Abstract: The invention relates to the field of gene expression in plants and describes methods and constructs using the first intron of a FAD2 gene in order to enhance gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to altering plant development and more particularly to altering the development of the plant endosperm. It concerns in particular nucleic acid molecules which alter the endosperm development.

Abstract: The use of DNA sequences comprising a glucanase coding region operably linked to a promoter, or other regulatory sequence, which provides for expression of the DNA sequence with appropriate tissue and/or temporal specificity, in the preparation of a male sterile transgenic tomato plant is disclosed. In preferred embodiments the promoter is a tapetum specific promoter, eg an A3 or an A9 promoter. DNA sequences comprising the PR-Glucanase coding region and an A3 or an A9 promoter, preferably an A9 promoter are also described, as are transgenic tomato plants, plant cells, propagating material, seeds, antisense DNA sequences and ribozyme encoding DNA sequences for restoration of male-fertility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding tapetum specific promoters, for use in Artificial Male Sterility systems in plants. In particular, the promoters may be the pMAC2 promoter; the pMAC20 promoter; or promoter sequences which naturally controls the expression of a coding sequence substantially homologous to the MAC2 or MAC20 coding sequences. Also provided are regulatory elements of the promoters; plant cells and plants transformed with the promoter sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inductible promoters for use in the control of heterologous genes in transformed plants. Suitable inducible promoters art those which are responsive to low levels of an environmentally acceptable and non-phytoxic inducing agent, and which also demonstrates a low level of developmentally or environmentally induced expression. A preferred prompter naturally drives the expression of a 21.3 kDa protein in Asparagus officinalis or an equivalent protein from the Lillaceae or Amaryllidaceae families. Under the control of a promoter of the invention, a gene will be expressed upon induction by SA or BTH, but preferably will not be developmentally expressed, systemically activated upon pathogen infection, or in response to ABA, ethylene, oxidative or osmotic stresses, or wounding.

Abstract: The invention relates to pairs of parent plants for producing hybrid seeds and to methods for producing plants with a desired phenotype. The desired phenotype is an active enzyme, a regulatory protein or a protein which affects the functionality and/or viability and/or structural integrity of a cell. Preferably, the desired phenotype is substantially absent from the parent plants/lines. In particular, the invention relates to parent plants and methods involving plant lines for producing male-sterile plants and seeds.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel plant nucleic acid sequences and proteins. The sequences and proteins are useful in the control of plant dehiscence and in the production of male sterile plants. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided nucleic acid optionally encoding a signal transduction protein involved in the process of dehiscence. Such a sequence or signal transduction protein has never previously been described in plant dehiscence.

Abstract: Methods for the production of modified plants are provided. In these methods a first line and a second line are crossed to produce a plant having a phenotypic trait, wherein neither the first or second lines possess the phenotypic trait, and wherein at least one of the parent lines is transgenic. Plants produced by the methods of the invention are also described.

Abstract: A tapetum-specific callase (.beta.-1,3-glucanase) gene, designated A6, from Brassica napus and other members of the family Brassicaceae including A. thaliana has been discovered, isolated and cloned. The A6 gene encodes a 53 kDa callase enzyme of Brassica napus and equivalent proteins in other Brassicaceae family members. Coding sequence from the gene can be driven by an appropriate promoter to induce male sterility in plants. Further, the A6 promoter can be used to drive male sterility DNA such as that coding for a nuclease, protease or glucanase. Alternatively or in addition, male sterility can be achieved by disrupting the proper expression of the A6 gene, for example by transcribing RNA which is antisense to the RNA normally transcribed from the A6 gene, or by expressing DNA coding for a ribozyme specific for the A6 gene RNA transcript.

Abstract: Tapetum-specific promoters, designated A3 and A9 and capable of driving expression of 12.9 kDa and 11.6 kDa proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana and related proteins within the family Brassicaceae, have been discovered, isolated and cloned. The promoters can be used to drive male sterility DNA such as that coding for a nuclease, protease or glucanase. Alternatively or in addition, male sterility can be achieved by disrupting the proper expression of the A3 and/or A9 genes, for example by transcribing RNA which is antisense to the RNA normally transcribed from the A3 and A9 genes, or by expressing DNA coding for a ribozyme specific for at least one of the A3 and A9 genes.