Abstract: Two new Bacillus thuringiensis strains, which are deposited at the DSM under accession numbers 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 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 combatting Coleoptera.

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: A plant, the nuclear genome of which is transformed with a foreign DNA sequence encoding a product which selectively disrupts the metabolism, functioning and/or development of cells of the flowers, particularly one or more of their female organs, or the seeds or the embryos of the plant. The foreign DNA sequence also optionally encodes a marker.

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: 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: 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 homogeneous population of male-sterile plants.

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: Two new Bacillus thuringiensis strains, which are deposited at the DSM under accession numbers 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 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 combatting Coleoptera.

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: A chimaeric DNA sequence comprising:a) a nucleic acid sequence coding for a chimaeric protein or polypeptide comprising in sequence:1) a transit peptide of a cytoplasmatic precursor of a chloroplast protein or polypeptide of a plant species, and,2) a protein or polypeptide of interest which is different from a mature chloroplast protein or polypeptide contained in a natural cytoplasmatic precursor thereof, and,b) a promoter upstream of the nucleic acid sequence recognized by polymerases endogenous to a plant, whereby the chimaeric DNA sequence can be expressed in cells of the plant under the control of the promoter and the protein or polypeptide of interest can be translocated in the chloroplasts of the cells of the plant.

Abstract: A process for the stable integration of a DNA comprising a gene that is functional in a cell of a cereal plant wherein the DNA is integrated into the nuclear genome of a cereal plant, the process comprising:(a) providing a compact embryogenic callus of the cereal plant,(b) wounding the compact embryogenic callus by cutting the callus into pieces or treating the 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 the DNA into the nuclear genome of a cell in the compact embryogenic callus by means of electroporation to generate a transformed cell, and(c) regenerating a transformed cereal plant from the transformed cell.

Abstract: Two new Bacillus thuringiensis strains, which are deposited at the DSM under accession nos. 5131 and 5132, produce crystal proteins during sporulation that are toxic to Coleoptera. The crystal proteins contain 74 kDa and 129 kDa protoxins, respectively, which can yield 68 and 66 kDa toxins, respectively, 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 codes for its respective toxin, is resistant to Coleoptera. Each strain, itself, or its crystals, crystal proteins, protoxin or toxin can be used as the active ingredient in an insecticidal composition for combatting Coleoptera.

Abstract: A process for genetically transforming the nuclear genome of a cell of a rice plant, comprising the steps of: providing without any enzymatic pretreatment or mechanical cell wall removal a culture of aggregated suspension cells which are preplasmolyzed in a hypertonic buffer, transforming said cells by electroporating and optionally regenerating a transformed plant.

Abstract: New modified Cry proteins, particularly modified CryIIIA proteins, having significantly altered toxicity, and DNA sequences encoding these proteins, are designed. Analysis of solvent-accessible amino acid positions in domain II of the CryIIIA protein by alanine-scanning mutagenesis identified individual amino acids involved in corn rootworm toxicity. Random replacement of these amino acids identifies modified proteins with improved toxicity. A combination of all or most thus identified improved amino acids in a single protein yields modified CryIIIA proteins with significantly improved toxicity. Particularly regions protruding from the Cry molecule and located at the apex of the Cry proteins, were identified as involved in toxicity.

Abstract: Promoters from endogenous genes of plants are isolated, wherein said promoters direct gene expression selectively in stamen cells of said plant, particularly in tapetum cells of said plant. The promoters may be used to transform a plant with a foreign DNA sequence encoding a product which selectively disrupts the metabolism, functioning, and/or development of stamen cells of the plant.

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: 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.