Ciba-Geigy Corporation

Syngenta Participations Ag

Calgene Corporation

Novartis Finance Corporation

Monsanto Technology LLC

Novartis Corporation

Syngenta Investment Corporation

University of Missouri

Lyle Dean Crossland

Annmarie B Tuttle

Michael G Koziel

Kevin E McBride

Nalini M Desai

Gregory W Warren

Tim N Oulmassov

Erik M Dunder

Martha S Wright

Kelly S Lewis

Karen L Launis

John L Dawson

Janet L Suttie

Stephen V Evola

Gary M Pace

Cindy G Bowman

Jeffrey I Stein

Laura S Privalle

Paula C Miller

Ellis J Merlin

Thomas H Adams

John C Anderson

Barbara A Qurollo

Victoria Gavrias

Shihshieh Huang

Nordine Cheikh

Steven J Rothstein

Stephen Arthur Goff

Roy O Morris

Erica J Pascal

Stephen A Goff

Stacy Marie Harper

Nadine B Carozzi

Vance Cary Kramer

Moez Rajabali Meghji

Annick Jeanne De Framond

Vance C Kramer

Bruce Wayne Skillings

Christopher P Clucas

Robert L Miller

James O Linder

Andreas H Tanner

Francis E Cassagne

Francis P Cammack

Terry Ray Colbert

Gilles Pollini

Albert R Hornbrook

Alan W Mousel

Methods for the production of reversibly male-sterile plants by introduction of a polynucleotide encoding a cytokinin oxidase are disclosed along with nucleic acid constructs and transformed cells useful in the production of such plants. Also disclosed is the use of plants containing recombinant nucleic acid sequences in preventing pollination of plants with pollen containing one or more transgenes and in the introduction of economically important traits into elite varieties of plants.

Reversible male sterility in transgenic plants by expression of cytokinin oxidase

Methods for the production of reversibly male-sterile plants by introduction of a polynucleotide encoding a cytokinin oxidase are disclosed along with nucleic acid constructs and transformed cells useful in the production of such plants. Also disclosed are the use of plants containing recombinant nucleic acid sequences in preventing pollination of plants with pollen containing one or more transgenes and in the introduction of economically important traits into elite varieties of plants.

DNA constructs and other compositions and methods for controlling gene expression in eukaryotic cells and organisms are derived from bacterial quorum sensing systems. One or more cis elements from the luxI promoter ('lux box') or a functionally similar sequence are incorporated in a eukaryotic promoter. A receptor protein from the LuxR family of transcriptional regulators, upon binding an acylated homoserine lactone (AHL) compound, interacts with the lux box, modulating the activity of the promoter.

Control of gene expression in eukaryotic cells

The present invention is drawn to a method of controlling gene expression in plants. Specifically, the method comprises obtaining a transgenic plant comprising at least two receptor expression cassettes and at least one target expression cassette. The first receptor expression cassette comprises a nucleotide sequence for a 5' regulatory region operably linked to a nucleotide sequence which encodes a first receptor polypeptide, and a 3&#x2032; termination region. The second receptor expression cassette comprises a nucleotide sequence for a 5&#x2032; regulatory region operably linked to a nucleotide sequence which encodes a second receptor polypeptide, and a 3&#x2032; termination region. The target expression cassette comprises a nucleotide sequence for a 5&#x2032; regulatory region operably linked to a nucleotide sequence which encodes a target polypeptide, and a 3&#x2032; termination region, wherein the 5&#x2032; regulatory region of the target expression cassette is activated by the first and second receptor polypeptides in the presence of one or more chemical ligands which are complementary to the ligand binding domain of the receptor polypeptides, whereby expression of the target polypeptide is accomplished. The method is useful for controlling various traits of agronomic importance, such as plant fertility.

Control of gene expression in plants by receptor mediated transactivation in the presence of a chemical ligand

The present invention provides a method for hybrid seed production comprising producing a conditional female sterile plant comprising a female-preferential promoter operably linked to a coding sequence which encodes an enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of a protoxin to a toxin, interplanting the conditional female sterile plant with a male sterile plant, applying the protoxin to the conditional female sterile plant, and producing hybrid seed. Viable seed formation is prevented on the conditional female sterile plant as a result of the conversion of the protoxin to the toxin in the female reproductive structures, and pollen production is prevented on the male sterile plant, thus allowing interplanting of the two parents of the hybrid cross in order to provide more efficient pollen transfer. Also provided are expression cassettes useful in the invention, plants transformed with the expression cassette, and novel female-preferential promoters.

Method of hybrid seed production using conditional female sterility

DNA constructs and other compositions and methods for controlling gene expression in eukaryotic cells and organisms are derived from bacterial quorum sensing systems. One or more cis elements from the luxI promoter (&ldquo;lux box&rdquo;) or a functionally similar sequence are incorporated in a eukaryotic promoter. A receptor protein from the LuxR family of transcriptional regulators, upon binding an acylated homoserine lactone (AHL) compound, interacts with the lux box, modulating the activity of the promoter.

Methods for transformation of maize with nucleic acid sequences of interest are disclosed. The method involves subjecting immature zygotic embryos or Type I callus to high velocity microprojectile bombardment. The method is capable of producing transformed maize lines of commercial importance and their hybrid combinations.

Method of producing transgenic maize using direct transformation of commercially important genotypes

Female-preferential promoters isolated from maize and wheat

The present invention is drawn to a method of controlling gene expression in plants. Specifically, the method comprises transforming a plant with a USP receptor expression cassette which encodes a USP receptor and at least one target expression cassette which encodes a target polypeptide. Contacting said transformed plant with juvenile hormone or one of its agonists activates expression of the target polypeptide in the presence of said USP receptor polypeptide. Optionally, additional &ldquo;secondary&rdquo; receptor expression cassettes may be used, wherein the secondary receptor expression cassette encodes a receptor polypeptide distinct from USP. The method is useful for controlling various traits of agronomic importance, such as plant fertility. Also disclosed is a method of identifying previously unknown ligands for USP. Substances to be tested are identified by placing them in contact with plant cells transformed with a USP receptor expression cassette and a target expression cassette. The target expression cassette encodes a reporter polypeptide whose expression can be determined quantitatively or qualitatively, whereby the test substance is identified as a ligand for USP.

Juvenile hormone or one of its agonists as a chemical ligand to control gene expression in plants by receptor mediated transactivation

The present invention is drawn to a method of controlling gene expression in plants. Specifically, the method comprises obtaining a transgenic plant comprising at least two receptor expression cassettes and at least one target expression cassette. The first receptor expression cassette comprises a nucleotide sequence for a 5' regulatory region operably linked to a nucleotide sequence which encodes a first receptor polypeptide, and a 3' termination region. The second receptor expression cassette comprises a nucleotide sequence for a 5' regulatory region operably linked to a nucleotide sequence which encodes a second receptor polypeptide, and a 3' termination region. The target expression cassette comprises a nucleotide sequence for a 5' regulatory region operably linked to a nucleotide sequence which encodes a target polypeptide, and a 3' termination region, wherein the 5' regulatory region of said target expression cassette is activated by said first and second receptor polypeptides in the presence of one or more chemical ligands which are complementary to the ligand binding domain of said receptor polypeptides, whereby expression of said target polypeptide is accomplished. The method is useful for controlling various traits of agronomic importance, such as plant fertility.

Method of controlling the fertility of a plant

Control of gene expression in plants by receptor mediated

DNA sequences optimized for expression in plants are disclosed. The DNA sequences preferably encode for an insecticidal polypeptides, particularly insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis. Plant promoters, particular tissue-specific and tissue-preferred promoters are also provided. Additionally disclosed are transformation vectors comprising said DNA sequences. The transformation vectors demonstrate high levels of insecticidal activity when transformed into maize.

Synthetic DNA sequence having enhanced activity in maize

The present invention provides a dual method for producing male-sterile plants. Two genetically transformed plants, parents 1 and 2 are crossed to obtain male-sterile offspring. Parent 1 is transformed with an expression cassette comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an anther-specific promoter which is operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a transactivator. Parent 2 is transformed with an expression cassette comprising a target nucleotide sequence, which is capable of being activated by the transactivator, operably linked to a nucleotide sequence which encodes RNA or a polypeptide which will disrupt the formation of viable pollen. Therefore, crossing parent 1 with parent 2 results in male-sterile offspring. The male-sterile plants are useful for producing hybrid seed. The invention also provides compositions and methods for high level expression of a coding region of interest in a plant.

Methods for the production of hybrid seed

Transgenic male sterile plants for the production of hybrid seeds

Growing community of inventors

St. Louis, MO, United States of America

Lyle Dean Crossland