The invention relates generally to peptide biomarkers with specific ionization characteristics to directly quantify one or more transgenic target proteins in biological samples, including transgenic plant samples, by liquid chromatography coupled tandem mass spectrometry multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The peptide biomarkers in combination with MRM-based methods may be used to quantify a single transgenic target protein or multiple transgenic target proteins within a stacked transgenic crop, such as maize, utilizing selected peptide biomarkers either alone or in combination. The present disclosure allows for broad based, reliable quantitation in different biological matrices, including plant matrices. The peptide biomarkers of the invention can further be used as trait biomarkers to support identification and/or selection of specific transgenic Events. Also provided are different peptide biomarker combinations that can be used to perform the methods of the invention.

This disclosure concerns compositions and methods for increasing the expression of a polynucleotide of interest. Some embodiments concern novel transactivation polypeptides and variants thereof that have been identified in plants, and methods of using the same. Particular embodiments concern the use of at least one DNA-binding polypeptide in a fusion protein to target at least one transactivation polypeptide or variant thereof to a specific binding site on a nucleic acid comprising the polynucleotide of interest, such that its expression may be increased.

Methods and compositions are provided which allow for genetic modification of host cells including, plants and plant cells. The various methods and composition employ a recombinant DNA construct comprising SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or 2 or active variants and fragments thereof. Such polynucleotides find use in facilitating integration of polynucleotides of interest into the DNA of a host cell, including a plant or plant cell. Vectors, host cells, bacterium and plants comprising the recombinant DNA construct or fragments thereof are provided. Further provided are methods of introducing into a host cell or a plant cell a polynucleotide of interest. The method comprises contacting the host cell with a bacterium competent for the transformation of the host cell, wherein the bacterium comprises a transformation vector comprising a recombinant DNA construct.

The present invention is drawn to a nucleic acid sequence which confers expression of a phosphinothricin acetyltransferase and a 5-enolpyruvyl-3-phosphoshikimic acid synthase when introduced into a cell. These proteins may confer herbicide tolerance.

Certain embodiments of the invention pertain to a method of treating an infection in a subject caused by an infectious agent other than Escherichia coli, the method comprising administering to the subject arsinothricin or a salt thereof. The infectious agent other than E. coli can be a bacterium, protozoan, helminth, archaebacterium, or a fungus. In preferred embodiments, the infectious agent is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium brevis, or Enterobacter cloacae. The invention also pertains to a method of treating an infection in a subject caused by an infectious agent, comprising administering to the subject arsinothricin or a salt thereof in combination with an inhibitor of phosphinothricin N-acetyltransferase or arsinothricin N-acetyltransferase. In certain such embodiments, the infectious agent expresses phosphinothricin N-acetyltransferase or arsinothricin N-acetyltransferase. Further embodiments provide compositions comprising arsinothricin or a salt thereof and an inhibitor of phosphinothricin N-acetyltransferase or arsinothricin N-acetyltransferase.

The present disclosure provides glufosinate-tolerant turfgrasses (e.g., Kentucky bluegrass), methods of making glufosinate-tolerant turfgrasses, and methods of controlling weeds in a field comprising glufosinate-tolerant turfgrasses by treating the field with an effective amount of an herbicide comprising glufosinate.

The present invention is drawn to compositions and methods for improving transformation frequency. The compositions, synthetic selectable marker genes, are used in transformation methods and result in increased transformation frequency.

This disclosure concerns compositions and methods for increasing the expression of a polynucleotide of interest. Some embodiments concern novel transactivation polypeptides and variants thereof that have been identified in plants, and methods of using the same. Particular embodiments concern the use of at least one DNA-binding polypeptide in a fusion protein to target at least one transactivation polypeptide or variant thereof to a specific binding site on a nucleic acid comprising the polynucleotide of interest, such that its expression may be increased.

Compositions and methods comprising polynucleotides and polypeptides that confer glufosinate resistance to a host cell are provided. Further provided are nucleic acid constructs, host cells, plants, plant cells, explants, seeds and grain having the sequence that confer glufosinate resistance. Various methods of employing these sequences are provided. Such methods include, for example, methods for producing a host cell, plant, plant cell, explant or seed having glufosinate resistance, and methods of controlling weeds in a field containing a crop employing the plants and/or seeds disclosed herein.

Methods and compositions are provided which allow for genetic modification of host cells including, plants and plant cells. The various methods and composition employ a recombinant DNA construct comprising SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or 2 or active variants and fragments thereof. Such polynucleotides find use in facilitating integration of polynucleotides of interest into the DNA N of a host cell, including a plant or plant cell. Vectors, host cells, bacterium and plants comprising the recombinant DNA construct or fragments thereof are provided. Further provided are methods of introducing into a host cell or a plant cell a polynucleotide of interest. The method comprises contacting the host cell with a bacterium competent for the transformation of the host cell, wherein the bacterium comprises a transformation vector comprising a recombinant DNA construct.