Abstract: The invention is drawn to plant cell transformation with a nucleic acid construct comprising a prokaryotic ammonium-specific asparagine synthetase, type A, coding sequence, operably linked to a chloroplast transit peptide-encoding sequence, wherein said plant cells also contain a nucleic acid construct comprising a chloroplastic glutamine synthetase coding sequence in antisense orientation. Plant cells containing both nucleic acid constructs, and plants regenerated therefrom, exhibit improved growth characteristics.

Abstract: A process for the production of plants with improved growth characteristics by targeted expression of bacterial asparagines synthetase in the chloroplasts or plastids, and plants therefrom, are disclosed and claimed, together with intermediates therefor.

Abstract: A multifunctional RNA having self-processing activity, the preparation thereof and the use thereof Host cells can be transformed so that they express ribozyme RNA and antisense RNA which are connected with each other via a spacer. The RNA molecules can, for example, be complementary to a certain viral RNA. Plants which have been transformed with genes coding for RNA of this type show a significantly improved resistance to viruses.

Abstract: Virus genes, such as coat protein genes, which confer viral resistance or bring about a reduction in the signs of infection by the corresponding virus can be combined with herbicide-resistance genes, such as the phosphinothricin resistance gene, for the transformation of plants. A combination of a viral gene and a herbicide-resistance gene facilitates the selection of transgenic plants. In addition, in practical field cultivation, the vitality of the plants is increased by the virus tolerance, and an improved plant protection is possible due to the herbicide resistance gene.

Abstract: Deacetylase genes for the production of phosphinothricin or phosphinothricyl-alanyl-alanine, processes for their isolation, and their use.The invention relates to deacetylase genes, to processes for their isolation, and to their use, in particular for the production of transgenic plants using tissue-specific promoters. It is possible to prevent the development of certain parts in these plants in a targeted manner. With the aid of deacetylase genes, it is furthermore possible to identify and isolate tissue-specific promoters in transgenic plants.

Abstract: Deacetylase genes for the production of phosphinothricin or phosphinothricyl-alanyl-alanine, processes for their isolation, and their use.The invention relates to deacetylase genes, to processes for their isolation, and to their use, in particular for the production of transgenic plants using tissue-specific promoters. It is possible to prevent the development of certain parts in these plants in a targeted manner. With the aid of deacetylase genes, it is furthermore possible to identify and isolate tissue-specific promoters in transgenic plants.

Abstract: A multifunctional RNA having self-processing activity, the preparation thereof and the use thereof.Host cells can be transformed so that they express ribozyme RNA and antisense RNA which are connected with each other via a spacer. The RNA molecules can, for example, be complementary to a certain viral RNA. Plants which have been transformed with genes coding for RNA of this type show a significantly improved resistance to viruses.

Abstract: The invention relates to deacetylase genes, to processes for their isolation, and to their use, in particular for the production of transgenic plants using tissue-specific promoters. It is possible to prevent the development of certain parts in these plants in a targeted manner. With the aid of deacetylase genes, it is furthermore possible to identify and isolate tissue-specific promoters in transgenic plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to deacetylase genes, to processes for their isolation, and to their use, in particular for the production of transgenic plants using tissue-specific promoters. It is possible to prevent the development of certain parts in these plants in a targeted manner. With the aid of deacetylase genes, it is furthermore possible to identify and isolate tissue-specific promoters in transgenic plants.

Abstract: Expression of a multigene RNA having self-splicing activityAn RNA is expressed which can release two or more active genes by means of inserted ribozyme structures. The expression can be carried out in plants or other organisms.

Abstract: Polypeptides having a carboxamide carboxyl terminal end and a methionine residue, which is optionally bonded to a bacterial protein, on the amino end can be prepared by synthesis by genetic engineering methods of the corresponding polypeptide having at the C terminal end a glycine residue, and conversion of the latter enzymatically into the amino group of the desired carboxamide group. Peptides which have the aminoacid sequence of growth hormone releasing factor, part sequences thereof, or modifications of these peptides, are readily accessible by this means. The synthesis by genetic engineering methods is advantageously carried out via two gene fragments which are synthesized chemically from smaller, single-stranded structural units. The two gene fragments are then linked enzymatically to give the complete gene, which is incorporated into a suitable vector, amplified there, and the peptide is isolated directly or as a fused protein, and is converted enzymatically into the desired amide.

Abstract: Expression of a gene coding for human granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF) in bacteria results in CSF proteins which are biologically active. Modification of the natural or of a synthetic gene structure results in biologically active derivatives with a modified amino acid sequence.

Abstract: A chromophoric peptide is prepared of the formulaDIS--D--Ala-Pro-Rand salts thereof in which R represents Gly-OH, NH.sub.2 or Gly-R.sup.2 wherein R.sup.2 denotes a carboxyl protective group, and DIS denotes 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl. The enzyme, peptidylglycine-.alpha.-amidizing monooxygenase, is quantitatively detected by contacting a sample containing the enzyme with the peptide of the above formula when R denotes Gly--OH, separating a resultant peptide of the above formula when R denotes NH.sub.2 and determining the amount thereof quantitatively. When R is Gly--R.sup.2, the protective group R.sup.2 is removed to produce the peptide when R is Gly--OH. Advantages of the peptide are that C-terminal degradation caused by carboxypeptidases is rendered more difficult by the incorporation of proline, and the peptide contains a fluorescent group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of peptides of the general formulaArg--Lys--S--Val--Yin which S denotes glutamic acid or .alpha.-aminoadipic acid and Y denotes tyrosine or tryptophan or esters or amides thereof, which comprises subjecting tetrapeptides of the formulaZ--Arg(Z'.sub.2)--Lys(Z')--S--(Bzl)--Val--OHin which Z' represents a protective group of the benzyl type, to a condensation reaction with corresponding tyrosine esters or amides or tryptophan esters or amides and removing the protective groups by hydrogenation. The invention furthermore relates to tetrapeptides as intermediate products of this process.

Abstract: The invention relates to cyclopeptides of the formula I ##STR1## in which A denotes Lys, D-Lys, Arg or D-Arg, B denotes Lys, D-Lys, Arg or D-Arg, C denotes Asp, D-Asp, Glu or D-Glu, U denotes Val or D-Val and D denotes Tyr, D-Tyr, Trp, D-Trp, Phe or D-Phe, 1 to 4 of the radicals A, B, C, U and D being in the L-configuration and the remaining radicals being in the D-configuration, processes for their preparation, their use and peptidic precursors and processes for their preparation.

Abstract: The invention provides a nonapeptide of the formula IGlu-Asp-Ser-Ser-Ser-Thr-Gly-Trp-Asn-OH (I)a process for the preparation thereof and its use, furthermore intermediates for preparing a compound of the formula I.