Other

Yeda Research and Develpment & Co. Ltd

Orit Shaul

Gad Galili

Marc Charles Van Montagu

Avihai Perl

Donald W Hilgemann

Dirk Inze

An isolated DNA molecule is provided coding for a polypeptide of the 11-12 transmembrane domain transporter family having a Mg /H or Zn /H exchange activity, herein designated MHX. The genomic MHX DNA was isolated from cv. C-24. Transgenic plants transformed with said DNA and expressing MHX are shown to have a lower content of sodium as compared with corresponding wild-type plants or a higher dry matter weight upon growth in calcium-rich media as compared with corresponding wild-type plants. These transgenic plants are tolerant to stress conditions, particularly high salinity and calcium-rich media, e.g. saline and calcareous soils.

DNA coding for a Mg2&plus;/H&plus; or Zn2&plus;/H&plus; exchanger and transgenic plants expressing same

A chimeric gene construct comprising a DNA sequence encoding an enzyme having aspartate kinase (AK) activity is provided, which is capable of expression in plant cells with subsequent increased production of threonine. Transgenic plants containing in their cells said chimeric gene overproduce threonine and transgenic plants containing in their cells said chimeric gene and a second chimeric gene comprising a DNA sequence coding for an enzyme having dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHPS) activity, overproduce both threonine and lysine. The transgenic plants are resistant to lysine and threonine, to derivatives thereof and to selective inhibitors of the plant enzymes DHPS or AK, and thus these compounds may be used as selective herbicides in locus where the transgenic plants are cultivated.

Transgenic plants overproducing threonine and lysine

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Petach Tikva, Israel

Orit Shaul