Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preparing gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) in safflower plants, particularly from seeds of safflower. Nucleic acid sequences and constructs encoding one or more fatty acid desaturase sequences are used to generate transgenic safflower plants that contain and express one or more of these sequences and produce high levels of GLA in safflower seeds. Provided are transgenic safflower plants and seeds that produce high levels of GLA. Additionally provided are oils produced from seeds of this invention. The invention also relates to methods of treating a variety of diseases including nervous system disorders, inflammatory conditions, cancer and cardiovascular disorders using the oils of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preparing gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) in safflower plants, particularly from seeds of safflower. Nucleic acid sequences and constructs encoding one or more fatty acid desaturase sequences are used to generate transgenic safflower plants that contain and express one or more of these sequences and produce high levels of GLA in safflower seeds. Provided are transgenic safflower plants and seeds that produce high levels of GLA. Additionally provided are oils produced from seeds of this invention. The invention also relates to methods of treating a variety of diseases including nervous system disorders, inflammatory conditions, cancer and cardiovascular disorders using the oils of this invention.

Abstract: A series of independent non-transgenic mutations found in the fruit PG gene of tomato; tomato plants having these mutations in their fruit PG gene; and a method of creating and identifying similar and/or additional mutations in the PG gene by screening pooled and/or individual tomato plants. The tomato plants of the present invention exhibit reduced PG enzyme activity and fruit that soften more slowly post harvest without having the inclusion of foreign nucleic acids in their genomes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preparing gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) in safflower plants, particularly from seeds of safflower. Nucleic acid sequences and constructs encoding one or more fatty acid desaturase sequences are used to generate transgenic safflower plants that contain and express one or more of these sequences and produce high levels of GLA in safflower seeds. Provided are transgenic safflower plants and seeds that produce high levels of GLA.

Abstract: A series of independent non-transgenic mutations found in the fruit PG gene of tomato; tomato plants having these mutations in their fruit PG gene; and a method of creating and identifying similar and/or additional mutations in the PG gene by screening pooled and/or individual tomato plants. The tomato plants of the present invention exhibit reduced PG enzyme activity and fruit that soften more slowly post harvest without having the inclusion of foreign nucleic acids in their genomes.

Abstract: By this invention, compositions and methods of use of plant desaturase enzymes, especially ?-9 desaturases, are provided. Of special interest are methods and compositions of amino acids and nucleic acid sequences related to biologically active plant desaturases as well as sequences, especially nucleic acid sequences, which are to be used as probes, vectors for transformation or cloning intermediates. Biologically active sequences may be found in a sense or anti-sense orientation as to transcriptional regulatory regions found in various constructs.

Abstract: By this invention, methods to produce oleic fatty acids in plant seed oils are provided. The methods of the present invention generally involve the suppression of a host plant cells endogenous ?-ketoacyl-ACP synthase I protein. Also described in the instant invention are the plants, cells and oils obtained therefrom.

Abstract: A series of independent non-transgenic mutations found in the fruit PG gene of tomato; tomato plants having these mutations in their fruit PG gene; and a method of creating and identifying similar and/or additional mutations in the PG gene by screening pooled and/or individual tomato plants. The tomato plants of the present invention exhibit reduced PG enzyme activity and fruit that soften more slowly post harvest without having the inclusion of foreign nucleic acids in their genomes.

Abstract: By this invention, modification of the fatty acid composition of a plant seed may be achieved as a result of the activity of a DNA sequence foreign to the plant species to be modified. In particular, it has been found that a plant oil having a modified fatty acid composition can be obtained upon the expression of genes derived from plants of different species than the host plant, upon the expression of genes derived from bacteria, and from the transcription of anti-sense sequences which are complementary to endogenous genes of the plant host cell. In a preferred embodiment, transcription of the fatty acid modifying foreign DNA sequence is restricted to the developing seed tissues.

Abstract: By this invention, compositions and methods of use of plant desaturase enzymes, especially ?-9 desaturases, are provided. Of special interest are methods and compositions of amino acids and nucleic acid sequences related to biologically active plant desaturases as well as sequences, especially nucleic acid sequences, which are to be used as probes, vectors for transformation or cloning intermediates. Biologically active sequences may be found in a sense or anti-sense orientation as to transcriptional regulatory regions found in various constructs.

Abstract: A series of independent non-transgenic mutations found in the fruit PG gene of tomato; tomato plants having these mutations in their fruit PG gene; and a method of creating and identifying similar and/or additional mutations in the PG gene by screening pooled and/or individual tomato plants. The tomato plants of the present invention exhibit reduced PG enzyme activity and fruit that soften more slowly post harvest without having the inclusion of foreign nucleic acids in their genomes.

Abstract: Novel constructs are provided for expression of physiologically active mammalian proteins in plant cells, either in culture or under cultivation. The constructs provide a promoter functional in a plant host, a structural gene coding for mammalian protein and a terminator functional in a plant host. The construct is introduced into a plant cell to become integrated into the plant genome for expression in the plant cells or plants. The plant cells may be harvested and the mammalian protein isolated in physiologically active form.

Abstract: Regulatory regions from genes expressed during a particular developmental stage or in a specific tissue are identified employing cDNA screening. The resulting regulatory regions are manipulated for use with foreign sequences for introduction into plant cells to provide transformed plants having phenotypic property which can be modulated. The invention is exemplified with light, seed and a fruit-specific promoters.

Abstract: By this invention, modification of the fatty acid composition of a plant seed may be achieved as a result of the activity of a DNA sequence foreign to the plant species to be modified. In particular, it has been found that a plant oil having a modified fatty acid composition can be obtained upon the expression of genes derived from plants of different species than the host plant, upon the expression of genes derived from bacteria, and from the transcription of anti-sense sequences which are complementary to endogenous genes of the plant host cell. In a preferred embodiment, transcription of the fatty acid modifying foreign DNA sequence is restricted to the developing seed tissues.

Abstract: By this invention, methods to produce oleic fatty acids in plant seed oils are provided. The methods of the present invention generally involve the suppression of a host plant cells endogenous &bgr;-ketoacyl-ACP synthase I protein. Also described in the instant invention are the plants, cells and oils obtained therefrom.

Abstract: By this invention, methods to produce oleic fatty acids in plant seed oils are provided. The methods of the present invention generally involve the suppression of a host plant cells endogenous &bgr;-ketoacyl-ACP synthase I protein. Also described in the instant invention are the plants, cells and oils obtained therefrom.

Abstract: By this invention, modification of the fatty acid composition of a plant seed may be achieved as a result of the activity of a DNA sequence foreign to the plant species to be modified. In particular, it has been found that a plant oil having a modified fatty acid composition can be obtained upon the expression of genes derived from plants of different species than the host plant, upon the expression of genes derived from bacteria, and from the transcription of anti-sense sequences which are complementary to endogenous genes of the plant host cell. In a preferred embodiment, transcription of the fatty acid modifying foreign DNA sequence is restricted to the developing seed tissues.

Abstract: By this invention, compositions and methods of use of Ricinus communis cDNAs encoding &bgr;-ketoacyl-ACP synthase, are provided. Also of interest are plants, plant parts and plant cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: Novel constructs are provided for expression of physiologically active mammalian proteins in plant cells, either in culture or under cultivation. The constructs provide a promoter functional in a plant host, a structural gene coding for mammalian protein and a terminator functional in a plant host. The construct is introduced into a plant cell to become integrated into the plant genome for expression in the plant cells or plants. The plant cells may be harvested and the mammalian protein isolated in physiologically active form.

Abstract: Regulatory regions from genes expressed during a particular developmental stage or in a specific tissue are identified employing cDNA screening. The resulting regulatory regions are manipulated for use with foreign sequences for introduction into plant cells to provide transformed plants having phenotypic property which can be modulated. The invention is exemplified with light, seed and a fruit-specific promoters.