Abstract: Methods for modulating levels of at least one organic sulfur compound in plants are provided. Also provided are plants and seeds produced by the methods. The methods comprise stably transforming a plant with a DNA construct encoding a cystathionine gamma synthase enzyme, a serine acetyl transferase enzyme and/or other sulfur assimilating enzymes capable of altering the level of at least one organic sulfur compound.

Abstract: Methods are provided for modulating seed oil content in plants. Specifically, the invention relates to methods of increasing seed oil content in plants by reducing or eliminating the expression of homeodomain glabara2 (HDGL2) in a plant of interest, or changing seed composition by increasing expression of HDGL2 in a plant. Seeds and plants produced by the present methods are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a modulated tocol content in a plant or plant part are provided. In specific embodiments, the compositions and methods of the invention modulate tocol content by modulating the level of a polypeptide having a LEC1-type B domain in combination with modulating the level of at least one other polypeptide involved in tocol biosynthesis. Plants, plant parts, grain, seed and oil having the modulated tocol level are also provided. Methods to enhance oxidative stress tolerance of a plant or plant part, increase shelf-life, enhance the nutritional value, and improve tissue quality are also provided.

Abstract: The preparation and use of nucleic acid fragments useful in altering the oil phenotype in plants are disclosed. Recombinant DNA construct incorporating such nucleic acid fragments and suitable regulatory sequences can be used to create transgenic plants having altered lipid profiles. Methods for altering the oil phenotype in plants using such nucleic acid fragments also are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for altering grain characteristics by introducing into plants, isolated nucleic acid molecules that can be used to produce transgenic plants characterized by altered number, type, or configuration of aleurone cells within the seed. Also provided are isolated nucleic acids that encode maize dek1 proteins, vectors capable of expressing such nucleic acid molecules, host cells containing such vectors, and polypeptides encoded by such nucleic acids.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a serine O-acetyltransferase. The invention also relates to the construction of a recombinant DNA construct encoding all or a portion of the serine O-acetyltransferase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the recombinant DNA construct results in production of altered levels of the serine O-acetyltransferase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a sucrose phosphate synthase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the sucrose phosphate synthase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the sucrose phosphate synthase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a sulfate assimilation protein. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the sulfate assimilation protein, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the sulfate assimilation protein in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The preparation and use of nucleic acid fragments useful in altering the oil phenotype in plants are disclosed. Chimeric construct incorporating such nucleic acid fragments and suitable regulatory sequences can be used to create transgenic plants having altered lipid profiles. Methods for altering the oil phenotype in plants using such nucleic acid fragments also are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for modulating levels of at least one organic sulfur compound in plants are provided. Also provided are plants and seeds produced by the methods. The methods comprise stably transforming a plant with a DNA construct encoding a cystathionine gamma synthase enzyme, a serine acetyl transferase enzyme and/or other sulfur assimilating enzymes capable of altering the level of at least one organic sulfur compound.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a serine O-acetyltransferase. The invention also relates to the construction of a recombinant DNA construct encoding all or a portion of the serine O-acetyltransferase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the recombinant DNA construct results in production of altered levels of the serine O-acetyltransferase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a sucrose phosphate synthase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the sucrose phosphate synthase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the sucrose phosphate synthase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: A method for modulating water-use efficiency or productivity in a plant is provided. In particular, stomatal aperture in a plant can be regulated by transforming the plant with a polynucleotide capable of modifying malate accumulation in the plant.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for altering pyruvate synthesis in plants are provided. The compositions and methods find use in increasing the oil or protein content of plant tissues, particularly seeds. Novel isolated nucleotide molecules encoding cytosolic and plastidic pyruvate kinases are provided. The methods involve introducing into a plant nucleotide sequences encoding enzymes that alter pyruvate synthesis. Additionally provided are isolated pyruvate kinases and transformed plants, plant tissues, plant cells, and seeds thereof.

Abstract: The preparation and use of nucleic acid fragments useful in altering the oil phenotype in plants are disclosed. Chimeric construct incorporating such nucleic acid fragments and suitable regulatory sequences can be used to create transgenic plants having altered lipid profiles. Methods for altering the oil phenotype in plants using such nucleic acid fragments also are disclosed.

Abstract: The preparation and use of nucleic acid fragments useful in altering the oil phenotype in plants are disclosed. Recombinant DNA construct incorporating such nucleic acid fragments and suitable regulatory sequences can be used to create transgenic plants having altered lipid profiles. Methods for altering the oil phenotype in plants using such nucleic acid fragments also are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for altering grain characteristics by introducing into plants, isolated nucleic acid molecules that can be used to produce transgenic plants characterized by altered number, type, or configuration of aleurone cells within the seed. Also provided are isolated nucleic acids that encode maize dek1 and superal proteins, vectors capable of expressing such nucleic acid molecules, host cells containing such vectors, and polypeptides encoded by such nucleic acids. Also provided is an isolated promoter natively associated with the maize dek1 coding region; and expression cassettes, vectors, and host cells comprising the promoter seuquence.

Abstract: The invention relates to the genetic manipulation of plants, particularly to the expression of hemoglobin genes in transformed plants. Nucleotide sequences for the hemoglobin genes and methods for their use are provided. The sequences find use in enhancing seed germination, seedling growth, and overall growth and metabolism of the plant.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a sucrose phosphate synthase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the sucrose phosphate synthase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the sucrose phosphate synthase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing the levels of essential amino acids in seeds of plants, thereby enhancing the nutritional value of the seeds. The method comprises manipulating the metabolic pathway of the amino acid to provide an increased source of the target free amino acid and, concomitantly, over-expressing a preselected gene coding for the protein containing the target amino acid, such that there is accumulation of protein-bound target amino acid. A complementary protein sink is thus produced. The present invention is particularly useful in increasing levels of methionine, lysine and threonine in seeds.