Abstract: A feedback-regulated expression system comprising a nucleic acid construct comprising a first polynucleotide encoding an elicitin operably linked to a first plant promoter comprising at least one E. coli lac operator (LacO) located between the promoter TATA box and the translation initiation site of the first polynucleotide, wherein the first plant promoter is constitutive; and a second polynucleotide encoding an E. coli lac repressor (LacI) operably linked to a PR gene is described. the feedback-regulated expression system is used to generate transgenic plants that have enhanced resistance to plant pathogens.

Abstract: An isolated gene fragment that encodes for acetate kinase, which confers disease resistance in plants is disclosed. The gene can be cloned into an expression vector to produce a recombinant DNA expression system suitable for insertion into cells to form a transgenic plant transformed with the gene fragment. A method for conferring disease resistance in plants that consists of growing plant host cells transformed with the expression system and expressing the gene conferring disease resistance to impart such resistance to host cells is also disclosed.

Abstract: The use of an avr gene hrmA to induce systematic acquired resistance in plant cells, plant seeds, plant tissues and plants is disclosed. Also disclosed is the use of low level expression of promoters in combination with the hrmA gene to provide broad-spectrum pathogen resistance in plant cells, plant seeds, plant tissues and plants.

Abstract: Plants that accumulate the yeast polyadenylate binding protein (yPAB) display a range of abnormalities, including a characteristic chlorosis in leaves to a necrosis and pronounced inhibition of growth. The severity of these abnormalities reflects the levels of yeast PAB expression in the transgenic plants. In contrast, no obvious differences are seen in undifferentiated callus cultures that express the same range of yeast PAB. The expression of the yeast PAB1 gene in plants does not affect expression of the plant PAB gene family or alter poly(A) length in the total RNA population. It is proposed that the yeast PAB1 gene or its product interferes with as yet unidentified functions of PABs, which functions are manifest only in differentiated, developed plants. Surprisingly, transgenic plants expressing the yeast PAB1 gene are also observed to have a systemic acquired resistance (SAR) to bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens.