Abstract: The invention provides methods and means for the identification of genes involved in the determination of a plant trait or for the identification encoded by a nucleic acid comprising a determined nucleotide sequence. The invention also provides kits comprising viral RNA vectors derived from satellite viruses and corresponding helper viruses for the introduction of inhibitory RNA into plant cells and plants.

Abstract: Methods for detecting the presence of foreign DNA in the DNA of a host organism are described. Probe libraries prepared from modified DNA, and from unmodified DNA, are competitively hybridized with reference DNA sequences cloned on solid phase supports, where the reference DNA sequences are characteristic of the foreign DNA. Probes containing the foreign DNA can thereby by isolated and/or identified.

Abstract: A plant having in the nuclear genome of its cells foreign DNA comprising i) a male-sterility gene comprising a male-sterility DNA encoding a sterility RNA, protein or polypeptide which, when produced or overproduced in a stamen cell of the plant, significantly disturbs the metabolism, functioning and/or development of the stamen cell, and, a sterility promoter directing expression of the male-sterility DNA selectively in specific stamen cells of said plant, the male-sterility DNA being in the same transcriptional unit as, and under the control of, the sterility promoter, and ii) a coregulating gene comprising a coregulating DNA encoding a coregulating RNA, protein or polypeptide which, when produced in plant cells wherein said sterility RNA, protein or polypeptide is produced, prevents the activity of said sterility RNA, protein or polypeptide, and a coregulating promoter which is selected from the group consisting of a promoter directing expression of said coregulating DNA in non-stamen cells of said plant,

Abstract: A plant having in the nuclear genome of its cells foreign DNA comprisinga male-sterility gene comprising:a male-sterility DNA encoding a sterility RNA, protein or polypeptide which, when produced or overproduced in a stamen cell of the plant, significantly disturbs the metabolism, functioning and/or development of the stamen cell, and,a sterility promoter directing expression of the male-sterility DNA selectively in specific stamen cells of said plant, the male-sterility DNA being in the same transcriptional unit as, and under the control of, the sterility promoter, anda coregulating gene comprising:a coregulating DNA encoding a coregulating RNA, protein or polypeptide which is capable, when produced in plant cells wherein said sterility RNA, protein or polypeptide is produced, of sufficiently preventing the activity of said sterility RNA, protein or polypeptide,whereby said coregulating DNA is in a transcriptional unit which is different from the transcriptional unit of said sterility DNA.

Abstract: The invention relates to modified Bacillus thurigiensis genes with improved expression in plant cells, their preparation and uses. The invention relates more particularly to DNA fragments encoding all or part of a Bt insecticidal crystal protein, modified by translationally neutral modification(s) in cryptic promoter(s) and/or abortive intron(s). The invention also discloses method of preparing such modified DNAs, and methods of protecting plants from an insect pest.

Abstract: A DNA fragment, encoding all or an insecticidally-effective part of a Bt crystal protein, is modified by changing A and T sequences to corresponding G and C sequences encoding the same amino acids, in a region having transcriptional activity less than 25% of the transcriptional activity of a region at the translation initiation site.

Abstract: A DNA fragment, encoding all or an insecticidally-effective part of a Bt crystal protein, is modified by changing A and T sequences to corresponding G and C sequences encoding the same amino acids.