Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft

Gunter Donn

Alfred Puhler

Wolfgang Wohlleben

Klaus Bartsch

Hubert Mullner

Denes Dudits

Doris Hillemann

Inge Broer

Peter Eckes

Janos Nemeth

Gabor Horvath

Katalin Paulovics

Sandor Morocz

Laszlo Bako

Ferenc Nagy

Janos Gyorgyey

Katalin Kalman

Eugen Uhlmann

Rudolf Schneider

Dieter Brauer

Eckhard Strauch

Walter Arnold

Renate Alijah

Friedrich Wengenmayer

Friedrich Hein

By selection for resistance to aryloxyphenoxyalkane-carboxylic acid herbicides, herbicide-tolerant maize cell lines, calli and plants regenerated therefrom can be obtained which pass this herbicide tolerance on to their progeny in a stable manner.

Maize resistant to aryloxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid herbicides

Virus genes, such as coat protein genes, which confer viral resistance or bring about a reduction in the signs of infection by the corresponding virus can be combined with herbicide-resistance genes, such as the phosphinothricin resistance gene, for the transformation of plants. A combination of a viral gene and a herbicide-resistance gene facilitates the selection of transgenic plants. In addition, in practical field cultivation, the vitality of the plants is increased by the virus tolerance, and an improved plant protection is possible due to the herbicide resistance gene.

Virus/herbicide resistance genes, processes for producing same and their

Protoplasts which regenerate reproducibly in a short time to normal, fertile plants can be regenerated from an auxin-autotrophic genotype of Zea mays (L.). Starting from immature embryos on hormone-free media, an auxin-autotrophic, embryogenic callus is formed on the shoot basis of the seedlings, which callus retains its embryogenic potential over a substantial period of time when subcultured on hormone-free medium. In addition to fully-developed embryos, adventitious embryos are also formed under suitable culture conditions (6-9% of sucrose in the medium). When the sucrose content is reduced to 2-3% and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid is added, soft, granular calli are formed which consist of embryogenic cell aggregates (type II callus). After subculturing the type II callus in the form of a cell suspension culture, totipotent protoplasts can be isolated. From these protoplasts, the maize plants according to the invention are regenerated.

Zea mays (L.) with capability of long term, highly efficient plant

Deacetylase genes for the production of phosphinothricin or phosphinothricyl-alanyl-alanine, processes for their isolation, and their use. The invention relates to deacetylase genes, to processes for their isolation, and to their use, in particular for the production of transgenic plants using tissue-specific promoters. It is possible to prevent the development of certain parts in these plants in a targeted manner. With the aid of deacetylase genes, it is furthermore possible to identify and isolate tissue-specific promoters in transgenic plants.

Deacetylase genes for the production of phosphinothricin or

The gene asnA which encodes a prokaryotic ammonium-specific asparagine synthetase (ASN-A) can be introduced into plant cells. Such transformed cells and plants developed therefrom not only tolerate glutamine synthetase inhibitors but are effectively stimulated by such herbicides.

Transgenic plants expressing a prokaryotic ammonium dependent asparagine

The invention relates to deacetylase genes, to processes for their isolation, and to their use, in particular for the production of transgenic plants using tissue-specific promoters. It is possible to prevent the development of certain parts in these plants in a targeted manner. With the aid of deacetylase genes, it is furthermore possible to identify and isolate tissue-specific promoters in transgenic plants.

By selection for resistance to aryloxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid herbicides, herbicide-tolerant maize cell lines, calli and plants regenerated therefrom can be obtained which pass this herbicide tolerance on to their progeny in a stable manner.

The phosphinothricin (PTC)-resistance gene isolated from the genome of Streptomyces viridochromogenes DSM 40736 is, after adaptation to the codon usage in plants, synthesized and incorporated into gene structures which make plants resistant to PTC after expression therein.

Phosphinothricin-resistance gene, and its use

Phosphinothricin (PTC) selection of bacteria which are not fungus-like yields PTC-resistant selectants. The DNA fragment which carries the resistance gene is obtained from the complete DNA of these selectants by constructing a gene bank and screening for chemical modification of PTC. The resistance gene can be localized to a fragment which is 2 kb in size, and selection for PTC resistance. This gene is suitable for producing PTC-resistant plants and propagation material thereof, and as a resistance marker as well. Microorganisms which contain this PTC-resistance gene can be used in sewage treatment plants.

Growing community of inventors

Hofheim am Taunus, Germany

Gunter Donn