Abstract: The present invention includes modified phytochrome A (PHYA) nucleic acid molecules in which Pr absorption spectra have been shifted to longer wavelength (i.e. bathochromism or red-shift). The plants with the bathochromic phytochromes are expected to respond to canopy and shade conditions for growth and development with greater efficiency than the plants with wild-type phytochrome (i.e. suppression of shade avoidance reactions in plants). Since the shade avoidance reactions in plants induce a rapid and dramatic increase in the extension growth of stems and petioles at the expense of leaf growth, storage organ production, and reproductive development, it causes significant losses of crop yields. Thus, the bathochromic phytochromes that utilize the shade light efficiently would suppress the shade avoidance reactions in plants, giving plants the tolerance to shade.

Abstract: The present invention includes modified Arabidopsis Nucleoside Di-Phosphate Kinase 2 (NDPK2) nucleic acid molecules whose enzymatic activity have been increased (i.e. hyperactive). NDPKs are ubiquitous housekeeping enzymes that catalyze the transfer of ?-phosphoryl group from a nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) to a nucleoside diphosphate (NDP), and also multifunctional proteins that regulate a variety of eukaryotic cellular activities, including cell proliferation, development, and differentiation. In plants, NDPKs are reported to play a key role in the signaling of both stress and light. Among three NDPKs (NDPK1, NDPK2, NDPK3) in a model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, NDPK2 was reported as a positive signal transducer of phytochrome-mediated plant light signaling and to regulate cellular redox state, which enhances multiple stress tolerance in transgenic plants.

Abstract: The present invention includes modified phytochrome A (PHYA) nucleic acid molecules in which Pr absorption spectra have been shifted to longer wavelength (i.e. bathochromism or red-shift). The plants with the bathochromic phytochromes are expected to respond to canopy and shade conditions for growth and development with greater efficiency than the plants with wild-type phytochrome (i.e. suppression of shade avoidance reactions in plants). Since the shade avoidance reactions in plants induce a rapid and dramatic increase in the extension growth of stems and petioles at the expense of leaf growth, storage organ production, and reproductive development, it causes significant losses of crop yields. Thus, the bathochromic phytochromes that utilize the shade light efficiently would suppress the shade avoidance reactions in plants, giving plants the tolerance to shade.

Abstract: Expression of the polynucleotide molecule, Psx, is restricted to placenta, and in particular, to placenta trophoblast cell layers during embryogenesis. The expression pattern of Psx is exploited to detect trophoblast specific lineages, such as labyrinthine trophoblast layer and giant cells. The invention provides an isolated DNA molecule encoding Psx protein, and chimeric constructs, vector and host cells containing the isolated DNA. Also provided is a method for identifying putative abortion-inducing agents, which may offer an alternative to surgical abortion.