Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that chorismate mutase and chorismate synthase are essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of chorismate mutase or chorismate synthase gene expression in plant seedlings results in severe chlorosis, reduced growth and developmental abnormalities. The inventors have proven that chorismate synthase and chorismate mutase can be used as targets for the identification of herbicides. Thus, the invention provides methods for the identification of chemicals that modulate chorismate synthase and chorismate mutase biochemical reactions. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides and for the inhibition of plant growth and development.

Abstract: Novel protein useful as a selectable marker resistant to the antibiotic nourseothricin and corresponding polynucleotides for insertion of genes and other genetic material into a variety of organisms, including plants are described.

Abstract: Novel protein useful as a selectable marker resistant to the antibiotic nourseothricin and corresponding polynucleotides for insertion of genes and other genetic material into a variety of organisms, including plants are described.

Abstract: A synthetic nucleotide sequence encodes the LexA DNA binding domain, the nucleotide sequence having been modified to bring the codon usage in conformity with the preferred codon usage of Arabidopsis thaliana. The preferred sequence of the gene is provided as SEQ ID NO: 1. DNA constructs, transformed host cells and transgenic plants comprising the synthetic nucleotide sequence are also provided.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Mg-chelatase is essential for the growth of Arabidopsis. Specifically, the inhibition of Mg-chelatase CHL H gene expression in Arabidopsis seedlings results in varying levels of chlorosis (yellowing), significantly reduced growth and developmental abnormalities. Thus, Arabidopsis Mg-chelatase can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that modulate Arabidopsis Mg-chelatase expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with a Arabidopsis Mg-chelatase, or a subunit thereof, and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said Mg-chelatase, or detecting a change in Mg-chelatase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides and other compounds that can modulate plant growth and development.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that chorismate mutase and chorismate synthase are essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of chorismate mutase or chorismate synthase gene expression in plant seedlings results in severe chlorosis, reduced growth and developmental abnormalities. Thus, in one aspect the invention provides compositions for the modulation of plant growth or development comprising chorismate synthase and chorismate mutase antisense and sense polynucleotides, dsRNA and ribozymes, and related expression cassettes and vectors. The compositions of the invention are particularly useful for the modulation and inhibition of plant growth. The invention further provides plants, plant cells, and seeds containing the polynucleotides of the invention.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and compositions for the determination of deoxyxylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXPS) activity. The methods and compositions of the invention are amenable to high throughput screening assays for the identification of inhibitors and enhancers of DXPS activity. Such compounds have use in the modulation of plant and microbial growth. The compositions of the invention are DXPS fragments and chimeric polypeptides that have increased solubility as compared to the wild type DXPS polypeptide. These DXPS fragments and chimeric polypeptides, or variants thereof, can be recombinantly expressed and purified in quantities suitable for high throughput screening assays. The assays of the invention are based on the detection of substrates of DXPS that remain after a DXPS reaction.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that chorismate mutase and chorismate synthase are essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of chorismate mutase or chorismate synthase gene expression in plant seedlings results in severe chlorosis, reduced growth and developmental abnormalities. Thus, in one aspect the invention provides compositions for the modulation of plant growth or development comprising chorismate synthase and chorismate mutase antisense and sense polynucleotides, dsRNA and ribozymes, and related expression cassettes and vectors. The compositions of the invention are particularly useful for the modulation and inhibition of plant growth. The invention further provides plants, plant cells, and seeds containing the polynucleotides of the invention. The inventors have proven that chorismate synthase and chorismate mutase can be used as targets for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition PPDK gene expression in plant seedlings results in significant developmental abnormalities, including abnormal cotyledon development, abnormal or aborted primary leaf development and significantly reduced growth. Thus, PPDK can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit PPDK expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with a PPDK and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said a PPDK, or detecting a decrease in PPDK expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: A synthetic nucleotide sequence encodes the LexA DNA binding domain, the nucleotide sequence having been modified to bring the codon usage in conformity with the preferred codon usage of Arabidopsis thaliana. The preferred sequence of the gene is provided as SEQ ID NO:1. DNA constructs, transformed host cells and transgenic plants comprising the synthetic nucleotide sequence are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to DNA which encodes Arabidopsis 1-eoxy-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase and to a method of identifying modulators of the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase and 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to plants, seeds and DNA constructs containing DNA that is either SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, or SEQ ID NO: 9, or the complementary or double stranded sequence thereof, as well as a method for their preparation.

Abstract: A method for preparing transgenic plants and seeds is claimed. The method is particularly useful for high-throughput transformation of plants, such as Arabidopsis thaliana, using many different types of DNA sequences of interest.

Abstract: This invention relates to plants, seeds and DNA constructs containing DNA that is either SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, or SEQ ID NO:20, or the complementary or double stranded sequence thereof, as well as a method for their preparation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and compositions for the determination of deoxyxylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXPS) activity. The methods and compositions of the invention are amenable to high-throughput screening assays for the identification of inhibitors and enhancers of DXPS activity. Such compounds have use in the modulation of plant and microbial growth. The compositions of the invention are DXPS fragments and chimeric polypeptides that have increased solubility as compared to the wild-type DXPS polypeptide. These DXPS fragments and chimeric polypeptides can be recombinantly expressed and purified in quantities suitable for high-throughput screening assays. The assays of the invention are based on the detection of substrates of DXPS that remain after a DXPS reaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to DNA which encodes Arabidopsis 1-deoxy-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase and to a method of identifying modulators of the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase and 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase activity.