Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which employ a silencing element that, when ingested by a pest, such as a pest from the Lygus genus, they are capable of decreasing the expression of a target sequence in the pest. In specific embodiments, the decrease in expression of the target sequence controls the pest and thereby the methods and compositions are capable of limiting damage to a plant. The present invention provides various target polynucleotides from specific polypeptide families as disclosed herein, and further provides target polynucleotides set forth in SEQ ID NOS:1-21 or active variants thereof, wherein a decrease in expression of one or more the sequences in the target pest controls the pest (i.e., has insecticidal activity). Further provided are silencing elements which when ingested by the pest decrease the level of the target polypeptide and thereby control the pest. In specific embodiment, the pest is Lygus Hesperus.

Abstract: This invention relates to four chimeric genes, a first encoding lysine-insensitive aspartokinase (AK), which is operably linked to a plant chloroplast transit sequence, a second encoding lysine-insensitive dihydrodipicolinic acid synthase (DHDPS), which is operably linked to a plant chloroplast transit sequence, a third encoding a lysine-rich protein, and a fourth encoding a plant lysine ketoglutarate reductase, all operably linked to plant seed-specific regulatory sequences. Methods for their use to produce increased levels of lysine or threonine in the seeds of transformed plants are provided. Also provided are transformed plants wherein the seeds accumulate lysine or threonine to higher levels than untransformed plants.

Abstract: There is provided a novel nucleic acid fragment for the overexpression of a high methionine seed storage protein in plants. This nucleic acid fragment is capable of transforming plants, particularly crop plants, to overexpress a corn seed storage protein in seeds or leaves. The invention is of significant interest for the nutritional improvement of sulfur amino acid-poor plants, such as corn and soybean. There is also provided chimeric genes, host cells, plants, seeds and microorganisms containing the nucleic acid fragment as well as methods for obtaining the overexpression of the seed storage protein in microorganisms.

Abstract: This invention relates to four chimeric genes, a first encoding lysine-insensitive aspartokinase (AK), which is operably linked to a plant chloroplast transit sequence, a second encoding lysine-insensitive dihydrodipicolinic acid synthase (DHDPS), which is operably linked to a plant chloroplast transit sequence, a third encoding a lysine-rich protein, and a fourth encoding a plant lysine ketoglutarate reductase, all operably linked to plant seed-specific regulatory sequences. Methods for their use to produce increased levels of lysine or threornine in the seeds of transformed plants are provided. Also provided are transformed plants wherein the seeds accumulate lysine or threonine to higher levels than untransformed plants.