Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing carotenoid levels and carotenoid half-life in plants are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with nucleic acid sequences encoding enzymes associated with carotenoid biosynthesis and tocopherol and tocotrienols. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess increased beta-carotene levels and half-life. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest including plants, particularly sorghum.

Abstract: Compositions having polynucleotides encoding multiple translational stop signals in more than one reading frame are provided. The compositions include isolated polynucleotides, expression cassettes, and vectors, as well as host cells, prokaryotic organisms, and eukaryotic organisms comprising the polynucleotide(s). Methods include using the polynucleotides to stop translation of an mRNA into a protein, to produce a transformed cell and/or organism comprising the polynucleotide, and to identify transformed cells or organisms of a specific lineage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for producing corn plants and grain having increased oil content, increased oleic acid content of the oil, and increased digestibility over commodity corn grain. The resulting grain finds use in agricultural and industrial applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides LEC1 variants. The LEC1 variants comprise a LEC1 A domain, a LEC1 B domain and a LEC1 C domain, where the LEC1 B domain has at least one mutation and/or is chimeric with respect to the LEC1 A or C domain. The invention also includes methods of preparing such LEC1 variants, and methods of using such LEC1 variants to modulate the level or activity of LEC1 variants in a plant cell. Modulation of LEC1 activity or levels can be used for different purposes such as increasing transformation efficiency, stimulating growth of somatic embryos, improving the growth and recovery of transformants, inducing apomixes, increasing transformation frequency, enhancing tissue culture response and the like.

Abstract: Recombinant constructs useful for reducing the expression of endogenous mRNA and any substantially similar endogenous mRNA are disclosed. In particular, a recombinant construct comprising, inter alia, a suitable nucleic acid sequence and its reverse complement can be used to alter the expression of any homologous, endogenous RNA (i.e., the target RNA) which is in proximity to this suitable nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides LEC1 variants. The LEC1 variants comprise a LEC1 A domain, a LEC1 B domain and a LEC1 C domain, where the LEC1 B domain has at least one mutation and/or is chimeric with respect to the LEC1 A or C domain. The invention also includes methods of preparing such LEC 1 variants, and methods of using such LEC1 variants to modulate the level or activity of LEC1 variants in a plant cell. Modulation of LEC1 activity or levels can be used for different purposes such as increasing embryo oil concentration, oil content of a seed or altering oil phenotype in a plant.

Abstract: Recombinant constructs useful for reducing the expression of endogenous mRNA and any substantially similar endogenous mRNA are disclosed. In particular, a recombinant construct comprising, inter alia, a suitable nucleic acid sequence and its reverse complement can be used to alter the expression of any homologous, endogenous RNA (i.e., the target RNA) which is in proximity to this suitable nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: Compositions having polynucleotides encoding multiple translational stop signals in more than one reading frame are provided. The compositions include isolated polynucleotides, expression cassettes, and vectors, as well as host cells, prokaryotic organisms, and eukaryotic organisms comprising the polynucleotide(s). Methods include using the polynucleotides to stop translation of an mRNA into a protein, to produce a transformed cell and/or organism comprising the polynucleotide, and to identify transformed cells or organisms of a specific lineage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for producing a dominant high-amylopectin starch trait in cereal grain and methods for screening grain for genetic variation in hydrolysis and fermentation time.

Abstract: Recombinant constructs useful for reducing the expression of endogenous mRNA and any substantially similar endogenous mRNA are disclosed. In particular, a recombinant construct comprising, inter alia, a suitable nucleic acid sequence and its reverse complement can be used to alter the expression of any homologous, endogenous RNA (i.e., the target RNA) which is in proximity to this suitable nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the level of free L-lysine in a plant comprising: (a) introducing a foreign gene into the cells of a plant tissue source; and (b) expressing said foreign gene in said cells, wherein a first DNA sequence of said gene encodes dihydrodipicolinic acid synthase (DHDPS) which is substantially resistant to feedback inhibition by endogenously-produced free L-lysine.