Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleotide sequences from Xenorhabdus nematophila species Xs86068, and, in particular, nucleotide sequences that encode insect inhibitory proteins, the insecticidal proteins, and compositions that comprise one or more of the insecticidal proteins for use in controlling insect infestation.

Abstract: Recombinant constructs and methods useful for improvement of plants are provided. In particular, recombinant constructs comprising promoters functional in plant cells positioned for expression of polynucleotides encoding polypeptides from microbial sources are provided. The disclosed constructs and methods find use in production of transgenic plants to provide plants, particularly crop plants, having improved properties.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences, vectors, recombinant host cells, transgenic plants, and methods for their preparation are disclosed. The nucleic acid sequences encode threonine deaminase proteins that catalyze the conversion of threonine to ?-ketobutyrate. One or both of the amino acids at positions 447 and 481 of the encoded proteins can be selected from groups of particular amino acids. For example, the amino acid at position 447 can be alanine, isoleucine, valine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, or methionine. The amino acid at position 481 can be alanine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan, or methionine.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences, vectors, recombinant host cells, transgenic plants, and methods for their preparation are disclosed. The nucleic acid sequences encode threonine deaminase proteins that catalyze the conversion of threonine to ?-ketobutyrate. One or both of the amino acids at positions 447 and 481 of the encoded proteins can be selected from groups of particular amino acids. For example, the amino acid at position 447 can be alanine, isoleucine, valine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, or methionine. The amino acid at position 481 can be alanine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan, or methionine.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences from the bacterium, Myxococcus xanthus and, in particular, to genomic DNA sequences. The invention encompasses nucleic acid molecules present in non-coding regions as well as nucleic acid molecules that encode proteins and fragments of proteins. In addition, proteins and fragments of proteins so encoded and antibodies capable of binding the proteins are encompassed by the present invention. The invention also encompasses oligonucleotides including primers, e.g. useful for amplifying nucleic acid molecules, and collections of nucleic acid molecules and oligonucleotides, e.g. in microarrays. The invention also provides constructs and transgenic cells and organisms comprising nucleic acid molecules of the invention.

Abstract: Recombinant constructs and methods useful for improvement of plants are provided. In particular, recombinant constructs comprising promoters functional in plant cells positioned for expression of polynucleotides encoding polypeptides from microbial sources are provided. The disclosed constructs and methods find use in production of transgenic plants to provide plants, particularly crop plants, having improved properties.

Abstract: The use of multigene vectors for the preparation of transformed host cells and plants is disclosed. Multigene vectors reduce the number of transformations required, and leads to increased production of polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer in the resulting transformed host cells and plants.

Abstract: Isolated telomeres from the linear chromosome of an Agrobacterium tumefaciens are obtainable from a restriction enzyme fragment at the end of said chromosome which is less than 4,000 nucleotide bases and comprises a segment of consecutive nucleotide bases having substantial identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2. The isolated telomeres are obtained by removing more or less of the segment from the larger restriction fragment. Pairs of isolated and distinct telomeres obtained from opposite ends of the linear chromosome are used for linear DNA constructs for use in producing transgenic plants by Agrobacterium tumefaciens transformation. Such constructs act as linear plasmids and comprise at least an origin of replication and terminal regions obtained from telomeres.

Abstract: Genes and methods for optimizing levels of substrates employed in the biosynthesis of copolymers of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) and 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) in plants and bacteria via manipulation of normal metabolic pathways using recombinant DNA techniques are provided. This is achieved through the use of a variety of wild-type and/or deregulated enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of aspartate family amino acids, and wild-type or deregulated forms of enzymes, such as threonine deaminase, involved in the conversion of threonine to P(3HB-co-3HV) copolymer endproduct. By these methods, enhanced levels of threonine, &agr;-ketobutyrate, propionate, propionyl-CoA, &bgr;-ketovaleryl-CoA, and &bgr;-hydroxyvaleryl-CoA are produced. Also provided are methods for the biological production of P(3HB-co-3HV) copolymers in plants and bacteria utilizing propionyl-CoA produced through a variety of engineered metabolic pathways.

Abstract: The use of multigene vectors for the preparation of transformed host cells and plants is disclosed. Multigene vectors reduce the number of transformations required, and leads to increased production of polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer in the resulting transformed host cells and plants.

Abstract: Methods for recombining a polynucleotides of interest comprising the step of generating a recombinant polynucleotide by PCR amplification using as a template a pool of oligonucleotides having a chain terminating agent, e.g. ddNTP, at the 3′ end. Such oligonucleotides are preferably short, e.g. to provide for a higher degree of recombination. The PCR amplification is preferably carried out under conditions inducing mutagenesis in the amplified polynucleotide product. Recombined and mutagenized polynucleotides can be used to rapidly evolve cells and/or organisms to enhance or depress a phenotype of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the production of poly-.beta.-hydroxyalkanoate copolymer comprising the steps of (a) introducing into a prokaryotic host cell a vector construct which directs the expression of a sequence which encodes a poly-.beta.-hydroxybutyrate biosynthetic pathway, (b) introducing into the host cell a vector construct which directs the expression of one or more proteins which regulate acetate and propionate metabolism, (c) culturing the host cell in medium containing propionate or a derivative thereof, and (d) isolating poly-.beta.-hydroxyalkanoate copolymer from the cultured host cell.

Abstract: The invention related to recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology and, more particularly, to a process whereby poly-beta-hydroxyalkanoate (PHA) copolymers can be synthesized in a recombinant host strain containing the poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) biosynthetic genes of Alcaligenes eutrophus.