The invention provides DNA molecules and constructs, and their nucleotide sequences, useful for modulating gene expression in plants, and for specifying intracellular or extracellular localization of a gene product of interest. Transgenic plants, plant cells, plant parts, and seeds, comprising the DNA molecules operably linked to heterologous transcribable polynucleotides are also provided.

The present invention relates to excision of explant material comprising meristematic tissue from seeds, and storage of such material prior to subsequent use in plant tissue culture and genetic transformation. Methods for tissue preparation, storage, and transformation are disclosed, as is transformable meristem tissue produced by such methods, and apparati for tissue preparation.

A method of transforming a mitochondrion of a plant cell to express a nitrogenase enzyme includes exposing the plant cell to a mitochondrial-targeting nanocarrier polypeptide and one or more nucleic acids encoding the nitrogenase enzyme. The one or more genes encoding the nitrogenase enzyme can be one or more Klebsiella nif genes. The method can be used to generate plants which have the capability of fixing atmospheric elemental nitrogen.

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for transforming soybean, corn, cotton, or canola explants using spectinomycin as a selective agent for transformation of the explants. The method may further comprise treatment of the explants with cytokinin during the transformation and regeneration process.

A method of producing lipids, containing the steps of: culturing a transformant into which a gene encoding at least one of the proteins selected from the group consisting of the following proteins (A) to (C) is introduced; and producing fatty acids or lipids containing the same as components:
(A) A protein consisting of the amino acid sequence of the 23.sup.rd to 146.sup.th amino acids set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1;
(B) A protein consisting of an amino acid sequence having 70% or more identity with the amino acid sequence of the protein (A), and having acyl carrier protein activity; and
(C) A protein containing the amino acid sequence of the protein (A) or (B), and having acyl carrier protein activity.

The invention provides recombinant DNA molecules useful for providing efficient expression of proteins in transgenic plants, as well as compositions and methods for using the recombinant DNA molecules. In particular embodiments, the invention provides recombinant DNA molecules and constructs comprising sequences encoding transit peptides and operably linked sequences conferring herbicide tolerance.

A nuclear maize gene is mutated to result in dominant male sterility. Two mutants are provided which impact signal peptide processing. Restoration constructs and methods are provided for use of the dominant male-sterile mutants in producing hybrid seed for male-sterile hybrid plants. Other signal-peptide modifications are provided. Orthologs of the wild type or mutated gene in various species are provided.

The present invention relates to excision of explant material comprising meristematic tissue from cotton seeds. Methods for tissue preparation, storage, transformation, and selection or identification of transformed plants are disclosed, as are transformable meristem tissues and plants produced by such methods, and apparati for tissue preparation.

Provided is a recombinant vector including a new BiP gene fragment, and when a target protein is prepared using the recombinant vector of the subject matter, use stability can be enhanced and the production amount of target protein can also be increased by minimizing a foreign peptide sequence remaining in the target protein.

The invention provides recombinant DNA molecules useful for providing efficient expression of proteins in transgenic plants, as well as compositions and methods for using the recombinant DNA molecules. In particular embodiments, the invention provides recombinant DNA molecules and constructs comprising sequences encoding transit peptides and operably linked sequences conferring herbicide tolerance.