Abstract: The present invention is directed to isolated non-coding nucleotide sequences useful as promoters for heterologous gene expression in plants. The present invention is also directed to vectors and plant cells comprising the isolated nucleotide sequences.AHAS promoters from maize are used to express introduced genes at high levels and in various plant tissues. Promoters from the als1 and als2 genes of maize are cloned and sequenced, and the promoter regions from these genes are then introduced into a plasmid 5' to the reporter gene beta-glucuronidase (GUS). Both promoter fragments are from the XI12 maize line. The als1 promoter fragment is approximately 1400 base pairs long, whereas the als2 promoter fragment contains 829 base pairs.

Abstract: The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA) granule-associated M.sub.r 15,500 protein of Rhodococcus ruber, which is referred to as the GA14-protein, was analysed. The sequence revealed that the corresponding structural gene is represented by the open reading frame 3 encoding a protein with a calculated M.sub.r 14,175 which was recently localized downstream of the PHA synthase gene (Pieper, U., and A. Steinbuchel, 1992. FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 96: 73-80). A recombinant strain of Escherichia coli XL1-Blue carrying the hybrid plasmid (pSKXA10*) with ORF3 overexpressed the GA14-protein. The GA14-protein was subsequently purified in a three-step procedure including chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel, Phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B and Superose 12. Determination of the molecular weight by gel filtration as well as electron microscopic studies make a tetrameric structure of the recombinant, native GA14-protein most likely.

Abstract: A method of inducibly enhancing the constitutive expression of a DNA sequence of interest is described in which plant cells are transformed with a DNA sequence of interest that is operably joined to a plant ubiquitin regulatory region comprised of a heat shock element, a promoter, a transcription start site, an intron and a translation start site, When monocot or dicot plant cells are subjected to permissive heat shock temperatures, the level of expression of the DNA sequence of interest is enhanced.

Abstract: A full-length transcript promoter from figwort mosaic virus (FMV) is identified and its DNA sequence given. The promoter functions as a strong and uniform promoter for chimeric genes inserted into plant cells. This strong promoter function is exhibited by a histochemical assay in floral buds and by reproductive scores of transgenic plants including the promoter. The promoter preferably includes a 5' leader sequence that may be from the FMV itself or from a heterologous source with respect to the promoter. The promoter is used in a plant cassette vector, a chimeric gene and in methods for transforming plant cells to obtain transgenic plants, plant cells or seeds incorporating the FMV promoter.

Abstract: Z domain variants of staphylococcal protein A have significantly reduced size but possess IgG-binding affinity equivalent to the wild type Z domain. These Z domain variants are suitable for use in affinity chromatography purification of proteins and in the treatment of staphylococcic diseases.

Abstract: This invention provides novel gene constructs which enhance the efficiency of plant cells and cells of other photosynthetic organisms. Also provided are transgenic plants and seeds which overexpress proteins. Methods to elevate the amount of plastid proteins in plants and photosynthetic organisms are exemplified.

Abstract: Nematode-resistant transgenic plants are disclosed. The plants comprise plant cells containing a DNA construct comprising a transcription cassette, which construct comprises, in the 5' to 3' direction, a promoter operable in the plant cells, and a DNA comprising at least a portion of a DNA sequence encoding a nematode-inducible transmembrane pore protein in either the sense or antisense orientation. Intermediates for producing the same along with methods of making and using the same are also disclosed. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the sense or antisense DNA is replaced with a DNA encoding an enzymatic RNA molecule directed against the mRNA transcript of a DNA sequence encoding a nematode-inducible transmembrane pore protein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cell culture wherein cultured cells adhere and divide, in a monolayer, on an optically transparent planar electrode in the culture vessel. An electric current is applied between the planar electrode and a counter electrode so as to create an electric field between the electrodes which influences the characteristics of the cells growing thereon. In a preferred embodiment the planar electrode may be an optically transparent conducting layer coated onto the culture vessel bottom or the culture vessel may be made of an optically transparent electrically conducting material. The apparatus is particularly useful for the introduction of different biologically important molecules into cells or for cell fusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the coat protein genes of Papaya Ringspot Virus Strain papaya ringspot (PRV-p), Watermelon Mosaic Virus II (WMVII), and Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus (ZYMV); to expression vectors which contain a coat protein gene for PVP-p, WMVII or ZYMV, and, additionally, the necessary genetic regulatory sequences needed for expression of a gene transferred into a plant; to bacterial or plant cells which are transformed with an expression vector containing the PVP-p, WMVII or ZYMV coat protein genes; to transgenic plants which are produced from plant cells transformed with an expression vector containing the coat protein gene from PVP-p, WMVII or ZYMV; and to a process of producing transgenic plants which have increased resistance to viral infection.

Abstract: This invention relates to isolated nucleic acid fragments encoding all or a substantial portion of a corn 4-.alpha.-glucanotransferase. The invention also relates to the construction of chimeric genes encoding all or a portion of a corn 4-.alpha.-glucanotransferase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of corn 4-.alpha.-glucanotransferase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved transformation and regeneration of alfalfa, Medicago sativa.A method is used to transform alfalfa by using particle acceleration. Optimum results with mature cotyledons occurs when bombarding after 24 to 120 hours of imbibing water. Regeneration and transformation of alfalfa is greatly improved by using immature cotyledons or embryos of immature cotyledons for transformation and regeneration. Immature cotyledons include those up to about 25 days past pollination, and preferably include cotyledons excised at 10-15 days past pollination, most preferably including those excised at about 10 days past pollination. These cotyledons have a light green to translucent appearance. Plants resulting from bombardment of somatic embryos of immature cotyledons retain regeneration ability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a transgenic plant in which a transforming agent such as a recombinant Agrobacterium or an isolated DNA molecule capable of conferring a desired phenotypic trait is injected into plant tissues using a needleless injection device. A preferred embodiment of the method provides the precise delivery of the transforming agent to floral tissues of a plant, allowing the direct insertion of the DNA of the transforming agent into germline cells of the plant that develop into seeds. This embodiment provides a more efficient method of transformation and subsequent regeneration of a transgenic plant.

Abstract: Conventional I. wallerana bicolor petal patterns, such as the "star" and "picotee" patterns are polygenic in nature. Consequently, the color patterns are often lost or diluted when merged with other desirable polygenic traits. The novel stardust pattern, however, exhibits an exceptionally high degree of stability from flower to flower, and appears to be controlled by a single recessive gene. This simple inheritance allows the production of I. wallerana plants having the stardust trait with a variety of additional desirable characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed is substantially pure DNA encoding an Arabidopsis thaliana Rps2 polypeptide; substantially pure Rps2 polypeptide; and methods of using such DNA to express the Rps2 polypeptide in plant cells and whole plants to provide, in transgenic plants, disease resistance to pathogens. Also disclosed are conserved regions characteristic of the RPS family and primers and probes for the identification and isolation of additional RPS disease-resistance genes.

Abstract: A cDNA molecule encoding for a particular 33 kD cysteine proteinase derived from maize is provided. When expressed in a plant, particularly corn or cotton, the protein provides insect resistance to the plant, and when expressed in the anther, the 33 kD cysteine proteinase provides sterility in the male of the plant species. The cDNA molecule can also be used as a probe to isolate suitable promoters for regulating expression of a 33 kD cysteine proteinase in callus or to provide a transformed baculovirus, which confers insect resistance upon a plant when the plant is infectted with the transformed baculovirus. Additionally, a DNA sequence of 264 base pairs in length is provided that provides enhanced enzymatic/catalytic activity in proteins expressed when the 264 base pair sequence is operably linked to a DNA molecule encoding for a cysteine proteinase.

Abstract: A plant in the Compositae family in which the Nr gene, for resistance to Nasonovia ribisnigri (a troublesome lettuce aphid) is present without any associated genetic information responsible for "Compact growth and Rapid Aging," or CRA, at least to the extent that the CRA phenotype is not expressed. The resistance gene preferably originates from L. virosa. The removal or change of the genetic information resulting in the CRA phenotype is caused by recombination event(s) in the vicinity of the gene. Plants are generally selected in which one or more recombination events have taken place, either in the same or in successive generations. Such recombination events may be accomplished either by meiotic crossing-over or by the use of molecular biology tools such as the AFLP technique known in the art.

Abstract: This invention relates to a triticale plant, seed, cultivar, and hybrid. More specifically, the invention relates to a triticale plant having mutant awn-inhibitor genes that result in an absence or reduction in length of awns. The invention also relates to crossing cultivars, inbreds, and hybrids containing the awn-inhibitor genes to produce novel types, cultivars, and hybrids of completely awnless and short-awn triticale for agronomic purposes.

Abstract: A vector for introducing a desired gene into a planet, which comprises the desired gene and at least one morphological abnormally induction (MAI) gene as a marker gene, or which comprises the desired gene, at least one MAI gene and a removable element. A method for producing a transgenic plant free from the influence of a marker gene. A method for multitudinously introducing desired genes into one plant.

Abstract: A selectable marker, the ASA2 gene of Nicotiana tabacum, is provided for transforming plant cells. The ASA2 promoter sequence is also provided which is capable of directing tissue culture specific transcription of a downstream structural gene. Also disclosed are truncated forms of the ASA2 promoter which are capable of directing high level constitutive transcription of downstream structural genes. Constructs containing the above genes and promoters are also disclosed.