Abstract: Antimicrobial proteins are isolated from seeds of Impatiens, and show a wide range of antifungal activity and some antibacterial activity. DNA encoding the proteins is isolated and incorporated into vectors. Plants transformed with this DNA are produced. The invention further provides a method of expressing polyproteins in transgenic plants using DNA constructs based on the structure of the gene encoding the Impatiens antimicrobial proteins.

Abstract: The invention provides a modified tubulin comprising a tubulin polypeptide which confers resistance to an anti-tubulin agent when expressed within a biological organism, said polypeptide having at least one amino acid substitution such that hydrophobicity is increased at one or more positions in the polypeptide. DNA sequences encoding such modified tubulins may be used to confer resistance on organisms which otherwise would be susceptible to one or more anti-tubulin agents. For example, a plant which is resistant to a herbicide that disrupts microtubule structure or function may be produced.

Abstract: Antimicrobial proteins capable of isolation from seeds of Aralia or Impatiens show a wide range of antifungal activity and some antibacterial activity. DNA encoding the proteins may be isolated and incorporated into vectors. Plants transformed with this DNA may be produced. The proteins find commerical application as antifungal or antibacterial agents; transformed plants will show increased disease-resistance. The invention further provides a method of expressing polyproteins in transgenic plants using DNA constructs based on the structure of the gene encoding the Impatiens antimicrobial proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to the clone pTOM36, comprising a gene encoding an enzyme involved in ripening related processes in tomato. Also described are DNA constructs comprising pTOM36 and a transcriptional intiation region operative in plants such that pTOM36 RNA is generated in plant cells, and tomato cells transformed with the DNA constructs.