Abstract: This invention seeks to provide means by which transgenic plants harbour within their genome a chimaeric gene which when expressed produces a protein having a cytotoxic effect. Cytotoxicity is achieved by way of a protein or part thereof capable of blocking cellular protein synthesis, such as a maize ribosome inactivating protein or part thereof. The chimaeric gene may comprise a promoter operably linked to a sequence encoding a protein capable of blocking cellular protein synthesis such that the promoter is inducible at and/or adjacent to a target site.

Abstract: Modified proteinase inhibitors having enhanced inhibition efficacy when compared to the naturally occurring counterparts. Also provided are polynucleotide molecules encoding the modified proteinase inhibitors, vectors and other recombinant nucleic acid constructs, transgenic cells, and transgenic organisms that comprise the polynucleotide molecules. Further disclosed are methods for producing the modified proteinase inhibitors, and methods and compositions for increasing the resistance of a cell or an organism to proteolytic damages, particularly the damages caused by a pest or a pathogen.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for improving resistance or tolerance of a plant to a pathogen, wherein the method comprises integrating a DNA molecule encoding a fusion protein comprising at least two anti-pathogenic proteins or protein domains joined by at least one linker peptide, wherein the first anti-pathogenic protein or protein domain comprises Oc-I&Dgr;D86 or Oc-I and the second anti-pathogenic protein or protein domain comprises CpTI.

Abstract: The invention relates to proteinase inhibitors and in particular cystatins which have been modified so as to enhance the effectiveness of synthetically manufactured counterparts. The modifications include either site-directed alterations in the structure of the protein and/or the production of hybrid molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to proteinase inhibitors and in particular cystatins which have been modified so as to enhance their effective or synthetically manufactured counterparts. The modification including either site-directed alterations in the structure of the protein and/or the production of hybrid molecules.

Abstract: A method for combating crop pests or animal parasites is provided by contacting them with a peptide which has a molecular weight of 12,000 Dalton or less, which is able to exert its effect after entry into the neurons of the crop pest or in the synaptic cleft and which is able to be taken up through retrograde neuronal transport starting from a sense organ.

Abstract: This invention seeks to provide means by which transgenic plants harbour within their genome a chimaeric gene which when expressed produces a protein having a cytotoxic effect. Cytotoxicity is achieved by way of a protein or part thereof capable of blocking cellular protein synthesis, such as a maize ribosome inactivating protein or part thereof. The chimaeric gene may comprise a promoter operably linked to a sequence encoding a protein capable of blocking cellular protein synthesis such that the promoter is inducible at and/or adjacent to a target site.

Abstract: This invention seeks to provide means by which a necrotic effect may be induced in specific cells of a plant. The plant is transformed with a chimaeric gene which encodes a pokeweed antiviral protein and a promoter which acts in response to a specific stimulus so as to facilitate expression of the pokeweed antiviral protein in specific cells of the plant.

Abstract: A method of controlling nematodes, the method includes the steps of identification of a gene induced within a successfully infected plant by nematode infection of said plant and modifying the gene to confer nematode resistance to the plant.