Abstract: The present invention describes an approach to increase taurine or hypotaurine production in prokaryotes. More particularly, the invention relates to genetic transformation of organisms with genes that encode proteins that catalyze the conversion of cysteine to taurine, methionine to taurine, cysteamine to taurine, or alanine to taurine. The invention describes methods for the use of polynucleotides that encode cysteine dioxygenase (CDO) and sulfinoalanine decarboxylase (SAD) polypeptides in prokaryotes to increase taurine, hypotaurine or taurine precursor production. The preferred embodiment of the invention is in plants but other organisms may be used. Increased taurine production in prokaryotes could be used as nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, or therapeutic compounds or as a supplement in animal feed.

Abstract: The present invention describes an approach to increase taurine or hypotaurine production in prokaryotes. More particularly, the invention relates to genetic transformation of organisms with genes that encode proteins that catalyze the conversion of cysteine to taurine, methionine to taurine, cysteamine to taurine, or alanine to taurine. The invention describes methods for the use of polynucleotides that encode cysteine dioxygenase (CDO) and sulfinoalanine decarboxylase (SAD) polypeptides in prokaryotes to increase taurine, hypotaurine or taurine precursor production. The preferred embodiment of the invention is in plants but other organisms may be used. Increased taurine production in prokaryotes could be used as nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, or therapeutic compounds or as a supplement in animal feed.

Abstract: The present invention describes an approach to increase taurine or hypotaurine production in prokaryotes. More particularly, the invention relates to genetic transformation of organisms with genes that encode proteins that catalyze the conversion of cysteine to taurine, methionine to taurine, cysteamine to taurine, or alanine to taurine. The invention describes methods for the use of polynucleotides that encode cysteine dioxygenase (CDO) and sulfinoalanine decarboxylase (SAD) polypeptides in prokaryotes to increase taurine, hypotaurine or taurine precursor production. The preferred embodiment of the invention is in plants but other organisms may be used. Increased taurine production in prokaryotes could be used as nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, or therapeutic compounds or as a supplement in animal feed.

Abstract: The present invention describes an approach to increase taurine or hypotaurine production in prokaryotes. More particularly, the invention relates to genetic transformation of organisms with genes that encode proteins that catalyze the conversion of cysteine to taurine, methionine to taurine, cysteamine to taurine, or alanine to taurine. The invention describes methods for the use of polynucleotides that encode cysteine dioxygenase (CDO) and sulfinoalanine decarboxylase (SAD) polypeptides in prokaryotes to increase taurine, hypotaurine or taurine precursor production. The preferred embodiment of the invention is in plants but other organisms may be used. Increased taurine production in prokaryotes could be used as nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, or therapeutic compounds or as a supplement in animal feed.

Abstract: The present invention describes an approach to increase taurine or hypotaurine production in prokaryotes. More particularly, the invention relates to genetic transformation of organisms with genes that encode proteins that catalyze the conversion of cysteine to taurine, methionine to taurine, cysteamine to taurine, or alanine to taurine. The invention describes methods for the use of polynucleotides that encode cysteine dioxygenase (CDO) and sulfinoalanine decarboxylase (SAD) polypeptides in prokaryotes to increase taurine, hypotaurine or taurine precursor production. The preferred embodiment of the invention is in plants but other organisms may be used. Increased taurine production in prokaryotes could be used as nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, or therapeutic compounds or as a supplement in animal feed.

Abstract: The present invention describes an approach to increase taurine or hypotaurine production in prokaryotes or eukaryotes. More particularly, the invention relates to genetic transformation of organisms with genes that encode proteins that catalyze the conversion of cysteine to taurine, methionine to taurine, cysteamine to taurine, or alanine to taurine. The invention describes methods for the use of polynucleotides that encode functional cysteine dioxygenase (CDO), cysteine dioxygenase (CDO) and sulfinoalanine decarboxylase (SAD) or glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), cysteamine dioxygenase (ADO), taurine-pyruvate aminotransferase (TPAT), TPAT and sulfoacetaldehyde acetyltransferase (SA), taurine dioxygenase (TDO) or the small (ssTDeHase) and large subunits of taurine dehydrogenase (lsTDeHase) polypeptides in plants to increase taurine, hypotaurine or taurine precursor production. The preferred embodiment of the invention is in plants but other organisms may be used.

Abstract: The present invention describes an approach to increase taurine or hypotaurine production in prokaryotes or eukaryotes. More particularly, the invention relates to genetic transformation of organisms with genes that encode proteins that catalyze the conversion of cysteine to taurine, methionine to taurine, cysteamine to taurine, or alanine to taurine. The invention describes methods for the use of polynucleotides that encode functional cysteine dioxygenase (CDO), cysteine dioxygenase (CDO) and sulfinoalanine decarboxylase (SAD) or glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), cysteamine dioxygenase (ADO), taurine-pyruvate aminotransferase (TPAT), TPAT and sulfoacetaldehyde acetyltransferase (SA), taurine dioxygenase (TDO) or the small (ssTDeHase) and large subunits of taurine dehydrogenase (lsTDeHase) polypeptides in plants to increase taurine, hypotaurine or taurine precursor production. The preferred embodiment of the invention is in plants but other organisms may be used.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for mitigating the effects of plant stress. Plant stress mitigating compounds and compositions comprising gamma aminobutyric acid and glutamic acid are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for regulating plant GABA production. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of polynucleotides that encode functional plant GAD enzymes for enhancing a plant's ability to produce. In various aspects, the invention provides methods of treating plants, vectors and other nucleic acid molecules useful for the treatments, and transformed plants better able to tolerate environmental or other plant stress.

Abstract: Methods for increasing the resistance of a plant to the effects of plant stress utilizing glycolic acid, a salt thereof, or a mixture thereof, are described. Methods for stimulating plant growth utilizing an ammonium salt of glycolic acid are also described. Further described are methods for stimulating microbial growth utilizing selected amounts of glycolic acid, a salt thereof, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Compositions including glutamic acid and either glycolic acid or polyglycolic acid, salts of these compounds or combinations thereof are described as are such compositions that include a calcium salt, preferably calcium nitrate. Methods of treating a plant including treating the plant or seed with a composition including glutamic acid and either glycolic acid or polyglycolic acid, salts of the aforementioned compounds or combinations thereof, and optionally a calcium salt, are also described. The methods and compositions of the present invention are advantageous in increasing plant productivity, including helping plants resist the effects of a wide variety of plant stresses. Methods of stimulating microbial growth with the compositions of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions including glutamic acid and either glycolic acid or polyglycolic acid are described as are such compositions that include a calcium salt, preferably calcium nitrate. Methods of treating a plant including treating the plant or seed with a composition including glutamic acid and either glycolic acid or polyglycolic acid are also described. Methods of treating a plant including treating the plant or seed with a composition that includes glutamic acid, a calcium salt and either glycolic acid or polyglycolic acid are also described. The methods and compositions of the present invention are advantageous in increasing plant productivity, including helping plants resist environmental stresses.

Abstract: Methods for retarding plant growth are described. The methods include treating a plant with 2-aminobutyric acid or a salt thereof, 3-aminobutyric acid or a salt thereof, or a mixture thereof. The compounds may be combined with an additional active agent. The additional active agent may include, for example, a fertilizer, pesticide or an herbicide.

Abstract: The specification describes combinations of fertilizer with certain organic compounds to increase fertilizer efficiency, plant productivity, growth, and nutrient accumulation. These beneficial effects are accomplished using combinations of a fertilizer and an amino acid selected from .gamma.-aminobutyric acid, glutamic acid, and a mixture of .gamma.-aminobutyric acid and glutamic acid. A source of proteinaceous amino acids and a carbon skeleton may also be used with the fertilizer and the amino acid. The specification describes compositions and methods employing such combinations to take advantage of their beneficial effects.

Abstract: Seedling development is enhanced by applying to the seeds, for example corn and soybeans, a water-soluble, non-aromatic polyamino acid such as polyaspartic acid. Time to germination is decreased, and rate of seedling development is increased. The composition may be applied to the seeds with a liquid or solid carrier or in combination with other seed treatments, such as nutrients and pesticides.

Abstract: Water-soluble polyorganic acids having a molecular size of more than 1,500 Daltons enhance plant fertilizer uptake when supplied to the plant, usually in the root feeding zone or through foliar mechanisms. Particularly suitable for this purpose are the polyamino acids such as polyaspartic acid and copolymers thereof.

Abstract: Water-soluble poly(organic acids) having a molecular size of more than 1,500 Daltons enhance fertilizer uptake and promote plant growth. Particularly suitable for this purpose are the poly(amino acids) such as poly(aspartic acid) and copolymers thereof.

Abstract: A process for increasing the rate of plant growth. Plants are treated with one or more acids, which are condensation products of glycolic and/or L-lactic acid. These acids also increase the concentration of chlorophyll, increase the rate of new plant formation when plants are propagated by tissue culture, decrease the amount of added nutrients required for plant growth, and protect plants against the toxic effects of salts. Certain of the acids are useful for increasing the rate of root formation in the plant.

Abstract: Improved secondary metabolite production is achieved by culturing plant tissue and plant cells in a culture medium wherein the carbohydrates comprise a mixture of maltose and glucose.

Abstract: A process for increasing the rate of plant growth. Plants are treated with one or more acids, which are condensation products of glycolic and/or L-lactic acid. These acids also increase the concentration of chlorophyll, increase the rate of new plant formation when plants are propagated by tissue culture, decrease the amount of added nutrients required for plant growth, and protect plants against the toxic effects of salts. Certain of the acids are useful for increasing the rate of root formation in the plant.The questions raised in reexamination request Nos. 90/002,306, filed Mar. 26, 1991 and 90/003,035 filed Apr. 27, 1993, have been considered and the results thereof are reflected in this reissue patent which constitutes the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 307 as provided in 37 CFR 1.570(e).