Abstract: The invention provides novel Ti-plasmid vectors for Agrobacterium-medicated plant cell transformation. Plamsids of the invention are constructed with a DNA sequence (ie., a negative selectable maker or a DNA sequence that inhibits DNA unwinding) flanking the T-DNA bordered gene of interest that reduces or eliminates the occurrence of transformants with vector read-through DNA sequence. The invention also provides methods of plant cell transformation utilizing these novel vectors.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated protein obtainable from a plant source which has antifungal activity, specifically anti-Phytophthora activity and/or anti-Pythium activity and a molecular weight of about 55-65 kDa as judged by SDS PAGE-electrophoresis, an isolated DNA sequence comprising an open reading frame capable of encoding a protein according to the invention, preferably characterized in that it comprises an open reading frame which is capable of encoding a protein depicted in SEQ ID NO. 16, SEQ ID NO. 57, SEQ ID NO. 70, SEQ ID NO. 72 or SEQ ID NO. 74 or muteins thereof, and DNA capable of hybridizing therewith under stringent conditions. The invention further comprises plants incorporating chimeric DNA capable of encoding a protein according to the invention, and wherein the protein is expressed. Also shown is the carbohydrate and preferably hexose oxidating activity of said protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated protein obtainable from a plant source which has antifungal activity, specifically anti-Phytophthora activity and/or anti-Pythium activity and a molecular weight of about 55-65 kDa as judged by SDS PAGE-electrophoresis, an isolated DNA sequence comprising an open reading frame capable of encoding a protein according to the invention, preferably characterized in that it comprises an open reading frame which is capable of encoding a protein depicted in SEQ ID NO. 16, SEQ ID NO. 57, SEQ ID NO. 70, SEQ ID NO. 72 or SEQ ID NO. 74 or muteins thereof, and DNA capable of hybridizing therewith under stringent conditions The invention further comprises plants incorporating chimeric DNA capable of encoding a protein according to the invention and wherein the protein is expressed. Also shown is the carbohydrate and preferably hexose oxidating activity of said protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated protein obtainable from a plant source which has anti-Phytophthora activity and a molecular weight of about 60±5 kDa as judged by SDS PAGE-electrophoresis, an isolated DNA sequence comprising an open reading frame capable of encoding a protein according to the invention, preferably characterized in that it comprises an open reading frame which is capable of encoding a protein as represented by amino acids 1 to 540 of SEQ ID NO: 6, or the precursor of said protein, and DNA capable of hybridising therewith under stringent conditions. The invention further comprises plants incorporating chimeric DNA capable of encoding a protein according to the invention, and wherein the protein is expressed. Also methods are provided for combatting fungi, especially Phytophthora infestans, using a protein or a host cell capable of producing the protein.

Abstract: Chimeric genes encoding antifungal chitin binding proteins (antifungal CBPs) with very low chitinase activity (10% or less than that of the class-I chitinases from tobacco). Also substantially pure DNA sequences encoding antifungal CBP are provided for the obtention of transgenic plants producing antifungal CBP. Plants expressing an antifungal CBP gene, optionally in combination with a plant expressible glucanase gene, show reduced susceptibility to fungi.

Abstract: There is provided a method for inhibiting growth and/or germination of a fungus, by contacting the fungus, or causing the fungus to be contacted with a composition including an effective amount of a pathogenesis-related protein occurring naturally in a plant. The protein has endochitinase activity, antifungal activity and a molecular weight of about 40 to 43 kDa as judged by Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide electrophoresis. There is also provided a composition for inhibiting growth and/or germination of a fungus. The composition includes a pathogenesis-related protein occurring naturally in a plant. The protein has endochitinase activity, antifungal activity and a molecular weight of about 40 to 43 kDa as judged by Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide electrophoresis. The composition also includes .beta.-1,3-glucanase in an amount sufficient to enhance the effectiveness of the composition in inhibiting the growth or germination of the fungus.