Abstract: Transcription regulatory elements, namely promoter and terminator sequences, obtained from Sorghum bicolor that drive RNA transcription predominately in root hair cells are described, as well as cassettes, expression vectors, and genetically modified plants containing these transcription regulatory elements. The genetically modified plants can be gymnosperms, dicots, or monocots. Methods of directing transcription of a heterologous polynucleotide under control of these transcription regulatory elements in a genetically modified plant's root hair cells are also provided.

Abstract: Transcription regulatory elements, namely promoter and terminator sequences, obtained from Sorghum bicolor that drive RNA transcription predominately in root hair cells are described, as well as cassettes, expression vectors, and genetically modified plants containing these transcription regulatory elements. The genetically modified plants can be gymnosperms, dicots, or monocots. Methods of directing transcription of a heterologous polynucleotide under control of these transcription regulatory elements in a genetically modified plant's root hair cells are also provided.

Abstract: Transcription regulatory elements, namely promoter and terminator sequences, obtained from Sorghum bicolor that drive RNA transcription predominately in root hair cells are described, as well as cassettes, expression vectors, and genetically modified plants containing these transcription regulatory elements. The genetically modified plants can be gymnosperms, dicots, or monocots. Methods of directing transcription of a heterologous polynucleotide under control of these transcription regulatory elements in a genetically modified plant's root hair cells are also provided.

Abstract: Transcription regulatory elements, namely promoter and terminator sequences, obtained from Sorghum bicolor that drive RNA transcription predominately in root hair cells are described, as well as cassettes, expression vectors, and genetically modified plants containing these transcription regulatory elements. The genetically modified plants can be gymnosperms, dicots, or monocots. Methods of directing transcription of a heterologous polynucleotide under control of these transcription regulatory elements in a genetically modified plant's root hair cells are also provided.

Abstract: Two novel cytochrome P450 genes are isolated from sorghum, each gene encoding a protein having pentadecatrienyl resorcinol hydroxylase activity. Expression vectors containing these sequences are made and used to elevate levels of pentadecatrienyl resorcinol hydroxylase in transgenic cells and organisms.

Abstract: Sorghum is considered an allelopathic crop species and sorgoleone likely accounts for much of its allelopathic properties. Prior investigations into the biosynthesis of sorgoleone suggested the participation of one or more alkylresorcinol synthases (ARS), which are type III polyketide synthases (PKS) that produce 5-alkylresorcinols using medium to long-chain fatty acyl-CoA starter units via iterative condensations with malonyl-CoA. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis of PKS-like sequences mined from isolated root hairs revealed that two sequences, designated ARS1 and ARS2, were preferentially expressed. Recombinant enzyme studies demonstrated that both sequences encode ARS enzymes capable of accepting a variety of fatty acyl-CoA starter units. RNA interference (RNAi) experiments directed against ARS1 and ARS2 resulted in the generation of multiple independent transformant events exhibiting dramatically reduced sorgoleone levels.

Abstract: This invention relates to the fatty acid desaturase genes, designated SbDES2 and SbDES3, cloned from an expressed sequence tag (EST) database prepared from isolated root hairs from sorghum. Heterologous expression of the cDNAs in S. cerevisiae revealed that recombinant SbDES2 converted palmitoleic acid (16:1?9) to hexadecadienoic acid (16:2?9, 12), and that recombinant SbDES3 was capable of converting hexadecadienoic acid into hexadecatrienoic acid (16:3?9, 12, 15). Desaturase enzymes capable of performing desaturation reactions producing a terminal double bond have not previously been characterized in a plant system.

Abstract: Sorghum is considered to be an allelopathic crop species, producing phytotoxins such as the lipid benzoquinone sorgoleone (2-hydroxy-5-methoxy-3-[(Z,Z)-8?,11?,14?-pentadecatriene]-p-benzoquinone) which likely accounts for much of its allelopathic properties. Prior investigations into the biosynthesis of sorgoleone have suggested the participation of one or more alkylresorcinol synthases (ARS), which are type III polyketide synthases (PKS) that produce 5-alkylresorcinols using medium to long-chain fatty acyl-CoA starter units via iterative condensations with malonyl-CoA. Current evidence suggests that sorgoleone biosynthesis occurs exclusively in root hair cells, involving the synthesis of a 5-pentadecatrienyl resorcinol intermediate derived from an unusual 16:3 fatty acyl-CoA starter unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to an O-methyltransferase gene cloned from sorghum, the sorghum O-methyltransferase-3 gene, SbOMT3. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR and recombinant enzyme studies with putative O-methyltransferase sequences obtained from an EST data set from sorghum have led to the identification of the novel root hair-specific O-methyltransferase designated SbOMT3. Transgenic plants which express SbOMT3 can convert resveratrol into pterostilbene in planta. SbOMT3 is also involved in the biosynthesis of sorgoleone.

Abstract: Methods and materials are disclosed for the inhibition and control of gibberellic acid levels. In particular, nucleic acid sequences of copalyl diphosphate synthase. 3-? hydroxylase, and 2-oxidase and additional nucleic acid sequences are disclosed. Gibberellic acid levels may be inhibited or controlled by preparation of a chimeric expression construct capable of expressing a RNA or protein product which suppresses the gibberellin biosynthetic pathway sequence, diverts substrates from the pathway or degrades pathway substrates or products. The sequence is preferably a copalyl diphosphate synthase sequence, a 3?-hydroxylase sequence, a 2-oxidase sequence, a phytoene synthase sequence, a C20-oxidase sequence, and a 2?,3?-hydroxylase sequence. Administration of a complementing agent, preferably a gibberellin or gibberellin precursor or intermediate restores bioactivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide molecules for regulating gene expression in plants. In particular, the invention relates to DNA sequences of the rice (Oryza sativa cv Nipponbare) triosephosphate isomerase (OsTPI) gene promoter that are useful for regulating gene expression of heterologous polynucleotide molecules in plants. The invention also relates to expression constructs and transgenic plants containing the heterologous polynucleotide molecules operably linked to and regulated by OsTPI DNA sequences.

Abstract: The methods and materials disclosed herein are directed to glyphosate herbicide tolerance in plants. In particular, the isolation of a glyphosate resistant EPSP synthase coding sequence from Eleusine indica. The coding sequence is useful to genetically engineer plants for tolerance to glyphosate herbicide.

Abstract: The methods and materials disclosed herein are directed to glyphosate herbicide tolerance in plants. In particular, the isolation of a glyphosate resistant EPSP synthase coding sequence and its regulatory elements from Eleusine indica. The coding sequence and regulatory sequences are useful to genetically engineer plants for tolerance to glyphosate herbicide.

Abstract: Methods and materials are disclosed for the inhibition and control of gibberellic acid levels. In particular, nucleic acid sequences of copalyl diphosphate synthase, 3-&bgr; hydroxylase, and 2-oxidase and additional nucleic acid sequences are disclosed. Gibberellic acid levels may be inhibited or controlled by preparation of a chimeric expression construct capable of expressing antisense RNA which suppresses the gibberellin biosynthetic pathway sequence. The antisense sequence is the complement of a copalyl diphosphate synthase sequence, a 3&bgr;-hydroxylase sequence, or a C20-oxidase sequence. Administration of a complementing agent, preferably a gibberellin or gibberellin precursor or intermediate restores bioactivity.

Abstract: Methods and materials are disclosed for the inhibition and control of gibberellic acid levels. In particular, nucleic acid sequences of copalyl diphosphate synthase. 3-&bgr; hydroxylase, and 2-oxidase and additional nucleic acid sequences are disclosed. Gibberellic acid levels may be inhibited or controlled by preparation of a chimeric expression construct capable of expressing a RNA or protein product which suppresses the gibberellin biosynthetic pathway sequence, diverts substrates from the pathway or degrades pathway substrates or products. The sequence is preferably a copalyl diphosphate synthase sequence, a 3&bgr;-hydroxylase sequence, a 2-oxidase sequence, a phytoene synthase sequence, a C20-oxidase sequence, and a 2&bgr;,3&bgr;-hydroxylase sequence. Administration of a complementing agent, preferably a gibberellin or gibberellin precursor or intermediate restores bioactivity.

Abstract: The methods and materials disclosed herein are directed to glyphosate herbicide tolerance in plants. In particular, the isolation of a glyphosate resistant EPSP synthase coding sequence and its regulatory elements from Eleusine indica. The coding sequence and regulatory sequences are useful to genetically engineer plants for tolerance to glyphosate herbicide.

Abstract: The methods and materials disclosed herein are directed to glyphosate herbicide tolerance in plants. In particular, the isolation of a glyphosate resistant EPSP synthase coding sequence and its regulatory elements from Eleusine indica. The coding sequence and regulatory sequences are useful to genetically engineer plants for tolerance to glyphosate herbicide.

Abstract: Acetolactate synthase (ALS), a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of valine, leucine and isoleucine in plants is inhibited by herbicides comprising imidazolinones. The present invention relates to Arabidopsis thaliana genes encoding a mutant acetolactate synthase (ALS) enzyme that is specifically resistant to imidazolinone herbicides. Exemplary of these genes are DNA sequences which encode an amino acid substitution at position 122 or an amino acid substitution at position 205 of the wild-type ALS enzyme in Arabidopsis thaliana, ecotype Columbia or an amino acid substitution at position 205 of the wild-type ALS enzyme in Arabidopsis thaliana, ecotype Landsberg erecta. The mutant ALS genes can be used to transform plants to herbicide resistance; in this regard, the invention also provides host cells and vectors containing the gene, which cells and vectors are useful in the transformation process.