Abstract: The invention relates to a DNA fragment containing a determined gene, the expression of which inhibits the antibiotic and herbicidal effects of Bialaphos and related products.It also relates to recombinant vectors, containing such DNA fragment, which enable this protective gene to be introduced and expressed into cells and plant cells.

Abstract: A rapid and efficient method for transforming monocotyledonous plants, especially gramineous plants, particularly corn, using either intact tissue capable of forming compact embryogenic callus or compact embryogenic callus obtained from such tissue to obtain transgenic monocotyledonous plants, is provided. Preferably, the tissue or embryogenic callus is wounded and/or degraded prior to transformation. The resulting wounded and/or degraded, intact tissue or compact embryogenic callus is then transformed, preferably by direct gene transfer, e.g., by means of electroporation, with one or more DNA fragments (e.g., foreign DNA fragments).

Abstract: Rice anther-specific promoters which are of particular utility in the production of transgenic male-sterile monocots and plants for restoring their fertility.

Abstract: The invention concerns female-sterile plants that comprise a foreign DNA incorporated in the nuclear genome of their cells. This foreign DNA first comprises a female-sterility DNA encoding a protein or polypeptide such as barnase which, when produced in the cells of the plant, kills or significantly disturbs the metabolism, functioning or development of the cells. The foreign DNA also comprises a first promoter which directs expression of the female-sterility DNA selectively in style cells, stigma cells or style-and stigma cells of the female reproductive organs of the plants. The first promoter does not direct detectable expression of the female sterility DNA in the ovule or in other parts of the plant so that the plant remains male-fertile. The female-sterility DNA is in the same transcriptional unit as and under the control of the first promoter.

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.

Abstract: A method to combat or control Ostrinia nubilalis by contacting such insects with a CryIB protein or a combination of a CryIB protein and a CryIAb or CryIAc protein.

Abstract: A seed-specific promoter is described which is obtained from an Arabidopsis seed storage protein gene encoding 2S albumin.

Abstract: A process for the production of plants with increased content of appropriate amino acids having high nutritional properties through the modification of plant genes encoding plant storage proteins, particularly the 2S albumins. Seed-forming plants susceptible to Agrobacterium transformation, the genome of which plants includes a recombinant DNA encoding a precursor of a modified 2S albumin, under the control of a promoter, are described, including the particular recombinant DNA.

Abstract: The invention relates to stamen-specific promoters derived from corn genes. These promoters includes two DNA sequences selected from sequences in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:3. The invention also includes DNA including the stamen-specific promoters operably linked to a heterologous structural gene. The structural genes include those such as ribonuclease, barnase, and an A fragment of diphtheria toxin. The stamen-specific promoter may have its untranslated leader sequence replaced by the untranslated leader sequence of another gene. The invention also includes plant cells, plants, or seeds including these promoters and promoter-structural gene systems. The promoter may be in DNA that is stably integrated into the plant or seed.

Abstract: Novel transformation vectors containing novel chimeric genes allow the introduction of exogenous DNA fragments coding for polypeptide toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis or having substantial sequence homology to a gene coding for a polypeptide toxin as described herein and expression of the chimeric gene in plant cells and their progeny after integration into the plant cell genome. Transformed plant cells and their progeny exhibit stably inherited polypeptide toxin expression useful for protecting said plant cells and their progeny against certain insect pests and in controlling said insect pests.

Abstract: A method to combat or control Ostrinia nubilalis by contacting such insects with a CryIB protein or a combination of a CryIB protein and a CryIAb or CryIAc protein.

Abstract: A process is described for producing a polypeptide by cultivating a plant whose genome contains a recombinant DNA. The recombinant DNA includes:a) a first DNA sequence which encodes a precursor of a 2S albumin; andb) a heterologous second DNA sequence that encodes the polypeptide and that is inserted into, or replaces at least in part, a hypervariable region of the first DNA between codons which code for fourth and fifth cysteine residues of the large subunit of the 2S albumin. The ends of the second DNA sequence are each linked to one or more codons that encode one or more amino acid residues, to define first selectively cleavable border sites surrounding the polypeptide for separating the polypeptide from surrounding parts of the 2S albumin; and the hypervariable region, containing the second DNA sequence, encodes no more than approximately the same number of amino acids as are encoded by the hypervariable region without the second DNA sequence.

Abstract: Two new Bacillus thuringiensis strains, which are deposited at the DSM under accession nos 5870 and 5871, produce new crystal proteins during sporulation that are toxic to Coleoptera and that are encoded by new genes. The crystal proteins contain protoxins, which can yield toxins as trypsin-digestion products. A plant, the genome of which is transformed with a DNA sequence that comes from either one of the strains and that encodes an insecticidally effective portion of its respective protoxin or encodes its respective toxin, is resistant to Coleoptera. Each strain, itself, or its crystals, crystal proteins, protoxin, toxin and/or insecticidally effective protoxin portion can be used as the active ingredient in an insecticidal composition for combating Coleoptera.

Abstract: A plant cell transformed with all or part of a Bacillus thuringiensis gene coding for either a 130 or 132 kDa protoxin against Lepidoptera, preferably with a part of the gene coding just for the respective 62 or 60 kDa trypsin-digestion product of the protoxin. A plant, regenerated from the transformed cell, is resistant to Lepidoptera.

Abstract: Two new Bacillus thuringienses strains, LMG P-14025 and LMG P-14026, produce insecticidal components that are toxic to Coleoptera, more particularly toxic to Diabrotica spp. The strains themselves, their sporulated cultures, or their insecticidally effective components can be used as the active ingredient in an insecticidal composition for combatting Coleoptera, more specifically Diabrotica species.

Abstract: New mutant glucose isomerases are provided exhibiting improved properties under application conditions. These glucose isomerases are obtained by expression of a gene encoding said enzyme, having an amino acid sequence which differs at least in one amino acid from the wildtype glucose isomerase. Preferred mutant enzymes are those derived from Actinoplanes missouriensis glucose isomerase.

Abstract: Two new Bacillus thuringiensis strains, BTS02584B and BTS02584C, produce insecticidal components that are toxic to Coleoptera, more particularly toxic to Diabrotica spp. The strains themselves, their sporulated cultures, or their insecticidally effective components can be used as the active ingredient in an insecticidal composition for combatting Coleoptera, more specifically Diabrotica species.

Abstract: Thermostable and acid stable .alpha.-amylases are provided as expression products of genetically engineered .alpha.-amylase genes isolated from microorganisms, preferably belonging to the class of Bacilli. Both chemical and enzymatic mutagenesis methods are e.g. the bisulphite method and enzymatic misincorporation on gapped heteroduplex DNA. The mutant .alpha.-amylases have superior properties, e.g. improved thermostability over a broad pH range, for industrial application in starch processing and textile desizing.

Abstract: A method for selecting amino acid residues is disclosed which upon replacement will give rise to an enzyme with an altered pH optimum. The method is specific for metalloenzymes which are inactivated at low pH due to the dissociation of the metal ions. The method is based on altering the pK.sub.a of the metal coordinating ligands or altering the K.sub.ass for the metal binding. New glucose isomerases with an altered pH optimum are provided according to this method. These altered properties enable starch degradation to be performed at lower pH values.

Abstract: Novel transformation vectors containing novel chimeric genes allow the introduction of exogenous DNA fragments coding for polypeptide toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis or having substantial sequence homology to a gene coding for a polypeptide toxin as described herein and expression of the chimeric gene in plant cells and their progeny after integration into the plant cell genome. Transformed plant cells and their progeny exhibit stably inherited polypeptide toxin expression useful for protecting said plant cells and their progeny against certain insect pests and in controlling said insect pests.