Abstract: The invention provides crystalline O-methyltransferases and isolated non-native O-methyltransferases as well as sets of their structural coordinates. Also provided are methods of predicting the activity or substrate specificity of putative O-methyltransferases, methods of identifying potential substrates of O-methyltransferases, and methods of identifying potential inhibitors of methyltranferases.

Abstract: The invention provides plant fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) coding sequences. Also provided are constructs comprising these sequences, plants transformed therewith and methods of use thereof. The invention allows the modification of plants for FAAH activity and N-Acylethanolamine levels. Such modification may be used to produce plants that are improved with respect to growth, seed germination, pathogen response and stress tolerance.

Abstract: The invention provides genes that activate wax biosynthesis in plants. Also provided are constructs comprising these sequences, plants transformed therewith and methods of use thereof. The invention allows the modification of plants for increased wax production, particularly in leaves. The inventors have demonstrated increased drought tolerance in connection with increased leaf wax production engineered in plants.

Abstract: The invention provides MtHP promoter sequences capable of functioning as a strong plant promoter. Compositions comprising these sequences described, as are transgenic cells transformed with such sequences. Further provided by the invention are methods for the expression of transgenes in plant and other cells comprising the use of these sequences. The sequences of the invention represent a valuable new tool for the creation of transgenic cells expressing one or more selected coding regions.

Abstract: Soybean and Medicago truncatula CYP93C genes have been isolated which encode a cytochrome P450 that can catalyze the aryl migration of a flavanone to yield an isoflavanone intermediate or an isoflavone. Plants can now be genetically engineered to produce isoflavones that provide potential human health benefits and increase disease resistance in plants. Isoflavones can now be produced in transgenic plants species in which isoflavones do not naturally occur, i.e., in species other than legumes. Alternatively, introducing infection-inducible isoflavonoid biosynthesis into non-legumes qualitatively complements these plants phytoalexin defenses against microbial pathogens, whereas over-expression of the isoflavonoid pathway in legumes quantitatively increases this defense response. Finally, modifying the extend of production of isoflavonoids in legume roots positively impacts nodulation efficiency and therefore plant yield.

Abstract: The invention relates to producing resveratrol glucoside in edible legume plants by transforming with a transgene encoding resveratrol synthase operably linked to a constitutive promoter. The invention relates to products containing and methods of using transformed edible legume plants and edible material of the transformed legume plants as a foodstuff, a nutritional supplement, an animal feed supplement or a nutraceutical. The invention further relates to a method of increasing disease resistance in an edible legume plant by transforming with a transgene encoding resveratrol synthase operably linked to a constitutive promoter.

Abstract: Methods of genetically manipulating biologically active 4?-O-methylated isoflavonoids have been found based upon the regiospecifity of isoflavone 7-OMT in vivo. Upon transformation and expression of an isoflavonoid O-methyltransferase gene, up-regulation of IOMT in the transgenic plants can be used to increase the accumulation of 4?-O-methylated isoflavonoid phytolalexins, providing for increased disease resistance to the plant. Similar methods can be used to increase accumulation of 4?-O-methylated isoflavonoid nutraceuticals in plants. For down-regulation of IOMT in plants that naturally make 4?-O-isoflavonoid phytoalexins and 4?-O-methylated isoflavonoid nutraceuticals, IOMT gene sequences can be transformed in the antisense orientation.

Abstract: The invention provides method and compositions for the modulation of flavanone and/or isoflavone production in plants. The methods of the invention allow creation of plants having novel phenotypes. Increased expression of isoflavones in particular in plants may be used to increase the nutritional value of food plants for both human and animal consumption. The invention overcomes limitations of the prior art which prevented accumulation of high levels of isoflavones in plants.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the isolation of plant genes and their regulatory sequences involved in the biosynthesis of triterpene saponins. Also provided by the invention are genes involved in the biosynthesis of triterpenes, including squalene synthase, squalene epoxidase and &bgr;-amyrin synthase from Medicago truncatula. The identification of triterpene biosynthesis genes allows genetic modification of the content and composition of triterpene saponins in plants for crop improvement and the development of drugs, nutriceuticals and functional foods.

Abstract: A method for determining gene expression in transgenic plants is disclosed. This method includes providing expression vectors having the PAP1 or PAP2 gene linked to an expressed gene of interest. If the expression vector is activated, the PAP1 or PAP2 genes confer a purple pigmentation to the transgenic plant. Thus, plants that have been successfully transformed are easily identifiable by visual inspection.

Abstract: Nucleic acids are disclosed that encode fatty acid &bgr;-keto acyl synthases from plants. Such synthases are effective for producing very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA), e.g., C22 to C26, preferentially saturated but also monounsaturated. Also disclosed are polypeptides encoded by such nucleic acids. Transgenic plants expressing these polypeptides exhibit altered levels of VLCFA in one or more tissues, such as seeds of leaves.

Abstract: Nucleic acids are disclosed that encode fatty acid &bgr;-keto acyl synthases from plants. Such synthases are effective for producing very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA), e.g., C22 to C26, preferentially saturated but also monounsaturated. Also disclosed are polypeptides encoded by such nucleic acids. Transgenic plants expressing these polypeptides exhibit altered levels of VLCFA in one or more tissues, such as seeds or leaves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a promoter and associated control elements derived from the isoflavone reductase gene. The upstream activating region and portions thereof have been characterized as to their ability to control the transcription of operably linked foreign structural genes in legumes as well as in plants which lack the isoflavonoid pathway.

Abstract: An assay method for the detection of Factor XIII in plasma is disclosed in which a primary amine derivative of biotin such as preferably 5-(biotinamido) pentylamine is incubated with a glutamine substrate and activated Factor XIII (Factor XIIIa) to form a biotinylated product which may be measured by convention detection assays. In a preferred embodiment, the biotinylated product is bound to a well in a microtiter plate or other solid support and the product is measured by a colorimetric assay which may be read by an automated spectrophotometric plate reader.