Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acid sequences naturally imported into a plant cell plastid, and use thereof for directing an RNA sequence of interest to a plastid, which permits, in particular, the directed expression of a protein of interest in a plant cell plastid.

Abstract: Isolated DNA sequence which can serve as terminator region in a chimeric gene capable of being used for the transformation of plants 1) Chimeric gene for the transformation of plants. 2) It comprises at least, in the direction of transcription, a promoter region, a transgene and a terminator region, characterized in that the terminator region consists of at least one terminator region from a plant histone gene permitting the expression of the protein in the regions of rapid growth. 3) Production of transgenic plants.

Abstract: A biotinylated protein is disclosed which is obtained from the seeds of leguminous plants and which is expressed exclusively in the seeds and in no other tissue. The protein comprises at least one subunit of 50-85 kDa. Levels of the protein decrease rapidly as germination of the seed progresses. The protein does not exhibit the activity of either acetyl-CoA carboxylase or 3-methyl crotonyl-CoA carboxylase. In the pea, Pisum sativum, the protein is designated SBP65 and comprises 6-8 identical subunits, each having a molecular weight of about 65 kDa. The protein may be a useful marker for determining the germination stage of seeds.

Abstract: Regulatory regions from maize .alpha.-tubulin genes are disclosed. In particular, 5' regulatory regions comprising an upstream regulatory ensemble (URE) from maize .alpha.-tubulin 1 and 3 genes is useful in tissue specific expression of heterologous genes in transformed plants. The maize .alpha.-tubulin URE comprises regulatory elements which when operably linked to a promoter and heterologous gene, confer regulated expression in roots, pollen and meristematic tissues. Expression constructs which confer tissue specific expression are also provided.