Signal sequences useful for targeting proteins and peptides to the surface of endospores produced by Paenibacillus family members and methods of using the same are provided. The display of heterologous molecules, such as peptides, polypeptides and other recombinant constructs, on the spore surface of Paenibacillus family members, using particular N-terminal targeting sequences and derivatives of the same, are also provided.

Methods and compositions are provided for isolating protoplasts from plants and other multicellular, cell-wall containing organisms with high efficiency.

This invention generally relates to compositions comprising thaumatin-like proteins (TLP) and chitinases for use as laboratory reagents or biofungicides. The invention further relates to methods of detecting and inducing pathogen resistance in plants.

Coccidioidomycosis is most often diagnosed serologically and the quantitative complement-fixing antibody test (CF) is considered prognostically useful. Because CF is complex, labor-intensive, and poorly standardized, an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) alternative would be attractive. The present invention features an antibody-binding domain that is restricted to a 200 amino acid recombinant peptide of the known antigen responsible for CF activity. Overlapping truncations of this peptide do not bind CF antibodies, suggesting that the responsible epitope(s) are conformational. Further, anchoring the antigenic peptide to the ELISA plate by means of a C-terminal tag instead of allowing the peptide to randomly adhere to the plastic plate improves sensitivity of antibody detection by one to two logs in different sera. The newly developed ELISA shows a significant quantitative correlation with CF. This ELISA shows potential as the basis for a new quantitative assay for coccidioidal antibodies.

Methods and compositions for treating Gaucher disease are described.

There is provided a method of treating hay for preventing and/or reducing heat damage in high moisture hay and as well to preserve the same, the method including adding to hay a hay preservative including a hay preserving and heat reducing effective amount of at least one enzyme having a chitinase activity, either alone or in combination with a hay preserving and heat reducing effective amount of a yeast of the genus Pichia or a bacteria of the genus Pediococcus. There is also provided a method of treating hay for preventing and/or reducing heat damage in high moisture hay and as well to preserve the same, the method including adding to hay a hay preservative including a hay preserving and heat reducing effective amount of yeast of the genus Pichia.

Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs useful for enhancing mechanical stalk strength in plants, compositions (such as plants or seeds) comprising these recombinant DNA constructs, and methods utilizing these recombinant DNA constructs. The recombinant DNA construct comprises a polynucleotide operably linked to a promoter that is functional in a plant, wherein said polynucleotide encodes a CTL1 polypeptide.

Disclosed herein is the nucleotide sequence of the Chromobacterium subtsugae genome. Also provided are the nucleotide sequences of open reading frames in the C subtsugae genome (i.e., C. subtsugae genes). In addition, the amino acid sequences of proteins encoded by the C. subtsugae genome are provided. Nucleic acids, vectors and polypeptides comprising the aforementioned sequences are also provided. Homologues, functional fragments and conservative variants of the aforementioned sequences are also provided. Compositions having pesticidal, bioremedial and plant growth-promoting activities comprising C. subtsugae genes and proteins, and methods for the use of these compositions, are also provided.

Disclosed herein is the nucleotide sequence of the Chromobacterium subtsugae genome. Also provided are the nucleotide sequences of open reading frames in the C. subtsugae genome (i.e., C. subtsugae genes). In addition, the amino acid sequences of proteins encoded by the C. subtsugae genome are provided. Nucleic acids, vectors and polypeptides comprising the aforementioned sequences are also provided. Homologues, functional fragments and conservative variants of the aforementioned sequences are also provided. Compositions having pesticidal, bioremedial and plant growth-promoting activities comprising C. subtsugae genes and proteins, and methods for the use of these compositions, are also provided.

An Enterobacter species isolated from finger millet, characterized by 16S rRNA gene analysis and the identification of genes that prevent or inhibit the growth of fungal plant pathogens, is disclosed for use with agricultural plants.