Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides with cis-aconitic decarboxylase activity, the cells transformed with such nucleotide sequences, preferably fungal or plant cells, and to methods wherein such transformed cells are use for the production of itaconic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to modifications of biosynthesis key enzymes leading to essential amino acid accumulation in cells. A recombinant or isolated nucleic acid, or functional fragment thereof, encoding an enzyme dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHPS), or functional fragment thereof, having been provided with a mutation leading to the replacement of at least one single amino acid residue with a cysteine residue.

Abstract: A chimeric double gene construct comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an enzyme having aspartate kinase (AK) activity and a nucleic acid sequence encoding an enzyme having dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHPS) activity is provided. This construct is capable of differential expression of the two genes resulting in an increased level of both lysine and threonine more than 5-fold the wild type level of each amino acid in a plant or parts thereof.

Abstract: A DNA fragment is disclosed having a nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO. 1 as shown in FIG. 4A or a homologous sequence having a similarity of at least 70% encoding 1-sucrose:sucrose fructosyltransferase. Another DNA fragment that is disclosed is a DNA fragment having a nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO. 3 as shown in FIG. 4B or a homologous sequence having a similarity of at least 70% encoding 1-fructan:fructan fructosyltransferase. This invention also discloses a recombinant DNA comprising one or more of said DNA fragments, or comprising said DNA fragment(s) in the inverted orientation. Transformed organisms showing a modified fructan profile can be produced using said fragments.

Abstract: The present invention provides male-sterile plants. The plants have a recombinant polynucleotide integrated into their genome, essentially comprising an inhibitory gene, which, upon proper expression in the anthers of the plant, is capable of inhibiting expression of one or more genes encoding an enzyme involved in the synthesis of chalcone, or one of its precursors.