Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA constructs comprising a plant stearoyl-ACP desaturase and a second DNA sequence which is not naturally joined to the given plant stearoyl-ACP desaturase. The plant stearoyl-ACP desaturase is under the regulatory control of a transcription and translation initiation region preferentially expressed in plant embryo tissue.The amino acid sequence and methods to purify safflower stearoyl-ACP desaturase to homogenity are also provided.

Abstract: 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 fruit-specific promoters.

Abstract: A geminivirus based vector system for obtaining controlled expression of a nucleic acid fragment of interest is disclosed. Tissue specific regulatory regions are identified employing cDNA screening and the resulting tissue-specific regulatory regions are manipulated for use in geminivirus constructs to provide for transcription and/or expression of nucleic acid sequences nonindigenous to the geminivirus vector for introduction into plant cells. The vector system may be used to provide transformed plants having cells, tissues or parts with a modified phenotypic property.

Abstract: Novel compositions and methods are provided for modifying the lipid content of plant tissues of interest, including leaf, root, fruit and seed. The methods involve transforming a plant cell of interest with an expression cassette functional in a plant cell comprising a transcriptional and translational initiation regulatory region, joined in reading frame 5' to a DNA sequence encoding an enzyme capable of modulating the production of fatty acids, and translational and transcriptional termination regions. Expression of the enzyme provides for an increase in fatty acid biosynthesis as a result of altered concentrations of substrate for enzymes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis. Of particular interest is the selective control of lipid production in plant tissues such as leaves, root, fruit and seed.

Abstract: By this invention, compositions and methods of use of plant desaturase enzymes, especially .DELTA.-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 geminivirus based vector system for obtaining controlled expression of a nucleic acid fragment of interest is disclosed. Tissue specific regulatory regions are identified employing cDNA screening and the resulting tissue specific regulatory regions are manipulated for use in geminivirus constructs to provide for transcription and/or expression of nucleic acid sequences nonindigenous to the geminivirus vector for introduction into plant cells. The vector system may be used to provide transformed plants having cells, tissues or parts with a modified phenotypic property.

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: Brassica plants and seeds comprising nucleic acid sequences and methods for their use are provided which afford seed-specific transcription in order to modulate or modify expression in seed particularly in embryo cells. Transcriptional initiation regions are identified and isolated from plant cells such as seed embryo and seed coat and used to prepare expression cassettes which may then be transformed into plants cells for seed specific transcription. The method finds particular use in conjunction with modifying fatty acid production in seed tissue.

Abstract: A geminivirus based vector system for obtaining controlled expression of a nucleic acid fragment of interest is disclosed. Tissue specific regulatory regions are identified employing cDNA screening and the resulting tissue--specific regulatory regions are manipulated for use in geminivirus constructs to provide for transcription and/or expression of nucleic acid sequences nonindigenous to the geminivirus vector for introduction into plant cells. The vector system may be used to provide transformed plants having cells, tissues or parts with a modified phenotypic property.

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: Novel DNA constructs which may be used as molecular probes or inserted into a plant host are provided. These constructs comprise a sequence obtainable from the Bce4 gene that is capable of directing transcription in seed tissue at least as early as 11 days after anthesis until approximately 30-35 days after anthesis, joined to a nucleic acid sequence of interest, and a transcription termination region. Thus, transcription of a message encoded by a nucleic acid sequence under the control of the Bce4 regulatory region will occur at a specific time of seed development. In this manner, production of exogenous products, as well as modulation of endogenous products, may be achieved.

Abstract: By this invention, compositions and methods of use related to .beta.-ketoacyl-ACP synthase, hereinafter also referred to as "synthase", are provided. Also of interest are methods and compositions of amino acid and nucleic acid sequences related to biologically active plant synthase(s).In particular, synthase protein preparations which have relatively high turnover (specific activity) are of interest for use in a variety of applications, in vitro and in vivo. Especially, protein preparations having synthase I and/or synthase II activities are contemplated hereunder. Synthase activities are distinguished by the preferential activity towards longer and shorter acyl-ACPs. Protein preparations having preferential activity towards shorter chain length acyl-ACPs are synthase I-type. Synthases having preferential activity towards longer chain length acyl-ACPs are synthase II-type. Of special interest are synthases obtainable from Ricinus communis.

Abstract: By this invention, compositions and methods of use related to .beta.-ketoacyl-ACP synthase, hereinafter also referred to as "synthase", are provided. Also of interest are methods and compositions of amino acid and nucleic acid sequences related to biologically active plant synthase(s).In particular, synthase protein preparations which have relatively high turnover (specific activity) are of interest for use in a variety of applications, in vitro and in vivo. Especially, protein preparations having synthase I and/or synthase II activities are contemplated hereunder. Synthase activities are distinguished by the preferential activity towards longer and shorter acyl-ACPs. Protein preparations having preferential activity towards shorter chain length acyl-ACPs are synthase I-type. Synthases having preferential activity towards longer chain length acyl-ACPs are synthase II-type. Of special interest are synthases obtainable from Ricinus communis.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences and methods for their use are provided which provide for seed-specific transcription, in order to modulate or modify expression in seed, particularly embryo cells. Transcriptional initiation regions are identified and isolated from plant cells such as seed embryo and seed coat and used to prepare expression cassettes which may then be transformed into plant cells for seed-specific transcription. The method finds particular use in conjunction with modifying fatty acid production in seed tissue.

Abstract: DNA sequences are provided coding for acyl carrier protein, which sequence can be used for production of acyl carrier protein as an end product or in plant seed to enhance seed oil production. A regulated promoter is provided which substantially limits expression of the acyl carrier protein to seed tissue.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for producing plant fatty acids employing mixtures of enzymes, where the composition is modified by reducing or enhancing the relative proportion of one or more enzymes or adding an exogenous enzyme. Particularly, compositions can be produced having enhanced amounts of fatty acids containing 14 or fewer carbon atoms using thioesterase II or acyl carrier protein.

Abstract: DNA sequences are provided coding for acyl carrier protein, which sequence can be used for production of acyl carrier protein as an end product or in plant seed to enhance seed oil production. A regulated promoter is provided which substantially limits expression of the acyl carrier protein to seed tissue.

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.