Abstract: The present disclosure provides proteolytic enzymes, i.e., S53 family proteases, having increased thermostability, increased enzymatic activity, and/or increased substrate specificity and which can digest a variety of food proteins, thereby enhancing a food's protein bioavailability. The S53 family proteases have amino acid sequences that are at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1 and comprises at least one mutation in the amino acid sequence's 513-loop which corresponds to amino acids 513 to 517 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the at least one mutation is located at position 513, 514, 515, and/or 517.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the introduction and the regulated expression of genes in plants. Compositions include promoter constructs that provide a level of activity useful for the regulated expression of site-specific recombinases, while avoiding premature excision. Further provided are isolated polynucleotides encoding novel babyboom polypeptides, expression cassettes, and plants comprising the same. Methods for the introduction of genes into plants are provided, including methods for plastid transformation and methods for the transformation of tissues from mature seeds and leaves.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for Ochrobactrum-mediated transformation of plants are provided. Methods include but are not limited to using an Ochrobactrum strain to transfer a polynucleotide of interest to a plant cell. These include VirD2-dependent methods. Compositions include an Ochrobactrum strain, transfer DNAs, constructs and/or plasmids. These include Ochrobactrum strains having a plasmid comprising one or more virulence gene(s), border region, and/or origin of replication. Plant cells, tissues, plants, and seeds comprising a polynucleotide of interest produced by the methods are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the introduction and the regulated expression of genes in plants. Compositions include promoter constructs that provide a level of activity useful for the regulated expression of site-specific recombinases, while avoiding premature excision. Further provided are isolated polynucleotides encoding novel babyboom polypeptides, expression cassettes, and plants comprising the same. Methods for the introduction of genes into plants are provided, including methods for plastid transformation and methods for the transformation of tissues from mature seeds and leaves.

Abstract: The methods disclosed herein use a morphogenic gene or a repressor gene to provide a transgenic plant containing a single copy of a transgenic event wherein the morphogenic gene or the repressor gene does not integrate into the genome of the plant and the plant does not contain vector (plasmid) backbone.

Abstract: Compositions and methods comprising polynucleotides and polypeptides having glyphosate-N-acetyltransferase (GLYAT) activity are provided. In specific embodiments, the sequence has an improved property, such as, but not limited to, an improved specificity for glyphosate when compared to an appropriate control resulting in decreased off target acetylation of, e.g. an amino acid such as aspartate. Further provided are nucleic acid constructs, plants, plant cells, explants, seeds and grain having the GLYAT sequences. Various methods of employing the GLYAT sequences are provided. Such methods include methods for producing a glyphosate tolerant plant, plant cell, explant or seed and methods of controlling weeds in a field containing a crop employing the plants and/or seeds disclosed herein.

Abstract: Compositions and methods comprising polynucleotides and polypeptides having glyphosate-N-acetyltransferase (GLYAT) activity are provided. In specific embodiments, the sequence has an improved property, such as, but not limited to, an improved specificity for glyphosate when compared to an appropriate control resulting in decreased off target acetylation of, e.g. an amino acid such as aspartate. Further provided are nucleic acid constructs, plants, plant cells, explants, seeds and grain having the GLYAT sequences. Various methods of employing the GLYAT sequences are provided. Such methods include methods for producing a glyphosate tolerant plant, plant cell, explant or seed and methods of controlling weeds in a field containing a crop employing the plants and/or seeds disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for the vectors comprising vir genes. The present disclosure further provides a vector comprising: (a) an origin of replication for propagation and stable maintenance in Escherichia coli; (b) an origin of replication for propagation and stable maintenance in Agrobacterium spp.; (c) a selectable marker gene; and (d) Rhizobiaceae virulence genes virB1-B11 or r-virB1-B11, virC1-C2 or r-virC1-C2, virD1-D2 or r-virD1-D2, and virG or r-virG, or variants and derivatives thereof, wherein the vector comprising the virulence genes r-virB1-B11, r-virC1-C2, r-virD1-D2, and r-virG further comprises a r-galls virulence gene, or variants and derivatives thereof. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for Ochrobactrum-mediated transformation of plants are provided. Methods include but are not limited to using an Ochrobactrum strain to transfer a polynucleotide of interest to a plant cell. These include VirD2-dependent methods. Compositions include an Ochrobactrum strain, transfer DNAs, constructs and/or plasmids. These include Ochrobactrum strains having a plasmid comprising one or more virulence gene(s), border region, and/or origin of replication. Plant cells, tissues, plants, and seeds comprising a polynucleotide of interest produced by the methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which employ polypeptides having a SU-dependent stabilization domain, and nucleotide sequences encoding the same. Such SU-dependent stabilization domains can be employed a part of a fusion protein comprising a polypeptide of interest. The presence of the SU-dependent stabilization domain in such a fusion protein serves as a method of modulating the level of the protein of interest through the presence of or the absence of a SU ligand. Further provided are methods and compositions employing the SU-dependent stabilization domain in a SuR or revSuR. Such polypeptides can be employed in combination with a chemical-gene switch system to allow for a sophisticated level of transcriptional control.

Abstract: Compositions and methods comprising polynucleotides and polypeptides having glyphosate-N-acetyltransferase (GLYAT) activity are provided. In specific embodiments, the sequence has an improved property, such as, but not limited to, an improved specificity for glyphosate when compared to an appropriate control resulting in decreased off target acetylation of, e.g. an amino acid such as aspartate. Further provided are nucleic acid constructs, plants, plant cells, explants, seeds and grain having the GLYAT sequences. Various methods of employing the GLYAT sequences are provided. Such methods include methods for producing a glyphosate tolerant plant, plant cell, explant or seed and methods of controlling weeds in a field containing a crop employing the plants and/or seeds disclosed herein.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided which employ a chemical-gene switch which may comprise at least three components. The first component comprises a polynucleotide encoding a chemically-regulated transcriptional repressor; the second component comprises a repressible promoter operably linked to a polynucleotide of interest, and the third component comprises a gene silencing construct operably linked to a second repressible promoter, wherein the gene silencing construct encodes a silencing element that decreases the level of mRNA encoding the chemically-regulated transcriptional repressor. Expression of the polynucleotide of interest and the silencing construct is controlled by providing the appropriate chemical ligand. Transient induction from the chemical ligand leads to the production of the silencing element, and the destruction of the mRNA encoding the chemically-regulated transcriptional repressor.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to the use of sulfonylurea-responsive repressors are provided. Compositions include polypeptides that specifically bind to an operator, wherein the specific binding is regulated by a sulfonylurea compound. Compositions also include polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides as well as constructs, vectors, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and eukaryotic organisms including plants and seeds comprising the polynucleotide, and/or produced by the methods. Also provided are methods to provide a sulfonylurea-responsive repressor to a cell or organism, and to regulate expression of a polynucleotide of interest in a cell or organism, including a plant or plant cell.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to the use of sulfonylurea-responsive repressors are provided. Compositions include polypeptides that specifically bind to an operator, wherein the specific binding is regulated by a sulfonylurea compound. Compositions also include polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides as well as constructs, vectors, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and eukaryotic organisms including plants and seeds comprising the polynucleotide, and/or produced by the methods. Also provided are methods to provide a sulfonylurea-responsive repressor to a cell or organism, and to regulate expression of a polynucleotide of interest in a cell or organism, including a plant or plant cell.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to the use of sulfonylurea-responsive repressors are provided. Compositions include polypeptides that specifically bind to an operator, wherein the specific binding is regulated by a sulfonylurea compound. Compositions also include polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides as well as constructs, vectors, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and eukaryotic organisms including plants and seeds comprising the polynucleotide, and/or produced by the methods. Also provided are methods to provide a sulfonylurea-responsive repressor to a cell or organism, and to regulate expression of a polynucleotide of interest in a cell or organism, including a plant or plant cell.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to the use of sulfonylurea-mediated control of gene expression are provided. Compositions include sulfonylurea responsive chemical switches wherein the gene expression is regulated by a sulfonylurea compound. Compositions also include polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides as well as constructs, vectors, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and eukaryotic organisms including plants and seeds comprising the polynucleotide, and/or produced by the methods. Also provided are methods to regulate expression of a polynucleotide of interest in a cell or organism, and methods to modify a genome, including in a plant or plant cell.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the introduction and the regulated expression of genes in plants. Compositions include promoter constructs that provide a level of activity useful for the regulated expression of site-specific recombinases, while avoiding premature excision. Further provided are isolated polynucleotides encoding novel babyboom polypeptides, expression cassettes, and plants comprising the same. Methods for the introduction of genes into plants are provided, including methods for plastid transformation and methods for the transformation of tissues from mature seeds and leaves.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to the use of sulfonylurea-responsive repressors are provided. Compositions include polypeptides that specifically bind to an operator, wherein the specific binding is regulated by a sulfonylurea compound. Compositions also include polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides as well as constructs, vectors, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and eukaryotic organisms including plants and seeds comprising the polynucleotide, and/or produced by the methods. Also provided are methods to provide a sulfonylurea-responsive repressor to a cell or organism, and to regulate expression of a polynucleotide of interest in a cell or organism, including a plant or plant cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides insecticidal polypeptides related to shuffled Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1 polypeptides. Nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides of the invention are also provided. Methods for using the polypeptides and nucleic acids of the invention to enhance resistance of plants to insect predation are encompassed.

Abstract: The present invention provides insecticidal polypeptides related to shuffled Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1 polypeptides. Nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides of the invention are also provided. Methods for using the polypeptides and nucleic acids of the invention to enhance resistance of plants to insect predation are encompassed.