Abstract: This invention relates to a new starch branching enzyme, and to the gene encoding the enzyme. In particular, the invention provides a new starch branching enzyme type II from wheat, the nucleic acid encoding the enzyme, and constructs comprising the nucleic acid. The invention also relates to a novel method for identification of branching enzyme type II proteins, which is useful for screening wheat germplasm for null or altered alleles of wheat branching enzyme IIb. The novel gene, protein and methods of the invention are useful in production of plants which produce grain with novel properties for food and industrial applications, for example wheat grain containing high amylose or low amylopectin starch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence encoding an enzyme of the starch biosynthetic pathway in a cereal plant, wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of starch branching enzyme I, starch branching enzyme II, starch soluble synthase I, and debranching enzyme, with the proviso that the enzyme is not soluble starch synthase I of rice, or starch branching enzyme I of rice or maize.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding wheat starch synthases, and probes and primers derived therefrom, which are useful in the modification of plant starch content and/or composition, and for screening plant lines to determine the presence of natural and/or induced mutations in starch synthase genes which affect starch content and/or composition. More particularly, the isolated nucleic acid molecules of the present invention further provide for the screening-assisted breeding of plants having desirable starch content and/or composition, in addition to providing for the direct genetic manipulation of plant starch content and/or composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new starch branching enzyme, and to the gene encoding the enzyme. In particular, the invention provides a new starch branching enzyme type II from wheat, the nucleic acid encoding the enzyme, and constructs comprising the nucleic acid. The invention also relates to a novel method for identification of branching enzyme type II proteins, which is useful for screening wheat germplasm for null or altered alleles of wheat branching enzyme IIb. The novel gene, protein and methods of the invention are useful in production of plants which produce grain with novel properties for food and industrial applications, for example wheat grain containing high amylose or low amylopectin starch.

Abstract: Rice having reduced levels of starch branching enzymes produce grain having a high relative amylose content in the endosperm. The rice grain of this invention can be of a non-shrunken phenotype despite a lesion in the amylopectin synthesis pathway and may be transgenic or nontransgenic.

Abstract: A method and composition for improving one or more indicators of bowel health or metabolic health in a mammalian animal. This comprises the delivering to the gastrointestinal tract of the animal an effective amount of an altered wheat starch in the form of or derived from the grain of a wheat plant. The proportion of amylose in the starch of the grain is at least 30%.

Abstract: A method and composition for improving one or more indicators of bowel health or metabolic health in a mammalian animal. This comprises the delivering to the gastrointestinal tract of the animal an effective amount of an altered wheat starch in the form of or derived from the grain of a wheat plant. The proportion of amylose in the starch of the grain is at least 30% and/or the grain comprises a reduced level of SBEIIa enzyme activity and/or protein relative to wild-type grain.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding wheat starch syntheses, and probes and primers derived therefrom, which are useful in the modificaiton of plant starch content and/or composition, and for screening plant lines to determine the presence of natural and/or induced mutations in starch synthase genes which affect starch content and/or composition. More particularly the isolated nucleic acid molecules of the present invention further provide for the screening-assisted breeding of plants having desirable starch content and/or composition, in addition to providing for the direct genetic manipulation of plant starch content and/or composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding wheat starch synthases, and probes and primers derived therefrom, which are useful in the modification of plant starch content and/or composition, and for screening plant lines to determine the presence of natural and/or induced mutations in starch synthase genes which affect starch content and/or composition. More particularly, the isolated nucleic acid molecules of the present invention further provide for the screening-assisted breeding of plants having desirable starch content and/or composition, in addition to providing for the direct genetic manipulation of plant starch content and/or composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for distinguishing between different isoamylase genes of individual genomes of a polyploid plant. These methods enable a polyploid plant-to be produced and/or identified which has at least one impaired isoamylase gene. In particular, the methods of the invention enable various plants of a polyploidy species to be produced and/or indentified which, between the plants, lack a functional isoamylase gene for each genome of the plant. Such plants can be cross-bred to produce a plant which lacks any functional isoamylase protein. Furthermore, the invention provides numerous isoamylase gene, protein and cDNA sequences from various polyploidy plant species, including hexaploid wheat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence encoding an enzyme of the starch biosynthetic pathway in a cereal plant, wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of starch branching enzyme I, starch branching enzyme II, starch soluble synthase I, and debranching enzyme, with the proviso that the enzyme is not soluble starch synthase I of rice, or starch branching enzyme I of rice or maize.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new starch branching enzyme, and to the gene encoding the enzyme. In particular, the invention provides a new starch branching enzyme type II from wheat, the nucleic acid encoding the enzyme, and constructs comprising the nucleic acid. The invention also relates to a novel method for identification of branching enzyme type II proteins, which is useful for screening wheat germplasm for null or altered alleles of wheat branching enzyme IIb. The novel gene, protein and methods of the invention are useful in production of plants which produce grain with novel properties for food and industrial applications, for example wheat grain containing high amylose or low amylopectin starch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence encoding an enzyme of the starch biosynthetic pathway in a cereal plant, wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of starch branching enzyme I, starch branching enzyme II, starch soluble synthase I, and debranching enzyme, with the provisio that the enzyme is not soluble starch synthase I of rice, or starch branching enzyme I of rice or maize.

Abstract: A method for producing a modified glutenin or seed-storage protein, the method comprising adding to the protein an exogenous amino acid domain which confers to the modified protein the ability to bind a ligand or other macromolecule. Wherein the modified protein has an ability to incorporate into gluten, modified glutenin or seed-storage proteins, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Wheat having a reduced level of SBEIIa activity, that may have a relative. high amylose content. Wheat having a mutant SBEIIa gene in the A genome. The wheat might additionally have reduced levels of SBEIIb activity. The wheat grain of this invention can be of a non-shrunken phenotype despite a lesion in the amylopectin synthesis pathway, and may also have a high relative amylose content.