Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions include a novel nucleotide sequence for a tissue-preferred promoter for the Zea mays gene encoding INVINH1. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the promoter sequences disclosed herein is provided. The method comprises stably incorporating into the genome of a plant cell a polynucleotide operably linked to the promoter of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant that expresses the linked polynucleotide.

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: The present invention provides in vitro methods for culturing cereal endosperm that allow for the development of the endosperm in a manner that is analogous to endosperm development in planta. The methods involve isolating fertilized embryo sacs and exposing the embryo sac or portion thereof to a plant culture medium for an extended period of time so as to promote the growth and development of the endosperm therein or the growth and development of both the endosperm and embryo therein. The invention further provides methods for introducing polypeptides and polynucleotides into the cultured fertilized embryo sacs or portions thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions are novel nucleotide sequences for seed-preferred promoters isolated from genes for end1 and end2. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the disclosed promoter sequences is provided. The method comprises transforming a plant cell to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence operably linked to one of the promoters of the invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant from the transformed plant cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions include a novel nucleotide sequence for an ESR-preferred promoter for the gene encoding INVINH1. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the promoter sequences disclosed herein is provided. The method comprises stably incorporating into the genome of a plant cell a polynucleotide operably linked to the ESR-preferred promoter of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant that expresses the linked polynucleotide.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions are novel nucleotide sequences for seed-preferred promoters isolated from genes for end1 and end2. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the disclosed promoter sequences is provided. The method comprises transforming a plant cell to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence operably linked to one of the promoters of the invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant from the transformed plant cell.

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 provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions are nucleotide sequences for seed-preferred promoters isolated from genes for end1 and end2. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the disclosed promoter sequences is provided. The method comprises transforming a plant cell to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence operably linked to one of the promoters of the invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant from the transformed plant cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and method for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. The composition is a novel nucleic acid sequence for a seed-preferred promoter. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the promoter sequence is also provided. The method comprises transforming a plant cell to contain a heterologous nucleotide sequence operably linked to the seed-preferred promoter of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant from the transformed plant cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and method for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. The composition is a novel nucleic acid sequence for a seed-preferred promoter. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the promoter sequence is also provided. The method comprises transforming a plant cell to contain a heterologous nucleotide sequence operably linked to the seed-preferred promoter of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant from the transformed plant cell.

Abstract: An expression system for at least the aleurone cells of a developing caryopsis or for at least the scutellar epithelial tissue or vascular tissue of a germinating seedling or developing grain or plant (e.g. in the root, leaves and stem) is described. The expression system comprises a gene promoter fused to a GOI (gene of interest). In a preferred embodiment the expression system comprises the GOI fused to a modified Ltp1 promoter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgenic plants or algae expressing an AGP enzyme coupled to a transit peptide. In particular, the present invention relates to transgenic plants or algae in which the activity of the AGP enzyme or subunit thereof is substantially independent of any level of in vivo 3-phosphoglycerate and any in vivo level of inorganic phosphate and wherein the activity of the AGP enzyme or subunit thereof is not stimulated by fructose-1,6-bisP and is not inhibited by AMP.

Abstract: The in vivo expression in the aleurone cells of a cereal of a conjugate is described. The conjugate comprises a GOI (gene of interest) and a particular Ltp (lipid transfer protein) promoter--namely the Ltp2 gene promoter. The conjugate is stably integrated within the cereal's genomic DNA.