Abstract: A DNA encoding a phosphinothricin acetyltransferase protein obtained from Streptomyces sp. AB3534 strain is described which imparts a resistance to herbicides, particularly the herbicide phosphinothricin (PPT). Plants having a herbicide resistance are constructed by transforming a plant cell with DNA encoding the phosphinothricin acetyltransferase protein and then regenerating the transformed plant cell into a plant. A recombinant protein having the herbicide-resistant activity is also described.

Abstract: To provide a novel herbicide-resistance gene and a plant imparted a resistance to herbicides by using this gene, a plant having a resistance to herbicides is constructed by transforming a plant cell by a DNA encoding the following protein (A) or (B) and then regenerating the thus transformed plant cell in a plant. (A) A protein having the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2. (B) A protein having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 including substitution, deletion, insertion or addition of one or plural amino acids and having a herbicide-resistant activity.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of kasugamycin or its salt is either mixed with a strongly acidic ion-exchange resin of the H.sup.+ -form in a reaction vessel, or is brought into contact with a strongly acidic ion-exchange resin of the H.sup.+ -form in a column containing said resin, followed by heating said aqueous solution and the resin under an atmospheric pressure or an elevated pressure, thereby to effect hydrolytic reaction of kasugamycin. By this reaction, an acidic reaction solution containing D-chiro-inositol is produced. This acidic reaction solution containing D-chiro-inositol is separated from the strongly acidic ion-exchange resin. Subsequently, D-chiro-inositol is recovered from the reaction solution. For this recovery, the acidic reaction solution is passed successively through a column of a strongly acidic ion-exchange resin of the H.sup.+ -form and through a column of a strongly basic ion exchange resin of the OH.sup.- -form, so that a neutral aqueous eluate containing D-chiro-inositol is obtained.