. In particular, the methods and compositions involve the use of a combination of target sites for two site specific recombinases and expression of a chimeric recombinase with dual target site specificity. Thus, the compositions comprise novel site-specific recombinases with specificities to multiple target sites, and nucleotide sequences and expression cassettes encoding these recombinases or target sites. The methods involve transforming a eukaryotic cell having target sites for the novel recombinase with a DNA of interest that is flanked by corresponding target sites. Expression of the recombinase results in integration of the DNA of interest into the genome of the cell. The compositions and methods of the invention have use in the construction of stably transformed eukaryotic cells, and in particular, plant cells.

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: 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 efficient transformation of sorghum is provided. The method involves infection with Agrobacterium, particularly those comprising a super-binary vector. In this manner, any gene of interest can be introduced into the sorghum plant. The transformed gene will be flanked by at least one T-DNA border and present in the transformed sorghum in low copy number. Transformed sorghum, cells, tissues, plants, and seed are also provided. The invention encompasses regenerated, fertile sorghum plants, transgenic seeds produced therefrom, T1 and subsequent generations.

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: Methods and compositions for the efficient transformation of sorghum is provided. The method involves infection with Agrobacterium, particularly those comprising a super-binary vector. In this manner, any gene of interest can be introduced into the sorghum plant. The transformed gene will be flanked by at least one T-DNA border and present in the transformed sorghum in low copy number. Transformed sorghum, cells, tissues, plants, and seed are also provided. The invention encompasses regenerated, fertile sorghum plants, transgenic seeds produced therefrom, T1 and subsequent generations.