Abstract: The present disclosure describes genetically modified plants that contain one or more exogenous genes associated with aroma/fine/specialty compound biosynthesis, which are capable of producing aroma/fine/specialty compounds.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide novel methods for redirecting carbon allocation in plants or cell culture from lignification to inherently more useful and tractable materials, and to facilitate the generation of, e.g., biofuels from the remaining plant ro culture biomass. Particular aspects provided novel methods for converting monolignols into allyl/propenyl phenols, and for chavicol/eugenol formation or production. Additional aspects relate to the discovery of novel chavicol/eugenol synthases that convert p-coumaryl/coniferyl alcohol esters into chavicol/eugenol, and to novel compositions (e.g., novel proteins and nucleic acids encoding same), and novel methods using same for producing or forming chavicol/eugenol and other derivatives in cell culture and/or genetically modified plants, and for re-engineering the composition of plant biomass.

Abstract: Provided are methods for decreasing carbon flow into lignin in plants, comprising reducing or eliminating, using mutagenesis and/or recombinant means, expression and/or activity of at least one chloroplast-localized arogenate dehydratase (ADT) sufficient to reduce phenylalanine (Phe) availability for metabolism into Phe-derived phenylpropanoids, wherein the amount, level or distribution of lignin is reduced relative to control plants. In particular aspects, the plant has a plurality of chloroplast-localized ADTs, and reducing or eliminating comprises reducing or eliminating expression and/or activity of at least two of the plurality of ADTs. Also provided are recombinant plants or parts or cells thereof, comprising at least one mutation, genetic alteration or transgene that reduces or eliminates the expression and/or activity of at least one chloroplast-localized ADT, wherein the amount, level or distribution of lignin is reduced relative to normal. Further provided are reduced lignin plant products.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide novel methods for redirecting carbon allocation in plants or cell culture from lignification to inherently more useful and tractable materials, and to facilitate the generation of, e.g., biofuels from the remaining plant roculture biomass. Particular aspects provided novel methods for converting monolignols into allyl/propenyl phenols, and for chavicol/eugenol formation or production. Additional aspects relate to the discovery of novel chavicol/eugenol synthases that convert p-coumaryl/coniferyl alcohol esters into chavicol/eugenol, and to novel compositions (e.g., novel proteins and nucleic acids encoding same), and novel methods using same for producing or forming chavicol/eugenol and other derivatives in cell culture and/or genetically modified plants, and for re-engineering the composition of plant biomass.

Abstract: A secoisolanciresinol dehydrogenase protein has been isolated from Forsythia intermedia, together with cDNAs encoding secoisolariciresinol dehydrogenase from this species. Accordingly, isolated DNA sequences are provided which code for the expression of secoisolariciresinol dehydrogenase. In other aspects, the present invention is directed to replicable recombinant cloning vehicles comprising a nucleic acid sequence which codes for a secoisolariciresinol dehydrogenase protein, or to a base sequence sufficiently complementary to at least a portion of a secoisolariciresinol dehydrogenase DNA or RNA to enable hybridization therewith.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that each: (a) encode an aryl propenal double bond reductase; and (b) hybridize to a nucleic acid molecule consisting of the complement of the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 under defined conditions. The present invention also provides isolated aryl propenal double bond reductases. In other aspects, the present invention provides methods of enhancing or inhibiting the expression of aryl propenal double bond reductases in a plant.

Abstract: Dirigent proteins and pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductases have been isolated, together with cDNAs encoding dirigent proteins and pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductases. Accordingly, isolated DNA sequences are provided from source species Forsythia intermedia, Thuja plicata, Tsuga heterophylla, Eucommia ulmoides, Linum usitatissimum, and Schisandra chinensis, which code for the expression of dirigent proteins and pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductases. In other aspects, replicable recombinant cloning vehicles are provided which code for dirigent proteins or pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductases or for a base sequence sufficiently complementary to at least a portion of dirigent protein or pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductase DNA or RNA to enable hybridization therewith. In yet other aspects, modified host cells are provided that have been transformed, transfected, infected and/or injected with a recombinant cloning vehicle and/or DNA sequence encoding dirigent protein or pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductase.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that each: (a) encode an aryl propenal double bond reductase; and (b) hybridize to a nucleic acid molecule consisting of the complement of the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 under defined conditions. The present invention also provides isolated aryl propenal double bond reductases. In other aspects, the present invention provides methods of enhancing or inhibiting the expression of aryl propenal double bond reductases in a plant.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for modifying lignan content in plants by transforming plants with vectors containing a DNA sequence encoding one or more proteins integral to the phenylpropanoid pathway leading to G-lignan formation. Such coding sequences are expressed under the control of a seed tissue specific or seed developmental stage specific promoter. Expression of the DNA sequence results in a modification of the absolute and/or relative level of an intermediate metabolite leading to the production of G-lignans (e.g., secoisolariciresinol diglucoside or matairesinol).

Abstract: Dirigent proteins and pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductases have been isolated, together with cDNAs encoding dirigent proteins and pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductases. Accordingly, isolated DNA sequences are provided which code for the expression of dirigent proteins and pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductases. In other aspects, replicable recombinant cloning vehicles are provided which code for dirigent proteins or pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductases or for a base sequence sufficiently complementary to at least a portion of dirigent protein or pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductase DNA or RNA to enable hybridization therewith. In yet other aspects, modified host cells are provided that have been transformed, transfected, infected and/or injected with a recombinant cloning vehicle and/or DNA sequence encoding dirigent protein or pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductase. Thus, systems and methods are provided for the recombinant expression of dirigent proteins and/or pinoresinol/lariciresinol reductases.