Abstract: A nucleic acid is provided that affects plant male fertility. Vectors, plant cells and plants comprising the sequence and methods of using same are described.

Abstract: Expression of a recombinant manganese-dependent peroxidase in plants is described. Methods for the recovery of transgenic corn seeds that express high levels of functional manganese-dependent peroxidase are also provided. Manganese-dependent peroxidase vectors are engineered to contain sequences directing seed-preferred expression as well as sequences for cell wall-targeted localization.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for determining whether a cell has incorporated a polynucleotide comprising the use of organophosphate hydrolase activity as a marker which has both selectable and screenable properties.

Abstract: Production of proteases in plants is set forth, whereby heterologous DNA encoding the protease is introduced into the plant and expression of the protein achieved. By such methods, expression is achieved in plants wherein the plant cell is not damaged, the protein can be recovered without contamination by other proteases, and can be expressed at levels such that commercial production of the enzyme is obtained. Expression levels can be at 0.1% of total soluble protein of the plant, or higher.

Abstract: Promoter sequences and their essential regions are identified which provide for male tissue-preferred expression. The nucleotide sequences are useful in mediating male fertility in plants.

Abstract: Expression of laccase in plants at commercial levels of production is provided. The laccase gene is preferably operably linked with promoter sequences preferentially directing expression of laccase to the seed of the plant, and may additionally include sequences directing expression to the plant cell wall. Methods of improving the process of introducing DNA into plants via Agrobacterium are also provided.

Abstract: A method of increasing recovery of active enzyme produced in a plant is provided where the enzyme requires a transitional metal cofactor for activation. The metal cofactor is supplied to the enzyme during plant development, during extraction, or after extraction. Recovery of active enzyme is also provided by incubating the extracted enzyme at a non-enzyme degrading temperature. Addition of a negative ion salt further improves active enzyme recovery. Optimum salt concentrations for recovery of laccase from plants using copper solutions is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved transformation and regeneration of alfalfa, Medicago sativa. Regeneration and transformation of alfalfa is made possible by use of immature cotyledons of alfalfa. By using immature cotyledon tissue, it is possible to regenerate and transform varieties of alfalfa never before capable of regeneration and transformation.

Abstract: A method for extraction of heterologous protein from plant seed comprises extracting the germ portion of the seed and extracting and purifying the protein from the germ. Enhanced expression in the germ is provided, and allows for improved efficiency in production, and cost savings. Directing expression to the germ portion further increases expression levels of the protein. The ubiquitin promoter preferentially directs expression to the germ portion of plant seed.

Abstract: A controllably constitutively female sterile plant is provided. A gene critical to female fertility is identified and the native gene inactivated. The gene is cloned, linked to an inducible promoter and inserted into the plant. The result is a plant that is constitutively female sterile with inducible female fertility.

Abstract: Fertility in a plant is controlled by inactivating a gene critical to fertility, and inserting into the plant the criticial gene linked to an inducible promoter.

Abstract: Production of proteases in plants is set forth, whereby heterologous DNA encoding the protease is introduced into the plant and expression of the protein achieved. By such methods, expression is achieved in plants wherein the plant cell is not damaged, the protein can be recovered without contamination by other proteases, and can be expressed at levels such that commercial production of the enzyme is obtained. Expression levels can be at 0.1% of total soluble protein of the plant, or higher.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding the Ms45 male tissue-preferred regulatory region. In one aspect this invention relates the use of this male tissue-preferred regulatory region in mediating fertility. An example of such use is the production of hybrid seed such as in a male sterility system. The Ms45 male tissue-preferred regulatory region can be operably linked with exogenous genes, such as those encoding cytotoxins, complementary nucleotidic units and inhibitory molecules. This invention also relates to plant cells, plant tissue and differentiated plants which contain the regulatory region in this invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved transformation and regeneration of alfalfa, Medicago sativa.A method is used to transform alfalfa by using particle acceleration. Optimum results with mature cotyledons occurs when bombarding after 24 to 120 hours of imbibing water. Regeneration and transformation of alfalfa is greatly improved by using immature cotyledons or embryos of immature cotyledons for transformation and regeneration. Immature cotyledons include those up to about 25 days past pollination, and preferably include cotyledons excised at 10-15 days past pollination, most preferably including those excised at about 10 days past pollination. These cotyledons have a light green to translucent appearance. Plants resulting from bombardment of somatic embryos of immature cotyledons retain regeneration ability.

Abstract: A chemically inducible, heat-shock inducible and general-purpose plant gene promoter sequence, and expression cassettes, plant cells and plants containing the sequence.

Abstract: Fertility in a plant is controlled by inactivating a gene critical to fertility, and inserting into the plant the critical gene linked to an inducible promoter.

Abstract: Fertility in a plant is controlled by inactivating a gene critical to fertility, and inserting into the plant the criticial gene linked to an inducible promoter.

Abstract: A method for commercial production of aprotinin entails heterologous expression of the protein in plants, preferably at a level such that aprotinin accounts for at least 0.1% of the total extracted protein. An aprotinin-expressing plant also has potential of increased insecticidal resistance by virtue of producing the protein. A genetic map of the integration locus allows identification of plants derived from the transgenic plant. This approach also reveals genetic loci on a plant chromosome that support high levels of gene expression and can be used as site of integration for expression of other genes of interest.

Abstract: An inducible promoter is used to regulate expression of a gene which is known to be critical to male fertility. The selected gene's control sequences are modified so that it is normally "off" and as a result the plants are male sterile. When it is desired to reproduce the male sterile plants, male fertility is restored by treating the plants with a non-phytotoxic chemical which induces expression of the critical gene. A critical gene is one which affects flavonol production and in particular compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.7, and R.sub.8, are hydrogen, hydroxyl or alkoxy having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Particularly preferred flavonols include galangin, kaempferol, iso-rhamnetin, quercetin and morin.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved transformation and regeneration of alfalfa, Medicago sativa.A method is used to transform alfalfa by using particle acceleration. Optimum results with mature cotyledons occurs when bombarding after 24 to 120 hours of imbibing water. Regeneration and transformation of alfalfa is greatly improved by using immature cotyledons or embryos of immature cotyledons for transformation and regeneration. Immature cotyledons include those up to about 25 days past pollination, and preferably include cotyledons excised at 10-15 days past pollination, most preferably including those excised at about 10 days past pollination. These cotyledons have a light green to translucent appearance. Plants resulting from bombardment of somatic embryos of immature cotyledons retain regeneration ability.