Abstract: Threonine is an essential amino acid for humans and in the animal feed industry where its levels in feed rations can significantly impact the cost of production of important meat sources, such as swine and poultry. Threonine as well as essential amino acids lysine and methionine are all synthesized via the aspartate family pathway. Aspartate kinase (AK) is the first enzyme in the pathway, and catalyzes the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of aspartate to form ?-aspartyl phosphate. AK constitutes the main regulatory step controlling the metabolic flux through the pathway, and is subject to end product inhibition by Lys and/or Thr. The current invention provides a method to produce a transgenic high free threonine soybean via the overexpression of feedback-resistant AK enzymes in developing soybean plants and seeds. These modifications provide a method to enhance both plant nitrogen metabolism and crop growth performance.

Abstract: Novel expression vectors and constructs encoding a chloroplast transit peptide (CTP) operably linked to a monomeric anthranilate synthase are provided. Additionally, novel polynucleotide sequences encoding monomeric anthranilate synthases are provided. Also provided are methods for increasing the levels of free tryptophan in transgenic plants containing the expression vectors and constructs.

Abstract: Novel expression vectors and constructs encoding a chloroplast transit peptide (CTP) operably linked to a monomeric anthranilate synthase are provided. Additionally, novel polynucleotide sequences encoding monomeric anthranilate synthases are provided. Also provided are methods for increasing the levels of free tryptophan in transgenic plants containing the expression vectors and constructs.

Abstract: Novel expression vectors and constructs encoding a chloroplast transit peptide (CTP) operably linked to a monomeric anthranilate synthase are provided. Additionally, novel polynucleotide sequences encoding monomeric anthranilate synthases are provided. Also provided are methods for increasing the levels of free tryptophan in transgenic plants containing the expression vectors and constructs.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of plant genetics and protein biochemistry. More specifically, the present invention relates to modified proteins having an increased number of essential amino acids. The invention provides proteins modified to have an increased number of essential amino acids, nucleic acid sequences encoding the enhanced proteins, and methods of designing, producing, and using the same. The invention also includes compositions, transformed host cells, transgenic plants and seeds containing the enhanced proteins, and methods for preparing and using the same.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of plant genetics and protein biochemistry. More specifically, the present invention relates to modified proteins having an increased number of essential amino acids. The invention provides proteins modified to have an increased number of essential amino acids, nucleic acid sequences encoding the enhanced proteins, and methods of designing, producing, and using the same. The invention also includes compositions, transformed host cells, transgenic plants and seeds containing the enhanced proteins, and methods for preparing and using the same.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of plant genetics and protein biochemistry. More specifically, the present invention relates to modified proteins having an increased number of essential amino acids. The present invention provides proteins modified to have an increased number of essential amino acids, nucleic acid sequences encoding the enhanced proteins, and methods of designing, producing, and using the same. The present invention also includes compositions, transformed host cells, transgenic plants, and seeds containing the enhanced proteins, and methods for preparing and using the same.