Abstract: A method of altering exocytosis in a plant or animal cell is provided. The method includes exposing the cell to a compound that binds to an EXO70 protein isoform. Also provided is a method of treating diabetes or cancer in a subject in need thereof which includes administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound that binds to an EXO70 protein isoform. In addition, a method of screening for a substance that alters exocytosis in a plant or animal cell is provided, and analogs of compound Endosidin2 are also provided.

Abstract: Plant cell walls play a crucial role in development, signal transduction, and disease resistance. They are made of cellulose and matrix polysaccharides such as hemicelluloses and pectins. Xyloglucan, the principal hemicellulose of dicotyledonous plants, has a terminal fucosyl residue that may affect the extensibility of the cell wall and thus influence plant growth and morphology. The fucosyltransferase (FTase) that adds this residue was purified from pea epicotyls. Peptide sequence information derived from the 62 kDa purified pea FTase made it possible to clone a homologous gene from Arabidopsis. The instant invention involves methods of expressing the Arabidopsis FTase gene in plants and plants thereby obtained.

Abstract: A cDNA encoding a chitin-binding protein of nettle lectin (Urtica dioica) and subunits thereof is described. The cDNA is incorporated into a vector so as to be transformed into a plant. A synthetic gene encoding a chitin binding protein is also described.

Abstract: Transgenic plants containing cDNA encoding Gramineae lectin are described. The plants preferably contain cDNA coding for barley lectin and store the lectin in the leaves. The transgenic plants, particularly the leaves exhibit insecticidal and fungicidal properties.

Abstract: A cDNA clone (HEV1) encoding hevein was isolated via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using mixed oligonucleotides corresponding to two regions of hevein as primers and a Hevea brasiliensis latex cDNA library as a template. HEV1 is 1018 nucleotides long and includes an open reading frame of 204 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence contains a putative signal sequence of 17 amino acid residues followed by a 187 amino acid polypeptide. The amino-terminal region (43 amino acids) is identical to hevein and shows homology to several chitin-binding proteins and to the amino-termini of wound-induced genes in potato and poplar. The carboxyl-terminal portion of the polypeptide (144 amino acids) is 74-79% homologous to the carboxyl-terminal region of wound-inducible genes of potato. Wounding, as well as application of the plant hormones abscisic acid and ethylene, resulted in accumulation of hevein transcripts in leaves, stems and latex, but not in roots, as shown by using the cDNA as a probe.

Abstract: A cDNA clone (HEV1) encoding hevein was isolated via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using mixed oligonucleotides corresponding to two regions of hevein as primers and a Hevea brasiliensis latex cDNA library as a template. HEV1 is 1018 nucleotides long and includes an open reading frame of 204 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence contains a putative signal sequence of 17 amino acid residues followed by a 187 amino acid polypeptide. The amino-terminal region (43 amino acids) is identical to hevein and shows homology to several chitin-binding proteins and to the amino-termini of wound-induced genes in potato and poplar. The carboxyl-terminal portion of the polypeptide (144 amino acids) is 74-79% homologous to the carboxyl-terminal region of wound-inducible genes of potato. Wounding, as well as application of the plant hormones abscisic acid and ethylene, resulted in accumulation of hevein transcripts in leaves, stems and latex, but not in roots, as shown by using the cDNA as a probe.

Abstract: A DNA encoding a polypeptide enabling sorting of proteins to vacuoles in plants, particularly tobacco is described. Without this sequence, the protein is not sorted to the vacuoles. The polypeptide is attached to the C-terminal region of the protein and is particularly useful for sorting of lectins to the vacuole which are insecticidal.

Abstract: A cDNA clone (HEV1) encoding hevein was isolated via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using mixed oligonucleotides corresponding to two regions of hevein as primers and a Hevea brasiliensis latex cDNA library as a template. HEV1 is 1018 nucleotides long and includes an open reading frame of 204 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence contains a putative signal sequence of 17 amino acid residues followed by a 187 amino acid polypeptide. The amino-terminal region (43 amino acids) is identical to hevein and shows homology to several chitin-binding proteins and to the amino-termini of wound-induced genes in potato and poplar. The carboxyl-terminal portion of the polypeptide (144 amino acids) is 74-79% homologous to the carboxyl-terminal region of wound-inducible genes of potato. Wounding, as well as application of the plant hormones abscisic acid and ethylene, resulted in accumulation of hevein transcripts in leaves, stems and latex, but not in roots, as shown by using the cDNA as a probe.

Abstract: A polypeptide enabling sorting of proteins to vacuoles in plants, particularly tobacco is described. The polypeptide has the sequence VFAEAIAANSTLVAE. Without this sequence, the protein is not sorted to the vacuoles. The polypeptide is attached to the C-terminal region of the protein and is particularly useful for sorting of lectins to the vacuole which are insecticidal.

Abstract: Transgenic plants containing cDNA encoding Gramineae lectin are described. The plants preferably contain cDNA coding for barley lectin and store the lectin in the leaves. The transgenic plants, particularly the leaves exhibit insecticidal and fungicidal properties.GOVERNMENT RIGHTSThis application was funded under Department of Energy Contract DE-AC02-76ER01338. The U.S. Government has certain rights under this application and any patent issuing thereon.

Abstract: A cDNA clone (HEV1) encoding hevein was isolated via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using mixed oligonucleotides corresponding to two regions of hevein as primers and a Hevea brasiliensis latex cDNA library as a template. HEV1 is 1018 nucleotides long and includes an open reading frame of 204 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence contains a puGOVERNMENT RIGHTSThis application was funded under Department of Energy Contract DE-AC02-76ER01338. The U.S. Government has certain rights under this application and any patent issuing thereon.