Abstract: A process for integrating a DNA fragment into the genome of a cell of a monocotyledonous plant, the process comprising the steps of:1) incubating, prior to contacting with the DNA fragment, a culture of untransformed monocotyledonous plant cells on a medium comprising a plant phenolic compound, for a period of time sufficient to stimulate cell division and enhance competence for integration of foreign DNA; and2) contacting the untransformed cells with the DNA fragment under conditions in which the DNA fragment is taken up by the untransformed cells and is stably integrated in the genome of the untransformed cells, to generate transformed cells.

Abstract: Chimaeric DNA sequence which encodes: 1) a transmit peptide of a cytoplasmic precursor of a chloroplast protein or polypeptide of a plant and 2) a protein or polypeptide that is heterologous to the transit peptide. The chimaeric DNA sequence can be used as a vector for transforming a plant cell so that a chimaeric precursor of the heterologous protein or polypeptide is produced in the cytoplasm of the cell and the chimaeric precursor then transports the heterologous protein or polypeptide in vivo into a chloroplast of the cell.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing transgenic plant cells, which comprises: contacting a culture of plant cells with an inhibitor of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase, prior to transformation, for a period of time sufficient to reduce the response of the cultured cells to stress and to reduce their metabolism. The untransformed cells are then contacted with foreign DNA comprising at least one gene of interest under conditions in which the foreign DNA is taken up by the untransformed cells and the gene of interest is stably integrated in the nuclear genome of the untransformed cells to produce the transgenic cells. The transgenic plant cells are recovered from the culture.

Abstract: A process for the stable integration of a DNA, comprising a gene that is function in a cell of a cereal plant, wherein said DNA is integrated into the nuclear genome of said cereal plant, said process comprising the steps of:(a) providing a compact embryogenic callus of said cereal plant;(b) wounding said compact embryogenic callus or treating said compact embryogenic callus with a cell wall degrading enzyme for a period of time so as not to cause a complete disruption of tissues, and transferring said DNA into the nuclear genome of a cell in said compact embryogenic callus by means of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to generate a transformed cell; and(c) regenerating a transformed cereal plant from said transformed cell.

Abstract: Chimaeric DNA sequence which encodes: 1) a transit peptide of a cytoplasmic precursor of a chloroplast protein or polypeptide of a plant and 2) a protein or polypeptide that is heterologous to the transit peptide. The chimaeric DNA sequence can be used as a vector for transforming a plant cell so that a chimaeric precursor of the heterologous protein or polypeptide is produced in the cytoplasm of the cell and the chimaeric precursor then transports the heterologous protein or polypeptide in vivo into a chloroplast of the cell.

Abstract: A plant, the nuclear genome of which is transformed with a foreign DNA sequence encoding a product which neutralizes the activity of another product which disrupts the metabolism, functioning and/or development selectively of the plant's flower cells, particularly reproductive organ cells, or seed cells or embryo cells. The foreign DNA sequence also optionally encodes a marker.

Abstract: Four novel Bacillus thuringiensis strains, which are deposited at the BCCM-LMG under accession nos. LMG P-12592, LMG P-12593, LMG P-12594, and LMG P-13493, produce new crystal proteins during sporulation that are toxic to Lepidoptera, more particularly against Noctuidae such as spodoptera spp. and Agotis ipsilon, against Pyralidae such as Ostrinia nubilalis, and against Yponomeutidae such as Plutella xylostella, and that are encoded by a novel gene. The crystal proteins contain protoxins, which can yield a toxin as trypsin-digestion product. A plant, the genome of which is transformed with a DNA sequence that comes from either one of the strains nd that encodes its respective toxin, is resistant to Lipidoptera. Each strain, itself, or its crystal, crystal protein, protoxin or toxin can be used as the active ingredient in an insecticidal composition for combating Lepidoptera.

Abstract: A plant having in the nuclear genome of its cells foreign DNA comprisinga male-sterility gene comprising:a male-sterility DNA encoding a sterility RNA, protein or polypeptide which, when produced or overproduced in a stamen cell of the plant, significantly disturbs the metabolism, functioning and/or development of the stamen cell, and,a sterility promoter directing expression of the male-sterility DNA selectively in specific stamen cells of said plant, the male-sterility DNA being in the same transcriptional unit as, and under the control of, the sterility promoter, anda coregulating gene comprising:a coregulating DNA encoding a coregulating RNA, protein or polypeptide which is capable, when produced in plant cells wherein said sterility RNA, protein or polypeptide is produced, of sufficiently preventing the activity of said sterility RNA, protein or polypeptide,whereby said coregulating DNA is in a transcriptional unit which is different from the transcriptional unit of said sterility DNA.

Abstract: A plant consisting essentially of cells which comprise in their genome a homozygous male-sterility genotype at a first genetic locus; and a color-linked restorer genotype at a second genetic locus, which is heterozygous (Rf/-) for a foreign DNA Rf. The foreign DNA Rf comprises: a) a fertility-restorer gene capable of preventing the phenotypic expression of the male-sterility genotype, and b) at least one anthocyanin regulatory gene involved in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in cells of seeds of the plant which is capable of producing anthocyanin at least in the seeds of the plant, so that anthocyanin production in the seeds is visible externally. Preferably, the anthocyanin regulatory gene is a shortened R, B or C1 gene or a continuation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rapid and efficient method for transforming monocotyledonous plants. The invention particularly relates to the use of either intact tissue capable of forming compact embryogenic callus or compact embryogenic callus obtained from such tissue to obtain transgenic monocotyledonous plants. The present invention also provides novel transgenic plants obtained by the transformation method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides chimeric genes that comprise a first promoter recognized by a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase different from a eukaryotic RNA polymerase II; a DNA region encoding a chimeric RNA which comprises a 5' UTR, an AU-rich heterologous coding sequence, a 3' UTR; and optionally a terminator sequence recognized by said RNA polymerase, wherein the first promoter and the DNA region encoding the chimeric RNA are operably linked such that upon transcription by the RNA polymerase an uncapped RNA species is produced which comprises a first translation enhancing sequence derived from the 5' region of genomic or subgenomic RNA of a positive stranded RNA plant virus; a heterologous RNA coding sequence encoding a polypeptide or protein of interest, preferably from an AT-rich gene; and a second translation enhancing sequence derived from the 3' region of genomic or subgenomic RNA of a positive-stranded RNA plant virus, wherein the uncapped RNA species is capable of being translated in the cytoplasm of

Abstract: Transgenic plants that have, stably integrated into their nuclear genome, a maintainer gene comprising a fertility-restorer gene and a pollen-lethality gene. The plants can be used to maintain a homogenous population of male-sterile plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to modified Bacillus thurigiensis genes with improved expression in plant cells, their preparation and uses. The invention relates more particularly to DNA fragments encoding all or part of a Bt insecticidal crystal protein, modified by translationally neutral modification(s) in cryptic promoter(s) and/or abortive intron(s). The invention also discloses method of preparing such modified DNAs, and methods of protecting plants from an insect pest.

Abstract: Plants made resistant to insects by transforming their nuclear genome with two or more DNA sequences, each encoding a different non-competitively binding B. thuringiensis protoxin or insecticidal part thereof, preferably the toxin thereof.

Abstract: Four novel Bacillus thurungienisis strains which are deposited at the BCCM-LMG under accesion nos. LMG P-12592, LMG P-12593, LMG P-12594, and LMG P-13493, produce new crystal proteins during sporulation that are toxic to Lepidoptera, more particularly against Noctuidae such as Spodoptera spp. and Agrotis ipsilon, against Pyralidae such as Ostrinia nubilalis, and against Yponomeutidae such as Plutella xylostella, and that are encoded by a novel gene. The crystal proteins contain protoxins, which can yield a toxin as trypsin-digestion product. A plant, the genome of which is transformed with a DNA sequence that comes from either one of the strains and that encodes its respective toxin, is resistant to Lepidoptera. Each strain, itself, or its crystals, crystals proteins, protoxin or toxin can be used as the active ingredient in an insecticidal composition for combatting Lepidoptera.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method to maintain male sterility in corn by the genetic linkage via genetic engineering of a homozygous male-fertility gene with a color linked restorer and plant comprising said genes. Color genes disclosed as useful in this invention include those involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis, which in corn are under the control of as many as 20 or more genes. In particular, the use of the anthocyanin color genes R, B and C1, and specific regulatory elements sequences are taught.

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, in a region having transcriptional activity less than 25% of the transcriptional activity of a region at the translation initiation site.

Abstract: Plants made resistant to insects by transforming their nuclear genome with two or more DNA sequences, each encoding a different non-competitively binding B. thuringiensis protoxin or insecticidal part thereof, preferably the toxin thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transformed plants and plant cells comprising DNA molecules encoding Bacillus thuringiensis proteins with insecticidal activity. The invention relates more particularly to transformed plants and plant cells comprising DNA molecules encoding the protease resistant toxins BTS02618Aa or BTS02618Ab, as well as to methods of rendering plants or plant cells resistant to insects using these DNA molecules.

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.