Abstract: Plant species are produced by cocultivation transformation of cotyledon shoot cultures with a foreign gene followed by regeneration of plants from transformed cells, thereby producing plants capable of expressing the foreign gene. Particularly, tomato shoot cultures are employed and are transformed employing a manipulated Agrobacterium transformation system, followed by regeneration of the transformed plant tissue into plants.

Abstract: Novel methods and compositions are provided for regenerating untransformed or transgenic leguminous plants from thin layer explants of immature embryonic cotyledons. Transgenic plants are preferably obtained by bombarding the thin layer explants at high velocity with DNA expression cassettes adsorbed to tungsten particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to plant LPAATs, means to identify such proteins, amino acid and nucleic acid sequences associated with such protein, methods to obtain, make and/or use such plant LPAATs. Purification, especially the removal of plant membranes and the substantial separation away from other plant proteins, and use of the plant LPAAT is provided, including the use of the protein as a tool in gene isolation for biotechnological applications.

Abstract: Novel constructs are provided for expression of physiologically active mammalian proteins in plant cells, either in culture or under cultivation. The constructs provide a promoter functional in a plant host, a structural gene coding for mammalian protein and a terminator functional in a plant host. The construct is introduced into a plant cell to become integrated into the plant genome for expression in the plant cells or plants. The plant cells may be harvested and the mammalian protein isolated in physiologically active form.

Abstract: Novel compositions and methods useful for genetic engineering of plant cells to provide increased expression in the plastids of a plant or plant cell of a protein which produces a phenotype which is present when the plant or plant cell is grown in the absence of means for selecting transformed cells. Expression of the Bacillus thuringiensis bacterial protoxin in a plant chloroplast is exemplified.

Abstract: Novel compositions and methods useful for genetic engineering of plant cells to provide increased expression in the plastids of a plant or plant cell of the Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal protein.

Abstract: Plant species having enhanced superoxide dismutase activity as a result of transformation with a DNA expression cassette comprising an E. coli MnSOD gene are provided. Transportation of the expression product of the gene may be targeted to a specific cell organelle, such as the chloroplast.

Abstract: Novel DNA constructs are provided which may be used as molecular probes or inserted into a plant host to provide for modification of transcription of a DNA sequence of interest in ovary tissue, particularly in very early fruit development. The DNA constructs comprise a transcriptional initiation regulatory region associated with gene expression in ovary tissue from immediately prior to anthesis through flower senescence.

Abstract: Novel DNA constructs which may be used as molecular probes or inserted into a plant host are provided. These constructs comprise a sequence obtainable from the Bce4 gene that is capable of directing transcription in seed tissue at least as early as 11 days after anthesis until approximately 30-35 days after anthesis, joined to a nucleic acid sequence of interest, and a transcription termination region. Thus, transcription of a message encoded by a nucleic acid sequence under the control of the Bce4 regulatory region will occur at a specific time of seed development. In this manner, production of exogenous products, as well as modulation of endogenous products, may be achieved.

Abstract: This invention relates to plant thioesterases, means to identify such proteins, amino acid and nucleic acid sequences associated with such protein, methods to obtain, make and/or use such plant thioesterases. Also, by this invention, the existence of a heretofore unproven factor critical to the biosynthesis of medium-chain fatty acids in plants is demonstrated.

Abstract: By this invention, compositions and methods of use related to .beta.-ketoacyl-ACP synthase, hereinafter also referred to as "synthase", are provided. Also of interest are methods and compositions of amino acid and nucleic acid sequences related to biologically active plant synthase(s).In particular, synthase protein preparations which have relatively high turnover (specific activity) are of interest for use in a variety of applications, in vitro and in vivo. Especially, protein preparations having synthase I and/or synthase II activities are contemplated hereunder. Synthase activities are distinguished by the preferential activity towards longer and shorter acyl-ACPs. Protein preparations having preferential activity towards shorter chain length acyl-ACPs are synthase I-type. Synthases having preferential activity towards longer chain length acyl-ACPs are synthase II-type. Of special interest are synthases obtainable from Ricinus communis.

Abstract: Brassica species are produced by transformation of cell cultures with foreign DNA followed by regeneration of plants from transformed cells. The cells and the plants produced thereby are capable of expressing the foreign gene. The Brassica species are transformed employing a manipulated Agrobacterium transformation system, followed by regeneration of the plant tissue into plants.

Abstract: By this invention, further properties and uses of medium-chain thioesterases in plants are provided, including methods of using medium-chain thioesterases from non-plant sources to provide medium-chain fatty acids in plant cells.

Abstract: Regulation of expression of genes encoded for in plant cell genomes is achieved by integration of a gene under the transcriptional control of a promoter which is functional in the host and in which the transcribed strand of DNA is complementary to the strand of DNA that is transcribed from the endogenous gene(s) one wishes to regulate. The integrated gene, referred to as antisense, provides an RNA sequence capable of binding to naturally existing RNAs, exemplified by polygalacturonase, and inhibiting their expression, where the anti-sense sequence may bind to the coding, non-coding, or both, portions of the RNA. The antisense construction may be introduced into the plant cells in a variety of ways and be integrated into the plant genome for inducible or constitutive transcription of the antisense sequence. A wide variety of plant cell properties may be modified by employing this technique.

Abstract: By this invention, a partially purified fatty acyl-CoA: fatty alcohol acyltransferase (wax synthase) is provided, wherein said protein is active in the formation of a wax ester from fatty alcohol and fatty acyl substrates. Of special interest is a jojoba embryo wax synthase having an apparent molecular mass of approximately 57 kD. Also considered are amino acid and nucleic acid sequences obtainable from wax synthase proteins and the use of such sequences to provide transgenic host cells capable of producing wax esters.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences and methods for their use are provided which provide for seed-specific transcription, in order to modulate or modify expression in seed, particularly embryo cells. Transcriptional initiation regions are identified and isolated from plant cells such as seed embryo and seed coat and used to prepare expression cassettes which may then be transformed into plant cells for seed-specific transcription. The method finds particular use in conjunction with modifying fatty acid production in seed tissue.

Abstract: By this invention, a solubilized seed-plant fatty acyl reductase protein is provided, wherein said protein is active in the formation of a fatty alcohol from a fatty acyl substrate. Of special interest is a jojoba embryo reductase protein having a molecular mass of about 32 kD or about 47 kD and sequences obtainable therefrom. Also considered are amino acid and nucleic acid sequences obtainable from such fatty acyl reductases.

Abstract: By this invention, a partially purified seed-plant fatty acyl reductase protein is provided, wherein said protein is active in the formation of a fatty alcohol from a fatty acyl substrate. Of special interest are jojoba embryo reductase proteins having molecular mass of about 54 and 52 kD and sequences obtainable therefrom. Also considered are amino acid and nucleic acid sequences obtainable from such fatty acyl reductases.

Abstract: By this invention, a partially purified seed-plant fatty acyl reductase protein is provided, wherein said protein is active in the formation of a fatty alcohol from a fatty acyl substrate. Of special interest are jojoba embryo reductase proteins having molecular mass of about 54 and 52 kD and sequences obtainable therefrom. Also considered are amino acid and nucleic acid sequences obtainable from such fatty acyl reductases, which sequences may be used for preparation of recombinant constructs useful for expression of reductase in host cells, which results in the production of fatty alcohols in said cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to glycogen biosynthesis enzymes in plants. In particular, this invention is directed to plant cells having a DNA sequence encoding a glycogen biosynthesis enzyme integrated in its genome as the result of genetic engineering. Cells containing a DNA or RNA (mRNA) sequence encoding the enzyme as well as cells containing the enzyme are also provided. Plants and, more particularly, plant parts may also be obtained which contain glycogen biosynthesis enzyme sequences and/or containing such glycogen biosynthesis enzymes.