IMPROVING PLANT NUTRITIONAL VALUE AND GROWTH THROUGH ENHANCEMENT OF ESSENTIAL AMINO ACID LEVELS

Abstract

Described herein are modified isopropylmalate synthase nucleic acids and proteins, as well as methods, plants, plant cells, and seeds that include the modified isopropylmalate synthase. As shown herein, plants and seeds with such modified isopropylmalate synthase nucleic acids and proteins have increased biomass and/or increased amino acid content.

Claims

1. A plant cell, plant seed, or plant comprising at least one of: a modified or mutant endogenous isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) gene that encodes the isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) protein; or an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid segment encoding a modified or mutant isopropylmalate synthase protein.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. The plant cell, plant seed, or plant of claim 1, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein does not have significant isopropylmalate synthase activity.

8. The plant cell, plant seed, or plant of claim 1, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least one of: a modification within its catalytic domain, a modification within its allosteric domain, or a combination thereof; an aspartic acid within its catalytic domain that is replaced by another amino acid; or an aspartic acid at a position corresponding to position 228 of SEQ ID NO:2 that is replaced by another amino acid.

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. The plant cell, plant seed, or plant of claim 1, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least one of a glycine within its allosteric domain that is replaced by another amino acid or a glycine at a position corresponding to position 606 of SEQ ID NO:2 that is replaced by another amino acid.

12. (canceled)

13. The plant cell, plant seed, or plant of claim 1, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein comprises a sequence with at least one amino acid modification to any of SEQ ID NO: 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 33, 35, 36, or 38.

14. The plant cell, plant seed, or plant of claim 1, wherein the plant or a plant generated from the plant cell or the plant seed has increased amino acid content or wherein the plant or a plant generated from the plant cell or the plant seed has increased content of at least one of Gln, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp, Val, or a combination thereof.

15. (canceled)

16. The plant cell, plant seed, or plant of claim 1, which is a forage species, starch species, oil species, grain species, grass species, sugar producing species, vegetable species, canola species, corn species, soybean species, sunflower species, walnut species, or olive species of plant, plant cell or plant seed.

17. The plant cell, plant seed, or plant of claim 1, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) protein is generated from a forage species, starch species, oil species, grain species, grass species, sugar producing species, canola, corn, soybean, sunflower, walnut, olive, or vegetable species of isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS).

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. A method comprising cultivating one or more seeds or seedlings, where the one or more seeds or seedlings have at least one of a modified or mutant endogenous isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) nucleic acid that encodes a modified isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) protein or an exogenous expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid segment having at least one mutation or modification in a coding region encoding the modified isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) protein, to thereby generate one or more modified mature plants, and harvesting at least one of vegetative tissues or seeds from the one or more modified mature plants.

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) protein does not have significant isopropylmalate synthase activity.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least one of: a modification within its catalytic domain, a modification within its allosteric domain, or a combination thereof; an aspartic acid within its catalytic domain that is replaced by another amino acid; or an aspartic acid at a position corresponding to position 228 of SEQ ID NO:2 that is replaced by another amino acid.

25. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least one of a glycine within its allosteric domain that is replaced by another amino acid or a glycine at a position corresponding to position 606 of SEQ ID NO:2 that is replaced by another amino acid.

28. (canceled)

29. The method of claim 20, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein comprises a sequence with at least one amino acid modification to any of SEQ ID NO: 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 33, 35, 36, or 38.

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. The method of claim 20, wherein the isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) nucleic acid, one or more seeds or one or more seedlings are forage species, starch species, oil species, grain species, grass species, sugar producing species, canola species, corn species, soybean species, sunflower species, walnut species, olive species, or vegetable species of isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) nucleic acid, seeds or seedlings.

33. (canceled)

34. A method comprising: selecting at least one plant cell comprising at least one mutation or modification in an endogenous isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) gene that expresses a modified isopropylmalate synthase protein, or selecting at least one plant cell comprising an exogenous expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid segment having at least one mutation or modification in a coding region encoding the modified isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) protein; generating one or more plants from the at least one plant cells so selected, and cultivating the one or more plants to generate one or more mature plants.

35. (canceled)

36. (canceled)

37. The method of claim 34, wherein the one or more mature plants have increased biomass or increased content of one or more amino acid relative to an average amino acid content, or an average biomass of wild type plants, or parental plants, or plants with a knockout IPMS gene that do not express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein.

38. (canceled)

39. The method of claim 34, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least one of: a modification within its catalytic domain, a modification within its allosteric domain, or a combination thereof; an aspartic acid within its catalytic domain that is replaced by another amino acid; or an aspartic acid within its catalytic domain that is replaced by another amino acid at a position corresponding to position 228 of SEQ ID NO:2.

40. (canceled)

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least one of a glycine within its allosteric domain that is replaced by another amino acid or glycine at position 606 of SEQ ID NO:2 that is replaced by another amino acid.

42. (canceled)

43. The method of claim 34, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein comprises a sequence with at least one amino acid modification to any of SEQ ID NO: 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 33, 35, 36, or 38.

44. (canceled)

45. (canceled)

46. The method of claim 34, wherein at least one of the plant cells is a forage species, starch species, oil species, grain species, grass species, sugar producing species, vegetable species, canola species, corn species, soybean species, sunflower species, walnut species, or olive species.

47. (canceled)

48. (canceled)

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0012] FIG. 1A-1J illustrate identification of a plant mutant with defects in vacuole morphogenesis. FIG. 1A-1D are confocal images of cotyledon epidermal cells expressing tonoplast marker GFP-δTIP in wild type and eva1 at various times. GFP-δTIP is a fusion between green fluorescent protein fusion and delta-TIP, a vacuolar membrane channel protein. FIG. 1A shows a confocal image of cotyledon epidermal cells expressing tonoplast marker GFP-δTIP in 10-day old wild type cells. FIG. 1B shows a confocal image of cotyledon epidermal cells expressing tonoplast marker GFP-δTIP in 10-day old eva1 cells. FIG. 1C shows a confocal image of cotyledon epidermal cells expressing tonoplast marker GFP-δTIP in 20-day old wild type cells. FIG. 1D shows a confocal image of cotyledon epidermal cells expressing tonoplast marker GFP-δTIP in 20-day old eva1 cells. In FIG. 1A-1D the top panels present single images of the middle focal plane of the epidermal cells, while the bottom panels present Z-stack maximal projections, which is a stack of about 20 single images with 20 μm intervals that fully span the top-to-bottom Z-axis of the epidermal cells. Arrows point to trans-vacuolar strands and arrowheads indicate presumably small vacuoles, which are prominent in eva1. In FIG. 1A-1B the scale bars represent 20 μm. In FIG. 1C-1D the scale bars represent 50 μm. FIG. 1E illustrates the genomic structure of the isopropylmalate synthase 1 (IPMS1) (ATIG18500) chromosomal locus. Lighter gray boxes are untranslated regions; darker black boxes are exons; and lines are introns. FIG. 1F shows an amino acid sequence alignment of IPMS1 homologs using T-COFFEE in Jalview. Amino acids are grouped by color with ClustalX based on their similarity of physicochemical properties. Abbreviations: At, Arabidopsis thaliana; SI, Solanum lycopersicum; Cr, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: Mt, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The amino acid substitution of eva1 is outlined by a red box. The AtIPMS1 and AtIPMS2 sequence shown is RFARSLGCEDVEFSPEDAGRSEREYL (SEQ ID NO:40, where the hold, underlined residue (D) is the position of the eva1 mutation). The AtMAM1 sequence shown is RFAKSLGFNDIQFGCEDGGRSDKDFL (SEQ ID NO:41, where the bold, underlined residue (D) is the position of the eva1 mutation). The AtMAM3 sequence shown is KYAKSLGFKDIQFGCEDGGRTEKDFI (SEQ ID NO:42, where the bold, underlined residue (D) is the position of the eva1 mutation). The SIIPMS1 sequence shown is AYARSIGCEDVEFSPEDAGRSDPEFL (SEQ ID NO:43, where the bold, underlined residue (D) is the position of the eva1 mutation). The CrIPMS sequence shown is KHLRSLGCNDIEFSPEDAGRSDPKFL (SEQ ID NO:44, where the bold, underlined residue (D) is the position of the eva1 mutation). The MtLeuA sequence shown is RKCVEQAAKYPGTQWRFEYSPESYTGTELEYA (SEQ ID NO:45, where the bold, underlined residue (D) is the position of the eva1 mutation). FIG. 1G shows a photograph of 10-day old plants of the indicated genotypes. Scale bar represents 0.5 cm. FIG. 1H shows a photograph of 20-day old plants of the indicated genotypes. Scale bar represents 1 cm. FIG. 1I-1J illustrate quantification of eva1 vacuolar phenotypes. FIG. 1I graphically illustrates the number of unfused vacuoles. n=40 cells for each genotype. FIG. 1J graphically illustrates the length of trans-vacuolar strands. Notably, in 10 day old wild-type cotyledon epidermal cells, trans-vacuolar strands are rarely observed. Cells of eva1 background have numerous trans-vacuolar strands. Only the longest string in each cell type was measured. n=16. Values are mean±SD. The asterisks indicate significant differences compared to wild type (***p≤0.001, unpaired t test).

[0013] FIG. 2A-2C illustrate amino acid profiling of IPMS1 loss-of-function mutants. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of the branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) biosynthetic pathway in the chloroplast. Lines show known feedback inhibitions of enzymes by end products, where inhibition is indicated by a bar perpendicular to a line. Arrows indicate steps in the BCAA biosynthetic pathway. FIG. 2B graphically illustrates fold changes of each free amino acid in 10-day old eva1, ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 samplings compared to 10-day old wild type saplings (n=7 for WT, n=5 for eva1, n=8 for ipms1-4. n=7 for ipms1-5). FIG. 2C graphically illustrates fold changes of each free amino acid in 20-day old eva1, ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 samplings compared to 20-day old wild type samplings (n=6 for each genotype). Values are mean±SEM. The asterisks indicate significant differences compared to the wild type (*p≤0.05, **p≤0.01, ***p≤0.001, unpaired t test). Amino acids were extracted from aerial tissues of 10 days old seedlings and rosette leaves of 20 days old plants. Each value represents the mean±SEM. The asterisks indicate significant difference compared to wild type (WT) (*p≤0.05. **p≤0.01, ***p≤0.001, unpaired t test). FW, fresh weight; cFAA, total 19 free amino acids without cysteine.

[0014] FIG. 3A-3J illustrate that mutants of IPMS1 exhibit defects in cotyledon architecture and chloroplast ultrastructure. FIG. 3A show light microscopic images of cotyledon cross sections. Cotyledon thickness is denoted by red lines. Scale bar, 100 μm. FIG. 3B graphically illustrates cotyledon thickness of plants with the indicated genotypes. n=9 for WT, eva1 and ipms1-4; n=6 for ipms1-5. FIG. 3C graphically illustrates cotyledon size of plants with the indicated genotypes. n=20 for each genotype. FIG. 3D shows representative transmission electron microscopy images of chloroplasts. Arrows point to connecting stroma thylakoids that are existing in WT and absent in mutants. Scale bar, 0.5 μm. FIG. 3E graphically illustrates thylakoid lengths of cotyledons of the indicated genotype. Five cotyledons from each genotype were sampled for imaging, and at least 30 stroma thylakoids were measured in each sample (n≥150). For all graphical representations of data, columns are mean±SD. The asterisks indicate significant differences of each mutant compared to wild type (***p≤0.001, **p≤0.01, unpaired t test). FIG. 3F graphically illustrates fresh weights of wild type (WT) and five mutants of IPMS1 at the 10-day old stage. FIG. 3G graphically illustrates fresh weights of wild type (WT) and five mutants of IPMS1 at the 20-day old stage. FIG. 3H graphically illustrates primary root lengths of wild type (WT) and five mutants of IPMS1 at the 10-day old stage. FIG. 3I graphically illustrates primary root lengths of wild type (WT) and five mutants of IPMS1 at the 20-day old stage. Mutants tf1111 and tf1102 are two independent ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutagenized lines of ipms1-1.sup.D. Values are mean±SD. The asterisks indicate significant differences compared to wild type (n=30 for each genotype at 10-day old stage, n=20 for each genotype at 20-day old stage; ***p≤0.001, **p≤0.01, NS, p>0.05 and not significant, unpaired t test). FIG. 3J graphically illustrates total anthocyanins of wild type (WT) and IPMS1 mutants. The absorbance at 532 nm was measured of samples that contained 50 μL extraction buffer per 1 mg dry weight. Values are mean±SEM. The asterisk indicates significant differences between each mutant line and the wild type (n=5 for each genotype; *p≤0.05, unpaired t test).

[0015] FIG. 4A-4I illustrate that mutation of IPMS1 affects endoplasmic reticulum (ER) morphology and F-actin organization. FIG. 4A shows low magnification confocal (top) and high magnification planar (bottom) images of wild type cotyledon epidermal cells stained for the ER marker ERYK. FIG. 4B shows low magnification confocal (top) and high magnification planar (bottom) images of eva1 cotyledon epidermal cells stained for the ER marker ERYK. As illustrated by the Z-stack projection images, the ER morphology in eva1 cells is altered, featuring longer and more thickened ER strands, as the arrows indicate. FIG. 4C shows confocal images of the wild type and eva1 cotyledon epidermal cells stained for the F-actin marker YFP-ABD2. Scale bar, 50 μm. FIG. 4D graphically illustrates the percentage of ER occupancy, which is the percentage of the area occupied by ER in the total field of view (n=20 for each genotype). Single-plane images were used for the quantification. Columns show mean±SD. The asterisks indicate significant differences (**p≤0.01, unpaired t test). FIG. 4E graphically illustrates the quantity of F-actin binding as a measure of F-actin organization, where quantification of skewness was quantified as an indication of higher level of F-actin bundling in eva1 compared to wild type (n=32 for each genotype). FIG. 4F graphically illustrates the percentage of F-actin occupancy, which is the area occupied by F-actin in the total field of view. As illustrated, eva1 cells exhibit a lower occupancy of F-actin compared to wild type cells (n=28 for each genotype). Z-stack projection images were used for the quantification. Columns show mean±SD. The asterisks indicate significant differences (**p≤0.01 and ***p≤0.001, unpaired t test). FIG. 4G shows that the number of Golgi are altered in eva1 mutant cells. The numbers of Golgi in each genotype were measured in independent field of view squares (100 μm×100 μm; wild type, n=16, eva1, n=20). Columns show mean±SD. The asterisks indicate significant difference compared to the wild type (***p≤0.001, unpaired t test). FIG. 4H-4I illustrate that compared to wild type, IPMS1 loss-of-function mutants are less sensitive to latrunculin B (Lat B; an actin polymerization inhibitor). Ten day old wild type (Col-0), ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 seedlings were germinated and grown on ½ LS and 1% sucrose medium then transplanted to ½ LS and 1% sucrose medium containing DMSO, 50 nM Lat B or 100 nM Lat B. FIG. 4H graphically illustrates primary root length of the wild type, ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 seedlings on the day of transplant (0 day). FIG. 4I graphically illustrates primary root length of the wild type, ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 seedlings at 8 days after transplant. Values are mean±SEM. The asterisks indicate significant differences compared to the wild type (n=8 for each genotype on a specific medium; ***p≤0.001, **p≤0.01, NS, p>0.05 and not significant, unpaired t test).

[0016] FIG. 5A-5I illustrate that chemical interventions can fully or partially rescue the vacuolar mutant phenotypes of eva1. FIG. 5A shows a low magnification confocal image of cotyledon epidermal cells expressing GFP-δTIP from 10-day old eva1 plants after 2 hours treatment of DMSO. Scale bar of 50 μm. FIG. 5B shows a high magnification confocal image of cotyledon epidermal cells expressing GFP-δTIP from 10-day old eva1 plants after 2-hour treatment of DMSO. Scale bar of 10 μm. FIG. 5C shows a low magnification confocal image of cotyledon epidermal cells expressing GFP-δTIP from 10-day old eva1 plants after 2-hour treatment with wortmannin (Wm; a covalent inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinases). Scale bar of 50 μm. FIG. 5D shows a high magnification confocal image of cotyledon epidermal cells expressing GFP-δTIP from 10-day old eva1 plants after 2-hour treatment with wortmannin (Wm). Scale bar of 10 μm. FIG. 5E shows a low magnification confocal image of cotyledon epidermal cells expressing GFP-δTIP from 10-day old eva1 plants after 2-hour treatment with latrunculin B (Lat B; an actin polymerization inhibitor). Scale bar of 50 sm. FIG. 5F shows a high magnification confocal image of cotyledon epidermal cells expressing GFP-δTIP from 10-day old eva1 plants after 2-hour treatment with latrunculin B (Lat B). Scale bar of 10 μm. FIG. 5G shows a low magnification confocal image of cotyledon epidermal cells expressing GFP-δTIP from 10-day old eva1 plants after 2-hour treatment with oryzalin. Scale bar of 50 μm. FIG. 5H shows a high magnification confocal image of cotyledon epidermal cells expressing GFP-δTIP from 10-day old eva1 plants after 2-hour treatment with oryzalin. Scale bar of 10 μm. Arrowheads suggest presumably unfused vacuolar structures and arrows pinpoint enhanced TVSs. All the images are Z-stack maximal projections. FIG. 5I graphically illustrates the number of presumably unfused small vacuoles in wild type and eva1 cotyledon epidermal cells of 10-day old wild type (WT) and eva1 plants before or after 3-hour treatment of DMSO or wortmannin (Wm). Values are mean±SD. The asterisks indicate significant differences (n=40 cells for each treatment: ***p≤0.001, NS, p>0.05 and not significant, unpaired t test).

[0017] FIG. 6A-6Q illustrate that vacuolar mutant phenotypes of eva1 are correlated with up-regulated TOR activity. FIGS. 6A-6F show that the TOR inhibitor AZD-8088 treatment rescues vacuolar mutant phenotypes of eva1. FIG. 6A is a confocal image acquired before 10-day old wild type seedlings were transferred to liquid growth medium containing 5 mM AZD-8055. FIG. 6B is a confocal image acquired before 10-day old eva1 seedlings were transferred to liquid growth medium containing 5 mM AZD-8055. FIG. 6C is a confocal image acquired 2 hours after 10-day old wild type seedlings were transferred to liquid growth medium containing 5 mM AZD-8055. FIG. 6D is a confocal image acquired 2 hours after 10-day old eva1 seedlings were transferred to liquid growth medium containing 5 mM AZD-8055. FIG. 6E is a confocal image acquired 4 hours after 10-day old wild type seedlings were transferred to liquid growth medium containing 5 mM AZD-8055. FIG. 6F is a confocal image acquired 4 hours after 10-day old eva1 seedlings were transferred to liquid growth medium containing 5 mM AZD-8055. The arrowhead indicates presumably unfused vacuolar structures and arrows point to enhanced trans-vacuolar strands. All the images are Z-stack maximal projections. Scale bar, 25 mm. FIG. 6G graphically illustrates the number of unfused vacuoles in eva1 before and after TOR inhibitor treatment. Values are mean±SD. The asterisks indicate significant differences (n=30 cells for each treatment; ***p≤−0.001, NS, p>0.05 and not significant, unpaired t test). FIG. 6H shows immunoblots that detect phosphorylation of S6K by TOR, as detected by staining with specific antisera against S6K-phosphorylated and S6K. S6K phosphorylates the 40S ribosomal protein S6 (S6) at five Ser residues. LC, loading control with Ponceau S staining. FIG. 6I graphically illustrates S6K phosphorylation status calculated by the ratio of S6K-p/S6K in fold change compared to wild type. n=3 and values are mean±SEM (***p≤0.05, unpaired t test). FIG. 6J shows images of 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine-stained (EdU-stained) root meristems of 10-day old seedlings. For each genotype, the lighter green spots with the dark background shows EdU-stained newly synthesized DNA and the bright-field image shows structure of root tip. Scale bar, 100 mm. FIG. 6K graphically illustrates EdU fluorescence intensity of EdU-stained root meristems shown in FIG. 6J. Values are mean±SD. The asterisks indicate significant differences compared to wild type (n=9 for each genotype; **p≤0.01, ***p≤0.001, unpaired t test). FIG. 6L-6M graphically illustrate that the effects of the TOR inhibitor AZD-8055 on ipms1 primary root elongation is dose-dependent. Ten-day old wild type (WT. Col-0), eva1, ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 seedlings were germinated and grown on ½ LS and 1% sucrose medium containing DMSO or increasing concentrations of TOR inhibitor AZD-8055. FIG. 6L graphically illustrates the primary root length at different AZD-8055 concentrations. Values are mean±SD. The asterisks indicate significant differences compared to the wild type. FIG. 6M graphically illustrates the change of root elongation, expressed as % of each AZD-8055 treatment versus control (DMSO solvent). Values are mean±SD. The asterisks in indicate significant differences compared to the DMSO control. n=50 for WT, n=100 for other genotypes on a specific medium; ***p≤0.001. *p≤0.05, unpaired t test. FIG. 6N-6Q illustrate the effects of the PI3K/TOR dual inhibitor wortmannin and the F-actin depolymerizer Lat B on ipms1 primary root elongation. Ten-day old wild type (WT, Col-0), eva1, ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 seedlings were germinated and growth on medium containing DMSO or increasing concentrations of wortmannin. FIG. 6N graphically illustrates the length of primary roots of wild type (WT, Col-0), eva1, ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 seedlings treated with various amounts of wortmannin. Values are mean±SD. The asterisks indicate significant differences compared to the wild type. FIG. 6O graphically illustrates the primary root length as a percent of control of wild type (WT, Col-0), eva1, ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 seedlings treated with various amounts of wortmannin. FIGS. 6N and 6O illustrate that wortmannin confers minimal impacts on ipms1 primary root elongation. FIG. 6P-6Q illustrate that compared to wild type, ipms1 primary root elongation is less sensitive to Lat B. Nine-day old wild type (WT, Col-0), eva1, ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 seedlings were germinated and grown on medium containing DMSO or increasing concentrations of Lat B. FIG. 6P graphically illustrates the length of primary roots of wild type (WT, Col-0), eva1, ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 seedlings treated with various amounts of Lat B. Values are mean±SD. The asterisks indicate significant differences compared to the wild type. FIG. 6Q graphically illustrates the primary root length as a percent of control of wild type (WT. Col-0), eva1, ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 seedlings treated with various amounts of Lat B. The asterisks in FIGS. 6P and 6Q indicate Lat B treatment leads to significant differences in wild type compared to the DMSO control, but that Lat B has less effects on ipms1 mutants. n=50 for WT, n=100 for other genotypes on a specific medium; ***p≤0.001, **p≤0.01, *p≤0.05, NS, p>0.05 and not significant, unpaired t test.

[0018] FIG. 7A-7L illustrate that feeding of exogenous branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and over aCcumulation of endogenous BCAAs induce actin bundling, which is dependent on functional TOR but not RAPTOR. FIG. 7A illustrates the organization of actin cytoskeleton in mock-treated wild type cotyledon epidermal cells expressing F-actin marker YFP-ABD2. FIG. 7B illustrates the organization of actin cytoskeleton in mock-treated tor-es (no induction) cotyledon epidermal cells expressing F-actin marker YFP-ABD2. FIG. 7C illustrates the organization of actin cytoskeleton in mock-treated for-es (with induction) cotyledon epidermal cells expressing F-actin marker YFP-ABD2. FIG. 7D illustrates the organization of actin cytoskeleton in mock-treated raptor1b cotyledon epidermal cells expressing F-actin marker YFP-ABD2. Higher fluorescence intensity of the actin marker suggests more bundling of actin filaments. Using ImageJ, a 50 μm red arrowed line was drawn to detect the pixel fluorescence intensity beneath such a line. In each image, the red arrowed line is positioned where the highest fluorescence intensity was detected using non-saturating imaging settings. A chart beneath the image presents plotted fluorescence intensity along the red arrowed line. Without actin bundling, fine actin filaments have fluorescence intensity about 1000 (relative unit). In contrast, induced actin bundling show fluorescence intensity peaks of 3000-4000 (relative unit) (FIG. 7A-7D). Without feeding of branched-chain amino acids (mock), wild type, for-es with or without silencing, and raptor/b did not show induced actin bundling. FIG. 7E illustrates the organization of actin cytoskeleton in wild type cotyledon epidermal cells expressing F-actin marker YFP-ABD2 treated with 1 mM branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). FIG. 7F illustrates the organization of actin cytoskeleton in for-es (no induction) cotyledon epidermal cells expressing F-actin marker YFP-ABD2 treated with 1 mM BCAA. FIG. 7O illustrates the organization of actin cytoskeleton in tor-es (with induction) cotyledon epidermal cells expressing F-actin marker YFP-ABD2 treated with 1 mM BCAA. FIG. 7H illustrates the organization of actin cytoskeleton in raptor/b cotyledon epidermal cells expressing F-actin marker YFP-ABD2 treated with 1 mM BCAA. As illustrated in FIGS. 7E, 7F and 7H, feeding of 1 mM BCAAs induced striking actin bundling in wild type, tor-es without gene silencing and raptor1b, but not in for-es with induction of TOR silencing (FIG. 7G). FIG. 7I illustrates the organization of actin cytoskeleton in mock-treated ipms1-1.sup.D cotyledon epidermal cells expressing F-actin marker YFP-ABD2. FIG. 7J illustrates the organization of actin cytoskeleton in mock-treated ahass1-1 cotyledon epidermal cells expressing F-actin marker YFP-ABD2. FIG. 7K illustrates the organization of actin cytoskeleton in mock-treated ipms1-5 cotyledon epidermal cells expressing F-actin marker YFP-ABD2. FIG. 7L illustrates the organization of actin cytoskeleton in mock-treated omr1-11.sup.D cotyledon epidermal cells expressing F-actin marker YFP-ABD2. As shown in FIGS. 7I and J, without feeding of BCAAs (mock), mutants with small changes of BCAAs did not show induced actin bundling, however mutants with over-accumulation of endogenous BCAAs showed induced actin bundling (FIG. 7K-7L). All the images are Z-stack maximal projections. Scale bars, 50 μm.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of TOR-regulated subcellular processes. Over-accumulation of BCAA Val, Leu and Ile stimulates TOR signaling. Except for the established downstream processes such as protein synthesis and cell proliferation, vacuole fusion, and actin reorganization are also regulated by TOR signaling, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton is independent of TORC1, and prominent trans-vacuolar strands and ER strands are subsequently formed due to the strong interactions between the endomembranes and the F-actin in plant cells.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Described herein are modified plants, plant cells, and plant seeds that provide improved amino acid content, for example, higher levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and other amino acids. Examples of amino acids that can be at higher levels in the modified plants, plant cells, and plant seeds include Gln, His, Ile. Leu, Lys, Met, Phe. Thr. Trp, Val, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the BCAAs that are increased in the modified plant tissues are leucine, isoleucine, and valine. However, in some cases, one or two of leucine, isoleucine, or valine may not be increased in the modified plant tissues.

[0021] Methods for making and using such modified plants, plant cells, and plant seeds are also described herein. The modified nucleic acids, expression cassettes, plants, seeds and methods described herein can also be used to improve the growth and quantity of plant biomass even while having improved amino acid content. Methods of making and producing such plant seeds and plants can include, for example, cultivating seeds or seedlings, harvesting the plants, seeds, or the tissues of the plants. Such methods can also include isolating proteins and/or amino acids from the plants, seeds, or the tissues of the plants.

[0022] The plants, seeds, and plants cells described herein can have a modified or mutant isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) gene. Surprisingly, the IPMS gene or IPMS nucleic acids that provide increased biomass and increased amino acid content can have a modification in its catalytic domain, in its allosteric domain, or in both domains. The modification in the catalytic domain can be in the acetyl-CoA binding surface near the pocket for the substrate. The modification in the allosteric domain can be located within about 20 amino acids of the IPMS protein C-terminus.

IPMS

[0023] The IPMS1 and IPMS2 genes encode isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS, classified as EC 2.3.3.13) that catalyzes the first dedicated step in Leu biosynthesis. An alternate name for the IPMS1 enzyme is methylthioalkylmalate synthase-like 4 (MAML-4). The IPMS1 (MAML-4) protein is naturally expressed constitutively throughout the plant.

[0024] Examples of IPMS nucleic acids include the Arabidopsis thaliana IPMS1 (At1g18500) and IPMS2 (At1g74040) cDNAs. In Arabidopsis thaliana the IPMS1 gene is located on chromosome 1. A cDNA sequence that encodes an Arabidopsis thaliana isopropylmalate synthase IPMS1 protein is shown below as SEQ ID NO: 1.

TABLE-US-00001 1 GAAAAAAAAA ACGAATTCTA ATGTGCCCGC TATAAAATCT TCCGCAAGAG 51 TGTAACAGTG ATGCAGCTGA ATCAATAAGA CTGTCTTCTT CTCCGAATTT 101 GAAAATTAAA TTCCAGTTTT TTCAGTTTGA CTCTGCTTCT TCTTCCTCGT 151 GGGTAACGAC GATATACCGT TAAAATTAGG AACCAAATTA CCCAATGGTC 201 GTCGTCAAAT CATTTTTAAT CCCAATTTGG TATTTTTCCA CGTGGGTCAA 251 ACAAAAAACA ATTTTTTACA TAAAGAGAAG AGAGTAGTGA CGAGAAGATT 301 AGCACTACTG AATCAAACTT AGCCGCCGCC ACCGTCACGT TGAAACCTTC 351 ATCTCTCTAT CTCTCTGAGA CCTCTCCTTC AATGGCGTCT TCGCTTCTGA 401 GAAACCCTAA TCTCTACTCA TCAACAACAA TCACCACCAC TTCTTTTCTT 451 CCCACCTTCT CCTCTAAACC CACACCTATC TCCTCCTCTT TCCGTTTCCA 501 ACCATCTCAC CACCGTTCAA TCTCCCTCCG AAGTCAAACC CTCCGTCTCT 551 CATGCTCAAT CTCAGATCCT TCTCCACTAC CACCTCACAC TCCTCGCCGT 601 CCCCGTCCTG AATACATCCC CAACCGCATT TCCGATCCAA ACTACGTCCG 651 CGTCTTCGAT ACTACTCTCC GTGACGGTGA ACAATCTCCA GGAGCTACAC 701 TTACTTCCAA GGAAAAACTT GACATCGCTC GTCAGCTAGC TAAACTTGGT 751 GTTGACATCA TCGAGGCTGG GTTTCCTGCT GCTTCCAAGG ATGATTTTGA 801 AGCGGTTAAG ACTATAGCTG AAACAGTTGG AAACACTGTT GATGAGAATG 851 GTTATGTTCC TGTTATCTGT GGACTCTCTA GATGCAATAA GAAGGATATT 901 GAGAGAGCTT GGGATGCTGT GAAATACGCT AAACGGCCTA GGATTCATAC 951 TTTTATAGCT ACTAGTGATA TACATTTGGA GTATAAATAA AAGAAAACCA 1001 AAGCAGAGGT CATCGAAATC GCTAGGAGTA TGGTTAGATT CGCGAGGAGC 1051 TTGGGGTGCG AAGATGTTGA GTTCAGTCCA GAAGATGCAG GAAGATCGGA 1101 GAGAGAGTAC TTATACGAGA TTCTTGGTGA AGTGATAAAA GCAGGAGCAA 1151 CAACTCTCAA CATACCTGAT ACTGTTGGTA TAACTTTGCC TAGTGAGTTT 1201 GGTCAACTGA TTACTGATTT AAAGGCCAAT ACTCCGGGGA TTGAAAATGT 1251 TGTCATCTCA ACACATTGTC AGAATGATCT TGGACTCTCT ACGGCCAACA 1301 CTTTATCTGG GGCACATGCA GGTGCGAGGC AGATGGAAGT GACGATGAAT 1351 GGAATTGGTG AAAGAGCTGG AAACGCTTCA CTGGAAGAGG TTGTGATGGC 1401 CATAAAATGC CGTGGAGATC ATGTATTAGG AGGTCTATTT ACCGGAATTG 1451 ATACTCGGCA CATTGTTATG ACAAGCAAGA TGGTAGAGGA GTACACTGGG 1501 ATGCAGACAC AACCTCATAA GGCTATTGTA GGAGCGAATG CCTTTGCGCA 1551 TGAAAGTGGA ATTCACCAGG ATGGAATGCT GAAACACAAG GGTACATATG 1601 AAATTATATG TCCCGAAGAA ATTGGACTTG AACGATCAAA TGATGCTGGC 1651 ATTGTCTTGG GGAAGCTTAG TGGGCGTCAT GCGCTGAAAG ACCGTTTGAC 1701 TGAGCTTGGT TATCAATTAG ATGATGAACA GCTAAGTACC ATTTTCTGGC 1751 GCTTCAAAAC CGTGGCTGAG CAGAAAAAGA GAGTTACTGA TGCGGACATA 1801 ATAGCTTTAG TATCTGATGA AGTTTTCCAG CCAGAAGCCG TGTGGAAACT 1851 CCTGGACATT CAGATAACTT GTGGAACTCT CGGGCTTTCA ACAGCAACTG 1901 TAAAACTTGC TGAGGCTGAT GGCAAAGAAC ATGTCGCTTG TTCTATTGGA 1951 ACTGGGCCTG TGGATTCAGC TTACAAGGCA GTAGATCTTA TCGTAAAGGA 2001 ACCGGCTACT CTGCTTGAGT ACTCAATGAA TGCAGTAACA GAAGGCATTG 2051 ATGCCATCGC AACCACAAGA GTTCTTATCC GTGAAGCAAC CAAATACTCA 2101 TCTACAAACG CAATAACTGG TGAAGAGGTT CAAAGAACCT TTAGTGGAAC 2151 TGGAGCAGGA ATGGATATTG TGGTGTCAAG CGTCAAAGCT TATGTTGGAG 2201 CTTTGAACAA AATGATGGAC TTCAAAGAAA ACTCCGCCAC AAAAATCCCT 2251 TCCCAAAAAA ACAGAGTCGC TGCCTGAATT AAAAATCTTT CCGGCAAATA 2301 CCAAAAAGTC AGACAGAAGT TAGGTTCTTT TATTTTCAAG TACATAGTTT 2301 CCAAAAAGTC AGACAGAAGT TAGGTTCTTT TATTTTCAAG TACATAGTTT 2351 GGTAATAACT GGAGTTTCGG AGTTTGCTTG TTGTTTATCG AAGTTGCATG 2401 TCAAAAGAGT TTGGTGTACT ATATATATCT TGATTTAACT TGAATCTCTA 2451 TTTTTAGAAA TAATGGTTTT AGAATAAGGA ATAAAAACCA ACCGTT

[0025] The amino acid sequence for the Arabidopsis thaliana isopropylmalate synthase protein encoded by the SEQ ID NO:1 cDNA is shown below as SEQ ID NO:2.

TABLE-US-00002   1 MASSLLRNPN LYSSTTITTT SFLPTFSSKP TPISSSFRFQ PSHHRSISLR  51 SQTLRLSCSI SDPSPLPPHT PRRPRPEYIP NRISDPNYVR VFDTTLRDGE 101 QSPGATLTSK EKLDIARQLA KLGVDIIEAG FPAASKDDFE AVKTIAETVG 151 NTVDENGYVP VICGLSRCNK KDIERAWDAV KYAKRPRIHT FIATSDIHLE 201 YKLKKTKAEV IEIARSMVRF ARSLGCEDVE FSPEDAGRSE REYLYEILGE 251 VIKAGATTLN IPDTVGITLP SEFGQLITDL KANTPGIENV VISTHCQNDL 301 GLSTANTLSG AHAGARQMEV TINGIGERAG NASLEEVVMA IKCRGDHVLG 351 GLFTGIDTRH IVMTSKMVEE YTGMQTQPHK AIVGANAFAH ESGIHQDGML 401 KHKGTYEIIC PEEIGLERSN DAGIVLGKLS GRHALKDRLT ELGYQLDDEQ 451 LSTIFWRFKT VAEQKKRVTD ADIIALVSDE VFQPEAVWKL LDIQITCGTL 501 GLSTATVKLA DADGKEHVAC SIGTGPVDSA YKAVDLIVKE PATLLEYSMN 551 AVTEGIDAIA TTRVLIRGSN KYSSTNAITG EEVQRTFSGT GAGMDIVVSS 601 VKAYVGALNK MMDFKENSAT KIPSQKNRVA A

[0026] One example of a modified IPMS1 protein that provides plants with significantly higher levels of Gln, His, Ile, Leu, Lys. Met, Phe, Thr, Trp, Val, or a combination thereof in their leaves and seeds, and significant increases in their biomass or amino acid content compared to wild type, parental, or IPMS knockout leaves and/or seeds, can have a mutation located in the acetyl-CoA binding surface near the pocket for 2-oxoisovalerate substrate. One example of a modified IPMS1 protein that has an altered amino acid content is the eva1 protein, which has a point mutation at position 228 of SEQ ID NO:2, where the aspartic acid (D) can, for example, be an asparagine (N). This modification is identified above in SEQ ID NO:2 in bold and with underlining. The eva1 protein with the asparagine (N) substitution for aspartic acid (D) at position 228 (D228N) has the sequence shown below as SEQ ID NO:3.

TABLE-US-00003   1 MASSLLRNPN LYSSTTITTT SFLPTFSSKP TPISSSFRFQ PSHHRSISLR  51 SQTLRLSCSI SDPSPLPPHT PRRPRPEYIP NRISDPNYVR VFDTTLRDGE 101 QSPGATLTSK EKLDIARQLA KLGVDIIEAG FPAASKDDFE AVKTIAETVG 151 NTVDENGYVP VICGLSRCNK KDIERAWDAV KYAKRPRIHT FIATSDIHLE 201 YKLKKTKAEV IEIARSMVRF ARSLGCENVE FSPEDAGRSE REYLYEILGE 251 VIKAGATTLN IPDTVGITLP SEFGQLITDL KANTPGIENV VISTHCQNDL 301 GLSTANTLSG AHAGARQMEV TINGIGERAG NASLEEVVMA IKCRGDHVLG 351 GLFTGIDTRH IVMTSKMVEE YTGMQTQPHK AIVGANAFAH ESGIHQDGML 401 KHKGTYEIIC PEEIGLERSN DAGIVLGKLS GRHALKDRLT ELGYQLDDEQ 451 LSTIFWRFKT VAEQKKRVTD ADIIALVSDE VFQPEAVWKL LDIQITCGTL 501 GLSTATVKLA DADGKEHVAC SIGTGPVDSA YKAVDLIVKE PATLLEYSMN 551 AVTEGIDAIA TTRVLIRGSN KYSSTNAITG EEVQRTFSGT GAGMDIVVSS 601 VKAYVGALNK MMDFKENSAT KIPSQKNRVA A

[0027] Compared to the SEQ ID NO:1 IPMS11 cDNA, the cDNA encoding the SEQ ID NO:3 eva1 protein can have the following sequence (SEQ ID NO:4), where the guanine at position 682 is an adenine (highlighted in bold with underlining).

TABLE-US-00004 1 ATGGCGTCTT CGCTTCTGAG AAACCCTAAT CTCTACTCAT CAACAACAAT 51 CACCACCACT TCTTTTCTTC CCACCTTCTC CTCTAAACCC ACACCTATCT 101 CCTCCTCTTT CCGTTTCCAA CCATCTCACC ACCGTTCAAT CTCCCTCCGA 151 AGTCAAACCC TCCGTCTCTC ATGCTCAATC TCAGATCCTT CTCCACTACC 201 ACCTCACACT CCTCGCCGTC CCCGTCCTGA ATACATCCCC AACCGCATTT 251 CCGATCCAAA CTACGTCCGC GTCTTCCATA CTACTCTCCG TGACGGTGAA 301 CAATCTCCAG GAGCTACACT TACTTCCAAG GAAAAACTTG ACATCGCTCG 351 TCAGCTAGCT AAACTTGGTG TTGACATCAT CGAGGCTGGG TTTCCTGCTG 401 CTTCCAAGGA TGATTTTGAA GCGGTTAAGA CTATAGCTGA AACAGTTGGA 451 AACACTGTTG ATGAGAATGG TTATGTTCCT GTTATCTGTG GACTCTCTAG 501 ATGCAATAAG AAGGATATTG AGAGAGCTTG GGATGCTGTG AAATACGCTA 551 AACGGCCTAG GATTCATACT TTTATAGCTA CTAGTGATAT ACATTTGGAG 601 TATAAACTAA AGAAAACCAA AGCAGAGGTC ATCGAAATCG CTAGGAGTAT 651 GGTTAGATTC GCGAGGAGCT TGGGGTGCGA AAATGTTGAG TTCAGTCCAG 701 AAGATGCAGG AAGATCGGAG AGAGAGTACT TATACGAGAT TCTTGGTGAA 751 GTGATAAAAG CAGGAGCAAC AACTCTCAAC ATACCTGATA CTGTTGGTAT 801 AACTTTGCCT AGTGAGTTTG GTCAACTGAT TACTGATTTA AAGGCCAATA 851 CTCCGGGGAT TGAAAATGTT GTCATCTCAA CACATTGTCA GAATGATCTT 901 GGACTCTCTA CGGCCAACAC TTTATCTGGG GCACATGCAG GTGCGAGGCA 951 GATGGAAGTG ACGATCAATG GAATTGGTGA AAGAGCTGGA AACGCTTCAC 1001 TGGAAGAGGT TGTGATGGCC ATAAAATGCC GTGGAGATCA TGTATTAGGA 1051 GGTCTATTTA CCGGAATTGA TACTCGGCAC ATTGTTATGA CAAGCAAGAT 1101 GGTAGAGGAG TACACTGGGA TGCAGACACA ACCTCATAAG GCTATTGTAG 1151 GAGCGAATGC CTTTGCGCAT GAAAGTGGAA TTCACCAGGA TGGAATGCTG 1201 AAACACAAGG GTACATATGA AATTATATGT CCCGAAGAAA TTGGACTTGA 1251 ACGATCAAAT GATGCTGGCA TTGTCTTGGG GAAGCTTAGT GGGCGTCATG 1301 CGCTGAAAGA CCGTTTGACT GAGCTTGGTT ATCAATTAGA TGATGAACAG 1351 CTAAGTACCA TTTTCTGGCG CTTCAAAACC GTGGCTGAGC AGAAAAAGAG 1401 AGTTACTGAT GCGGACATAA TAGCTTTAGT ATCTGATGAA GTTTTCCAGC 1451 CAGAAGCCGT GTGGAAACTC CTGGACATTC AGATAACTTG TGGAACTCTC 1501 GGGCTTTCAA CAGCAACTGT AAAACTTGCT GACGCTGATG GCAAAGAACA 1551 TGTCGCTTGT TCTATTGGAA CTGGGCCTGT GGATTCAGCT TACAAGGCAG 1601 TAGATCTTAT CGTAAAGGAA CCGGCTACTC TGCTTGAGTA CTCAATGAAT 1651 GCAGTAACAG AAGGCATTGA TGCCATCGCA ACCACAAGAG TTCTTATCCG 1701 TGGAAGCAAC AAATACTCAT CTACAAACGC AATAACTGGT GAAGAGGTTC 1751 AAAGAACCTT TAGTGGAACT GGAGCAGGAA TGGATATTGT GGTGTCAAGC 1801 GTCAAAGCTT ATGTTGGAGC TTTGAACAAA ATGATGGACT TCAAAGAAAA 1851 CTCCGCCACA AAAATCCCTT CCCAAAAAAA CAGAGTCGCT GCCTGA

[0028] Another example of a modified IPMS1 protein that provides plants with significantly higher levels of Gln, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp. Val, or a combination thereof in their leaves and seeds, and significant increases in their amino acid content or biomass compared to wild type, parental, or IPMS knockout leaves and/or seeds, is a modified IPMS1 protein with a modification in the IPMS1 allosteric domain, which can be located within about 20 amino acids of the C-terminus. One example, of an IPMS1 protein with a modification in the allosteric domain is dominant ipms1-1D feedback-insensitive mutant, which can provide small Val decreases but increases in Leu. In Arabidopsis, the ipms1-1D protein can, for example, have a point mutation at position 606 where the glycine (G) can be substituted with another amino acid. For example, the glycine at position 606 can be a glutamic acid (E). The position of this modification is identified in SEQ ID NO:2 in bold and with underlining. The SEQ ID NO:2 with the glutamic acid (E) substitution for glycine (G) at position 606 (G606E) has the sequence shown below as SEQ ID NO:5.

TABLE-US-00005   1 MASSLLRNPN LYSSTTITTT SFLPTFSSKP TPISSSFRFQ PSHHRSISLR  51 SQTLRLSCSI SDPSPLPPHT PRRPRPEYIP NRISDPNYVR VFDTTLRDGE 101 QSPGATLTSK EKLDIARQLA KLGVDIIEAG FPAASKDDFE AVKTIAETVG 151 NTVDENGYVP VICGLSRCNK KDIERAWDAV KYAKRPRIHT FIATSDIHLE 201 YKLKKTKAEV IEIARSMVRF ARSLGCEDVE FSPEDAGRSE REYLYEILGE 251 VIKAGATTLN IPDTVGITLP SEFGQLITDL KANTPGIENV VISTHCQNDL 301 GLSTANTLSG AHAGARQMEV TINGIGERAG NASLEEVVMA IKCRGDHVLG 351 GLFTGIDTRH IVMTSKMVEE YTGMQTQPHK AIVGANAFAH ESGIHQDGML 401 KHKGTYEIIC PEEIGLERSN DAGIVLGKLS GRHALKDRLT ELGYQLDDEQ 451 LSTIFWRFKT VAEQKKRVTD ADIIALVSDE VFQPEAVWKL LDIQITCGTL 501 GLSTATVKLA DADGKEHVAC SIGTGPVDSA YKAVDLIVKE PATLLEYSMN 551 AVTEGIDAIA TTRVLIRGSN KYSSTNAITG EEVQRTFSGT GAGMDIVVSS 601  VKAYVEALNK MMDFKENSAT KIPSQKNRVA A

[0029] Compared to the SEQ ID NO:1 IPMS1 cDNA, the coding region DNA for IPMS1-1.sup.D can have the following sequence (SEQ ID NO:6), where the guanine at position 1817 is an adenine (highlighted in bold with underlining).

TABLE-US-00006 1 ATGGCGTCTT CGCTTCTGAG AAACCCTAAT CTCTACTCAT CAACAACAAT 51 CACCACCACT TCTTTTCTTC CCACCTTCTC CTCTAAACCC ACACCTATCT 101 CCTCCTCTTT CCGTTTCCAA CCATCTCACC ACCGTTCAAT CTCCCTCCGA 151 AGTCAAACCC TCCGTCTCTC ATGCTCAATC TCAGATCCTT CTCCACTACC 201 ACCTCACACT CCTCGCCGTC CCCGTCCTGA ATACATCCCC AACCGCATTT 251 CCGATCCAAA CTACGTCCGC GTCTTCGATA CTACTCTCCG TGACGGTGAA 301 CAATCTCCAG GAGCTACACT TACTTCCAAG GAAAAACTTG ACATCGCTCG 351 TCAGCTAGCT AAACTTGGTG TTGACATCAT CGAGGCTGGG TTTCCTGCTG 401 CTTCCAAGGA TGATTTTGAA GCGGTTAAGA CTATAGCTGA AACAGTTGGA 451 AACACTGTTG ATGAGAATGG TTATGTTCCT GTTATCTGTG GACTCTCTAG 501 ATGCAATAAG AAGGATATTG AGAGAGCTTG GGATGCTGTG AAATACGCTA 551 AACGGCCTAG GATTCATACT TTTATAGCTA CTAGTGATAT ACATTTGGAG 601 TATAAACTAA AGAAAACCAA AGCAGAGGTC ATCGAAATCG CTAGGAGTAT 651 GGTTAGATTC GCGAGGAGCT TGGGGTGCGA AGATGTTGAG TTCAGTCCAG 701 AAGATGCAGG AAGATCGGAG AGAGAGTACT TATACGAGAT TCTTGGTGAA 751 GTGATAAAAG CAGGAGCAAC AACTCTCAAC ATACCTGATA CTGTTGGTAT 801 AACTTTGCCT AGTGAGTTTG GTCAACTGAT TACTGATTTA AAGGCCAATA 851 CTCCGGGGAT TGAAAATGTT GTCATCTCAA CACATTGTCA GAATGATCTT 901 GGACTCTCTA CGGCCAACAC TTTATCTGGG GCACATGCAG GTGCGAGGCA 951 GATGGAAGTG ACGATCAATG GAATTGGTGA AAGAGCTGGA AACGCTTCAC 1001 TGGAAGAGGT TGTGATGGCC ATAAAATGCC GTGGAGATCA TGTATTAGGA 1051 GGTCTATTTA CCGGAATTGA TACTCGGCAC ATTGTTATGA CAAGCAAGAT 1101 GGTAGAGGAG TACACTGGGA TGCAGACACA ACCTCATAAG GCTATTGTAG 1151 GAGCGAATGC CTTTGCGCAT GAAAGTGGAA TTCACCAGGA TGGAATGCTG 1201 AAACACAAGG GTACATATGA AATTATATGT CCCGAAGAAA TTGGACTTGA 1251 ACGATCAAAT GATGCTGGCA TTGTCTTGGG GAAGCTTAGT GGGCGTCATG 1301 CGCTGAAAGA CCGTTTGACT GAGCTTGGTT ATCAATTAGA TGATGAACAG 1351 CTAAGTACCA TTTTCTGGCG CTTCAAAACC GTGGCTGAGC AGAAAAAGAG 1401 AGTTACTGAT GCGGAGATAA TAGCTTTAGT ATCTGATGAA GTTTTCCAGC 1451 CAGAAGCCGT GTGGAAACTC CTGGACATTC AGATAACTTG TGGAACTCTC 1501 GGGCTTTCAA CAGCAACTGT AAAACTTGCT GACGCTGATG GCAAAGAACA 1551 TGTCGCTTGT TCTATTGGAA CTGGGCCTGT GGATTCAGCT TACAAGGCAG 1601 TAGATCTTAT CGTAAAGGAA CCGGCTACTC TGCTTGAGTA CTCAATGAAT 1651 GCAGTAACAG AAGGCATTGA TGCCATCGCA ACCACAAGAG TTCTTATCCG 1701 TGGAAGCAAC AAATACTCAT CTACAAACGC AATAACTGGT GAAGAGGTTC 1751 AAAGAACCTT TAGTGGAACT GGAGCAGGAA TGGATATTGT GGTGTCAAGC 1801 GTCAAAGCTT ATGTTGAAGC TTTGAACAAA ATGATGGACT TCAAAGAAAA 1851 CTCCGCCACA AAAATCCCTT CCCAAAAAAA CAGAGTCGCT GCCTGA

[0030] Another Arabidopsis thaliana isopropylmalate synthase IPMS1 protein sequence is shown below as SEQ ID NO:7, where two positions (226 and 604) are highlighted that can be modified to increase the production of various amino acids.

TABLE-US-00007         10         20         30         40         50 MESSILKSPN LSSPSFGVPS IPALSSSSTS PFSSLHLRSQ NHRTISLTTA         60         70         80         90        100 GKFRVSYSLS ASSPLPPHAP RRRPNYIPNR ISDPNYVRIF DTTLRDGEQS        110        120        130        140        150 PGATLTSKEK LDIARQLAKL GVDIIEAGFP AASKDDFEAV KTIAETVGNT        160        170        180        190        200 VDENGYVPVI CGLSRCNKKD IETAWEAVKY AKRPRIHTFI ATSDIHLKYK        210        220        230        240        250 LKKSKEEVIE IARNMVRFAR SLGCEDVEFS PEDAGRSERE YLYEILGEVI        260        270        280        290        300 KAGATTLNIP DTVGITLPSE FGQLIADIKA NTPGIQNVII STHCQNDLGL        310        320        330        340        350 STANTLSGAH SGARQVEVTI NGIGERAGNA SLEEVVMAIK CRGDHVLGGL        360        370        380        390        400 FTGIDTRHIV MTSKMVEEYT GMQTQPHKAI VGANAFAHES GIHQDGMLKH        410        420        430        440        450 KGTYEIMSPE EIGLERSNDA GIVLGKLSGR HALKDRLNEL GYVLDDGQLS        460        470        480        490        500 NLFWRFKAVA EQKKRVTDAD LIALVSDEVF QPEAVWKLLD MQITCGTLGL        510        520        530        540        550 STSTVKLADS DGKEHVACSV GTGPVDAAYK AVDLIVKEPA TLLEYSMNAV        560        570        580        590        600 TEGIDAIATT RVLIRGDNNY SSTNAVTGES VERTFSGTGA GMDIVVSSVK        610        620        630 AYVGALNKML GFKEHTSTLS KTPLETNEVP A

[0031] A cDNA encoding the Arabidopsis thaliana IPMS1 protein sequence with SEQ ID NO:7 is shown below as SEQ ID NO:8, where modification of the guanine at position 825 (highlighted in bold with underlining) to an adenine can provide a protein like the eva1 protein, and/or modification of the guanine at position 1960 (highlighted in bold with underlining) to an adenine can provide a protein like the IPMS1-1D protein.

TABLE-US-00008 1 TTTGGTTCGG TTCGGTTCGG AACAATTCAA ATAAATAAAA 41 CAAATCAAAA ATATTCACTA GCAAAGTAGT AACCAGAGAC 81 ACTGTGCCGT CGCCCGTCGC CGCCGCCGCC ACACTATCAT 121 CTCTCTCAGG TTTTTGATTT TCCACGGCAA TGGAGTCTTC 161 GATTCTCAAA AGCCCTAATC TCTCTTCACC ATCGTTCGGT 201 GTACCTTCAA TTCCCGCCTT ATCCTCCTCC TCCACCTCAC 241 CATTTTCATC TCTTCATCTC CGATCACAGA ACCACCGTAC 281 CATCTCTCTT ACCACCGCCG GAAAATTCCG TGTCTCGTAT 321 TCTCTCTCCG CTTCTTCACC TCTACCACCT CATCCTCCTC 361 GCCGTCGTCC CAATTACATC CCTAACCGTA TATCCGATCC 401 CAATTACGTC AGAATCTTCG ATACAACTCT CCGAGACGGT 441 GAACAGTCTC CCGGAGCTAC ACTAACCTCC AAGGAAAAGC 481 TCGATATCGC TCGTCAATTA GCCAAGCTCG GAGTCGACAT 521 CATCGAAGCT GGATTTCCCG CTGCTTCAAA AGACGATTTC 561 GAAGCTGTTA AAACCATAGC TGAGACTGTT GGCAATACCG 601 TCGACGAAAA TGGCTATGTC CCTGTAATCT GTGGTCTCTC 641 GAGATGTAAC AAGAAGGATA TTGAGACGGC TTGGGAAGCT 681 GTGAAGTACG CTAAGCGGCC AAGAATCCAT ACGTTTATTG 721 CCACTAGTGA TATTCATCTG AAGTATAAGT TGAAGAAGAG 761 TAAAGAAGAA GTTATTGAGA TCGCTAGGAA CATGGTTAGA 801 TTCGCCAGAA GCTTGGGATG TGAAGATGTT GAATTTAGTC 841 CAGAAGATGC CGGAAGATCG GAGAGAGAGT ACTTATACGA 881 GATTCTTGGT GAAGTGATCA AAGCTGGAGC AACCACTCTT 921 AACATACCTG ACACTGTTGG TATAACCTTG CCTAGTGAGT 961 TTGGTCAGTT GATTGCTGAT ATTAAAGCTA ATACTCCTGG 1001 GATCCAAAAT GTTATAATCT CTACACATTG TCAGAATGAT 1041 CTTGGACTCT CCACCGCCAA CACTTTATCT GGTGCACATT 1081 CGGGCGCGAG GCAAGTGGAA GTGACTATCA ATGGAATTGG 1121 CGAAAGAGCT GGAAACGCTT CATTGGAAGA GGTTGTCATG 1161 GCCATAAAAT GCCGTGGAGA TCATGTCTTA GGAGGCCTAT 1201 TTACTGGAAT CGATACCCGG CACATTGTTA TGACAAGCAA 1241 GATGGTTGAG GAGTACACTG GTATGCAAAC GCAGCCCCAT 1281 AAGGCTATTG TAGGAGCAAA CGCCTTTGCG CATGAAAGTG 1321 GTATTCATCA GGATGGAATG CTGAAGCACA AGGGTACCTA 1361 TGAAATTATG TCCCCCGAAG AGATTGGGCT TGAGCGATCA 1401 AATGATGCTG GCATCGTGCT GGGAAAGCTT AGTGGGCGTC 1441 ACGCACTGAA AGACCGTTTA AATGAGCTCG GTTATGTCCT 1481 GGATGATGGG CAGCTAAGCA ACCTTTTCTG GCGTTTCAAA 1521 GCTGTGGCAG AGCAAAAAAA GAGAGTTACC GATGCTGACT 1561 TAATAGCTTT AGTATCTGAT GAAGTGTTTC AGCCAGAGGC 1601 TGTCTGGAAA CTCCTGGACA TCCAGATAAC TTGTGGAACT 1641 CTCGGTCTCT CAACATCTAC TGTAAAACTT GCTGACTCCG 1681 ATGGCAAAGA GCATGTAGCT TGTTCTGTTG GAACCGGACC 1721 TGTAGATGCA GCTTACAAGG CAGTTGATCT TATCGTTAAG 1761 GAACCTGCGA CTCTGCTTGA GTACTCGATG AATGCAGTAA 1801 CAGAAGGCAT TGATGCTATT GCAACCACAC GGGTTCTAAT 1841 CCGCGGAGAC AACAACTACT CATCAACAAA CGCGGTAACG 1881 GGTGAATCTG TTGAAAGAAC TTTTAGTGGA ACCGGAGCAG 1921 GAATGGACAT TGTTGTGTCG AGCGTTAAAG CTTATGTTGG 1961 AGCTTTGAAC AAAATGTTGG GTTTCAAAGA ACACACCTCC 2001 ACTTTAAGTA AAACCCCTTT GGAGACCAAC GAAGTCCCTG 2041 CCTGAAGAAA ATCTTACCTG CAAATCTCAG AGATCAAATC 2081 ACAATTTAGA TGAGTAAACG TCTAAAAGAT TTTTATTTTT 2121 TGTTACCGTT ATTGTTTGTA TAAAAAGAAT ATGAGTTTTG 2161 GTTTACTAAA ATAACTATGA TATAAAACAG AGTATTTGGT 2201 TAAAACATTG AAACAAGAAC AAATTTTCTA TAAATAGTGA 2241 AGGCATTTGC CCTAACAGGA A

[0032] Hence, a modified IPMS1 protein that provides plant with significantly higher levels of Gln, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Tim, Val, or a combination thereof in their leaves and seeds, and significant increases in their amino acid content or biomass compared to wild type, parental, or IPMS knockout leaves and/or seeds, the SEQ ID NO:7 protein can have a substitution at position 226. For example, the sequence of the SEQ ID NO:7 IPMS1 protein can be modified to have an asparagine at position 226 instead of an aspartic acid (D226N), which has the following sequence (SEQ ID NO:9).

TABLE-US-00009         10         20         30         40         50 MESSILKSPN LSSPSFGVPS IPALSSSSTS PFSSLHLRSQ NHRTISLTTA         60         70         80         90        100 GKFRVSYSLS ASSPLPPHAP RRRPNYIPNR ISDPNYVRIF DTTLRDGEQS        110        120        130        140        150 PGATLTSKEK LDIARQLAKL GVDIIEAGFP AASKDDFEAV KTIAETVGNT        160        170        180        190        200 VDENGYVPVI CGLSRCNKKD IETAWEAVKY AKRPRIHTFI ATSDIHLKYK        210        220        230        240        250 LKKSKEEVIE IARNMVRFAR SLGCENVEFS PEDAGRSERE YLYEILGEVI        260        270        280        290        300 KAGATTLNIP DTVGITLPSE FGQLIADIKA NTPGIQNVII STHCQNDLGL        310        320        330        340        350 STANTLSGAH SGARQVEVTI NGIGERAGNA SLEEVVMAIK CRGDHVLGGL        360        370        380        390        400 FTGIDTRHIV MTSKMVEEYT GMQTQPHKAI VGANAFAHES GIHQDGMLKH        410        420        430        440        450 KGTYEIMSPE EIGLERSNDA GIVLGKLSGR HALKDRLNEL GYVLDDGQLS        460        470        480        490        500 NLFWRFKAVA EQKKRVTDAD LIALVSDEVF QPEAVWKLLD MQITCGTLGL        510        520        530        540        550 STSTVKLADS DGKEHVACSV GTGPVDAAYK AVDLIVKEPA TLLEYSMNAV        560        570        580        590        600 TEGIDAIATT RVLIRGDNNY SSTNAVTGES VERTFSGTGA GMDIVVSSVK        610        620        630 AYVGALNKML GFKEHTSTLS KTPLETNEVP A

[0033] Also, a modified IPMS1 protein that provides plants with significantly higher levels of Gln, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp, Val, or a combination thereof in their leaves and seeds, and significant increases in their biomass or amino acid content compared to wild type, parental, or IPMS knockout leaves and/or seeds, the SEQ ID NO:7 protein can have a substitution at position 604. For example, the sequence of the SEQ ID NO:7 IPMS1 protein can be modified to have a glutamic acid at position 604 instead of a glycine (G604E), which has the following sequence (SEQ ID NO:10).

TABLE-US-00010   1 MESSILKSPN LSSPSFGVPS IPALSSSSTS PFSSLHLRSQ  41 NHRTISLTTA GKFRVSYSLS ASSPLPPHAP RRRPNYIPNR  81 ISDPNYVRIF DTTLRDGEOS PGATLTSKEK LDIARQLAKL 121 GVDIIEAGFP AASKDDFEAV KTIAETVGNT VDENGYVPVI 161 CGLSRCNKKD IETAWEAVKY AKRPRIHTFI ATSDIHLKYK 201 LKKSKEEVIE IARNMVRFAR SLGCEDVEFS PEDAGRSERE 241 YLYEILGEVI KAGATTLNIP DTVGITLPSE FGQLIADIKA 281 NTPGIONVII STHCQNDLGL STANTLSGAH SGARQVEVTI 321 NGIGERAGNA SLEEVVMAIK CRGDHVLGGL FTGIDTRHIV 361 MTSKMVEEYT GMQTQPHKAI VGANAFAHES GIHQDGMLKH 401 KGTYEIMSPE EIGLERSNDA GIVLGKLSGR HALKDRLNEL 441 GYVLDDGQLS NLFWRFKAVA EQKKRVIDAD LIALVSDEVF 481 QPEAVWKLLD MQITCGTLGL STSTVKLADS DGKEHVACSV 521 GTGPVDAAYK AVDLIVKEPA TLLEYSMNAV TEGIDAIATI 561 RVLIRGDNNY SSTNAVTGES VERTFSGTGA GMDIVVSSVK 601 AYVEALNKML GFKEHTSTLS KTPLETNEVP A

[0034] Various plant species have IPMS1 genes that can be modified to provide those plant species with significantly higher levels of Gln, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp, Val, or a combination thereof, in their leaves and seeds, and significant increases in their biomass or amino acid content compared to wild type, parental, or IPMS knockout leaves and/or seeds. Examples of sequences from various plant species are described below.

[0035] For example, a sequence for a Brachypodium distachyon (Purple false brome) IPMS protein is shown below as SEQ ID NO:11, where two positions (229 and 604) are highlighted that can be modified to increase the production of various amino acids.

TABLE-US-00011         10         20         30         40         50 MAASPAKPCC FSSLNPASST PLARRSRTLS SSAAAAKPHR FSHGLAAAAV         60         70         80         90        100 AANPRAAALR RPVRACLAAG AAPRRPEYVP DRIDDPNYVR IFDTTLRDGE        110        120        130        140        150 QSPGATMTSA EKLVVARQLA RLGVDIIEAG FPASSPDDLD AVRSIAIEVG        160        170        180        190        200 NTPLGGDGHV PVICGLSRCN KRDIDAAWEA VRHARKPRIH TFIATSEIHM        210        220        230        240        250 QHKLRKTPEQ VVAIAREMVA YARSLGCPDV EFSPEDAGRS NREFLYHILE        260        270        280        290        300 EVIKAGATTL NIPDTVGYNL PHEFGKLIAD IKANTPGIEN AIISTHCQND        310        320        330        340        350 LGLASANTLA GAYAGARQLE VTINGIGERA GNASLEEVVM AIKCRRELLG        360        370        380        390        400 GLYTGISTOH ITMSSKMVQE HSGLHVQPHK AIVGANAFAH ESGIHQDGML        410        420        430        440        450 KHKGTYEIIS PEDIGLVRVN EFGIVLGKLS GRHAVKTKLV ELGYEISDKE        460        470        480        490        500 FEDFFKRYKE VAEKKKRVTD EDIEALLSDE IFQPKVIWSL GDVQATCGTI        510        520        530        540        550 GLSTATVKLI AIDGEEKIGC SVGTGPVDAA YKAVDQIIQI PTVLREYSMT        560        570        580        590        600 SVTEGIDAIA TTRVVITGDV SNSKNALIGQ NNRSFSGSGA ALDVVVSSVR        610        620        630 AYLSALNKMS SYVGAVKASS EAPESIRTVQ TAE

[0036] The Brachypodium distachyon (Purple false brome) IPMS protein with SEQ ID NO:11 is encoded by the 2-isopropylmalate synthase A gene on chromosome 4 (LOC100832390; locus tag BRADI_4g43130; see NCBI webpage at ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/100832390).

[0037] To generate a modified Brachypodium distachyon IPMS protein that provides plants with significantly higher levels of Gln, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met. Phe, Thr, Trp, Val, or a combination thereof in their leaves and seeds, and significant increases in their biomass or amino acid content compared to wild type, parental, or IPMS knockout leaves and/or seeds, the SEQ ID NO: 11 protein can be modified to have a substitution at position 229. For example, the sequence of the SEQ ID NO:11 IPMS protein can be modified to have an asparagine at position 229 instead of an aspartic acid (D229N), which has the following sequence (SEQ ID NO:12).

TABLE-US-00012         10         20         30         40         50 MAASPAKPCC FSSLNPASST PLARRSRTLS SSAAAAKPHR FSHGLAAAAV         60         70         80         90        100 AANPRAAALR RPVRACLAAG AAPRRPEYVP DRIDDPNYVR IFDTTLRDGE        110        120        130        140        150 QSPGATMTSA EKLVVARQLA RLGVDIIEAG FPASSPDDLD AVRSIAIEVG        160        170        180        190        200 NTPLGGDGHV PVICGLSRCN KRDIDAAWEA VRHARKPRIH TFIATSEIHM        210        220        230        240        250 QHKLRKTPEQ VVAIAREMVA YARSLGCPNV EFSPEDAGRS NREFLYHILE        260        270        280        290        300 EVIKAGATTL NIPDTVGYNL PHEFGKLIAD IKANTPGIEN AIISTHCQND        310        320        330        340        350 LGLASANTLA GAYAGARQLE VYINGIGERA GNASLEEVVM AIKCRRELLG        360        370        380        390        400 GLYTGISTQH ITMSSKMVQE ASGLHVQPHK AIVGANAFAH ESGIHQDGML        410        420        430        440        450 KHKGTYEIIS PEDIGLVRVN EFGIVLGKLS GRHAVKTKLV ELGYEISDKE        460        470        480        490        500 FEDFFKRYKE VAEKKKRVTD EDIEALLSDE IFQPKVIWSL GDVQATCGTL        510        520        530        540        550 GLSTATVKLI AIDGEEKIGC SVGTGPVDAA YKAVDQIIQI PTVLREYSMT        560        570        580        590        600 SVTEGIDAIA TTRVVITGDV SNSKNALIGQ NNRSFSGSGA ALDVVVSSVR        610        620        630 AYLSALNKMS SYVGAVKASS EAPESIRTVQ TAE

[0038] To generate a modified Brachypodium distachyon IPMS protein that provides plants with significantly higher levels of Gln, His. Ile, Leu, Lys. Met, Phe, Thr. Trp. Val, or a combination thereof in their leaves and seeds, and significant increases in their biomass or amino acid content compared to wild type, parental, or IPMS knock-out leaves and/or seeds, the SEQ ID NO:11 protein can have a substitution at position 604. For example, the sequence of the SEQ ID NO:11 IPMS1 protein can be modified to have a glutamic acid at position 604 instead of a serine (S604E), which has the following sequence (SEQ ID NO: 13).

TABLE-US-00013         10         20         30         40         50 MAASPAKPCC FSSLNPASST PLARRSRTLS SSAAAAKPHR FSHGLAAAAV         60         70         80         90        100 AANPRAAALR RPVRACLAAG AAPRRPEYVP DRIDDPNYVR IFDTTLRDGE        110        120        130        140        150 QSPGATMTSA EKLVVARQLA RLGVDIIEAG FPASSPDDLD AVRSIAIEVG        160        170        180        190        200 NTPLGGDGHV PVICGLSRCN KRDIDAAWEA VRHARKPRIH TFIATSEIHM        210        220        230        240        250 QHKLRKTPEQ VVAIAREMVA YARSLGCPDV EFSPEDAGRS NREFLYHILE        260        270        280        290        300 EVIKAGATTL NIPDTVGYNL PHEFGKLIAD IKANTPGIEN AIISTHCQND        310        320        330        340        350 LGLASANTLA GAYAGARQLE VTINGIGERA GNASLEEVVM AIKCRRELLG        360        370        380        390        400 GLYTGISTQH TTMSSKMVQE HSGLHVQPHK AIVGANAFAH ESGIHQDGML        410        420        430        440        450 KHKGTYEIIS PEDIGLVRVN EFGIVLGKLS GRHAVKTKLV ELGYEISDKE        460        470        480        490        500 FEDFFKRYKE VAEKKKRVTD EDIEALLSDE IFQPKVIWSL GDVQATCGTL        510        520        530        540        550 GLSTATVKLI AIDGEEKIGC SVGTGPVDAA YKAVDQIIQI PTVLREYSMT        560        570        580        590        600 SVTEGIDAIA TTRVVITGDV SNSKNALIGQ NNRSFSGSGA ALDVVVSSVR        610        620        630 AYLEALNKMS SYVGAVKASS EAPESIRTVQ

[0039] A sequence for a Glycine max (soybean) IPMS1 protein is shown below as SEQ ID NO: 14, where two positions (167 and 545) are highlighted that can be modified to increase the production of various amino acids.

TABLE-US-00014         10         20         30         40         50 MATKTSTNGT HHSLPEYIPN RIPDPHYVR1 LDTTLRDGEQ APGAAMTSDQ         60         70         80         90        100 KLQIARQLAK LGVDVIEGGE PSASQEDFNA VKMIAQEVGN NCDADGYVPV        110        120        130        140        150 IAALCRCNER DITRAWEALK YAKRPRLMPF IAVSPIHMEY KLNKTKEEVL        160        170        180        190        200 QIATDMIKFA RGLGCTDIQF CSEDAARSDR EFLYQILEEV IKAGATTLGI        210        220        230        240        250 GDTVGITMPF EIRELVAGIK ANVPGAENVI ISIHCHNDLG HATANTIEAA        260        270        280        290        300 RAGAMQLEVT 1NGIGERAGN ASLEEVVMAL KCRGDHVLGG LYTGINTRHL        310        320        330        340        350 LKTSKMVEEE SGMYLQPHKA VVGDNAFLHE SGVHQAGLLK HRGTYEILSP        360        370        380        390        400 EDIGHEKSNG VNMVLGKLSG RQALKSRLKE LGYELRDEEV ESVFRNFKAI        410        420        430        440        450 AEKKKRVTDV DLKALVSDQA SHAEPIWKLG GLQVTCGTMG SSTATIKLVT        460        470        480        490        500 SDGSTHVACS VGVGPVDSAY KAINLIVKET VKVLEYSPST VTGGTDAIAT        510        520        530        540        550 TRVVIRRENK QSPTPALNGN VIYPTFSGTG EGVDIVTSSV EAYITALNKM LDSKE

[0040] The Glycine max (soybean) IPMS1 protein IPMS protein with SEQ ID NO: 14 is encoded by the 2-isopropylmalate synthase gene on chromosome 3 (LOC100816439; locus tag GLYMA_03(3005700: see NCBI website).

[0041] The SEQ ID NO: 14 IPMS1 protein has about 67% sequence identity with the SEQ ID NO:2 IPMS1 protein as illustrated below.

TABLE-US-00015 Sq2  76 PEYIPNRISDPNYVRVFDTTLRDGEQSPGATLTSKEKLDIARQLAKLGVDIIEAGFPAAS Sq14  15 PEYIPNRIPDPHYVRILDTTLRDGEQAPGAAMTSDQKLQIARQLAKLGVDVIEGGFPSAS ******** ** ***  ********* ***  **  ** *********** ** *** ** Sq2 136 KDDFEAVKTIAETVGNTVDENGYVPVICGLSRCNKKDIERAWDAVKYAKRPRIHTFIATS Sq14  75 QEDFNAVKMIAQEVGNNCDADGYVPVIAALCRCNERDITRAWEALKYAKRPRLMPFIAVS   ** *** **  ***  *  ******  * ***  ** *** * *******   *** * Sq2 196 DIHLEYKLKKTKAEVIEIARSMVRFARSLGCEDVEFSPEDAGRSEREYLYEILGEVIKAG Sq14 135 PIHMEYKLNKTKEEVLQIATDMIKFARGLGCTDIQFCSEDAARSDREFLYQILEEVIKAG  ** **** *** **  **  *  *** *** *  *  *** ** ** ** ** ****** Sq2 256 ATTLNIPDTVGITLPSEFGQLITDLKANTPGIENVVISTHCQNDLGLSTANTLSGAHAGA Sq14 195 ATTLGIGDTVGITMPFEIRELVAGIKANVPGAENVIISIHCHNDLGHATANTIEAARAGA **** * ****** * *   *    *** ** *** ** ** ****  ****   * *** Sq2 316 RQMEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMAIKCRGDHVLGGLFTGIDTRHIVMTSKMVEEYTGMQ Sq14 255 MQLEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMALKCRGDHVLGGLYTGINTRHLLKTSKMVEEFSGMY  * ********************** *********** *** ***   *******  ** Sq2 376 TQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKHKGTYEIICPEEIGLERSNDAGIVLGKLSGRHAL Sq14 315 LQPHKAVVGDNAFLHESGVHQAGLLKHRGTYEILSPEDIGHEKSNGVNMVLGKLSGRQAL  ***** ** *** **** ** * *** *****  ** ** * **    ******** ** Sq2 436 KDRLTELGYQLDDEQLSTIFWRFKTVAEQKKRVTDADIIALVSDEVFQPEAVWKLLDIQI Sq14 375 KSRLKELGYELRDEEVESVFRNFKAIAEKKKRVTDVDLKALVSDQASHAEPIWKLGGLQV * ** **** * **     *  **  ** ****** *  *****     *  ***   * Sq2 496 TCGTLGLSTATVKLADADGKEHVACSIGTGPVDSAYKAVDLIVKEPATLLEYSMNAVTEG Sq14 435 TCGTMGSSTATIKLVTSGDSTHVACSVGVGPVDSAYKAINLIVKETVKVLEYSPSTVTGG **** * **** **   **  ***** * *********  *****    ****   ** * Sq2 556 IDAIATTRVLIRGSNKYSSTNAITGEEVQRTFSGTGAGMDIVVSSVKAYVGALNKMMDFK Sq14 495 TDAIATTRVVIRRENKQSPTPALNGNVIYPTFSGTGEGVDIVTSSVEAYITALKKMLDSK  ******** **  ** * * *  *     ****** * *** *** **  ***** * * Sq2 616 E Sq14 555 E *

[0042] To generate a modified IPMS1 protein that provides Glycine max (soybean) plants with significantly higher levels of Gln, His Ile Leu Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp Val, or a combination thereof in their leaves and seeds, and significant increases in their biomass or amino acid content compared to wild type, parental, or IPMS knockout leaves and/or seeds, the SEQ ID NO: 14 protein can have a substitution at position 167. For example, the sequence of the SEQ ID NO:14 IPMS1 protein can be modified to have an asparagine at position 167 instead of an aspartic acid (D167N′), which has the following sequence (SEQ ID NO: 15).

TABLE-US-00016         10         20         30         40         50 MATKTSTNGT HHSLPEYIPN RIPDPHYVRI LDTTLRDGEQ APGAAMTSDQ         60         70         80         90        100 KLQIARQLAK LGVDVIEGGF PSASQEDFNA VKMIAQEVGN NCDADGYVPV        110        120        130        140        150 IAALCRCNER DITRAWEALK YAKRPRLMPF IAVSPIHMEY KLNKTKEEVL        160        170        180        190        200 QIATDMIKFA RGLGCTNIQF CSEDAARSDR EFLYQILEEV IKAGATTLGI        210        220        230        240        250 GDTVGITMPF EIRELVAGIK ANVPGAENVI ISIHCHNDLG HATANTIEAA        260        270        280        290        300 RAGAMQLEVT INGIGERAGN ASLEEVVMAL KCRGDHVLGG LYTGINTRHL        310        320        330        340        350 LKTSKMVEEF SGMYLQPHKA VVGDNAFLHE SGVHQAGLLK HRGTYEILSP        360        370        380        390        400 EDIGHEKSNG VNMVLGKLSG RQALKSRLKE LGYELRDEEV ESVFRNFKAI        410        420        430        440        450 AEKKKRVTDV DLKALVSDQA SHAEPIWKLG GLQVTCGTMG SSTATIKLVT        460        470        480        490        500 SDGSTHVACS VGVGPVDSAY KAINLIVKET VKVLEYSPST VTGGTDAIAT        510        520        530        540        550 TRVVIRRENK QSPTPALNGN VIYPTFSGTG EGVDIVTSSV EAYITALNKM LDSKE

[0043] To generate a modified IPMS1 protein that provides Glycine max (soybean) plant with significantly higher levels of Gln, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp, Vat, or a combination thereof in their leaves and seeds, and significant increases in their biomass or amino acid content compared to wild type, parental, or IPMS knockout leaves and/or seeds, the SEQ ID NO: 14 protein can have a substitution at position 545. For example, the sequence of the SEQ ID NO: 14 IPMS1 protein can be modified to have a glutamic acid at position 545 instead of a threonine (T545E), which has the following sequence (SEQ ID NO: 16).

TABLE-US-00017         10         20         30         40         50 MATKTSTNGT HHSLPEYIPN RIPDPHYVRI LDTTLRDGEQ APGAAMTSDQ         60         70         80         90        100 KLQIARQLAK LGVDVIEGGF PSASQEDFNA VKMIAQEVGN NCDADGYVPV        110        120        130        140        150 IAALCRCNER DITRAWEALK YAKRPRLMPF IAVSPIHMEY KLNKTKEEVL        160        170        180        190        200 QTATDMIKFA RGLGCTDIQF CSEDAARSDR EFLYQILEEV IKAGATTLGI        210        220        230        240        250 GDTVGITMPF EIRELVAGIK ANVPGAENVI ISIHCHNDLG HATANTIEAA        260        270        280        290        300 RAGAMQLEVT INGIGERAGN ASLEEVVMAL KCRGDHVLGG LYTGINTRHL        310        320        330        340        350 LKTSKMVEEF SGMYLQPHKA VVGDNAFLHE SGVHQAGLLK HRGTYEILSP        360        370        380        390        400 EDIGHEKSNG VNMVLGKLSG RQALKSRLKE LGYELRDEEV ESVFRNEKAI        410        420        430        440        450 AEKKKRVTDV DLKALVSDQA SHAEPIWKLG GLQVTCGTMG SSTATIKLVT        460        470        480        490        500 SDGSTHVACS VGVGPVDSAY KAINLIVKET VKVLEYSPST VTGGTDAIAT        510        520        530        540        550 TRVVIRRENK QSPTPALNGN VIYPTFSGTG EGVDIVTSSV EAYIEALNKM LDSKE

[0044] Another example of a Glycine max (soybean) IPMS1 protein is shown below as SEQ ID NO: 17, where 2-3 positions (225, 226, and 595) are highlighted as amino acids that can be modified to increase the production of various amino acids.

TABLE-US-00018         10         20         30         40         50 MATVIRNPIL FPSTSHHPNQ NHTFLTLRFS QTLRSSLRSK SRFAVSCSQS         60         70         80         90        100 EPPPPHPSSS RRRPPYIPNL IPDPSYVRIF DTTLRDGEQS PGASMTSKEK        110        120        130        140        150 LDVARQLAKL GVDIIEAGFP AASKDDFEAV KMIAQAVGNA VENDGYVPVI        160        170        180        190        200 CGLSRCNEKD IRTAWEAVKY AKRPRIHTFI ATSPIHMEYK LRMSKDKVVD        210        220        230        240        250 IARNMVKFAR SLGCDDVEFS PEDAGRSDRE FLYEILGEVI KVGATTLNIP        260        270        280        290        300 DTVGITMPSE FGKLIADIKA NTPGIENVII STHCQNDLGL STANTIEGAR        310        320        330        340        350 AGARQLEVTI NGIGERAGNA SLEEVVMALR CGAHVNGNLY TGINTKHIFL        360        370        380        390        400 TSKMVEEYTG LQIQPHKALV GANAFAHESG IHQDGMLKHK GTYEIISPED        410        420        430        440        450 IGLERTNEAG IVLGKLSGRH ALRKRLEELG YELNDDQVQT LFWCFKAVAE        460        470        480        490        500 QKKRVTDADL RALVSDEVFQ AEPVWKLGDL QVTCGTLGLS TATVKLLSSD        510        520        530        540        550 GSTHVACSIG TGPVDSAYKA VDLIVKEQVT LLEYSMNAVT EGIDAIATTR        560        570        580        590        600 VVIRGESETS TITTHALTGE TVIRTFSGTG AGMDVVVSSV KAYIAALNKM        610        620 SGFKESSQSA EKISISSLKI

[0045] The Glycine max (soybean) IPMS1 protein IPMS protein with SEQ ID NO: 17 is encoded by the 2-isopropylmalate synthase gene on chromosome 10 (LOC100788955; locus tag GLYMA_10G295400; see NCBI website).

[0046] The SEQ ID NO: 17 IPMS1 protein has about 75% sequence identity with the SEQ ID NO:2 IPMS1 protein as illustrated below.

TABLE-US-00019 Sq2  14  STTITTTSFLPTFSSKPTPISSSFRFQPSHHRSISLRSQT-LRLSCSISDPSPLPPHTPR Sq17   2  ATVIRNPILFPSTSHHPNQNHTFLTLRFSQTLRSSLRSKSRFAVSCSQSEPPPPHPSSSR  * *      *  *  *           *     ****      *** * * *  *   * Sq2  73 RPRPEYIPNRISDPNYVRVFDTTLRDGEQSPGATLTSKEKLDIARQLAKLGVDIIEAGFP Sq17  62  R-RPPYIPNLIPDPSYVRIFDTTLRDGEQSPGASMTSKEKLDVARQLAKLGVDIIEAGFP * ** **** * ** *** **************  ******* ***************** Sq2 133 AASKDDFEAVKTIAETVGNTVDENGYVPVICGLSRCNKKDIERAWDAVKYAKRPRIHTFI Sq17 121 AASKDDFEAVKMIAQAVGNAVENDGYVPVICGLSRCNEKDIRTAWEAVKYAKRPRIHTFI *********** **  *** *   ************* ***  ** ************** Sq2 193 ATSDTHLEYKLKKTKAEVIEIARSMVRFARSLGCEDVEFSPEDAGRSEREYLYEILGEVI Sq17 181 ATSPIHMEYKLRMSKDKVVDIARNMVKFARSLGCDDVEFSPEDAGRSDREFLYEILGEVI *** ** ****   *  *  *** ** ******* ************ ** ********* Sq2 253 KAGATTLNIPDTVGITLPSEFGQLITDLKANTPGIENVVISTHCQNDLGLSTANTLSGAH Sql7 241 KVGATTLNIPDTVGITMPSEFGKLIADIKANTPGIENVIISTHCQNDLGLSTANTIEGAR * ************** ***** ** * ********** ****************  ** Sq2 313 AGARQMEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMAIKCRGDHVLGGLFTGIDTRHIVMTSKMVEEYT Sql7 301 AGARQLEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMALRC-GAHVNGNLYTGINTKHIFLTSKMVEEYT ***** **********************  * * ** * * *** * **  ********* Sq2 373 GMQTQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKHKGTYEIICPEEIGLERSNDAGIVLGKLSGR Sq17 360 GLQIQPHKALVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKHKGTYEIISPEDIGLERTNEAGIVLGKLSGR * * ***** *************************** ** ***** * *********** Sq2 433 HALKDRLTELGYQLDDEQLSTIFWRFKTVAEQKKRVTDADIIALVSDEVFQPEAVWKLLD Sq17 420 HALRKRLEELGYELNDDQVQTLFWCFKAVAEQKKRVTDADLRALVSDEVFQAEPVWKLGD ***  ** **** * * *  * ** ** ************  ********* * **** * Sq2 493 IQITCGTLGLSTATVKLADADGKEHVACSIGTGPVDSAYKAVDLIVKEPATLLEYSMNAV Sq17  480 LQVTCGTLGLSTATVKLLSSDGSTHVACSIGTGPVDSAYKAVDLIVKEQVTLLEYSMNAV  * **************   **  ************************  ********** Sq2 553 TEGIDAIATTRVLIRGSNKYSS--TNAITGEEVQRTFSGTGAGMDIVVSSVKAYVGALNK Sq17 540 TEGIDAIATTRVVIRGESETSTITTHALTGETVIRTFSGTGAGMDVVVSSVKAYIAALNK ************ ***    *   * * *** * *********** ********  **** Sq2 611 MMDFKENS Sq1  600 MSGFKESS *  *** *

[0047] To generate a modified IPMS protein that provides Glycine max (soybean) plants with significantly higher levels of Gln, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp, Val, or a combination thereof in their leaves and seeds, and significant increases in their biomass or amino acid content compared to wild type, parental, or IPMS knockout leaves and/or seeds, the SEQ ID NO:17 protein can have a substitution at position 225 and/or 226. For example, the sequence of the SEQ ID NO:17 IPMS protein can be modified to have an asparagine at 216 instead of an aspartic acid (D216N), which has the following sequence (SEQ ID NO:18).

TABLE-US-00020         10         20         30         40 MATVIRNPIL FPSTSHHPNQ NHTFLTLRFS QTLRSSLRSK          50         60         70         80 SRFAVSCSQS EPPPPHPSSS RRRPPYIPNL IPDPSYVRIF          90        100        110        120 DTTLRDGEQS PGASMTSKEK LDVARQLAKL GVDIIEAGFP         130        140        150        160 AASKDDFEAV KMIAQAVGNA VENDGYVPVI CGLSRCNEKD         170        180        190        200 IRTAWEAVKY AKRPRIHTFI ATSPIHMEYK LRMSRDKVVD        210        220        230        240 IARNMVKFAR SLGCDNVEFS PEDAGRSDRE FLYEILGEVI         250        260        270        280 KVGATTLNIP DTVGITMPSE FGKLIADIKA NTPGIENVII         290        300        310        320 STHCQNDLGL STANTIEGAR AGARQLEVTI NGIGERAGNA         330        340        350        360 SLEEVVMALR CGAHVNGNLY TGINTKHIFL TSKMVEEYTG         370        380        390        400 LQIQPHKALV GANAFAHESG IHQDGMLKHK GTYEIISPED        410        420        430        440 IGLERTNEAG IVLGKLSGRH ALRKRLEELG YELNDDQVQT         450        460        470        480 LFWCFKAVAE QKKRVTDADL RALVSDEVFQ AEPVWKLGDL         490        500        510        520 QVTCGTLGLS TATVKLLSSD GSTHVACSIG TGPVDSAYKA         530        540        550        560 VDLIVKEQVT LLEYSMNAVT EGIDAIATTR VVIRGESETS         570        580        590        600 TITTHALTGE TVIRTFSGTG AGMDVVVSSV KAYIAALNKM        610        620 SGFKESSQSA EKISISSLKI

[0048] To generate a modified IPMS protein that provides Glycine max (soybean) plants with significantly higher levels of Gln, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp, Vat, or a combination thereof in their leaves and seeds, and significant increases in their biomass or amino acid content compared to wild type, parental, or IPMS knock-out leaves and/or seeds, the SEQ ID NO: 17 protein can have a substitution at position 595. For example, the sequence of the SEQ ID NO:17 IPMS1 protein can be modified to have a glutamic acid at position 595 instead of an alanine (A595E), which has the following sequence (SEQ ID NO: 19).

TABLE-US-00021         10         20         30         40 MATVIRNPIL FPSTSHHPNQ NHTFLTLRFS QTLRSSLRSK          50         60         70         80 SRFAVSCSQS EPPPPHPSSS RRRPPYIPNL IPDPSYVRIF          90        100        110        120 DTTLRDGEQS PGASMTSKEK LDVARQLAKL GVDIIEAGFP         130        140        150        160 AASKDDFEAV KMIAQAVGNA VENDGYVPVI CGLSRCNEKD         170        180        190        200 IRTAWEAVKY AKRPRIHTFI ATSPIHMEYK LRMSKDKVVD        210        220        230        240 IARNMVKFAR SLGCDDVEFS PEDAGRSDRE FLYEILGEVI         250        260        270        280 KVGATTLNIP DTVGITMPSE FGKLIADIKA NTPGIENVII         290        300        310        320 STHCQNDLGL STANTIEGAR AGARQLEVTI NGIGERAGNA         330        340        350        360 SLEEVVMALR CGAHVNGNLY TGINTKHIFL TSKMVEEYTG         370        380        390        400 LQIQPHKALV GANAFAHESG IHQDGMLKHK GTYEIISPED        410        420        430        440 IGLERTNEAG IVLGKLSGRH ALRKRLEELG YELNDDQVQT         450        460        470        480 LFWCFKAVAE QKKRVTDADL RALVSDEVFQ AEPVWKLGDL         490        500        510        520 QVTCGTLGLS TATVKLLSSD GSTHVACSIG TGPVDSAYKA         530        540        550        560 VDLIVKEQVT LLEYSMNAVT EGIDAIATTR VVIRGESETS         570        580        590        600 TITTHALTGE TVIRTFSGTG AGMDVVVSSV KAYIAELNKM        610        620 SGFKESSQSA EKISISSLKI

[0049] An example of Zea mays (corn) IPMS1 protein is shown below as SEQ ID NO:20, where two positions (235 and 612) are highlighted that can be modified to increase the production of various amino acids.

TABLE-US-00022   1 MAFNAKPYCS TTAKPPTPAA HRSPSGPSPC ISVRAAAVSP  41 RARHSAYGLS AAGNASSSTV RLRALAQRTR AQPQPPRRRP  81 EYVPNRIDDP NYVRIFDTTL RDGEQSPGAT MTSAEKLVVA 121 RQLARLGVDV IEAGFPASSP DDLDAVRSIA IEVGNPPPGD 161 DGGAHVPVIC GLSRCNRRDI DAAWEAVRHA RRPRIHTFIA 201 TSEIHMQHKL RKTPDQVVAV AREMVAYARS LGCADVEFSP 241 EDAGRSNREF LYHILEEVIK AGATTLNIPD TVGYTLPYEF 281 GKLISDIKEN TPGIENAIIS THCQNDLGLA TANTLAGAHA 321 GARQLEVTIN GIGERAGNAS LEEVVMAIKC RGELLDGLYT 361 GINSQHITLT SKMVQEHSGL HVQPHKAIVG ANAFAHESGI 401 HQDGMLKYKG TYEIISPDDI GLARANEFGI VLGKLSGRHA 441 VRSKLVELGY EISDKEFEDF FKRYKEVAEK KKRVTDEDIE 481 ALLSDEIFQP KVIWSLADVQ ATCGTLGLST ATVKLIGPDG 521 EERIACSVGT GPVDAAYKAV DQIIQIPTVL REYGMTSVTE 561 GIDAIATTRV VVTGDVANNS KHALTGHSFN RSFSGSGAAM 601 DIVVSSVRAY LSALNKMCSF AGAARASSTE VPGSASVQRA 641 E

[0050] The Zea mays (corn) IPMS1 protein IPMS protein with SEQ ID NO:20 is encoded by the 2-isopropylmalate synthase gene on chromosome 4 (LOC100280189; locus tag ZEAMMB73_Zm00001d052472; see NCBI website).

[0051] The SEQ ID NO:20 corm IPMS1 protein has about 75% sequence identity with the SEQ ID NO:2 Arabidopsis IPMS1 protein as illustrated below.

TABLE-US-00023 Sq2  71 PRRPRPEYIPNRISDPNYVRVFDTTLRDGEQSPGATLTSKEKLDIARQLAKLGVDIIEAG Sq20  75 PPRRRPEYVPNRIDDPNYVRIFDTTLRDGEQSPGATMTSAEKLVVARQLARLGVDVIEAG * * **** **** ****** *************** ** ***  ***** **** **** Sq2 131 FPAASKDDFEAVKTIAETVGNTV---DENGYVPVICGLSRCNKKDIERAWDAVKYAKRPR Sq20 135 FPASSPDDLDAVRSIAIEVGNPPPGDDGGAHVPVICGLSRCNRRDIDAAWEAVRHARRPR *** * **  **  **  ***     *    ***********  **  ** **  * *** Sq2 188 IHTFIATSDIHLEYKLKKTKAEVIEIARSMVRFARSLGCEDVEFSPEDAGRSEREYLYEI Sq20 195 IHTFIATSEIHMQHKLRKTPDQVVAVAREMVAYARSLGCADVEFSPEDAGRSNREFLYHI ******** **   ** **   *   ** **  ****** ************ ** ** * Sq2 248 LGEVIKAGATTLNIPDTVGITLPSEFGQLITDLKANTPGIENVVISTHCQNDLGLSTANT Sq20 255 LEEVIKAGATTLNIPDTVGYTLPYEFGKLISDIKENTPGIENAIISTHCQNDLGLATANT * ***************** *** *** ** * * *******  *********** **** Sq2 308 LSGAHAGARQMEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMAIKCRGDHVLGGLFTGIDTRHIVMTSKM Sq20 315 LAGAHAGARQLEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMAIKCRGE-LLDGLYTGINSQHITLTSKM * ******** ***************************   * ** ***   **  **** Sq2 368 VEEYTGMQTQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKHKGTYEIICPEEIGLERSNDAGIVLG Sq20 374 VQEHSGLHVQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKYKGTYEIISPDDIGLARANEFGIVLG * *  *   ************************* ******* *  *** * *  ***** Sq2 428 KLSGRHALKDRLTELGYQLDDEQLSTIFWRFKTVAEQKKRVTDADIIALVSDEVFQPEAV Sq20 434 KLSGRHAVRSKLVELGYEISDKEFEDFFKRYKEVAEKKKRVTDEDIEALLSDELFQPKVI *******    * ****   *      * * * *** ****** ** ** *** *** Sq2 488 WKLLDIQITCGTLGLSTATVKLADADGKEHVACSIGTGPVDSAYKAVDLIVKEPATLLEY Sq20 494 WSLADVQATCGTLGLSTATVKLIGPDGEERIACSVGTGPVDAAYKAVDQIIQIPTVLREY * * * * **************   ** *  *** ****** ****** *   *  * ** Sq2 548 SMNAVTEGIDAIATTRVLIRGSNKYSSTNAITGEEVQRTFSGTGAGMDIVVSSVKAYVGA Sq20 554 GMTSVTEGIDAIATTRVVVTGDVANNSKHALTGHSFNRSFSGSGAAMDIVVSSVRAYLSA  *  *************   *     *  * **    * *** ** ******** **  * Sq2 608 LNKMMDF Sq20 614 LNKMCSF ****  *

[0052] To generate a modified IPMS1 protein that provides corn plants with significantly higher levels of Gln, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp, Val, or a combination thereof in their leaves and seeds, and significant increases in their biomass compared to wild type, parental, or IPMS knockout leaves and/or seeds, the SEQ ID NO:20 protein can have a substitution at position 235. For example, the sequence of the SEQ ID NO:20 IPMS11 protein can be modified to have an asparagine at 235 instead of an aspartic acid (D235N), which has the following sequence (SEQ ID NO:21).

TABLE-US-00024   1 MAFNAKPYCS TTAKPPTPAA HRSPSGPSPC ISVRAAAVSP  41 RARHSAYGLS AAGNASSSTV RLRALAQRTR AQPQPPRRRP  81 EYVPNRIDDP NYVRIFDTTL RDGEQSPGAT MTSAEKLVVA 121 RQLARLGVDV IEAGFPASSP DDLDAVRSIA IEVGNPPPGD 161 DGGAHVPVIC GLSRCNRRDI DAAWEAVRHA RRPRIHTFIA 201 TSEIHMQHKL RKTPDQVVAV AREMVAYARS LGCANVEFSP 241 EDAGRSNREF LYHILEEVIK AGATTLNIPD TVGYTLPYEF 281 GKLISDIKEN TPGIENAIIS THCQNDLGLA TANTLAGAHA 321 GARQLEVTIN GIGERAGNAS LEEVVMAIKC RGELLDGLYT 361 GINSQHITLT SKMVQEHSGL HVQPHKAIVG ANAFAHESGI 401 HQDGMLKYKG TYEIISPDDI GLARANEFGI VLGKLSGRHA 441 VRSKLVELGY EISDKEFEDF FKRYKEVAEK KKRVTDEDIE 481 ALLSDEIFQP KVIWSLADVQ ATCGTLGLST ATVKLIGPDG 521 EERIACSVGT GPVDAAYKAV DQIIQIPTVL REYGMTSVTE 561 GIDAIATTRV VVTGDVANNS KHALTGHSFN RSFSGSGAAM 601 DIVVSSVRAY LSALNKMCSF AGAARASSTE VPGSASVQRA 641 E

[0053] To generate a modified IPMS1 protein that provides corn plants with significantly higher levels of Gln, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp. Val. or a combination thereof in (heir leaves and seeds, and significant increases in their biomass compared to wild type, parental, or IPMS knock-out leaves and/or seeds, the SEQ ID NO:20 protein can have a substitution at position 612. For example, the sequence of the SEQ ID NO:20 IPMS1 protein can be modified to have a glutamic acid at position 612 instead of a serine (S612E), which has the following sequence (SEQ ID NO:22).

TABLE-US-00025   1 MAFNAKPYCS TTAKPPTPAA HRSPSGPSPC ISVRAAAVSP  41 RARHSAYGLS AAGNASSSTV RLRALAQRTR AQPQPPRRRP  81 EYVPNRIDDP NYVRIFDTTL RDGEQSPGAT MTSAEKLVVA 121 RQLARLGVDV IEAGFPASSP DDLDAVRSIA IEVGNPPPGD 161 DGGAHVPVIC GLSRCNRRDI DAAWEAVRHA RRPRIHTFIA 201 TSEIHMQHKL RKTPDQVVAV AREMVAYARS LGCADVEFSP 241 EDAGRSNREF LYHILEEVIK AGATTLNIPD TVGYTLPYEF 281 GKLISDIKEN TPGIENAIIS THCQNDLGLA TANTLAGAHA 321 GARQLEVTIN GIGERAGNAS LEEVVMAIKC RGELLDGLYT 361 GINSQHITLI SKMVQEHSGL HVQPHKAIVG ANAFAHESGI 401 HQDGMLKYKG TYEIISPDDI GLARANEFGI VLGKLSGRHA 441 VRSKLVELGY EISDKEFEDF FKRYKEVAEK KKRVTDEDIE 481 ALLSDEIFQP KVIWSLADVQ ATCGTLGLST ATVKLIGPDG 521 EERIACSVGT GPVDAAYKAV DQIIQIPTVL REYGMTSVTE 561 GIDAIATTRV VVTGDVANNS KHALTGHSFN RSFSGSGAAM 601 DIVVSSVRAY LEALNKMCSF AGAARASSTE VPGSASVQRA 641 E

[0054] Another Zea mays (corn) IPMS1 protein is shown below as SEQ ID NO:23, where two positions (235 and 612) are highlighted that can be modified to increase the production of various amino acids.

TABLE-US-00026   1 MAFSAKPHCS CSTTTKPPTP VAHLSPPPSL SVRAAACAPR  41 SAYGLSAAGV GGGKASPSTV RLRARAQRIR ASQQQPRRRP  81 EYVPNRIDDP NYVRIFDTTL RDGEQSPGAT MTSAEKLVVA 121 RQLARLGVDI IEAGFPASSP DDLDAVRSIA IEVGNPPTAS 161 AGTVHVPVIC GLSRCNRKDI DAAWEAVRHA RRPRIHTFIA 201 TSEIHMQHKL RKTPEQVVAI AREMVAYARS LGCPDVEFSP 241 EDAGRSNREF MYHILEEVIK AGATTLNIPD TVGYTLPYEF 281 GKLIADIKAN TSGIENAIIS THCQNDLGLA TANTLAGARS 321 GARQLEVTIN GIGERAGNAS LEEVVMAIKC RGELLDGLYT 361 GINSQHITLT SKMVQEHSGL HVQPHKAIVG ANAFAHESGI 401 HQDGMLKYKG TYEIISPDDI GLTRANEFGI VLGKLSGRHA 441 VRSKLVELGY EISDKEFEDF FKRYKEVAEK KKRVTDEDIE 481 ALLSDEIFQP KVIWSLADVQ ATCGTLGLST ATVKLIAPDG 521 EERIACSVGT GPVDAAYKAI DQIIQIPTVL REYGMTSVTE 561 GIDAIATTRV VVTGDVTNNS KHALTGRAFN RSFSGSGAAM 601 DIVVSSVRAY LSALNKMCSF AGAAKASGEV PESASVQSAE

[0055] The Zea mays (corn) IPMS1 protein IPMS protein with SEQ ID NO:23 is encoded by the 2-isopropylmalate synthase B gene on chromosome 2 (LOC100281571; locus tag ZEAMMB73_Zm00001d004960; see NCBI website).

[0056] The SEQ ID NO:23 corn IPMS1 protein has about 70% sequence identity with the SEQ ID NO:2 Arabidopsis IPMS1 protein as illustrated below.

TABLE-US-00027 Sq2  73 RPRPEYIPNRISDPNYVRVFDTTLRDGEQSPGATLTSKEKLDIARQLAKLGVDIIEAGFP Sq23  77 RRRPEYVPNRIDDPNYVRIFDTTLRDGEQSPGATMTSAEKLVVARQLARLGVDIIEAGFP * **** **** ****** *************** ** ***  ***** *********** Sq2 133 AASKDDFEAVKTIAETVGNTVDENG---YVPVICGLSRCNKKDIERAWDAVKYAKRPRIH Sq23 137 ASSPDDLDAVRSIAIEVGNPPTASAGTVHVPVICGLSRCNRKDIDAAWEAVRHARRPRIH * * **  **  **  ***          *********** ***  ** **  * ***** Sq2 190 TFIATSDIHLEYKLKKTKAEVIEIARSMVRFARSLGCEDVEFSPEDAGRSEREYLYEILG Sq23 197 TFIATSEIHMQHKLRKTPEQVVAIAREMVAYARSLGCPDVEFSPEDAGRSNREFMYHILE ****** **   ** **   *  *** **  ****** ************ **  * ** Sq2 250 EVIKAGATTLNIPDTVGITLPSEFGQLITDLKANTPGIENVVISTHCQNDLGLSTANTLS Sq23 257 EVIKAGATTLNIPDTVGYTLPYEFGKLIADIKANTSGIENAIISTHCQNDLGLATANTLA ***************** *** *** ** * **** ****  *********** ***** Sq2 310 GAHAGARQMEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMAIKCRGDHVLGGLFTGIDTRHIVMTSKMVE Sq23 317 GARSGARQLEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMAIKCRGE-LLDGLYTGINSQHITLTSKMVQ **  **** ***************************   * ** ***   **  ***** Sq2 370 EYTGMQTQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKHKGTYEIICPEEIGLERSNDAGIVLGKL Sq23 376 EHSGLHVQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKYKGTYEIISPDDIGLTRANEFGIVLGKL *  *   ************************* ******* *  *** * *  ******* Sq2 430 SGRHALKDRLTELGYQLDDEQLSTIFWRFKTVAEQKKRVTDADIIALVSDEVFQPEAVWK Sq23 436 SGRHAVRSKLVELGYEISDKEFEDFFKRYKEVAEKKKRVTDEDIEALLSDEIFQPKVIWS *****    * ****   *      * * * *** ****** ** ** *** ***   * Sq2 490 LLDIQITCGTLGLSTATVKLADADGKEHVACSIGTGPVDSAYKAVDLIVKEPATLLEYSM Sq23 496 LADVQATCGTLGLSTATVKLIAPDGEERIACSVGTGPVDAAYKAIDQIIQIPTVLREYGM * * * **************   ** *  *** ****** **** * *   *  * ** * Sq2 550 NAVTEGIDAIATTRVLIRGSNKYSSTNAITGEEVQRTFSGTGAGMDIVVSSVKAYVGALN Sq23 556 TSVTEGIDAIATTRVVVTGDVTNNSKHALTGRAFNRSFSGSGAAMDIVVSSVRAYLSALN   *************   *     *  * **    * *** ** ******** **  *** Sq2 610 KMMDF Sq23 616 KMCSF **  *

[0057] To generate a modified IPMS1 protein that provides corn plants with significantly higher levels of Gln, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp, Val, or a combination thereof in their leaves and seeds, and significant increases in their biomass compared to wild type, parental, or IPMS knockout leaves and/or seeds, the SEQ ID NO:23 protein can have a substitution at position 235. For example, the sequence of the SEQ ID NO:23 IPMS1 protein can be modified to have an asparagine at 235 instead of an aspartic acid (D235N), which has the following sequence (SEQ ID NO:24).

TABLE-US-00028   1 MAFSAKPHCS CSTTTKPPTP VAHLSPPPSL SVRAAACAPR  41 SAYGLSAAGV GGGKASPSTV RLRARAQRIR ASQQQPRRRP  81 EYVPNRIDDP NYVRIFDTTL RDGEQSPGAT MTSAEKLVVA 121 RQLARLGVDI IEAGFPASSP DDLDAVRSIA IEVGNPPTAS 161 AGTVHVPVIC GLSRCNRKDI DAAWEAVRHA RRPRIHTFIA 201 TSEIHMQHKL RKTPEQVVAI AREMVAYARS LGCPNVEFSP 241 EDAGRSNREF MYHILEEVIK AGATTLNIPD TVGYTLPYEF 281 GKLIADIKAN TSGIENAIIS THCQNDLGLA TANTLAGARS 321 GARQLEVTIN GIGERAGNAS LEEVVMAIKC RGELLDGLYT 361 GINSQHITLT SKMVQEHSGL HVQPHKAIVG ANAFAHESGI 401 HQDGMLKYKG TYEIISPDDI GLTRANEFGI VLGKLSGRHA 441 VRSKLVELGY EISDKEFEDF FKRYKEVAEK KKRVTDEDIE 481 ALLSDEIFQP KVIWSLADVQ ATCGTLGLST ATVKLIAPDG 521 EERIACSVGT GPVDAAYKAI DQIIQIPTVL REYGMTSVTE 561 GIDAIATTRV VVTGDVTNNS KHALTGRAFN RSFSGSGAAM 601 DIVVSSVRAY LSALNKMCSF AGAAKASGEV PESASVQSAE

[0058] To generate a modified IPMS1 protein that provides corn plants with significantly higher levels of Gln, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp, Val, or a combination thereof in their leaves and seeds, and significant increases in their biomass compared to wild type, parental, or IPMS knockout leaves and/or seeds, the SEQ ID NO:23 protein can have a substitution at position 612. For example, the sequence of the SEQ ID NO:23 IPMS1 protein can be modified to have a glutamic acid at position 612 instead of a serine (S612E), which has the following sequence (SEQ ID NO:25).

TABLE-US-00029   1 MAFSAKPHCS CSTTTKPPTP VAHLSPPPSL SVRAAACAPR  41 SAYGLSAAGV GGGKASPSTV RLRARAQRIR ASQQQPRRRP  81 EYVPNRIDDP NYVRIFDTTL RDGEQSPGAT MTSAEKLVVA 121 RQLARLGVDI IEAGFPASSP DDLDAVRSIA IEVGNPPTAS 161 AGTVHVPVIC GLSRCNRKDI DAAWEAVRHA RRPRIHTFIA 201 TSEIHMQHKL RKTPEQVVAI AREMVAYARS LGCPDVEFSP 241 EDAGRSNREF MYHILEEVIK AGATTLNIPD TVGYTLPYEF 281 GKLIADIKAN TSGIENAIIS THCQNDLGLA TANTLAGARS 321 GARQLEVTIN GIGERAGNAS LEEVVMAIKC RGELLDGLYT 361 GINSQHITLT SKMVQEHSGL HVQPHKAIVG ANAFAHESGI 401 HQDGMLKYKG TYEIISPDDI GLTRANEFGI VLGKLSGRHA 441 VRSKLVELGY EISDKEFEDF FKRYKEVAEK KKRVTDEDIE 481 ALLSDEIFQP KVIWSLADVQ ATCGTLGLST ATVKLIAPDG 521 EERIACSVGT GPVDAAYKAI DQIIQIPTVL REYGMTSVTE 561 GIDAIATTRV VVTGDVTNNS KHALTGRAFN RSFSGSGAAM 601 DIVVSSVRAY LEALNKMCSF AGAAKASGEV PESASVQSAE

[0059] A Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) IPMS1 protein is shown below as SEQ ID NO:26, where two positions (210 and 588) are highlighted that can be modified to increase the production of various amino acids.

TABLE-US-00030   1 MASITANHPI SGKPLISFRP KNPLLQTQTL FNFKPSISKH  41 SNSSFSIPVV RCSIRRRPEY TPSHIPDPNY VRIFDTTLRD  81 GEQSPGATMT TKEKLDVARQ LAKLGVDIIE AGFPASSEAD 121 LEAVKLIAKE VGNGVYEEGY VPVICGLARC NKKDIDKAWE 161 AVKYAKKPRI HTFIATSEIH MNYKLKMSRD QVVEKARSMV 201 AYARSIGCED VEFSPEDAGR SDPEFLYHIL GEVIKAGATT 241 LNIPDTVGYT VPEEFGQLIA KIKANTPGVE DVIISTHCQN 281 DLGLSTANTL AGACAGARQL EVTINGIGER AGNASLEEVV 321 MALKCRGEQV LGGLYTGINT QHILMSSKMV EEYSGLHVQP 361 HKAIVGANAF AHESGIHQDG MLKHKDTYEI ISPEDIGLNR 401 ANESGIVLGK LSGRHALQAK MLELGYEIEG KELDDLFWRF 441 KSVAEKKKKI TDDDLVALMS DEVFQPQFVW QLQNVQVTSG 481 SLGLSTATVK LIDADGREHI SCSVGTGPVD AAYKAVDLIV 521 KVPVTLLEYS MNAVTQGIDA IASTRVLIRG ENGHTSTHAV 561 TGETIHRTFS GTGADMDIVI SSVRAYVGAL NKMMSFRKLM 601 AKNNKPESSA VV

[0060] The Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) IPMS protein with SEQ ID NO:26 is encoded by the 2-isopropylmalate synthase B gene on chromosome 6 (LOC101245066, see NCBI website).

[0061] As illustrated below the SEQ ID NO:26 Solanum lycopersicum IPMS1 sequence has about 75% sequence identity with the Arabidopsis IPMS1 SEQ ID NO: 2 sequence.

TABLE-US-00031 Sq2  73 RPRPEYIPNRISDPNYVRVFDTTLRDGEQSPGATLTSKEKLDIARQLAKLGVDIIEAGFP Sq26  55 RRRPEYTPSHIPDPNYVRIFDTTLRDGEQSPGATMTTKEKLDVARQLAKLGVDIIEAGFP * **** *  * ****** *************** * ***** ***************** Sq2 133 AASKDDFEAVKTIAETVGNTVDENGYVPVICGLSRCNKKDIERAWDAVKYAKRPRIHTFT Sq26 115 ASSEADLEAVKLIAKEVGNGVYEEGYVPVICGLARCNKKDIDKAWEAVKYAKKPRIHTFI * *  * **** **  *** * * ********* *******  ** ****** ******* Sq2 193 ATSDIHLEYKLKKTKAEVIEIARSMVRFARSLGCEDVEFSPEDAGRSEREYLYEILGEVI Sq26 175 ATSEIHMNYKLKMSRDQVVEKARSMVAYARSIGCEDVEFSPEDAGRSDPEFLYHILGEVI *** **  ****     * * *****  *** ***************  * ** ****** Sq2 253 KAGATTLNIPDTVGITLPSEFGQLITDLKANTPGIENVVISTHCQNDLGLSTANTLSGAH Sq26 235 KAGATTLNIPDTVGYTVPEEFGQLIAKIKANTPGVEDVIISTHCQNDLGLSTANTLAGAC ************** * * ******   ****** * * ***************** ** Sq2 313 AGARQMEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMAIKCRGDHVLGGLFTGIDTRHIVMTSKMVEEYT Sq26 295 AGARQLEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMALKCRGEQVLGGLYTGINTQHILMSSKMVEEYS ***** ********************** ****  ***** *** * ** * ******* Sq2 373 GMQTQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKHKGTYEIICPEEIGLERSNDAGIVLGKLSGR Sq26 355 GLHVQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKHKDTYEIISPEDIGLNRANESGIVLGKLSGR *   *************************** ***** ** *** * *  ********** Sq2 433 HALKDRLTELGYQLDDEQLSTIFWRFKTVAEQKKRVTDADIIALVSDEVFQPEAVWKLLD Sq26 415 HALQAKMLELGYEIEGKELDDLFWRFKSVAEKKKKITDDDLVALMSDEVFQPQFVWQLQN ***     ****      *   ***** *** **  ** *  ** *******  ** *   Sq2 493 IQITCGTLGLSTATVKLADADGKEHVACSIGTGPVDSAYKAVDLIVKEPATLLEYSMNAV Sq26 475 VQVTSGSLGLSTATVKLIDADGREHISCSVGTGPVDAAYKAVDLIVKVPVTLLEYSMNAV  * * * ********** **** **  ** ****** ********** * ********** Sq2 553 TEGIDAIATTRVLIRGSNKYSSTNAITGEEVQRTFSGTGAGMDIVVSSVKAYVGALNKMM Sq26 535 TQGIDAIASTRVLIRGENGHTSTHAVTGETIHRTFSGTGADMDIVISSVRAYVGALNKMM * ****** ******* *   ** * ***   ******** **** *** ********** Sq2 613 DFKE Sq26 595 SFRK  *

[0062] A cDNA encoding the Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) IPMS1 protein with SEQ ID NO:26 is shown below as SEQ ID NO:27.

TABLE-US-00032    1 TAACAGTCTC TTACTTGAAT TTTCAGTCTC TTCTCCCAGC   41 CGCCATTAAA ACCAGCACTC GCAAACTCCA ATTTCTCTTC   81 TCCGGCAATG GCGTCTATCA CCGCAAATCA TCCAATCTCC  121 GGTAAACCAT TAATCTCATT CCGTCCCAAA AACCCTTTAC  161 TTCAAACCCA AACTCTCTTC AATTTCAAAC CATCAATCTC  201 CAAGCACTCC AATTCTTCAT TTTCCATTCC CGTTGTCCGC  241 TGCTCAATCC GCCGTAGACC GGAATATACT CCGAGTCACA  281 TTCCCGATCC AAACTATGTC CGGATATTCG ACACCACTCT  321 CCGTGATGGC GAACAATGAG CAGGGGCTAC AATGACTACA  361 AAGGAGAAAC TGGATGTTGC ACGTCAGTTA GCTAAGCTTG  401 GTGTTGATAT AATTGAGGCT GGTTTTCCTG CTTCTTCTGA  441 AGCTGATCTT GAAGCTGTGA AATTGATAGC TAAGGAAGTT  481 GGGAATGGTG TTTATGAAGA GGGATATGTT CCGGTTATTT  521 GTGGATTGGC GAGGTGTAAT AAGAAGGATA TTGATAAGGC  561 GTGGGAGGCT GTGAAGTATG CTAAGAAACC GAGGATTCAT  601 ACGTTTATTG CTACAAGTGA GATACATATG AATTATAAGC  641 TGAAAATGAG TAGAGATCAA GTTGTTGAGA AAGCTAGGAG  681 TATGGTGGCT TATGCAAGGA GTATTGGGTG TGAGGATGTT  721 GAATTTAGCC CTGAAGATGC TGGAAGATCT GATCCAGAGT  761 TTCTTTATCA TATCCTTGGA GAGGTTATCA AAGCTGGGGC  801 AACAACCCTT AACATCCCTG ATACTGTTGG ATACACTGTA  841 CCCGAAGAAT TTGGACAATT GATTGCTAAA ATAAAAGCGA  881 ATACCCCAGG AGTTGAAGAT GTGATCATTT CAACACACTG  921 CCAGAACGAT CTTGGGCTTT CTACTGCCAA CACCTTAGCT  961 GGAGCATGTG CAGGTGCAAG ACAATTGGAA GTGACCATCA 1001 ATGGAATTGG TGAAAGAGCT GGAAATGCTT CTTTAGAGGA 1041 GGTTGTAATG GCCTTAAAGT GTCGTGGAGA GCAAGTACTA 1081 GGTGGCCTAT ATACAGGGAT TAATACACAA CATATACTCA 1121 TGTCAAGCAA GATGGTAGAG GAGTATTCCG GACTTCATGT 1161 GCAGCCACAC AAAGCCATTG TTGGAGCTAA TGCCTTTGCT 1201 CATGAAAGTG GCATCCATCA GGATGGAATG TTAAAACACA 1241 AAGATACATA TGAGATTATA TCTCCTGAAG ATATTGGGCT 1281 TAATCGTGCT AATGAATCTG GTATTGTCCT TGGGAAACTC 1321 AGTGGGCGTC ATGCTTTGCA AGCCAAAATG CTTGAGCTTG 1361 GATACGAGAT TGAGGGCAAA GAACTTGATG ACCTGTTCTG 1401 GCGATTCAAA TCTGTGGCTG AGAAGAAAAA GAAAATTACA 1441 GATGATGACC TGGTAGCACT GATGTCAGAT GAGGTTTTCC 1481 AGCCTCAATT TGTGTGGCAA CTTCAAAATG TACAGGTTAC 1521 TTCTGGAAGT CTTGGGCTTT CTACAGCAAC TGTTAAGCTC 1561 ATTGATGCTG ATGGTCGAGA GCATATTTCT TGTTCTGTTG 1601 GAACGGGGCC AGTTGACGCG GCTTATAAGG CAGTTGATCT 1641 CATTGTTAAG GTACCTGTAA CACTCCTTGA GTATTCCATG 1681 AATGCAGTCA CACAAGGTAT AGATGCTATA GCTTCAACCA 1721 GAGTCTTAAT TCGTGGAGAA AATGGCCATA CATCAACCCA 1761 TGCCGTAACT GGAGAGACTA TTCACCGTAC ATTTAGTGGA 1801 ACCGGAGCAG ATATGGATAT TGTCATCTCC AGTGTCCGAG 1841 CCTATGTTGG TGCATTGAAT AAGATGATGA GTTTCAGAAA 1881 ACTAATGGCG AAAAATAACA AACCCGAAAG CAGTGCAGTC 1921 GTATAGGTAC TTCTGTGCAA ATCAAGGTTA TGGAACTTTT 1961 GCAACTGCAC TGGAGCTTTA TCATTTGTAC AAAATGTAGG 2001 AGTCTGTTCA AAGAATTTGA GCCTGTAGTT TTCAAGAAAA 2041 CAAAGCTTAA TATGTCTGGT AGTGCTTGAA AATCATCTAA 2081 GTTTATGGTC TATCAGTTGG AACATTAGAC ACATTGTCCA 2121 TATAACTTTG TTCATGCTCC CGTTTAACTA ATTTATGAAT 2161 CTACATACCA CGCAAGATTT TCGAAATGAT TTCAGAAATT 2201 ATGAAAATCT CTGTATTA

[0063] Another example of a Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) IPMS1 protein sequence is shown below as SEQ ID NO:28, where two positions (212 and 590) are highlighted that can be modified to increase the production of various amino acids.

TABLE-US-00033   1 MSSSSSLCSN SVFSYRNNFS IFQSKNVLLP PISSTNNFSF  41 SIKKHYYSTF IRCSISNRRP EYVPSKISDP KYVRIFDTTL  81 RDGEQSPGAT MTTKEKLDVA RQLAKLGVDI IEAGFPASSE 121 ADFESVKLIA EEIGNNTDEN GFVPVICGLS RCNKSDIDKA 161 WEAVKYAKKP RVHTFIATSE IHMKYKLKMS REQVVEKARS 201 MVAYARSLGC EDVEFSPEDA GRSDREFLYD ILGEVIKAGA 241 TTLNIPDTVG YTVPSEFGQL IADIKANTPG IENVIISTHC 281 QNDLGLSTAN TLAGACAGAR QLEVTINGIG ERAGNASLEE 321 VVMALKCRGE QVLGGLYTGI NTQHIVPSSK MVEEYSGLQV 361 QPHKAIVGAN AFAHESGIHQ DGMLKHKDTY EIISPDDVGL 401 SRSNEAGIVL GKLSGRHALK SKMLELGYDI DGKELEDLFW 441 RFKSVAEKKK KITDDDLIAL MSDEVLQPNV YWKLGDVQIM 481 CGSLGLSTAT VKLINTDGQE HIACSVGTGP VDAAYKAVDL 521 IVKVPITLLE YSMNAVTEGI DAIASTRVSI CSIDRHTIMN 561 GSTGQTIHRT FSGTGADMDV VISSVRAYIG ALNKMLSYEK 601 LVSRYSKPED SVVV

[0064] The Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) IPMS protein with SEQ ID NO:28 is encoded by the 2-isopropylmalate synthase B gene on chromosome 8 (Gene ID: 101251907; see NCBI website).

[0065] As illustrated below the SEQ ID NO:28 Solanum lycopersicum IPMS1 sequence has about 76% sequence identity with the Arabidopsis IPMS1 SEQ ID NO: 2 sequence.

TABLE-US-00034 Sq2  75  RPEYIPNRISDPNYVRVFDTTLRDGEQSPGATLTSKEKLDIARQLAKLGVDIIEAGFPAA Sq28  59  RPEYVPSKISDPKYVRIFDTTLRDGEQSPGATMTTKEKLDVARQLAKLGVDIIEAGFPAS **** *  **** *** *************** * ***** ****************** Sq2 135 SKDDFEAVKTIAETVGNTVDENGYVPVICGLSRCNKKDIERAWDAVKYAKRPRIHTFIAT Sq28 119 SEADFESVKLIAEEIGNNTDENGFVPVICGLSRCNKSDIDKAWEAVKYAKKPRVHTFIAT *  *** ** ***  **  **** ************ **  ** ****** ** ****** Sq2 195 SDIHLEYKLKKTKAEVIEIARSMVRFARSLGCEDVEFSPEDAGRSEREYLYEILGEVIKA Sq28 179 SEIHMKYKLKMSREQVVEKARSMVAYARSLGCEDVEFSPEDAGRSDREFLYDILGEVIKA * **  ****     * * *****  ******************* ** ** ******** Sq2 255 GATTLNIPDTVGITLPSEFGQLITDLKANTPGIENVVISTHCQNDLGLSTANTLSGAHAG Sq28 239 GATTLNIPDTVGYTVPSEFGQLIADIKANTPGIENVIISTHCQNDLGLSTANTLAGACAG ************ * ******** * ********** ***************** ** ** Sq2 315 ARQMEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMAIKCRGDHVLGGLFTGIDTRHIVMTSKMVEEYTGM Sq28 299 ARQLEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMALKCRGEQVLGGLYTGINTQHIVPSSKMVEEYSGL *** ********************** ****  ***** *** * ***  ******* * Sq2 375 QTQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKHKGTYEIICPEEIGLERSNDAGIVLGKLSGRHA Sq28 359 QVQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKHKDTYEIISPDDVGLSRSNEAGIVLGKLSGRHA * *************************** ***** *   ** *** ************* Sq2 435 LKDRLTELGYQLDDEQLSTIFWRFKTVAEQKKRVTDADIIALVSDEVFQPEAVWKLLDIQ Sq28 419 LKSKMLELGYDIDGKELEDLFWRFKSVAEKKKKITDDDLIALMSDEVLQPNVYWKLGDVQ **    ****  *   *   ***** *** **  ** * *** **** **   *** * * Sq2 495 ITCGTLGLSTATVKLADADGKEHVACSIGTGPVDSAYKAVDLIVKEPATLLEYSMNAVTE Sq28 479 IMCGSLGLSTATVKLINTDGQEHIACSVGTGPVDAAYKAVDLIVKVPITLLEYSMNAVTE * ** **********   ** ** *** ****** ********** * ************ Sq2 555 GIDAIATTRVLIRGSNKYSSTNAITGEEVQRTFSGTGAGMDIVVSSVKAYVGALNKMMDE Sq28 539 GIDAIASTRVSICSIDRHTIMNGSTGQTIHRTFSGTGADMDVVISSVRAYIGALNKMLSY ****** *** *         *  **    ******** ** * *** ** ****** Sq2 615 KE Sq28 599 EK

[0066] A cDNA encoding the SEQ ID NO:28 tomato IPMS1 protein is shown below as SEQ ID NO:29.

TABLE-US-00035 1 CTCTTTGTGA AATGATCTAG AATCTTTTAA CATATGAGAT 41 AAATGACTTG GTATCCACTT GGTTCAAATA ATTTGGAGTA 81 CACTTTTTTC TTTTTATTAT ATAAATCICC ACACTTTGTT 121 AGTATTAAAA CCCCACTTTT CCTTTTCTCC TCTGTGTTTG 161 ACCCTTTTCT GCACATTTTC AGAATGTCTT CTTCTTCTTC 201 TCTTTGTTCA AACTCTGTAT TTTCTTATAG AAACAACTTC 241 TCAATTTTTC AATCCAAAAA TGTTCTTCTT CCTCCAATTT 281 CTAGTACCAA TAATTTCAGT TTTTCAATCA AAAAACACTA 321 CTACTCCACA TTTATCCGGT GTTCGATTTC GAATCGTCGA 361 CCGGAATATG TACCCAGTAA AATCTCCGAC CCGAAATACG 401 TTCGCATATT CGATACTACT CTTCGTGACG GTGAGCAATC 441 TCCAGGTGCT ACAATGACTA CGAAAGAGAA ACTCGACGTC 481 GCTCGTCAGC TAGCGAAACT CGGTGTTGAT ATAATTGAAG 521 CTGGATTTCC AGCTTCATCT GAAGCAGATT TCGAATCTGT 561 GAAACTAATT GCAGAGGAAA TTGGTAATAA TACTGATGAA 601 AATGGATTTG TGCCTGTAAT TTGTGGGTTA TCTAGATGTA 641 ATAAAAGTGA TATTGATAAA GCTTGGGAAG CAGTGAAATA 681 CGCTAAAAAA CCTAGGGTTC ATACGTTTAT TGCTACGAGT 721 GAAATACATA TGAAGTATAA ATTGAAGATG AGTAGAGAAC 761 AAGTGGTGGA AAAAGCAAGG AGTATGGTAG CTTATGCTAG 801 AAGCCTTGGA TGTGAAGATG TTGAATTTAG TCCAGAAGAT 841 GCAGGAAGGT CTGATCGAGA GTTCCTTTAT GATATCCTCG 881 GAGAAGTTAT TAAAGCTGGT GCAACAACAC TTAACATACC 921 TGATACTGTT GGATACACTG TTCCAAGTGA ATTTGGACAA 961 TTAATTGCTG ACATAAAAGC CAATACTCCG GGGATTGAAA 1001 ATGTGATAAT TTCAACACAT TGCCAGAACG ATCTTGGGCT 1041 TTCTACTGCC AACACTTTAG CTGGAGCTTG TGCAGGAGCA 1081 AGACAACTAG AGGTGACCAT TAATGGCATT GGTGAAAGAG 1121 CTGGAAATGC TTCTCTGGAG GAGGTTGTAA TGGCCTTAAA 1161 ATGTCGCGGA GAGCAAGTAT TAGGCTGGCC CTACACGGGG 1201 ATTAACACTC AACATATTGT TCCATCGAGC AAAATGGTGG 1241 AGGAGTACAG TGGGCTACAG GTGCAGCCAC ATAAGGCCAT 1281 TGTTGGAGCT AATGCATTTG CTCATGAAAG TGGCATCCAT 1321 CAGGATGGAA TGTTAAAACA CAAGGACACC TATGAGATTA 1361 TATCTCCTGA TGATGTTGGG CTTAGTCGTT CTAATGAAGC 1401 GGGTATTGTC CTTGGGAAAC TCAGTGGTCG CCATGCACTG 1441 AAATCCAAAA TGCTTGAGCT TGGATATGAC ATTGATGGAA 1481 AAGAACTAGA GGACCTCTTT TGGCGTTTTA AGTCAGTAGC 1521 TGAGAAGAAA AAGAAAATTA CAGATGATGA CTTAATAGCA 1561 CTGATGTCAG ATGAAGTTCT CCAACCTAAT GTTTATTGGA 1601 AGCTTGGAGA TGTACAGATT ATGTGTGGAA GTCTTGGCCT 1641 CTCTACAGCA ACTGTGAAGC TTATAAACAC TGATGGTCAA 1681 GAGCATATTG CTTGTTCAGT TGGAACAGGA CCTGTTGATG 1721 CAGCTTAGAA GGCAGTGGAC CTCATTGTGA AGGTGCCTAT 1761 TACGCTCCTT GAATATTCCA TGAATGCAGT CACAGAAGGT 1801 ATAGATGCCA TAGCATCAAC CAGAGTGTCA ATCTGCAGTA 1841 TTGATAGGCA TAGTATAATG AATGGTTCAA CTGGACAGAC 1881 TATTCACCGC ACATTTAGTG GAACCGGAGC AGATATGGAT 1921 GTTGTTATCT CTAGTGTCCG AGCGTATATT GGTGCATTGA 1961 ACAAAATGTT GAGTTACGAA AAGCTGGTGT CAAGATACAG 2001 CAAACCTGAA GACAGTGTGG TGGTATAAGA AAATGTTCGT 2041 AATGTTCCAG TTTCTTGTCA TTTCTCTTGT CAATTGTATA 2081 GAACTAGGGG TGCCTTATCA ACAAATTACG ACTTGCCTGG 2121 AAGAACGATA AAAGGCAAAT TTGAGTCGTA ATGCATTTTC 2161 ATTTTCTGCA GGTTGATGTA CAAGCTTGTA CTAAATGTGT 2201 TAAAGTCATT TTAGGCTTTG TGTTGTACCA ATCAAACACA 2241 GATCCTTTTA TGTGGTTTAG CTTTAAATTG ATTTTTGGTT 2281 AA

[0067] An Oryza sativa (rice) IPMS1 protein is shown below as SEQ ID NO:30, where two positions (231 and 607) are highlighted that can be modified to increase the production of various amino acids.

TABLE-US-00036 1 MASSLLSSPK PSSFSSANPT STPRPRAQTL SPFRAAAPRF 41 SHGLATAAAA ANPSASRRCY HRAFARPVRA SMAQPRRPEY 81 VPNRIDDPNY VRIFDTTLRD GEQSPGATMT SAEKLVVARQ 121 LARLGVDIIE AGFPASSPDD LDAVRSIAIE VGNTPVGEDG 161 HVPVICGLSR CNKRDIDAAW EAVRKARRPR IHTFIATSEI 201 HMQHKLRKTP EQVVAIAKEM VAYARSLGCP DVEFSPEDAG 241 RSNREFLYHI LEEVIKAGAT TLNIPDTVGY TLPYEFGKLI 281 ADIKANTPGI ENAIISTHCQ NDLGLATANT LAGAHAGARQ 321 LEVTINGIGE RAGNASLEEV VMAIKCRREL LGGLYTGINT 361 QHITMSSKMV QEHSGLHVQP HKAIVGANAF AHESGIHQDG 401 MLKYKGTYEI ISPDDIGLTR ANEFGIVLGK LSGRHAVRSK 441 LVELGYEITD KEFEDFFKRY KEVAEKKKRV TDEDIRALLS 481 DEIFQPKVFW SLADVOATCG TLGLSTATVK LIGPDGEEKI 521 ACAVGTGPVD AAYKAVDDII QIPTVLREYS MTSVTEGIDA 561 IATTRVVVTG DVSDSKHALT GHSFSRAFSG SGAALDIVVS 601 SVRAYLSALN KMSSFVGAIK ASSEVSESQR VQTTE

[0068] The Oryza sativa (rice) IPMS protein with SEQ ID NO:30 is encoded by the 2-isopropylmalate synthase A gene on chromosome 11 (LOC4349745; locus tag OSNPB_110142500; see NCBI website).

[0069] As illustrated below the SEQ ID NO:30 Oryza sativa IPMS1 sequence has about 72% sequence identity with the Arabidopsis IPMS1 SEQ ID NO:2 sequence.

TABLE-US-00037 Sq2 75 RPEYIPNRISDPNYVRVFDTTLRDGEQSPGATLTSKEKLDIARQLAKLGVDIIEAGFPAA Sq30 77 RPEYVPNRIDDPNYVRIFDTTLRDGEQSPGATMTSAEKLVVARQLARLGVDIIEAGFPAS **** **** ****** ************** **  *** *****  ************* Sq2 135 SKDDFEAVKTIAETVGNT-VDENGYVPVICGLSRCNKKDIERAWDAVKYAKRPRIHTFIA Sq30 137 SPDDLDAVRSIAIEVGNTPVGEDGHVPVICGLSRCNKRDIDAAWEAVRHARRPRIHTFIA * **  **  **  **** * * * ************ **  ** **  * ********* Sq2 194 TSDIHLEYKLKKTKAEVIEIARSMVRFARSLGCEDVEFSPEDAGRSEREYLYEILGEVIK Sq30 197 TSEIHMQHKLRKTPEQVVAIAKEMVAYARSLGCPDVEFSPEDAGRSNREFLYHILEEVIK ** **      **   *  **  **  *****  ************ ** ** ** **** Sq2 254 AGATTLNTPDTVGITLPSEFGQLITDLKANTPGIENVVISTHCQNDLGLSTANTLSGAHA Sq30 257 AGATTLNIPDTVGYTLPYEFGKLIADIKANTPGIENAIISTHCQNDLGLATANTLAGAHA ************* *** *** ** * *********  *********** ***** **** Sq2 314 GARQMEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMAIKCRGDHVLGGLFTGIDTRHIVMTSKMVEEYIG Sq30 317 GARQLEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMAIKCRRE-LLGGLYTGINTQHITMSSKMVQERSG **** **************************    **** *** * ** * **** *  * Sq2 374 MQTQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKHKGTYEIICPEEIGLERSNDAGIVLGKLSGRH Sq30 376 LHVQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKYKGTYEIISPDDIGLTRANEFGIVLGKLSGRH    ************************* ******* *  *** * *  *********** Sq2 434 ALKDRLTELGYQLDDEQLSTTFWRFKTVAEQKKRVTDAD1IALVSDEVFQPEAVWKLLDI Sq30 436 AVRSKLVELGYEITDKEFEDFFKRYKEVAEKKKRVTDEDIEALLSDEIFQPKVFWSLADV *    * ****   *      * * * *** ****** ** ** *** ***   * * * Sq2 494 QTTCGTLGLSTATVKLADADGKEHVACSIGTGPVDSAYKAVDLIVKEPATLLEYSMNAVT Sq30 496 QATCGTLGLSTATVKLIGPDGEEKIACAVGIGPVDAAYKAVDDIIQIPTVLREYSMTSVT * **************  **  *  **  ****** ****** *   *  * ****  ** Sq2 554 EGIDAIATTRVLIRGSNKYSSTNAITGEEVQRTFSGTGAGMDIVVSSVKAYVGALNKMMD Sq30 556 EGIDAIATTRVVVTGDVS-DSKHALTGHSFSRAFSGSGAALDIVVSSVRAYLSALNKMSS ***********   *     *  * **    * *** **  *******  ** *****

[0070] A cDNA encoding the SEQ ID NO:30 rice IPMS1 protein is shown below as SEQ ID NO:31.

TABLE-US-00038 1 TCGTGCATCC CACGAAACCC CCGTTGTCAT GTCCAGATAA 41 GAGCTCCCCC TCTGACTCAC ACACACATCA CCGAGAAGCA 81 GAGCAAGTGC ATCTCCCTCT CCCACCATTT GATTCGATTC 121 CCCTAAACCC CCGAGTCGTC GACGCCACAA ACCCCGGCGA 161 CCACCATGGC CTCCTCCCTC CTCTCCTCCC CAAAACCCTC 201 CTCCTTCTCC TCCGCAAACC CCACCTCCAC TCCACGCCCA 241 CGCGCCCAAA CTCTCTCCCC CTTCCGCGCC GCCGCCCCAC 281 GCTTCTCCCA TGGCCTCGCC ACCGCCGCCG CCGCCGCAAA 321 CCCTAGCGCC TCCCGCCGCT GCTACCACCG CGCCTTCGCC 361 CGCCCCGTCC GGGCGTCCAT GGCGCAGCCG CGGCGCCCGG 401 AGTACGTCCC CAACCGCATC GACGACCCCA ACTACGTCCG 441 CATCTTCGAC ACCACCCTCC GCGACGGGGA GCAGTCCCCC 481 GGGGCCACCA TGACCAGCGC CGAGAAGCTC GTCGTCGCGC 521 GCCAGCTCGC CCGCCTCGGC GTCGACATCA TCGAGGCCGG 561 GTTCCCGGCC TCCTCCCCCG ACGACCTCGA CGCCGTGCGC 601 TCCATCGCCA TCGAGGTCGG GAACACGCCC GTCGGGGAGG 641 ACGGCCACGT GCCGGTCATC TGTGGCCTCT CGAGATGCAA 681 TAAGCGAGAC ATTGATGCTG CCTGGGAGGC CGTGCGGCAC 721 GCGCGGCGGC CGCGCATCCA CACCTTCATT GCCACCAGCG 761 AGATCCATAT GCAGCACAAG CTAAGGAAGA CGCCCGAGCA 801 GGTGGTGGCC ATTGCCAAGG AAATGGTGGC CTACGCCCGC 841 AGCCTAGGCT GCCCTGATGT CGAGTTCAGC CCTGAAGACG 881 CTGGCAGGTC AAACAGAGAG TTTCTATATC ATATTCTAGA 921 GGAAGTCATA AAAGCTGGAG CAACAACACT CAATATCCCA 961 GACACTGTTG GATACACTCT TCCTTATGAA TTTGGGAAGC 1001 TAATTGCTGA TATAAAAGCA AACACTCCAG GAATTGAAAA 1041 TGCTATTATT TCTACTCATT GCCAGAATGA CCTTGGTCTA 1081 GCAACCGCCA ATACATTAGC GGGCGCTCAT GCAGGAGCAC 1121 GGCAATTAGA GGTGACTATC AACGGTATTG GTGAAAGGGC 1161 TGGAAATGCT TCTTTGGAAG AGGTTGTGAT GGCAATTAAA 1201 TGTCGCCGAG AGCTCTTAGG AGGTCTGTAT ACTGGAATCA 1241 ATACCCAACA TATCACTATG TCAAGCAAAA TGGTACAAGA 1281 GCACAGTGGA CTTCATGTAC AACCACATAA AGCTATTGTC 1321 GGTGCCAATG CCTTTGCACA TGAAAGTGGA ATTCATCAGG 1361 ATGGGATGCT TAAATACAAA GGAACTTATG AAATAATTTC 1401 TCCTGATGAT ATTGGTCTAA CACGTGCAAA CGAGTTTGGT 1441 ATTGTTCTTG GGAAACTCAG TGGAAGGCAT GCTGTGAGAT 1481 CTAAACTAGT GGAGCTTGGA TATGAAATCA CTGACAAGGA 1521 ATTTGAGGAT TTCTTTAAAC GCTACAAAGA GGTTGCAGAG 1561 AAGAAAAAGC GTGTAACTGA TGAAGACATT GAGGCGCTGT 1601 TGTCTGATGA GATATTTCAG CCCAAGGTTT TTTGGTCCCT 1641 TGCTGATGTA CAGGCAACTT GTGGAACACT TGGTCTGTCT 1681 ACAGCAACTG TCAAACTGAT AGGTCCGGAT GGAGAGGAGA 1721 AGATTGCATG TGCAGTTGGA ACAGGTCCAG TTGATGCAGC 1761 TTACAAGGCT GTTGATGATA TAATACAGAT CCCAACTGTT 1801 CTTCGAGAAT ATAGCATGAC ATCGGTCACA GAAGGCATTG 1841 ATGCAATTGC AACTACTAGA GTGGTTGTCA CTGGAGATGT 1881 TAGCGACTCT AAACATGCTT TGACTGGTCA CTCCTTCAGC 1921 CGGGCATTCA GTGGGAGTGG TGCCGCACTG GATATTGTTG 1961 TTTCCAGTGT GCGAGCTTAC CTGAGTGCCC TGAACAAGAT 2001 GTCCAGTTTT GTTGGGGCTA TCAAGGCTAG TAGTGAAGTA 2041 TCTGAAAGCC AAAGAGTTCA AACCACAGAA TGAGTCTTGA 2081 CTTCCTTTTG GGTTTTCATA TCCGATGGTT CTATGTTTCA 2121 CATTCCCAGC AAGGAGTATG TGCTTGTTGA AACATGGTTT 2161 TTCCGTCCAG AAAAAACATG GTTCCGTTTA GTGCATCTGG 2201 AGGATGTTCT GGGTTTCTTG GTGGAGCCTG ACTTAAGGTT 2241 GAACATCCAG GACGTTTTGG GATATGCAGT GTATAATTCA 2281 TATTTGAAAA CCGTATTTAC AATAAGACAA TAATAAATAA 2321 TTGTTTGACA TATGAGTATT GCAAAACTAT TACTGTAAGA 2361 AATTAATCGT GAGACCAACC TAGGGTTGTA CAGTA

[0071] Another Oryza sativa IPMS1 protein is shown below as SEQ ID NO: 32, where two positions (231 and 607) are highlighted that can be modified to increase the production of various amino acids.

TABLE-US-00039 1 MASSLLSSPK PSSFSSANPT STPRPRAQTL SPFRAAAPRF 41 SHGLATAAAA ANPSASRRCY HRAFARPVRA SMAQPRRPEY 81 VPNRIDDPNY VRIFDTTLRD GEQSPGATMI SAEKLVVARQ 121 LARLGVDIIE AGFPASSPDD LDAVRSIAIE VGNTPVGEDG 161 HVPVICGLSR CNKRDIDAAW EAVRHARRPR IHTFIATSEI 201 HMQHKLRKTP EOVVAIAKEM VAYARSLGCP DVEFSPEDAG 241 RSNREFLYHI LEEVIKAGAT TLNIPDTVGY TLPYEFGKLI 281 ADIKANTPGI ENAIISTHCQ NDLGLATANT LAGAHAGARQ 321 LEVTINGIGE RAGNASLEEV VMAIKCRREL LGGLYTGINT 361 QHITMSSKMV QEHSGLHVQP HKAIVGANAF AHESGIHQDG 401 MLKYKGTYEI ISPDDIGLTR ANEFGIVLGK LSGRHAVRSK 441 LVELGYEITD KEFEOFFKRY KEVAEKKKRV TDEDIEALLS 481 DEIFQPKVFW SLADVQATCG TLGLSTATVK LIGPDGDEKI 521 ACAVGTGPVD AAYKAVDDII QIPTVLREYS MTSVTEGIDA 561 IATTRVVVTG DVSDSKHALT GHSFNRAFSG SGAALDIVVS 601 SVRAYLSALN KMSSFVGAIK ASSEVSESQR VQTTE

[0072] The Oryza sativa (rice) IPMS protein with SEQ ID NO:32 is encoded by the 2-isopropylmalate synthase A gene on chromosome 12 (LOC4351460; locus tag OSNPB_120138900; see NCBI website).

[0073] As illustrated below the SEQ ID NO:32 Oryza sativa IPMS1 sequence has about 72% sequence identity with the Arabidopsis IPMS1 SEQ ID NO:2 sequence.

TABLE-US-00040 Sq2 75 RPEYIPNRISDPNYVRVEDLILRDGEQSPGATLLSKEKLDIARQLAKLGVDIIEAGFPAA Sq32 77 RPEYVPNRIDDPKYVPIFDTTLRDGEQSPGATMTSAEKLVVARQLARLGVDIIEAGRPAS **** **** ****** *************** ** ***  ****************** Sq2 135 SKDDFEAVKTIAETVGNT-VDENGYVPVICGLSRCNKKDIERAWDAVKYAKRPRIHTFIA Sq32 137 SPDDLDAVRSIAIEVGNTPVGEDGHVPVTCGLSRCNKRDIDAAWEAVRHARRPRIHTFIA * **  **  **  **** * * * ************ **  ** **  * ********* Sq2 194 TSDIHLEYKLKKTKAEVIEIARSMVRFARSLGCEDVEFSPEDAGRSEREYLYEILGEVIK Sq32 197 TSEIHMQHKLRKTPEQVVAIAKEMVAYARSLGCPDVEFSPEDAGRSNREFLYHILEEVIK **  **  ** **  *   **  **  ******  *********** ** ** ** **** Sq2 254 AGATTLNIPDTVGITLPSEFGQLIIDLKANTPGIENVVISTHCQNDLGLSTANTLSGAHA Sq32 257 AGATTLNIPDTVGYTLPYEFGKLIADIKANTPGIENAIISTHCQNDLGLATANTLAGAHA ************* *** *** ** * *********  *********** ***** **** Sq2 314 GARQMEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMAIKCRGDHVLGGLFTGIDTRHIVMTSKMVEEYTG Sq32 317 GARQLEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMAIKCRRE-LLGGLYTGINTQHITMSSKMVQEHSG **** **************************    **** *** * ** * **** *  * Sq2 374 MQTQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKHKGTYEIICPEEIGLERSNDAGIVLGKLSGRH Sq32 376 LHVQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKYKGTYEIISPDDIGLTRANEFGIVLGKLSGRE    ************************* ******* *  *** * *  *********** Sq2 434 ALKDRLTELGYQLDDEQLSTIFWRFKTVAEQKKRVTDADTIALVSDEVFQPEAVWKLLDT Sq32 436 AVRSKLVELGYEITDKEFEDFFKRYKEVAEKKKRVTDEDIEALLSDEIFQPKVFWSLADV *    * ****   *      * * * *** ****** ** ** *** ***   * * * Sq2 494 QTTCGTLGLSTATVKLADADGKEHVACSIGTGPVDSAYKAVDLIVKEPATLLEYSMNAVT Sq32 496 QATCGTLGLSTATVKLIGPDGDEKIACAVGTGPVDAAYKAVDDIIQIPTVLREYSMTSVT * **************   ** * **   ****** ****** *   *  * ****  ** Sq2 554 EGIDAIATTRVLIRGSNKYSSTNAITGEEVQRTFSGTGAGMDIVVSSVKAYVGALNKMMD Sq32 556 EGIDAIATTRVVVTGDVS-DSKHALTGHSFNRAFSGSGAALDIVVSSVRAYLSALNKMSS ***********   *     *  * **    * *** **  ******* **  ***** Sq2 614 F Sq32 615 F *

[0074] A Sorghum bicolor IPMS1 protein is shown below as SEQ ID NO:33, where two positions (215 and 592) are highlighted that can be modified to increase the production of various amino acids.

TABLE-US-00041 1 MAFTAKPYCS TPTKPPTLSA RAPRSAHGLS AAAAATPSTV 41 RLRAFAQRIR AQSQQQQQRR RRPEYVPHRI DDPNYVRIFD 81 TTLRDGEQSP GATMTSAEKL VVARQLARLG VDIIEAGFPA 121 SSPDDLDAVR SIAIEVGNPV EEGAHVPVIC GLSRCNKRDI 161 DAAWEAVRNA RRPRIHTFIA TSEIHMQHKL RKTPEQVVAI 201 AKEMVAYARS LGCPDVEFSP EDAGRSNREF LYHILEEVIK 241 AGATTLNIPD TVGYTLPYEF GKLIADIKAN TPGIENAIIS 281 THCQNDLGLA TANTLAGARA GARQLEVTIN GIGERAGNAS 321 LEEVVMAIKC RGELLDGLYT GINSQHITLT SKMVQEHSGL 361 HVQPHKAIVG ANAFAHESGI HQDGMLKYKG TYEIISPDDI 401 GLTRANEFGI VLGKLSGRHA VRSKLVELGY EISDKEFEDE 441 FKRYKEVAEK KKRVTDEDIE ALLSDEIFQP KVIWSLADVQ 481 ATCGTLGLST ATVKLIAPDG EEKIGCSVGT GPVDAAYKAV 521 DQIIQIPTVL REYGMTSVTE GIDAIATTRV VVTGDVTNNS 561 KHALTGQSFN RSFSGSGAAM DIVVSSVRAY LSALNKMCSF 601 AGAAKASSEV PESASVQRTE

[0075] The Sorghum bicolor IPMS protein with SEQ ID NO:33 is encoded by the 2-isopropylmalate synthase A gene on chromosome 5 (LOC8085635; locus tag SORBI_-3005G030100; see NCBI website).

[0076] As illustrated below the Sorghum bicolor IPMS11 protein with SEQ ID NO:33 has about 71%-7-1% sequence identity with the Arabidopsis IPMS1 SEQ ID NO:2 sequence.

TABLE-US-00042 Sq2 72 RRPRPEYTPNRTSDPNYVRVFDTTLRDGEQSPGATLTSKERLDIARQLAKLGVDITEAGE Sq33 59 RRRRPEYVPHRIDDPNYVRIFDTTLRDGEQSPGATMTSAEKLVVARQLARLGVDIIEAGE ** **** * ** ****** *************** ** ***  ***** ********** Sq2 132 PAASKDDPEAVKTIAETVGNTVDENGYVPVICGLSRCNKKDIERAWDAVKYAKRPRIHTE Sq33 119 PASSPDDLDAVRSIAIEVGNPVEEGAHVPVICGLSRCNKRDIDAAWEAVRNARRPRIHTE ** * **  **  **  *** * *   ************ **  ** **  * ******* Sq2 192 IATSDIHLEYKLKKTKAEVIEIARSMVRFARSLGCEDVEPSPEDAGRSEREYLYEILGEV Sq33 179 IATSEIHMQHKLRKTPEQVVAIAKEMVAYARSLGCPDVEFSPEDAGRSNREFLYHILEEV **** **   ** **   *  **  **  ****** ************ ** ** ** ** Sq2 252 IKAGATTLNIPDTVGITLPSEFGQLITDLKANTPGIENVVISTHCQNDLGLSTANTLSGA Sq33 239 IKAGATTLNIPDTVGYTLPYEFGKLIADIKANTPGIENAIISTHCQNDLGLATANTLAGA *************** *** *** ** * *********  *********** ***** ** Sq2 312 HAGARQMEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMAIKCRGDHVLGGLFTGIDTRHIVMTSKMVEEY Sq33 299 RAGARQLEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMAIKCRGE-LLDGLYTGINSQHITLTSKMVQEH  ***** ***************************   * ** ***   **  ***** * Sq2 372 TGMQTQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKHKGTYEIICPEEIGLERSNDAGIVLGKLSG Sq33 358 SGLHVQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKYKGTYEIISPDDIGLTRANEFGIVLGKLSG  *   ************************* ******* *  *** * *  ********* Sq2 432 RHALKDRLTELGYQLDDEQLSTIPWRFKTVAEQKKRVTDADIIALVSDEVFQPEAVWKLL Sq33 418 RHAVRSKLVELGYEISDKEFEDFFKRYKEVAEKKKRVTDEDIEALLSDEIFQPKVIWSLA ***    * ****   *      * * * *** ****** ** ** *** ***   * * Sq2 492 DIQITCGTLGLSTATVKLADADGKEHVACSIGTGPVDSAYKAVDLIVKEPATLLEYSMNA Sq33 478 DVQATCGTLGLSTATVKLIAPDGEEKIGCSVGTGPVDAAYKAVDQIIQIPTVLREYGMTS * * *************    ** *   ** ****** ****** *   *  * ** * Sq2 552 VTEGTDATATTRVLIRGSNKYSSTNAITGEEVQRTFSGTGAGMDIVVSSVKAYVGALNKM Sq33 538 VTEGIDAIATTRVVVTGDVTNNSKHALTGQSFNRSFSGSGAAMDIVVSSVRAYLSALNKM *************   *     *  * **    * *** ** ******  **   ***** Sq2 612 MDF Sq33 598 CSF   *

[0077] A cDNA encoding the Sorghum bicolor IPMS1 protein with SEQ ID NO:33 is shown below as SEQ ID NO:34.

TABLE-US-00043    1 CACGGCACGG CACCTCACCG CTCTCGCGTG CTCGCCGCGG   41 CGGCCGCCGT GCTCGTGTCG TGTCACAGCC AGCAGCTCGC   81 TCCCACGACC TCCGATCCGT GCCGCCTACG AAACCACCAC  121 CCGTCCGGAT CCTCCAGGAT ATATACCAGC CAGCTAGTCA  161 TCCCCTTGCT GGCTGCTGCC TTTTCCAAAT CCACTCACAT  201 TTTCCACATC CACCGTCGAT TTAACACAGT CCCCCGCCGC  241 CGCCGCCCGC CCGTCCGTCC CCTCCTAAAC CCCGCGACGA  281 CCCTGAGCGA GCCCGAGCCG AGTCCCCGGC GACCAACCAC  321 CATGGCCTTC ACCGCTAAAC CCTACTGCTC AACCCCCACC  361 AAACCCCCCA CCCTCTCCGC CCGCGCCCCG CGCTCCGCCC  401 ATGGCCTATC CGCCGCCGCC GCCGCAACCC CGAGCACCGT  441 CCGCCTCCGC GCGTTCGCCC AGCGCATCCG GGCGCAGTCG  481 CAGCAACAGC AACAGCGGCG GCGGCGGCCC GAGTACGTGC  521 CGCACCGCAT CGACGACCCA AACTACGTGC GCATCTTCGA  561 CACCACGCTC CGCGACGGGG AGCAGTCCCC GGGAGCCACC  601 ATGACGAGCG CCGAGAAGCT GGTGGTCGCG CGGCAGCTGG  641 CCCGGCTCGG CGTCGACATC ATCGAGGCGG GGTTCCCGGC  681 GTCCTCCCCC GACGACCTCG ACGCCGTGCG CTCCATCGCC  721 ATCGAGGTCG GCAACCCGGT GGAGGAAGGC GCCCACGTGC  761 CCGTCATCTG CGGCCTCTCG CGGTGCAACA AGAGGGATAT  801 TGATGCCGCC TGGGAGGCCG TCAGGAACGC GCGCAGGCCC  841 CGGATTCATA CCTTCATCGC CACCAGCGAG ATCCATATGC  881 AGCATAAGCT TAGGAAGACG CCTGAGCAGG TCGTTGCTAT  921 TGCTAAGGAG ATGGTGGCGT ATGCACGCAG CCTTGGGTGC  961 CCTGATGTCG AATTCAGCCC TGAGGATGCC GGCAGGTCAA 1001 ATCGAGAATT CCTGTATCAT ATACTGGAGG AAGTCATTAA 1041 AGCTGGGGCA ACTACTCTTA ATATCCCAGA CACTGTCGGA 1081 TACACTCTTC CTTATGAATT TGGGAAGTTG ATTGCTGACA 1121 TAAAGGCAAA CACTCCTGGA ATTGAAAATG CTATCATTTC 1161 CACTCATTGC CAGAATGACC TTGGTCTTGC AACTGCCAAC 1201 ACATTAGCGG GCGCTCGTGC AGGAGCACGA CAGTTAGAGG 1241 TGACTATTAA TGGTATTGGT GAAAGAGCTG GAAATGCTTC 1281 GTTGGAAGAG GTTGTCATGG CAATTAAATG TCGTGGGGAG 1321 CTCTTAGATG GTCTATATAC GGGAATCAAT TCCCAACATA 1361 TTACTTTGAC AAGCAAAATG GTACAAGAGC ACAGTGGACT 1401 TCATGTACAA CCACATAAAG CTATTGTTGG TGCCAATGCC 1441 TTTGCTCATG AAAGTGGAAT TCATCAGGAT GGGATGCTTA 1481 AGTACAAGGG AACATATGAA ATAATATCGC CTGATGATAT 1521 TGGTTTAACA CGTGCGAATG AATTTGGTAT TGTTCTTGGG 1561 AAACTCAGCG GAAGACATGC AGTGAGATCT AAGCTAGTGG 1601 AGCTTGGATA TGAAATCAGT GACAAGGAAT TTGAAGATTT 1641 CTTTAAACGC TACAAAGAGG TTGCAGAGAA GAAAAAGCGT 1681 GTAACTGATG AAGACATAGA AGCGTTATTG TCAGATGAGA 1721 TATTCCAGCC TAAGGTTATT TGGTCCCTTG CTGATGTACA 1761 GGCAACATGT GGAACACTTG GCTTATCTAC AGCAACAGTG 1801 AAACTGATAG CACCAGATGG AGAGGAGAAA ATAGGATGTT 1841 CAGTTGGAAC AGGTCCAGTT GATGCAGCTT ACAAGGCTGT 1881 TGACCAAATA ATCCAGATTC CAACTGTTCT CCGAGAATAT 1921 GGTATGACTI CAGTCACAGA GGGCATTGAC GCTATCGCGA 1961 CAACTCGAGT GGTTGTCACT GGAGATGTGA CCAACAACTC 2001 CAAGCATGCC TTGACTGGTC AATCTTTCAA CCGCTCCTTC 2041 AGTGGGAGCG GGGCAGCTAT GGACATCGTT GTGTCCAGCG 2081 TCAGAGCTTA CCTGAGTGCC CTGAACAAGA TGTGCAGCTT 2121 TGCTGGTGCT GCGAAAGCCA GCAGCGAGGT ACCTGAGAGC 2161 GCAAGCGTTC AACGCACAGA GTGAGCTTGG CGCTCCTCTT 2201 TGTTCCCATG TGGGCTTGGC GACGTAAGAG CTTGAGCAAC 2241 TGTTATAGAG TGTATGTCGT TTCAGTAACA GGCTGTTCAA 2281 TATTGGGGTT TTCCCTTGTC AGTGTGGAGT GATTGTGCTG 2321 TTCTATTTTG GAGGATAGTC CCTTTAGCTT AGAACATGCA 2361 GGAAATTTTG GCCCTATGTA GTGTACAATT TGTGCCTTAT 2401 ATGAACCATA CTTTCAATAA TGAAATAATA TTAGGGTCCA 2441 TCCAGCCACC CATA

[0078] A Brassica napus IPMS protein is shown below as SEQ ID NO: 35, where two positions (219 and 598) are highlighted that can be modified to increase the production of various amino acids.

TABLE-US-00044 1 MASSILRNPM LSSPTTITTP SLPSFSSKPS PLSFRFPPSH 41 HRSSLRIKSL RLSCSLSDPS PPLRRRRPEY IPNRISDPNY 81 VRVFDTTLRD GEQSPGATLT SKEKLDIARQ LAKLGVDVIE 121 AGFPAASKDD FEAVKTIAET VGNAVDGDGY VPVICGLSRC 161 NKRDIETAWE AVKYAKRPRI HTFIATSDIH LEYKLKKSKD 201 EVIEIARNMV KFARSLGCED VEFSPEDAGR SEREFLYQIL 241 GEVIKAGATI LNIPDTVGIT LPSEFGQLIA DIKANTPGIE 281 NVIISTHCQN DLGLSTANTL SGAHSGARQL EVTINGIGER 321 AGNASLEEVV MAIKCRGDHV LGGLYTGIDT RHIVMTSKMV 361 EDYTGMQTQP HKAIVGANAF AHESGIHQDG MLKHKGTYEI 401 ICPEEIGLER SNDAGIVLGK LSGRHALKDR LTELGYVLDD 441 EQLSSIFWRF KSVAERKKRV TDADIIALVS DEVFQPEALW 481 KLLDIQITCG TLGLSTATVK LADADGKEHV ACSMGTGPVD 521 SAYKAVDLVV KEPATLLEYS MNAVTEGIDA IATTRVLIRG 561 NNNYSTTNAI TGEEVQRTFS GTGAGMDIVV SSVKAYVGAL 601 NKMLDFKENS TTKIPSQNNK VPA

[0079] As illustrated below the Brassica napus IPMS protein with SEQ ID NO:35 has about 90%-91% sequence identity with the Arabidopsis IPMS1 SEQ ID NO:2 sequence.

TABLE-US-00045 Sq2 1 MASSLLRNPNLYSSTTITTTSFLPTFSSKPTPISSSFRFQPSHHRSISLRSQTLRLSCSI Sq35 1 MASSILRNPMLSSPTTITTPS-LPSFSSKPSPLS--FRFPPSHHRS-SLRIKSLRLSCSL **** **** * * ***** * ** ***** * *  *** ****** ***  ******* Sq2 61 SDPSPLPPHTPRRPRPEYIPNRISDPNYVRVFDTTLRDGEQSPGATLTSKEKLDIARQLA Sq35 57 SDPSP----PLRRRRPEYTPNRISDPNYVRVFDTTLRDGEQSPGATLTSKEKLDIARQLA ******     ** ********************************************** Sq2 121 KLGVDIIEAGFPAASKDDFEAVKTIAETVGNTVDENGYVPVICGLSRCNKKDIERAWDAV Sq35 113 KLGVDVIEAGFPAASKDDFEAVKTIAETVGNAVDGDGYVPVICGLSRCNKRDIETAWEAV ***** ************************* ** *************** *** ** ** Sq2 181 KYAKRPRIHTFIATSDIHLEYKLKKTKAEVIEIARSMVRFARSLGCEDVEFSPEDAGRSE Sq35 173 KYAKRPRIHTFIATSDIHLEYKLKKSKDEVIEIARNMVKFARSLGCEDVEFSPEDAGRSE *************************   ******* ** ********************* Sq2 241 REYLYEILGEVIKAGATTLNIPDTVGITLPSEFGQLITDLKANTPGIENVVISTHCQNDL Sq35 435 REYLYQILGEVIKAGATTLNIPDTVGITLPSEFGQLIADIKANTPGIENVIISTHCQNDL ** ** ******************************* * **********  ******** Sq2 301 GLSTANTLSGAHAGARQMEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMAIKCRGDHVLGGLFTGIDTRH Sq35 293 GLSTANTLSGAHSGARQLEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMAIKCRGDHVLGGLYTGIDTRH ************ **** ********************************** ******* Sq2 361 IVMTSKMVEEYTGMQTQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKHKGTYEIICPEEIGLERSN Sq35 IVMTSKMVEDYTGMQTQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKHKGTYEIICPEEIGLERSN ********* ************************************************** Sq2 421 DAGIVLGKLSGRHALKDRLTELGYQLDDEQLSTIFWRFKTVAEQKKRVTDADIIALVSDE Sq35 413 DAGIVLGKLSGRHALKDRLTELGYVLDDEQLSSIFWRFKSVAERKKRVTDADIIALVSDE ************************ *******  ***** *** **************** Sq2 481 VFQPEAVWKLLDIQITCGTLGLSTATVKLADADGKEHVACSIGTGPVDSAYKAVDLIVKE Sq35 473 VFQPEALWKLLDIQITCGTLGLSTATVKLADADGKEHVACSMGTGPVDSAYKAVDLVVKE ***************************************** ****************** Sq2 541 PATLLEYSMNAVTEGIDAIATTRVLIRGSNKYSSTNAITGEEVQRTFSGTGAGMDIVVSS Sq35 533 PATLLEYSMNAVTEGIDAIATTRVLIRGNNNYSTTNAITGEEVQRTFSGTGAGMDIVVSS **************************** * ** ************************** Sq2 601 VKAYVGALNKMMDPKENSATKIPSQKNRVAA Sq35 593 VKAYVGALNKMLDFKENSTTKIPSQNNKVPA *********** ****** ****** * * *

[0080] Another Brassica napus IPMS protein sequence is shown below as SEQ ID NO:36, where two positions (223 and 601) are highlighted that can be modified to increase the production of various amino acids.

TABLE-US-00046 1 MASSILRNPM LSSPTTTIPT PSLPSSSSKP SPLSFREPPS 41 HHRSSVSLRS QSLRLSCSLS DPSPPLRRRR PEYIPNRISD 81 PNYVRVFDTT LRDGEQSPGA TLTSKEKLDI ARQLAKLGVD 121 VIEAGFPAAS KDDFEAVKTI AETVGNAVDG DGYVPVICGL 161 SRCNKRDIET AWEAVKYAKR PRIHTFIATS DIHLEYKLKK 201 SKDEVIEIAR NMVKFARSLG CEDVEFSPED AGRSEREFLY 241 EILGEVIKAG ATTLNIPDTV GITLPSEFGQ LIADIKANTP 281 GIENVIISTH CQNDLGLSTA NTLSGAHSGA RQVEVTINGI 321 GERAGNASLE EVVMAIKCRG DHVLGGLYTG IDTRHIVMTS 361 KMVEDYTGMQ TQPHKAIVGA NAFARESGIH QDGMLKHKGT 401 YEIICPEEIG LERSNDAGIV LGKLSGRHAL KDRLTELGYV 441 LDDEQLSSIF WRFKSVAERK KRVTDADIIA LVSDEVFQPE 481 ALWRLLDIQI TCGTLGLSTA TVKLVDADGK ERVACSMGAG 521 PVDSAYKAID LIVKEPATLL EYSMNAVTEG IDAIATTRVL 561 IRGNNNYSTT NAITGEEVQR TFSGTGAGMD IVVSSVKAYV 601 GALNKMLDFK ENAPTKVPSQ NNNVPA

[0081] The Brassica napus IPMS protein with SEQ ID NO:36 is encoded by the 2-isopropylmalate synthase 1 gene on chromosome A6 (LOC106346910; locus tag SORBI_30050030100; see NCBI website). A cDNA that encodes the Brassica napus IPMS protein with SEQ ID NO:36 is shown below as SEQ ID NO:37.

TABLE-US-00047 1 CGATGAGACA GAGCTGGATC AAGTTACCGC CGCCACGTTG 41 AACCTTCTTC TCTATCGTCG TCCCCGTTTA GGTTTACCAC 81 TCTTCTTTCA ACAATGGCGT CTTCGATTCT CAGAAACCCT 121 ATGCTCTCAT CACCAACAAC AACAATCCCC ACCCCTTCTC 161 TTCCCTCCTC CTCCTCAAAA CCCTCACCTC TCTCATTCCG 201 CTTCCCACCC TCCCACCACC GCTCCTCCGT TTCCCTCCGC 241 AGCCAATCCC TCCGCCTCTC CTGCTCCCTC TCAGATCCCT 281 CTCCTCCCCT CCGCCGCCGC CGCCCGGAGT ACATCCCCAA 321 CCGCATTTCC GACCCCAACT ACGTCCGAGT CTTCGACACC 361 ACTCTCCGCG ACGGCGAACA GTCCCCCGGA GCCACCCTCA 401 CCTCCAAGGA AAAGCTCGAC ATCGCGCGCC AGCTCGCGAA 441 GCTAGGCGTC GACGTAATCG AGGCCGGCTT CCCCGCCGCC 481 TCCAAGGACG ACTTCGAAGC CGTCAAAACC ATAGCCGAAA 521 CCGTGGGAAA CGCCGTCGAC GGAGACGGTT ACGTCCCCGT 561 CATCTGCGGA CTCTCGAGAT GCAACAAGAG AGATATAgAG 601 ACGGCGTGGG AGGCTGTGAA GTACGCCAAA AGGCCGAGGA 641 TCCATACCTI CATCGCCACG AGTGACATTC ACTTGGAGTA 681 TAAGCTGAAG AAGAGCAAAG ACGAGGTCAT CGAGATCGCT 721 AGGAATATGG TTAAGTTCGC GAGGAGCTTG GGGTGTGAGG 761 ACGTTGAGTT TAGTCCTGAA GATGCTGGAA GATCGGAGAG 801 AGAGTTTTTG TATGAGATTC TTGGGGAAGT GATAAAAGCT 841 GGAGCGACAA CGCTTAATAT ACCTGACACT GTTGGTATAA 881 CGTTGCCTAG TGAGTTTGGT CAGTTGATTG CTGATATTAA 921 AGCCAATACT CCTGGGATCG AGAATGTTAT CATCTCAACG 961 CATTGTCAGA ATGATCTTGG GCTCTCCACT GCGAACACTT 1001 TATCTGGTGC ACATTCGGGT GCAAGGCAAG TGGAAGTGAC 1041 TATCAATGGC ATTGGGGAAA GAGCTGGAAA CGCTTCACTA 1081 GAAGAGGTTG TGATGGCCAT AAAATGCCGI GGAGATCATG 1121 TATTAGGAGG CCTATATACT GGAATCGATA CTCGCCACAT 1161 TGTTATGAGA AGCAAGATGG TTGAGGATTA CACAGGAATG 1201 CAAACACAGC CCCATAAGGC TATTGTAGGA GCGAATGCCT 1241 TTGCGCATGA AAGTGGTATT CATCAGGATG GAATGCTGAA 1281 ACACAAGGGC ACATATGAAA TTATATGCCC CGAAGAAATT 1321 GGACTTGAAC GATCTAATGA TGCTGGCATT GTTTTGGGGA 1361 AGCTTAGTGG GCGTCATGCG TTGAAAGACC GTTTGACTGA 1401 GCTTGGTTAT GTACTAGATG ATGAACAGCT AAGTTCCATT 1441 TTCTGGCGCT TCAAATCTGT GGCTGAGCGG AAAAAGAGAG 1481 TTACCGACGC AGATATAATA GCTTTGGTTT CTGATGAGGT 1521 TTTCCAGCCA GAAGCCTTGT GGAGACTCCT GGACATTCAG 1561 ATTACATGTG GGACTCTCGG ACTCTCAACA GCAACCGTTA 1601 AACTTGTTGA TGCTGATGGC AAAGAGCATG TTGCCTGTTC 1641 TATGGGTGCT GGGCCTGTCG ATTCAGCTTA TAAGGCAATC 1681 GATCTTATTG TCAAGGAACC AGCGACTTTG CTTGAGTACT 1721 CAATGAATGC GGTAACAGAA GGCATCGATG CCATTGCAAC 1761 CACACGAGTT CTTATCCGAG GAAATAACAA TTACTCAACT 1801 ACAAATGCAA TCACTGGTGA AGAAGTTCAA AGGACCTTTA 1841 GTGGAACCGG AGCTGGAATG GACATTGTGG TGTCGAGCGT 1881 CAAAGCTTAT GTAGGAGCTT TGAACAAAAT GCTCGACTTC 1921 AAAGAAAACG CCCCAACGAA AGTCCCTTCT CAAAACAACA 1961 ATGTACCTGC CTGAATCAAA ATTGTTTCTG AGTCAGACCA 2001 GAGTTAGTCT TTTCTGGTAT AGGTACATAG TTTGGTAATA 2041 ACGAGAGTTC AAGGCTTGCA TATTGTTTTA ATGAAGTATC 2081 TTTGCTGAAA GAGTTCGTTT ACTATAAAAT ATTTATATAG 2121 AACTTAAATC TCTTTTTATT T

[0082] As illustrated below the Brassica napus IPMS protein with SEQ ID NO:36 has about 89-90% sequence identity with the Arabidopsis IPMS1 SEQ ID NO:2 sequence.

TABLE-US-00048 Sq2 1 MASSLLRNPNLYSSTTITTTSFLPTESSKPIPISSSFRFQPSHHRS-ISLRSQTLRLSCS Sq36 1 MASSILRNPMLSSPTTTIPTPSLPSSSSKPSPLS--FRFPPSHHRSSVSLRSQSLRLSCS **** **** * * **   *  **  **** * *  *** ******  ***** ****** Sq2 60 ISDPSPLPPHTPRRPRPEYIPNRISDPNYVRVFDTTLRDGEQSPGATLTSKEKLDIARQL Sq36 60 LSDPSP----PLRRRRPEYIPNRISDPNYVRVFDTTLRDGEQSPGATLTSKEKLDIARQL ******      ** ********************************************* Sq2 120 AKLGVDIIEAGFPAASKDDFEAVKTIAETVGNTVDENGYVPVICGLSRCNKKDIERAWDA Sq36 115 AKLGVDVIEAGFPAASKDDPEAVKTIAETVGNAVDGDGYVPVICGLSRCNKRDIETAWEA ****** ************************* **  ************** *** ** * Sq2 180 VKYAKRPRIHTFIATSDTHLEYKLKRTKAEVTEIARSMVRFARSLGCEDVEFSPEDAGRS Sq36 175 VKYAKRPRIHTFIATSDIHLEYKLKKSKDEVIEIARNMVKFARSLGCEDVEFSPEDAGRS ************************** * ******* ** ******************** Sq2 240 EREYLYEILGEVIKAGATTLNIPDTVGITLPSEFGQLITDLKANTPGIENVVISTHCQND Sq36 235 EREFLYEILGEVIKAGATTLNIPDTVGITLPSEFGQLIADIKANTPGIENVIISTHCQND *** ********************************** * ********** ******** Sq2 300 LGLSTANTLSGAHAGARQMEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMAIKCRGDHVLGGLFTGIDIR Sq36 295 LGLSTANTLSGAHSGARQVEVTINGIGERAGNASLEEVVMATKCRGDHVLGGLYTGIDTR ************* ****  ********************************* ****** Sq2 360 HIVMTSKMVEEYIGMQTQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKHKGTYEIICPEEIGLERS Sq36 355 HIVMTSKMVEDYTGMQTQPHKAIVGANAFAHESGIHQDGMLKHKGTYEIICPEEIGLERS ********** ************************************************* Sq2 420 NDAGIVLGKLSGRHALKDRLTELGYQLDDEQLSTIFWRFKTVAEQKKRVTDADIIALVSD Sq36 415 NDAGIVLGKLSGRHALKDRLTELGYVLDDEQLSSIFWRFKSVAERKKRVTDADIIALVSD ************************* ******* ****** ***  ************** Sq2 480 EVFQPEAVWKLLDIQITCGTLGLSTATVKLADADGKEHVACSIGTGPVDSAYKAVDLIVK Sq36 475 EVFQPEALWRLLDIQITCGTLGLSTATVKLVDADGKEHVACSMGAGPVDSAYKAIDLIVK ******* * ******************** *********** * ********* ***** Sq2 540 EPATLLEYSMNAVTEGIDAIATTRVLIRGSNKYSSTNAITGEEVQRTFSGTGAGMDIVVS Sq36 535 EPATLLEYSMNAVTEGIDAIATTRVLIRGNNNYSTTNAITGEEVQRTESGTGAGMDIVVS ***************************** * ** ************************* Sq2 600 SVKAYVGALNKMMDFKENSATKIPSQKNRVAA Sq36 595 SVKAYVGALNKMLDFKENAPTKVPSQNNNVPA ************ *****  ** *** * * *

[0083] Another Brassica napus IPMS protein sequence is shown below as SEQ ID NO:38, where two positions (223 and 601) are highlighted that can be modified to increase the production of various amino acids.

TABLE-US-00049 1 MASSILRNPM LSSPTTTITT PSLPSSSSKD SPLSFREPPS 41 HHRSSLSLRL KSLRLSCSLS DPSPPLRRRR PEYIPNRISD 81 PNYVRVFDTT LRDGEQSPGA TLTSKEKLDI ARQLAKLGVD 121 VIEAGFPAAS KDDFEAVKTI AETVGNAVDG DGYVPVICGL 161 SRCNKRDIET AWEAVKYAKR PRIHTFIATS DIHLEYKLKK 201 SKDEVIEIAR NMVKFARSLG CEDVEFSPED AGRSEREFLY 241 EILGEVIKAG ATTLNIPDTV GITLPSEFGQ LEAD1KANTP 281 GIENVIISTH CQNDLGLSTA NTLSGAHSGA RQVEVTINGI 321 GERAGNASLE EVVMAIKCRG DHVLGGLYTG IDTRHIVMTS 361 KMVEDYTGMQ TQPHKAIVGA NAFAHESGIH QDGMLKHKGT 401 YEIICPEEIG LERSNDAGIV LGKLSGRHAL KDRLTELGYV 441 LDDEQLSSIF WRFKSVAERK KRVTDADIIA LVSDEVEQPE 481 ALWRLLDIQI TCGTLGLSTA TVKLVDADGK EHVACSMGAG 521 PVDSAYKAID LIVKEPATLL EYSMNAVTEG IDAIATTRVL 561 IRGNNNYSTT NAITGEEVQR TFSGTGAGMD IVVSSVKAYV 601 GALNKMLDFK ENAPTKVPSQ NNNVPA

[0084] Table 1 lists some of accession numbers for IPMS homologs.

TABLE-US-00050 TABLE 1 IPMS Homologs UniProt Organism Accession Gene Arabidopsis thaliana Q9C550-1 AT1G74040.1 (Thale cress) Arabidopsis thaliana Q9FG67-1 AT5G23010.1 (Thale cress) Arabidopsis thaliana Q9FN52-1 AT5G23020.1 (Thale cress) Brachypodium distachyon I1IUJ8 BRADI4G43130 (Purple false brome) Chlamydomonas reinhardtii A8HXS9 LEU2 (Chlamydomonas) Glycine max (Soybean) I1JK46 GLYMA03G00800 Glycine max (Soybean) K7LM62 GLYMA10G44180 Glycine max (Soybean) K7LQ10 GLYMA11G17781 Glycine max (Soybean) I1LKJ2 GLYMA11G17790 Glycine max (Soybean) K7LQ11 GLYMA11G17804 Glycine max (Soybean) K7LYP6 GLYMA13G12400 Glycine max (Soybean) K7LYP8 GLYMA13G12470 Glycine max (Soybean) K7LYP9 GLYMA13G12484 Glycine max (Soybean) K7LYQ0 GLYMA13G12498 Glycine max (Soybean) K7LYQ4 GLYMA13G12565

[0085] The sequences used in the plans, plant cells, seeds and methods described herein can have less than 100% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NO:1-38. For example, the sequences can have about at least 40% sequence identity, or at least 50% sequence identity, or at least 60% sequence identity, or at least 70% sequence identity, or at least 80% sequence identity, or at least 90% sequence identity, or at least 95% sequence identity, or at least 96% sequence identity, or at least 97% sequence identity, or at least 98% sequence identity, or at least 99% sequence identity, or at least 99.5% sequence identity, or 60-99%, sequence identity, or 70-99% sequence identity, or 80-99% sequence identity, or 90-95% sequence identity, or 90-99% sequence identity, or 95-97% sequence identity, or 97-99% sequence identity, or 100% sequence identity with any of SEQ ID N A1-38.

[0086] The modified IPMS proteins described herein can have a variety of amino acids, and a variety of mutations. For example, the modified IPMS1 proteins described herein can have any of the amino acids listed in Table 2.

TABLE-US-00051 TABLE 2 One-Letter Common Amino Acid Symbol Abbreviation Alanine A Ala Arginine R Arg Asparagine N Asn Aspartic acid D Asp Cysteine C Cys Glutamine Q Gln Glutamic acid E Glu Glycine G Gly Histidine H His Isoleucine I Ile Leucine L Leu Lysine K Lys Methionine M Met Phenylalanine F Phe Proline P Pro Serine S Ser Threonine T Thr Tryptophan W Trp Tyrosine Y Tyr Valine V Val β-Alanine bAla N-Methylglycine MeGly (sarcosine) Ornithine Orn Norleucine Nle Penicillamine Pen Homoarginine hArg N-methylvaline MeVal Homocysteine hCys Homoserine hSer

[0087] The modified plant cells, plants, and seeds described herein can have genomic mutations that alter one or more amino acids in the encoded IPMS protein. For example, one or more amino acids in the IPMS polypeptide can be replaced or deleted. In some cases, one or more amino acids in the IPMS can have be replaced by a conservative amino acid. In other cases, one or more amino acids having physical and/or chemical properties that are different from the amino acid(s) that are present in the parental or wild type plant cells, plants, or seeds. For example, to change the physical and/or chemical properties of amino acids, the amino acids can be deleted or replaced by amino acids of another class, where the classes are identified in the following Table 3.

TABLE-US-00052 TABLE 3 Genetically Classification Encoded Hydrophobic Aromatic F, Y, W Apolar M, G, P Aliphatic A, V, L, I Hydrophilic Acidic D, E Basic H, K, R Polar Q, N, S, T, Y Cysteine-Like C

[0088] Different types of amino acids can therefore be employed in the modified IPMS proteins.

[0089] For example, in some cases an acidic amino acid in a catalytic domain of an IPMS protein can be replaced with a polar amino acid. Such acidic amino acids can, for example, be aspartic acid (D) or glutamic acid (E). In some cases, the acidic amino acid in a catalytic domain of an IPMS protein that is modified, mutated, or replaced can be aspartic acid, for example, in the catalytic domain sequence shown in FIG. 1E-1F. Such an aspartic acid can be within the catalytic domain at a position that corresponds to position 228 of the SEQ ID NO:2 sequence. The polar amino acid that replaces the acidic amino acid can be an asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine, or tyrosine. In some cases, the acidic amino acid is replaced by an asparagine. For example, the catalytic domain aspartic acid at a position that corresponds to position 228 of the SEQ ID NO:2 sequence that is modified in any IPMS can be replaced with an asparagine.

[0090] In another example, an apolar amino acid in the allosteric domain can be modified. Such an apolar amino acid can be a glycine, methionine or proline amino acid. In some cases, the apolar amino acid in an allosteric domain of an IPMS protein that is modified, mutated, or replaced can be glycine, for example, in the allosteric domain shown in FIG. 1E-1F. Such an apolar amino acid can be within the allosteric domain at a position that corresponds to position 606 of the SEQ ID NO:2 sequence. The apolar amino acid in the allosteric domain can be modified, mutated, or replaced with an acidic amino acid such as an aspartic acid or a glutamic acid. For example, a glycine in any IPMS at a position corresponding to position 606 of the SEQ ID NO:2 sequence can be a glutamic acid (E).

Modifying Plant Cells, Plants, and Seeds

[0091] Modified IPMS1 nucleic acids and/or modified IPMS1 proteins are introduced into plant cells, plants, and seeds to provide higher levels of Gln, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met. Phe, Thr, Trp, Val. or a combination thereof in their vegetative tissues (e.g., leaves, roots, stems, branches) and seeds. In some cases, at least one native IPMS1 gene is modified or mutated to induce expression of one or more modified IPMS1 proteins. In other cases, and one or more expression cassettes is introduced that includes an expression cassette for expressing a modified IPMS1 protein, where the expression cassette encodes a modified IPMS1 coding region under the control of a promoter. One of skill in the art can generate genetically modified plant cells, plants, and/or seeds that contain nucleic acids encoding a modified IPMS1 within their somatic and/or germ cells. Such genetic modification can be accomplished by various procedures.

[0092] Non-limiting examples of methods of introducing a modification into the genome of a cell can include use of microinjection, viral delivery, recombinase technologies, homologous recombination, TALENS, CRISPR, and/or ZFN, see, e.g. Clark and Whitelaw Nature Reviews Genetics 4:825-833 (2003); which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0093] For example, nucleases such as zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator like effector nucleases (TALENs), and/or meganucleases can be employed with a guide nucleic acid that allows the nuclease to target the genomic IPMS1 site(s). In some cases, a targeting vector can be used to introduce a deletion or modification of one or more genomic IPMS1 site(s).

[0094] A “targeting vector” is a vector generally has a 5′ flanking region and a 3′ flanking region homologous to segments of the gene of interest. The 5′ flanking region and a 3′ flanking region can surround a DNA sequence comprising a modification and/or a foreign DNA sequence to be inserted into the gene. For example, the foreign DNA sequence may encode a selectable marker. In some cases, the targeting vector does not comprise a selectable marker, but such a selectable marker can facilitate identification and selection of cells with desirable mutations. Examples of suitable selectable markers include antibiotics resistance genes such as chloramphenicol resistance, gentamycin resistance, kanamycin resistance, spectinomycin resistance (SpecR), neomycin resistance gene (NEO), and/or the hygromycin p-phosphotransferase genes. The 5′ flanking region and the 3′ flanking region can be homologous to regions within the gene, or to regions flanking the gene to be deleted, modified, or replaced with the unrelated DNA sequence.

[0095] The targeting vector is contacted with the native gene of interest in vivo (e.g., within the cell) under conditions that favor homologous recombination. For example, the cell can be contacted with the targeting vector under conditions that result in transformation of the cyanobacterial cell(s) with the targeting vector.

[0096] A typical targeting vector contains nucleic acid fragments of not less than about 0.1 kb nor more than about 10.0 kb from both the 5′ and the 3′ ends of the genomic locus which encodes the gene to be modified (e.g. the genomic IPMS site(s)). These two fragments are separated by an intervening fragment of nucleic acid which encodes the modification to be introduced. When the resulting construct recombines homologously with the chromosome at this locus, it results in the introduction of the modification, e.g. a deletion of a portion of the genomic IPMS site(s), replacement of one or more amino acids in the genomic IPMS coding region site(s), or the insertion of non-conserved codon into the IPMS coding region.

[0097] In some cases, a Cas9/CRISPR system can be used to create a modification in genomic IPMS1 site(s). Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) systems are useful for, e.g. RNA-programmable genome editing (see e.g., Marraffini and Sontheimer. Nature Reviews Genetics 11: 181-190 (2010); Sorek et al. Nature Reviews Microbiology 2008 6: 181-6; Karginov and Hannon. Mol Cell 2010 1:7-19; Hale et al. Mol Cell 2010:45:292-302; Jinek et al. Science 2012 337:815-820; Bikard and Marraffini Curr Opin Immunol 2012 24:15-20; Bikard et al. Cell Host & Microbe 2012 12: 177-186; all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties). A CRISPR guide RNA can be used that can target a Cas enzyme to the desired location in the genome, where it generates a double strand break. This technique is described, for example, by Mali et al. Science 2013 339:823-6; which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Kits for the design and use of CRISPR-mediated genome editing are commercially available, e.g. the PRECISION X CAS9 SMART NUCLEASE™ System (Cat No. CAS900A-1) from System Biosciences, Mountain View, Calif.

[0098] In other cases, a cre-lox recombination system of bacteriophage P1, described by Abremski et al. 1983. Cell 32:1301 (1983). Sternberg et al., Cold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology, Vol. XLV 297 (1981) and others, can be used to promote recombination and alteration of the genomic MinC and/or MinD site(s). The cre-lox system utilizes the cre recombinase isolated from bacteriophage P1 in conjunction with the DNA sequences that the recombinase recognizes (termed lox sites). This recombination system has been effective for achieving recombination in plant cells (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,772), animal cells (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,959,317 and 5,801,030), and in viral vectors (Hardy et al., J. Virology 71:1842 (1997).

[0099] Another method for generating modified plant cells, plants and/or seeds include introducing an expression cassette or expression vector that can express modified IPMS1 polypeptides. Plant cells can be transformed by the expression cassette or expression vector, and whole plants (and their seeds) can be generated from the plant cells that were successfully transformed with the IPMS nucleic acids. Some procedures for making such genetically modified plants and their seeds are described below.

[0100] Promoters: The modified IPMS nucleic acids described herein can include a modified IPMS1 coding region operably linked to a promoter, which provides for expression of mRNA from the modified IPMS coding region. The promoter is typically a promoter functional in plants and/or seeds and can be a promoter functional during plant growth and development. A modified IPMS nucleic acid is operably linked to the promoter when it is located downstream from the promoter, to thereby form an expression cassette.

[0101] Most endogenous genes have regions of DNA that are known as promoters, which regulate gene expression. Promoter regions are typically found in the flanking DNA upstream from the coding sequence in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. A promoter sequence provides for regulation of transcription of the downstream gene sequence and typically includes from about 50 to about 2,000 nucleotide base pairs. Promoter sequences also contain regulatory sequences such as enhancer sequences that can influence the level of gene expression. Some isolated promoter sequences can provide for gene expression of heterologous DNAs, that is a DNA different from the native or homologous DNA.

[0102] Promoter sequences are also known to be strong or weak, or inducible. A strong promoter provides for a high level of gene expression, whereas a weak promoter provides for a very low level of gene expression. An inducible promoter is a promoter that allows gene expression to be turned on and off in response to an exogenously added agent, or to an environmental or developmental stimulus. For example, a bacterial promoter such as the P.sub.tac promoter can be induced to vary levels of gene expression depending on the level of isothiopropylgalactoside added to the transformed cells. Promoters can also provide for tissue specific or developmental regulation. An isolated promoter sequence that is a strong promoter for heterologous DNAs is advantageous because it provides for a sufficient level of gene expression for easy detection and selection of transformed cells and provides for a high level of gene expression when desired.

[0103] Expression cassettes generally include, but are not limited to, a plant promoter such as the CaMV 35S promoter (Odell et al., Nature, 313:810-812 (1985)), or others such as CaMV 19S (Lawton et al., Plant Molecular Biology, 9:315-324 (1987)), nos (Ebert et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 84:5745-5749 (1987)), Adh1 (Walker et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 84:6624-6628 (1987)), sucrose synthase (Yang et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 87:4144-4148 (1990)), α-tubulin, ubiquitin, actin (Wang et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 12:3399 (1992)), cab (Sullivan et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 215:431 (1989)), PEPCase (Hudspeth et al., Plant Molecular Biology. 12:579-589 (1989)) or those associated with the R gene complex (Chandler et al., The Plant Cell. 1:1175-1183 (1989)). Further suitable promoters include the poplar xylem-specific secondary cell wall specific cellulose synthase 8 promoter, cauliflower mosaic virus promoter, the Z10 promoter from a gene encoding a 10 kDa zein protein, a Z27 promoter from a gene encoding a 27 kDa zein protein, inducible promoters, such as the light inducible promoter derived from the pea rbcS gene (Coruzzi et al., EMBO J. 3:1671 (1971)) and the actin promoter from rice (McElroy et al., The Plant Cell. 2:163-171 (1990)). Seed specific promoters, such as the phaseolin promoter from beans, may also be used (Sengupta-Gopalan, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 83:3320-3324 (1985). Other examples of seed specific promoters that can be used include the P1, P3, P4, P6, P7, P9, P13, P14, P15, P16, P17, and P19 promoters described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,081,565 (which information about the P1, P3, P4, P6, P7, P9, P13. P14, P15, P16, P17, and P19 promoters is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety).

[0104] A modified IPMS1 nucleic acid can be combined with the promoter by standard methods to yield an expression cassette, for example, as described in Sambrook et al. (MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL. Second Edition (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.: Cold Spring Harbor Press (1989); MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL. Third Edition (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.: Cold Spring Harbor Press (2000)). Briefly, a plasmid containing a promoter such as the 35S CaMV promoter can be constructed as described in Jefferson (Plant Molecular Biology Reporter 5:387-405 (1987)) or obtained from Clontech Lab in Palo Alto, Calif. (e.g., pBI121 or pBI221). Typically, these plasmids are constructed to have multiple cloning sites having specificity for different restriction enzymes downstream from the promoter. The IPMS1 nucleic acid segment can be subcloned downstream from the promoter using restriction enzymes and positioned to ensure that the DNA is inserted in proper orientation with respect to the promoter so that the DNA can be expressed as sense RNA. Once the IPMS1 nucleic acid segment is operably linked to a promoter, the expression cassette so formed can be subcloned into a plasmid or other vector (e.g., an expression vector).

[0105] In some embodiments, a cDNA clone encoding a modified IPMS1 protein is isolated from plant tissue, for example, a root, stem, leaf, seed, or flower tissue. For example, cDNA clones from selected species (that encode an IPMS1 protein with homology to any of those described herein) are made from isolated mRNA from selected plant tissues. In another example, a nucleic acid encoding a mutant or modified IPMS1 protein can be prepared by available methods or as described herein. For example, the nucleic acid encoding a mutant or modified IPMS1 protein can be any nucleic acid with a coding region that hybridizes to a segment of a SEQ ID NO:1, 4, 6, 8, 27, 29, 31, 34, or 37 nucleic acid. For example, any of the modified IPMS1 nucleic acids can have one or more nucleotide differences to any of the SEQ ID NO:1, 4, 6, 8, 27, 29, 31, 34, or 37 nucleic acid sequences. Such a nucleic acid can encode an enzyme with isopropylmalate synthase activity and/or protein folding activity. Using restriction endonucleases, the entire coding sequence for the modified IPMS1 nucleic acid segment is subcloned downstream of the promoter in a 5′ to 3′ sense orientation.

[0106] Targeting Sequences: Additionally, expression cassettes can be constructed and employed to target the modified IPMS1 proteins to an intracellular compartment within plant cells, into a membrane, or to direct an encoded protein to the extracellular environment. This can generally be achieved by joining a DNA sequence encoding a transit or signal peptide sequence to the coding sequence of the modified IPMS1 nucleic acid. The resultant transit, or signal, peptide will transport the protein to a particular intracellular, or extracellular destination, respectively, and can then be posttranslational removed. Transit peptides act by facilitating the transport of proteins through intracellular membranes, e.g., vacuole, vesicle, plastid and mitochondrial membranes, whereas signal peptides direct proteins through the extracellular membrane. By facilitating transport of the protein into compartments inside or outside the cell, these sequences can increase the accumulation of a particular gene product in a particular location. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,300.

[0107] 3′Sequences: When the expression cassette is to be introduced into a plant cell, the expression cassette can also optionally include 3′ nontranslated plant regulatory DNA sequences that act as a signal to terminate transcription and allow for the polyadenylation of the resultant mRNA. The 3′ nontranslated regulatory DNA sequence preferably includes from about 300 to 1.000 nucleotide base pairs and contains plant transcriptional and translational termination sequences. For example, 3′ elements that can be used include those derived from the nopaline synthase gene of Agrobacterium tumefaciens (Bevan et al., Nucleic Acid Research. 11:369-385 (1983)), or the terminator sequences for the T7 transcript from the octopine synthase gene of Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and/or the 3′ end of the protease inhibitor I or II genes from potato or tomato. Other 3′ elements known to those of skill in the art can also be employed. These 3′ nontranslated regulatory sequences can be obtained as described in An (Methods in Enzymology. 153:292 (1987)). Many such 3′ nontranslated regulatory sequences are already present in plasmids available from commercial sources such as Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif. The 3′ nontranslated regulatory sequences can be operably linked to the 3′ terminus of the IPMS1 nucleic acids by standard methods.

[0108] Selectable and Screenable Marker Sequences: To improve identification of transformants, a selectable or screenable marker gene can be employed with the expressible IPMS1 nucleic acids. “Marker genes” are genes that impart a distinct phenotype to cells expressing the marker gene and thus allow such transformed cells to be distinguished from cells that do not have the marker. Such genes may encode either a selectable or screenable marker, depending on whether the marker confers a trait which one can ‘select’ for by chemical means, e.g., by use of a selective agent (e.g., an herbicide, antibiotic, or the like), or whether it is simply a trait that one can identify through observation or testing. i.e., by ‘screening’ (e.g., the R-locus trait). Of course, many examples of suitable marker genes are known to the art and can be employed in the practice of the invention.

[0109] Included within the terms selectable or screenable marker genes are also genes which encode a “secretable marker” whose secretion can be detected as a means of identifying or selecting for transformed cells. Examples include markers which encode a secretable antigen that can be identified by antibody interaction, or secretable enzymes that can be detected by their catalytic activity. Secretable proteins fall into a number of classes, including small, diffusible proteins detectable. e.g., by ELISA; and proteins that are inserted or trapped in the cell wall (e.g., proteins that include a leader sequence such as that found in the expression unit of extensin or tobacco PR-S).

[0110] With regard to selectable secretable markers, the use of a gene that encodes a polypeptide that becomes sequestered in the cell wall, where the polypeptide includes a unique epitope may be advantageous. Such a secreted antigen marker can employ an epitope sequence that would provide low background in plant tissue, a promoter-leader sequence that imparts efficient expression and targeting across the plasma membrane and can produce protein that is bound in the cell wall and yet is accessible to antibodies. A normally secreted wall protein modified to include a unique epitope would satisfy such requirements.

[0111] Examples of proteins suitable for modification in this manner include extensin or hydroxyproline rich glycoprotein (HPRG). For example, the maize HPRG (Stiefel et al., The Plant Cell. 2:785-793 (1990)) is well characterized in terms of molecular biology, expression, and protein structure and therefore can readily be employed. However, any one of a variety of extensins and/or glycine-rich wall proteins (Keller et al., EMBO J. 8:1309-1314 (1989)) could be modified by the addition of an antigenic site to create a screenable marker.

[0112] Numerous other possible selectable and/or screenable marker genes will be apparent to those of skill in the art in addition to those forth herein below. Therefore, it will be understood that the discussion herein is exemplary rather than exhaustive. In light of the techniques disclosed herein and the general recombinant techniques that are known in the art, the present invention readily allows the introduction of any gene, including marker genes, into a recipient cell to generate a transformed plant cell, e.g., a monocot cell or dicot cell.

[0113] Possible selectable markers for use in connection with the present invention include, but are not limited to, a neo gene (Potrykus et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 199:183-188 (1985)) which codes for kanamycin resistance and can be selected for using kanamycin, G418, and the like; a bar gene which codes for bialaphos resistance; a gene which encodes an altered EPSP synthase protein (Hinchee et al., Bio/Technology. 6:915-922 (1988)) thus conferring glyphosate resistance; a nitrilase gene such as brn from Klebsiella ozaenae which confers resistance to bromoxynil (Stalker et al., Science. 242:419-423 (1988)); a mutant acetolactate synthase gene (ALS) which confers resistance to imidazolinone, sulfonylurea or other ALS-inhibiting chemicals (European Patent Application 154.204 (1985)); a methotrexate-resistant DHFR gene (Thillet et al., J. Biol. Chem. 263:12500-12508 (1988)); a dalapon dehalogenase gene that confers resistance to the herbicide dalapon; or a mutated anthranilate synthase gene that confers resistance to 5-methyl tryptophan. Where a mutant EPSP synthase gene is employed, additional benefit may be realized through the incorporation of a suitable chloroplast transit peptide, CTP (European Patent Application 0 218 571 (1987)).

[0114] An illustrative embodiment of a selectable marker gene capable of being used in systems to select transformants is the gene that encode the enzyme phosphinothricin acetyltransferase, such as the bar gene from Streptomyces hygroscopicus or the pat gene from Streptomyces viridochromogenes (U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,318). The enzyme phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (PAT) inactivates the active ingredient in the herbicide bialaphos, phosphinothricin (PPT). PPT inhibits glutamine synthetase, (Murakami et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 205:42-50 (1986); Twell et al., Plant Physiol. 91:1270-1274 (1989)) causing rapid accumulation of ammonia and cell death. The success in using this selective system in conjunction with monocots was surprising because of the major difficulties that have been reported in transformation of cereals (Potrykus, Trends Biotech. 7:269-273 (1989)).

[0115] Screenable markers that may be employed include, but are not limited to, a p-glucuronidase or uidA gene (GUS) that encodes an enzyme for which various chromogenic substrates are known; an R-locus gene, which encodes a product that regulates the production of anthocyanin pigments (red color) in plant tissues (Dellaporta et al., In: Chromosome Structure and Function: Impact of New Concepts, 18.sup.th Stadler Genetics Symposium. J. P. Gustafson and R. Appels, eds. (New York: Plenum Press) pp. 263-282 (1988)); a β-lactamase gene (Sutcliffe, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 75:3737-3741 (1978)), which encodes an enzyme for which various chromogenic substrates are known (e.g., PADAC, a chromogenic cephalosporin); a xvlE gene (Zukowsky et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sri. USA. 80:1101 (1983)) which encodes a catechol dioxygenase that can convert chromogenic catechols; an α-amylase gene (Ikuta et al., Bio/technology 8:241-242 (1990)); a tyrosinase gene (Katz et al., J. Gen. Microbiol. 129:2703-2714 (1983)) which encodes an enzyme capable of oxidizing tyrosine to DOPA and dopaquinone which in turn condenses to form the easily detectable compound melanin; a β-galactosidase gene, which encodes an enzyme for which there are chromogenic substrates; a luciferase (lux) gene (Ow et al., Science. 234:856-859.1986), which allows for bioluminescence detection; or an aequorin gene (Prasher et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 126:1259-1268 (1985)), which may be employed in calcium-sensitive bioluminescence detection, or a green or yellow fluorescent protein gene (Niedz et al., Plant Cell Repons. 14:403 (1995)).

[0116] For example, genes from the maize R gene complex can be used as screenable markers. The R gene complex in maize encodes a protein that acts to regulate the production of anthocyanin pigments in most seed and plant tissue. Maize strains can have one, or as many as four. R alleles that combine to regulate pigmentation in a developmental and tissue specific manner. A gene from the R gene complex does not harm the transformed cells. Thus, an R gene introduced into such cells will cause the expression of a red pigment and, if stably incorporated, can be visually scored as a red sector. If a maize line carries dominant alleles for genes encoding the enzymatic intermediates in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway (C2, A1, A2, Bz1 and Bz2), but carries a recessive allele at the R locus, transformation of any cell from that line with R will result in red pigment formation. Exemplary lines include Wisconsin 22 that contains the rg-Stadler allele and TR112, a K55 derivative that is r-g, b, Pl. Alternatively any genotype of maize can be utilized if the C1 and R alleles are introduced together.

[0117] The R gene regulatory regions may be employed in chimeric constructs to provide mechanisms for controlling the expression of chimeric genes. More diversity of phenotypic expression is known at the R locus than at any other locus (Coe et al., in Corn and Corn Improvement, eds. Sprague, G. F. & Dudley, J. W. (Am. Soc. Agron., Madison, Wis.), pp. 81-258 (1988)). It is contemplated that regulatory regions obtained from regions 5′ to the structural R gene can be useful in directing the expression of genes, e.g., insect resistance, drought resistance, herbicide tolerance or other protein coding regions. For the purposes of the present invention, it is believed that any of the various R gene family members may be successfully employed (e.g., P, S, Lc, etc.). However, one that can be used is Sn (particularly Sn:bol3). Sn is a dominant member of the R gene complex and is functionally similar to the R and B loci in that Sn controls the tissue specific deposition of anthocyanin pigments in certain seedling and plant cells, therefore, its phenotype is similar to R.

[0118] A further screenable marker contemplated for use in the present invention is firefly luciferase, encoded by the lux gene. The presence of the lux gene in transformed cells may be detected using, for example, X-ray film, scintillation counting, fluorescent spectrophotometry, low-light video cameras, photon counting cameras or multiwell luminometry. It is also envisioned that this system may be developed for population screening for bioluminescence, such as on tissue culture plates, or even for whole plant screening.

[0119] Other Optional Sequences: An expression cassette of the invention can also further comprise plasmid DNA. Plasmid vectors include additional DNA sequences that provide for easy selection, amplification, and transformation of the expression cassette in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, e.g., pUC-derived vectors such as pUC8, pUC9, pUC18, pUC19, pUC23, pUC19, and pUC120, pSK-derived vectors, pGEM-derived vectors, pSP-derived vectors, or pBS-derived vectors. The additional DNA sequences include origins of replication to provide for autonomous replication of the vector, additional selectable marker genes, preferably encoding antibiotic or herbicide resistance, unique multiple cloning sites providing for multiple sites to insert DNA sequences or genes encoded in the expression cassette and sequences that enhance transformation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

[0120] Another vector that is useful for expression in both plant and prokaryotic cells is the binary Ti plasmid (as disclosed in Schilperoort et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,838) as exemplified by vector pGA582. This binary Ti plasmid vector has been previously characterized by An (Methods in Enzymology. 153:292 (1987)) and is available from Dr. An. This binary Ti vector can be replicated in prokaryotic bacteria such as E. coli and Agrobacterium. The Agrobacterium plasmid vectors can be used to transfer the expression cassette to dicot plant cells, and under certain conditions to monocot cells, such as barley, corn, rice, or wheat cells. The binary Ti vectors preferably include the nopaline T DNA right and left borders to provide for efficient plant cell transformation, a selectable marker gene, unique multiple cloning sites in the T border regions, the colE1 replication of origin and a wide host range replicon. The binary Ti vectors carrying an expression cassette of the invention can be used to transform both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells but is preferably used to transform dicot plant cells.

[0121] In Vitro Screening of Expression Cassettes: Once the expression cassette is constructed and subcloned into a suitable plasmid, it can be screened for the ability to substantially inhibit the translation of an mRNA coding for a seed storage protein by standard methods such as hybrid arrested translation. For example, for hybrid selection or arrested translation, a preselected antisense DNA sequence is subcloned into an SP6MT containing plasmids (as supplied by ProMega Corp.). For transformation of plants cells, suitable vectors include plasmids such as described herein. Typically, hybrid arrest translation is an in vitro assay that measures the inhibition of translation of an mRNA encoding a particular seed storage protein. This screening method can also be used to select and identify preselected antisense DNA sequences that inhibit translation of a family or subfamily of zein protein genes. As a control, the corresponding sense expression cassette is introduced into plants and the phenotype assayed.

[0122] DNA Delivery of the DNA Molecules into Host Cells: The present invention generally includes steps directed to introducing IPMS1 nucleic acids, such as a preselected cDNA encoding the modified IPMS1 enzyme, into a recipient cell to create a transformed cell. In some instances, the frequency of occurrence of cells taking up exogenous (foreign) DNA may be low. Moreover, it is most likely that not all recipient cells receiving DNA segments or sequences will result in a transformed cell wherein the DNA is stably integrated into the plant genome and/or expressed. Some may show only initial and transient gene expression. However, certain cells from virtually any dicot or monocot species may be stably transformed, and these cells regenerated into transgenic plants, through the application of the techniques disclosed herein.

[0123] Another aspect of the invention is a plant with isopropylmalate synthase activity, increased amino acid content, normal to increased biomass, wherein the plant has a modified IPMS nucleic acid. The modified IPMS nucleic acid can be from any species. This application provides examples of modified IPMS nucleic acids and proteins that can be used.

[0124] The plants and seeds can be monocotyledon or dicotyledon plants and seeds. Another aspect of the invention includes plant cells (e.g., embryonic cells or other cell lines) that can regenerate fertile transgenic plants and/or seeds. The cells can be derived from either monocotyledons or dicotyledons.

[0125] Suitable examples of plant and IPMS species include grasses, softwoods, hardwoods, or agricultural crop species. For example, the species of the IPMS nucleic acids and proteins employed as well as the species of modified plant cells, plants, and seeds can be a species of alfalfa, canola, corn, wheat, rice, maize, barley, rye, Brachypodium, Arabidopsis, oats, sorghum, millet, miscanthus, switchgrass, poplar, eucalyptus, sugarcane, bamboo, bean, tobacco, cucumber, tomato, lettuce, pea, soybean, and the like. In some embodiments, the IPMS, plant or cell is a monocotyledon IPMS, plant, seed, or cell. For example, the IPMS, plant or cell can be a grass IPMS, plant, seed, or cell. In some embodiments, the IPMS, plant, seed, or cell is a dicotyledon IPMS, plant, seed, or cell. For example, IPMS, plant, seed, or cell can be a hardwood IPMS, plant, seed, or cell. The cell(s) may be in a suspension cell culture or may be in an intact plant part, such as an immature embryo, or in a specialized plant tissue, such as callus, such as Type I or Type II callus.

[0126] Transformation of the cells of the plant tissue source can be conducted by any one of a number of methods can be used. Examples are: Transformation by direct DNA transfer into plant cells by electroporation (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,384,253 and 5,472,869, Dekeyser et al., The Plant Cell. 2:591-602 (1990)); direct DNA transfer to plant cells by PEG precipitation (Hayashimoto et al., Plant Physiol. 93:857-863 (1990)); direct DNA transfer to plant cells by microprojectile bombardment (McCabe et al., Bio/Technology. 6:923-926 (1988); Gordon-Kamm et al., The Plant Cell. 2:603-618 (1990); U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,489,520; 5,538,877; and 5,538,880) and DNA transfer to plant cells via infection with Agrobacterium. Methods such as microprojectile bombardment or electroporation can be carried out with “naked” DNA where the expression cassette may be simply carried on any E. coli-derived plasmid cloning vector. In the case of viral vectors, it is desirable that the system retain replication functions, but lack functions for disease induction.

[0127] One method for dicot transformation, for example, involves infection of plant cells with Agrobacterium tumefaciens using the leaf-disk protocol (Horsch et al., Science 227:1229-1231 (1985). Monocots such as Zea mays can be transformed via microprojectile bombardment of embryogenic callus tissue or immature embryos, or by electroporation following partial enzymatic degradation of the cell wall with a pectinase-containing enzyme (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,384,253; and 5,472,869). For example, embryogenic cell lines derived from immature Zea mays embryos can be transformed by accelerated particle treatment as described by Gordon-Kamm et al. (The Plant Cell. 2:603-618 (1990)) or U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,489,520; 5,538,877 and 5,538,880, cited above. Excised immature embryos can also be used as the target for transformation prior to tissue culture induction, selection and regeneration as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 08/112,245 and PCT publication WO 95/06128. Furthermore, methods for transformation of monocotyledonous plants utilizing Agrobacterium tumefaciens have been described by Hiei et al. (European Patent 0 604 662, 1994) and Saito et al. (European Patent 0 672 752, 1995).

[0128] Methods such as microprojectile bombardment or electroporation are carried out with “naked” DNA where the expression cassette may be simply carried on any E. coli-derived plasmid cloning vector. In the case of viral vectors, it is desirable that the system retain replication functions, but lack functions for disease induction.

[0129] The choice of plant tissue source for transformation will depend on the nature of the host plant and the transformation protocol. Useful tissue sources include callus, suspension culture cells, protoplasts, leaf segments, stem segments, tassels, pollen, embryos, hypocotyls, tuber segments, meristematic regions, and the like. The tissue source is selected and transformed so that it retains the ability to regenerate whole, fertile plants following transformation, i.e., contains totipotent cells. Type I or Type II embryonic maize callus and immature embryos are preferred Zea mays tissue sources. Similar tissues can be transformed for softwood or hardwood species. Selection of tissue sources for transformation of monocos is described in detail in U.S. application Ser. No. 08/112,245 and PCT publication WO 95/06128.

[0130] The transformation is carried out under conditions directed to the plant tissue of choice. The plant cells or tissue are exposed to the DNA or RNA carrying the IPMS1 nucleic acids for an effective period of time. This may range from a less than one second pulse of electricity for electroporation to a 2-3 days co-cultivation in the presence of plasmid-bearing Agrobacterium cells. Buffers and media used will also vary with the plant tissue source and transformation protocol. Many transformation protocols employ a feeder layer of suspended culture cells (tobacco or Black Mexican Sweet corn, for example) on the surface of solid media plates, separated by a sterile filter paper disk from the plant cells or tissues being transformed.

[0131] An Example of Production and Characterization of Stable Transgenic Maize: After effecting delivery of a modified IPMS1 nucleic acid to recipient cells by any of the methods discussed above, the transformed cells can be identified for further culturing and plant regeneration. As mentioned above, to improve the ability to identify transformants, one may desire to employ a selectable or screenable marker gene as, or in addition to, the expressible IPMS1 nucleic acids. In this case, one would then generally assay the potentially transformed cell population by exposing the cells to a selective agent or agents, or one would screen the cells for the desired marker gene trait.

[0132] Selection: An exemplary embodiment of methods for identifying transformed cells involves exposing the bombarded cultures to a selective agent, such as a metabolic inhibitor, an antibiotic, herbicide or the like. Cells which have been transformed and have stably integrated a marker gene conferring resistance to the selective agent used, will grow and divide in culture. Sensitive cells will not be amenable to further culturing.

[0133] To use the bar-bialaphos or the EPSPS-glyphosate selective system, bombarded tissue is cultured for about 0-28 days on nonselective medium and subsequently transferred to medium containing from about 1-3 mg/l bialaphos or about 1-3 mM glyphosate, as appropriate. While ranges of about 1-3 mg/l bialaphos or about 1-3 mM glyphosate can be employed, it is proposed that ranges of at least about 0.1-50 mg/l bialaphos or at least about 0.1-50 mM glyphosate will find utility in the practice of the invention. Tissue can be placed on any porous, inert, solid or semi-solid support for bombardment, including but not limited to filters and solid culture medium. Bialaphos and glyphosate are provided as examples of agents suitable for selection of transformants, but the technique of this invention is not limited to them.

[0134] An example of a screenable marker trait is the red pigment produced under the control of the R-locus in maize. This pigment may be detected by culturing cells on a solid support containing nutrient media capable of supporting growth at this stage and selecting cells from colonies (visible aggregates of cells) that are pigmented. These cells may be cultured further, either in suspension or on solid media. The R-locus is useful for selection of transformants from bombarded immature embryos. In a similar fashion, the introduction of the C1 and B genes will result in pigmented cells and/or tissues.

[0135] The enzyme luciferase is also useful as a screenable marker in the context of the present invention. In the presence of the substrate luciferin, cells expressing luciferase emit light which can be detected on photographic or X-ray film, in a luminometer (or liquid scintillation counter), by devices that enhance night vision, or by a highly light sensitive video camera, such as a photon counting camera. All of these assays are nondestructive and transformed cells may be cultured further following identification. The photon counting camera is especially valuable as it allows one to identify specific cells or groups of cells which are expressing luciferase and manipulate those in real time.

[0136] It is further contemplated that combinations of screenable and selectable markers may be useful for identification of transformed cells. For example, selection with a growth inhibiting compound, such as bialaphos or glyphosate at concentrations below those providing 100% inhibition followed by screening of growing tissue for expression of a screenable marker gene such as luciferase would allow one to recover transformants from cell or tissue types that are not amenable to selection alone. In an illustrative embodiment embryogenic Type II callus of Zea mays L, can be selected with sub-lethal levels of bialaphos. Slowly growing tissue was subsequently screened for expression of the luciferase gene and transformants can be identified.

[0137] Regeneration and Seed Production: Cells that survive the exposure to the selective agent, or cells that have been scored positive in a screening assay, are cultured in media that supports regeneration of plants. One example of a growth regulator that can be used for such purposes is dicamba or 2,4-D. However, other growth regulators may be employed, including NAA, NAA+2,4-D or perhaps even picloram. Media improvement in these and like ways can facilitate the growth of cells at specific developmental stages. Tissue can be maintained on a basic media with growth regulators until sufficient tissue is available to begin plant regeneration efforts, or following repeated rounds of manual selection, until the morphology of the tissue is suitable for regeneration, at least two weeks, then transferred to media conducive to maturation of embryoids. Cultures are typically transferred every two weeks on this medium. Shoot development signals the time to transfer to medium lacking growth regulators.

[0138] The transformed cells, identified by selection or screening and cultured in an appropriate medium that supports regeneration, can then be allowed to mature into plants. Developing plantlets are transferred to soilless plant growth mix, and hardened, e.g., in an environmentally controlled chamber at about 85% relative humidity, about 600 ppm CO.sub.2, and at about 25-250 microeinsteins/sec.Math.m.sup.2 of light. Plants can be matured either in a growth chamber or greenhouse. Plants are regenerated from about 6 weeks to 10 months after a transformant is identified, depending on the initial tissue. During regeneration, cells are grown on solid media in tissue culture vessels. Illustrative embodiments of such vessels are petri dishes and Plant Con™. Regenerating plants can be grown at about 19° C. to 28° C. After the regenerating plants have reached the stage of shoot and root development, they may be transferred to a greenhouse for further growth and testing.

[0139] Mature plants are then obtained from cell lines that are known to express the trait. In some embodiments, the regenerated plants are self-pollinated. In addition, pollen obtained from the regenerated plants can be crossed to seed grown plants of agronomically important inbred lines. In some cases, pollen from plants of these inbred lines is used to pollinate regenerated plants. The trait is genetically characterized by evaluating the segregation of the trait in first and later generation progeny. The heritability and expression in plants of traits selected in tissue culture are of interest if the traits are to be commercially useful.

[0140] Regenerated plants can be repeatedly crossed to inbred plants to introgress the IPMS1 nucleic acids into the genome of the inbred plants. This process is referred to as backcross conversion. When a sufficient number of crosses to the recurrent inbred parent have been completed to produce a product of the backcross conversion process that is substantially isogenic with the recurrent inbred parent except for the presence of the introduced IPMS1 nucleic acids, the plant is self-pollinated at least once to produce a homozygous backcross converted inbred containing the modified IPMS1 nucleic acids. Progeny of these plants are true breeding.

[0141] Alternatively, seed from transformed monocot plants regenerated from transformed tissue cultures is grown in the field and self-pollinated to generate true breeding plants.

[0142] Seed from the fertile transgenic plants can then be evaluated for the presence and/or expression of the IPMS1 nucleic acids (or IPMS1 proteins). Transgenic plant and/or seed tissue can be analyzed for modified IPMS1 expression using standard methods such as SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, liquid chromatography (e.g., HPLC) or other means of detecting a product of IPMS1 activity (e.g., increased amino acid content and/or biomass).

[0143] Once a transgenic seed expressing the modified IPMS1 sequence and having an increase in amino acid content in the plant is identified, the seed can be used to develop true breeding plants. The true breeding plants are used to develop a line of plants with an increase in the percent of amino acid content (e.g., of various amino acids) and growth or biomass of the plant while still maintaining other desirable functional agronomic traits. Adding the trait of increased amino acid content (with or without normal to improved biomass) of the plant can be accomplished by back-crossing with this trait and with plants that do not exhibit this trait and studying the pattern of inheritance in segregating generations. Those plants expressing the target trait in a dominant fashion are preferably selected. Back-crossing is carried out by crossing the original fertile transgenic plants with a plant from an inbred line exhibiting desirable functional agronomic characteristics while not necessarily expressing the trait of an increased percent of isopropylmalate synthase activity, normal to improved growth, and/or protein folding in the plant. The resulting progeny are then crossed back to the parent that expresses the increased IPMS1 trait (increased amino acids, with or without normal to improved biomass). The progeny from this cross will also segregate so that some of the progeny carry the trait and some do not. This back-crossing is repeated until an inbred line with the desirable functional agronomic traits, and with expression of the trait involving an increase in amino acid content with or without normal to improved biomass of the plant. Such expression of the increased amino acid content with or without normal to improved biomass of a plant can be expressed in a dominant fashion.

[0144] Subsequent to back-crossing, the new transgenic plants can be evaluated for an increase in the weight percent of various amino acids, increased modified isopropylmalate synthase activity, and/or normal to improved biomass of the plant. This can be done, for example, by immunofluorescence analysis of whole plant cell walls (e.g., by microscopy), isopropylmalate synthase activity assays, amino acid content analyses, biomass measurements, and any of the assays described herein or available to those of skill in the art.

[0145] The new transgenic plants can also be evaluated for a battery of functional agronomic characteristics such as lodging, kernel hardness, yield, resistance to disease, resistance to insect pests, drought resistance, and/or herbicide resistance.

[0146] As described herein, expression of IPMS1 can not only increase the amino acid content of plant tissues but such expression can also increase the biomass, growth or height of plants. Hence it is useful to modify a variety of plant types to express IPMS1.

[0147] Plants that can be improved include but are not limited to forage plants (e.g., alfalfa, clover, soybeans, turnips, bromegrass, bluestem, and fescue), starch or oil plants (e.g., canola, potatoes, lupins, sunflower, soybean, and cottonseed), grains (maize, wheat, barley, oats, rice, sorghum, millet and rye), grasses (switchgrass, prairie grass, wheat grass, sudangrass, sorghum, straw-producing plants, miscanthus, switchgrass), sugar producing plants (sugarcane, beets), vegetable plants (e.g., cucumber, lettuce, tomato), Brachypodium, Arabidopsis, bamboo, softwood, hardwood and other woody plants (e.g., those used for paper production such as poplar species, pine species, and eucalyptus). In some embodiments the plant is an agricultural crop species, or a species useful for foraging by agricultural animals. Plants useful for generating dairy forage include legumes such as alfalfa, as well as clover, soybeans, turnips, Brachypodium, Arabidopsis, and forage grasses such as bromegrass, and bluestem. In some cases, the plant is an oil producing plant such as canola, corn, soybean, sunflower, walnut, olive, or the like.

[0148] The IPMS nucleic acids or IPMS proteins that are modified can be from the same species as the plant, plant cell, or plant seed that is modified to include the modified IPMS1 nucleic acids or modified IPMS1 proteins. In other cases, the IPMS nucleic acids or IPMS proteins that are modified can be from a different species from the plant, plant cell, or plant seed that is modified to include the modified IPMS1 nucleic acids or the modified IPMS1 proteins.

[0149] Determination of Stably Transformed Plant Tissues: To confirm the presence of the IPMS1 nucleic acids in the regenerating plants, or seeds or progeny derived from the regenerated plant, a variety of assays may be performed. Such assays include, for example, molecular biological assays available to those of skill in the art, such as Southern and Northern blotting and PCR; biochemical assays, such as detecting the presence of a protein product. e.g., by immunological means (ELISAs and Western blots) or by enzymatic function; plant part assays, such as leaf, seed or root assays; and also, by analyzing the phenotype of the whole regenerated plant.

[0150] Whereas DNA analysis techniques may be conducted using DNA isolated from any part of a plant. RNA may only be expressed in particular cells or tissue types and so RNA for analysis can be obtained from those tissues. PCR techniques may also be used for detection and quantification of RNA produced from introduced IPMS1 nucleic acids. PCR also be used to reverse transcribe RNA into DNA, using enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, and then this DNA can be amplified by use of conventional PCR techniques. Further information about the nature of the RNA product may be obtained by Northern blotting. This technique will demonstrate the presence of an RNA species and give information about the integrity of that RNA. The presence or absence of an RNA species can also be determined using dot or slot blot Northern hybridizations. These techniques are modifications of Northern blotting and also demonstrate the presence or absence of an RNA species.

[0151] While Southern blotting and PCR may be used to detect the IPMS1 nucleic acid in question, they do not provide information as to whether the preselected DNA segment is being expressed. Expression may be evaluated by specifically identifying the protein products of the introduced modified IPMS1 nucleic acids or evaluating the phenotypic changes brought about by their expression.

[0152] Assays for the production and identification of specific proteins may make use of physical-chemical, structural, functional, or other properties of the proteins. Unique physical-chemical or structural properties allow the proteins to be separated and identified by electrophoretic procedures, such as native or denaturing gel electrophoresis or isoelectric focusing, or by chromatographic techniques such as ion exchange, liquid chromatography or gel exclusion chromatography. The unique structures of individual proteins offer opportunities for use of specific antibodies to detect their presence in formats such as an ELISA assay. Combinations of approaches may be employed with even greater specificity such as Western blotting in which antibodies are used to locate individual gene products that have been separated by electrophoretic techniques. Additional techniques may be employed to absolutely confirm the identity of the modified IPMS1 sequences such as by amino acid sequencing following purification of IPMS1 nucleic acid or IPMS1 protein. The Examples of this application also provide assay procedures for detecting and quantifying IPMS1 activity. Other procedures may be additionally used.

[0153] The expression of a gene product can also be determined by evaluating the phenotypic results of its expression. These assays also may take many forms including but not limited to analyzing changes in the chemical composition, morphology, or physiological properties of the plant. Chemical composition may be altered by expression of preselected DNA segments encoding storage proteins which change amino acid composition and may be detected by amino acid analysis.

Definitions

[0154] As used herein, the term “plant” is used in its broadest sense. It includes, but is not limited to, any species of grass (e.g. forage, grain-producing, turf grass species), ornamental or decorative, crop or cereal, fodder or forage, fruit or vegetable, fruit plant or vegetable plant, herb plant, woody plant, flower plant or tree. It is not meant to limit a plant to any particular structure. It also refers to a unicellular plant (e.g. microalga) and a plurality of plant cells that are largely differentiated into a colony (e.g. volvox) or a structure that is present at any stage of a plant's development. Such structures include, but are not limited to, a seed, a tiller, a sprig, a stolen, a plug, a rhizome, a shoot, a stem, a leaf, a flower petal, a fruit, et cetera.

[0155] As used herein, “isolated” means a nucleic acid or polypeptide has been removed from its natural or native cell. Thus, the nucleic acid or polypeptide can be physically isolated from the cell or the nucleic acid or polypeptide can be present or maintained in another cell where it is not naturally present or synthesized.

[0156] The term “transgenic” when used in reference to a plant or leaf or fruit or seed or plant biomass, for example a “transgenic plant.” transgenic leaf,” “transgenic fruit.” “transgenic fruit,” “transgenic seed,” “transgenic biomass,” or a “transgenic host cell” refers to a plant or leaf or fruit or seed or biomass that contains at least one heterologous or foreign gene in one or more of its cells. The term “transgenic plant material” refers broadly to a plant, a plant structure, a plant tissue, a plant seed or a plant cell that contains at least one heterologous gene in one or more of its cells.

[0157] The term “transgene” refers to a foreign gene that is placed into an organism (e.g. a plant) or host cell by the process of transfection. The term “foreign gene” or heterologous gene refers to any nucleic acid (e.g., gene sequence) that is introduced into the genome of an organism or tissue of an organism or a host cell by experimental manipulations, such as those described herein, and may include gene sequences found in that organism so long as the introduced gene does not reside in the same location, as does the naturally occurring gene.

[0158] As used herein, a “native” nucleic acid or polypeptide means a DNA. RNA or amino acid sequence or segment that has not been manipulated in vitro, i.e., has not been isolated, purified, and/or amplified.

[0159] As used herein, the term “wild-type” when made in reference to a gene refers to a functional gene common throughout an outbred population. As used herein, the term “wild-type” when made in reference to a gene product refers to a functional gene product common throughout an outbred population. A functional wild-type gene is that which is most frequently observed in a population and is thus arbitrarily designated the “normal” or “wild-type” form of the gene. As used herein, the term “wild-type” when made in reference to a plant refers to the plant type common throughout an outbred population that has not been genetically manipulated to contain an expression cassette, e.g., any of the expression cassettes described herein.

[0160] The following Examples illustrate some of the experimental work performed and materials used in the development of the invention. Appendix A may provide further information.

Example 1: Materials and Methods

[0161] This Example illustrates some of the materials and methods used in the development of the invention.

Resources

[0162] Table 4 below lists some of the resources used in the experiments described herein.

TABLE-US-00053 TABLE 4 Reagent type (species) or Source or Additional resource Designation reference Identifiers information Gene AtIPMS1 TAIR: AT1G18500 (Arabidopsis thaliana) Gene AtOMR1 TAIR: AT3G10050 (Arabidopsis thaliana) Gene AtAHASS1 TAIR: AT2G31810 (Arabidopsis thaliana) Gene AtAHASS2 TAIR: AT5G16290 (Arabidopsis thaliana) Gene AtTOR TAIR: AT1G50030 (Arabidopsis thaliana) Gene AtRaptor1B TATR: AT3G08850 (Arabidopsis thaliana) Genetic reagent eva1 this work EMS line with (Arabidopsis thaliana) a mutation of IPMS1 Genetic reagent ipms1-4 Xing and SALK_101771 (Arabidopsis thaliana) Last, 2017 Genetic reagent ipms1-5 Xing and WiseDsLoxHs221_05F (Arabidopsis thaliana) Last, 2017 Genetic reagent tfl111 Xing and TAIR: CS69734 (Arabidopsis thaliana) (ipms1-1.sup.D) Last, 2017 Genetic reagent tfl102 Xing and TAIR: CS69733 (Arabidopsis thaliana) (ipms1-1.sup.D) Last, 2017 Genetic reagent ahass1-1 Xing and SALK_096207 (Arabidopsis thaliana) Last, 2017 Genetic reagent ahass2-7 Xing and WiseDsLoxHs009_02G (Arabidopsis thaliana) Last, 2017 Genetic reagent ahass2-1.sup.D Xing and TAIR: CS69724 (Arabidopsis thaliana) Last, 2017 Genetic reagent omr1-11.sup.D Xing and TAIR: CS69720 (Arabidopsis thaliana) Last, 2017 Genetic reagent tor-es Xiong and TAIR: CS69829 (Arabidopsis thaliana) Sheen, 2012 Genetic reagent raptor1b Salem et SALK_022096 (Arabidopsis thaliana) al., 2017 Antibody Anti-S6K (Rabbit Agrisera AS12 1855 Western polyclonal) blotting (1:1000 dilution) Antibody Anti-S6K- Abcam ab207399 Western phosphorylated blotting (Rabbit (1:1000 polyclonal) dilution) Antibody HRP conjugated Sigma- A0545 Western anti-rabbit (Goat Aldrich blotting polyclonal) (1:10000 dilution) Commercial Click-iT EdU Invitrogen C10337 assay or kit Alexa Fluor 488 Imaging Kit

[0163] The T-DNA insertional mutants ipms1-4 (SALK_101771), ipms1-5 (WiscDsLoxHs221_05F), ipms2-1 (WiscDsLox426A07), ipms2-2 (SALK_046876), ahass2-7 (WiscDsLoxHs009_02G), ahass2-8 (WiscDsLoxHs110_12G), ahass1-1 (SALK_096207), and ahass1-2 (SALK_108628) can be obtained from ABRC (see website at abrc.osu.edu).

[0164] An EMS mutant line was first identified in a screen for vacuolar phenotypes (Avila et al., 2003) was crossed with wild type (Col-0) for three times to obtain a progeny with consistently inherited vacuolar and growth phenotypes, which was designated as eva1.

[0165] Except for chronical treatments with specified chemicals, Arabidopsis seeds were stratified and grown on medium containing half-strength Linsmaier and Skoog nutrients (½ LS; Caisson Labs, LSP03), 1% sucrose and 0.4% phytagel (Sigma-Aldrich, P8169) in chambers configured with 21° C. and 16-hour light: 8-hour dark cycle.

[0166] To examine the effect of latrunculin B (Lat B) on root elongation (FIG. 6L-6Q), wild type (Col-0), ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 lines germinated and grew on horizontally staged Petri dishes containing Arabidopsis growth medium (½ LS, 1% sucrose and 0.4% phytagel). 10-day old seedlings were transplanted to Petri dishes containing ½ LS, 1% sucrose and 1% Agar (Acumedia, 7558A) medium containing DMSO or 50 nM Lat B or 100 nM Lat B. Photographs were acquired immediately after the transplant and the Petri dishes were vertically staged in a Percival chamber.

[0167] Photographs were also acquired 8 days after the transplant.

[0168] In another pharmaceutical examination using AZD-8055, wortmannin and Lat B (FIG. 6A-6G, 6L-6Q), wild type (Col-0), eva1, ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 lines germinated and grew on vertically staged Petri dishes containing Arabidopsis growth medium containing specific chemical inhibitors.

[0169] Exogenous feeding of 1 mM BCAA was performed by stratification and germination of seeds on ½ LS, 1% sucrose and 1% Agar medium containing 1 mM equal concentrations of Ile, Val and Leu. L-Isoleucine (Sigma-Aldrich, I2752), L-Valine (Sigma-Aldrich, V0500) and L-Leucine (Sigma-Aldrich, L8000) were dissolved in water to prepare 1 M stock solutions, which were filtered by Millex-GS 0.22 μm filter units (Millipore, SLGS033SS).

Confocal Microscopy

[0170] A Zeiss LSM 510 META and a Nikon A1Rsi laser scanning confocal microscope were used for imaging. Acquired images were handled by NIS-Elements Advanced Research (Nikon), ZEN (Zeiss) and Fiji (ImageJ) (Schindelin et al., 2012). The fluorescent protein fusions used in this study are GFP-δTIP (Cutler et al., 2000), ERYK (Nelson et al., 2007), YFP-ABD2 (Sheahan et al., 2004), GFP-CASP (Renna et al., 2005), SEC-RFP (Faso et al., 2009) and -TIP-YFP (Nelson et al., 2007). Transformation of Arabidopsis plants were conducted using floral dip method (Clough and Bent, 1998).

Quantitative Analysis of ER Morphology and Actin Cytoskeletal Organization

[0171] Image acquisition and further evaluation of the ER cisternae was conducted using a previously described method (Cao et al., 2016) that measures the occupancy of ER area in a region of interest. Analyses of the actin cytoskeletal organization were performed following a previously described procedure (Lu and Day, 2017). Briefly, Z-stack images with 0.5 μm intervals were acquired to cover the whole epidermal cell. The Z-stack series were converted to maximal projection images using NIS-Elements Advanced Research (Nikon) and Fiji (ImageJ) (Schindelin et al., 2012). Utilizing two ImageJ macros that were previously generated (Lu and Day, 2017), skewness was measured to present the distribution of YFP-ABD2 fluorescence intensity and occupancy was measured for the density of skeletonized YFP-ABD2 fluorescence signal.

Chemical Stocks and Treatments

[0172] All temporal chemical treatments were performed using 10-day old seedlings. Each of the following chemicals was first dissolved in DMSO to prepare a stock solution, and then diluted in Arabidopsis growth medium (½ LS and 1% sucrose) to reach the specific working concentration. 33 μM Wortmannin (Sigma-Aldrich, W1628) and 100 μM LY294002 (MedChemExpress, HY-10108) were used to treat seedlings for 2 hr. Latrunculin B (Sigma-Aldrich, L5288) and Oryzalin (Chem Service Inc, N-12729) were diluted to 25 μM and 40 μM, respectively, for 2-hour treatments. For TOR inhibition, seedlings were incubated with 5 μM AZD-8055 (MedChemExpress, HY-10422) or 1 μM Torin2 (MedChemExpress, HY-13002) for 2 or 4 hours as the figure legends indicated. 10 μM solution of β-estradiol (Sigma-Aldrich, E8875) was used to induce gene silencing.

Amino Acid Extraction and LC-MS/MS Analysis

[0173] Plants used for amino acid extraction were grown under standard conditions for 10 or 20 days. The aerial tissue (fresh weight around 10 mg) was harvested into a 2 mL tube with two 3 mm steel beads and flash frozen in liquid N2. Tissue was either used immediately or stored at −80° C. until extraction. Tissue was pulverized using a mixer mill (Retsch Mill, MM400) for 1 min at 30 times per second. Amino acids were extracted as previously reported (Xing and Last, 2017; Angelovici et al., 2013). Briefly, an amino acid extraction buffer was prepared with ˜2 μM heavy labeled amino acids standards (13C, 15N, Sigma-Aldrich), 10 μM 1,4-dithiothreitol (DTT, Sigma-Aldrich), and 10 mM perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHA, Sigma-Aldrich). To the ground tissue, 350 μL of extraction buffer was added, vortexed for 10 s and heated at 90° C. for 10 min. Tubes were cooled on ice for 5 min and centrifuged for 10 min at 4° C. at 13,000×g. The supernatant was applied to a low-binding hydrophilic 0.2 μm centrifugal polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filter (Millipore, UFC30LG25) and centrifuged for 5 min at 3,500×g. 150 μL flow through was transferred to 2 mL glass vials with glass insert for LC-MS analysis.

[0174] Amino acid detection and quantification by LC-MS/MS was performed as previously reported (Xing and Last, 2017; Angelovici et al., 2013). Briefly, a dilution series (12.2 nM to 250 μM) of each individual amino acid standard was made containing the same concentration of the heavy standards as was in the amino acid extraction buffer. Samples were injected into a Quattro micro API LC/MS/MS (Waters) equipped with an Acquity UHPLC HSS T3 1.8 μm column (Waters) using a three-function method. A 13 min LC method was used with solvent A (10 mM PFHA) and solvent B (acetonitrile) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/minute. Amino acids were quantified by comparison to their standard curves using QuanLynx.

EdU Staining

[0175] EdU (5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine) staining of root apical meristem was performed using Click-iT EdU Alexa Fluor 488 Imaging Kit (Invitrogen, C10337), following a protocol that was adapted for plant tissues (Kotogdny et al., 2010). Labeling was performed by incubating 10-day old Arabidopsis seedlings in 10 μM EdU in Arabidopsis growth medium (½ LS and 1% sucrose) for 30 min in a Percival chamber. All samples were then incubated with a fixation buffer (4% formaldehyde, 0.1% Triton X-100, 1×PBS) for 30 min. All samples were washed for three times, 10 min each, with 1×PBS after fixation. The EdU detection was conducted by 30 min incubation in dark with the Click-iT cocktail, which was prepared according to the manual of Click-iT EdU Alexa Fluor 488 Imaging Kit. Each sample was immediately washed for three times, 10 min each, with 1×PBS before imaging.

PI Staining of Root Tip and Measurement

[0176] PI (propidium iodide) staining was conducted by 3 min incubation of Arabidopsis seedlings in propidium iodide (Invitrogen. P3566) diluted to 1 μg/mL using Arabidopsis growth medium (½ LS and 1% sucrose). After staining, all samples were immediately washed for 1 min and then subjected to imaging. Confocal images of propidium iodide stained root tips were analyzed using Cell-O-Tape (French et al., 2012), which is a plugin of ImageJ that automatically segments three zones in a root tip (the meristem, the transition zone and the mature zone) by comparing the lengths of adjacent cells in the same cortical layer. Adjacent cells with significant increase in cell length belong to the transition zone. Cells before and after the transition zone are categorized as cells in the meristem and the mature zone respectively. The program records the length of each cell and the cell number in each zone.

Protein Preparation and Immunoblotting

[0177] To detect the phosphorylation status of S6K, 50 mg plant aerial tissue was used for protein extraction using 1.5 mL extraction buffer of 1×PBS, pH 7.4, containing 250 mM sucrose. Protease Inhibitor Cocktail (Sigma-Aldrich, P9599) and PhosSTOP phosphatase inhibitor (Roche. 4906845001). Three times of centrifugation, 1 k×g for 5 min, 14 k×g for 5 min and 135 k×g for 30 min, were conducted to separate the soluble proteins. The supernatant from the last centrifugation was separated, concentrated to 200 μL using an Amicon Ultra centrifugal unit (Millipore, UFC501024), and then mixed with 40 μL 6× Laemmli buffer. Proteins were denatured by incubation at 95° C. for 10 min. Protein samples were separated on 15% SDS-PAGE with 8M urea and blotted to PVDF membranes (Bio-Rad, 1620177). Blots were blocked with 5% milk for 1 hour at room temperature. Blots were incubated with primary antibodies of either anti-S6K (Agrisera, AS12 1855) or anti-S6K-phosphorylated (Abcam, ab207399) overnight at 4° C. and subsequently with secondary HRP conjugated goat anti-rabbit antibody (Sigma-Aldrich, A0545) for 1 hour at room temperature.

Extraction and Measurement of Anthocyanins

[0178] The aerial parts of 10-day old Arabidopsis seedlings were collected, and then lyophilized and measured for dry weight. Total anthocyanins were extracted using 1 μL extraction buffer (50% methanol containing 3% formic acid) per 50 μg dry weight. After overnight incubation with extraction buffer at room temperature, the supernatant was collected and measured absorbance of 532 nm.

TEM and Measurement of Leaf Thickness

[0179] The electron microscopic imaging of the endomembrane structures and chloroplasts were performed following an established protocol (Kim et al., 2018). In brief, 1 mm×1 mm pieces of cotyledon samples were cut and fixed in TEM fixative buffer (2.5% paraformaldehyde and 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M cacodylate buffer, pH 7.4) with vacuum infiltration. The fixed samples were stained with 1% osmium tetroxide overnight at 4° C. After series of dehydration with acetone, the samples were infiltrated and embedded in Spurr's Resin. Sections with 50 nm thickness were cut and mounted on the copper grid and 10 well slides. For TEM, the grids were post-stained in 2% uranyl-acetate for 30 min and then treated with 1% lead citrate for 15 min. JEOL 100CX TEM (JEOL USA) was used to observe the ultrastructure of cotyledon.

[0180] The thickness of cotyledons was measured as previously described (Weraduwage et al., 2016). Briefly, 2 mm xl mm samples cut from the center of the cotyledons were fixed in fixative buffer (4% paraformaldehyde and 0.5% glutaraldehyde in 1×PBS, pH 7.4) with vacuum infiltration. The fixed samples were stained with 1% osmium tetroxide overnight at 4° C. After series of dehydration with acetone, the samples were infiltrated and embedded in Spurr's Resin. Sections with 500 nm thickness were cut and mounted on the copper grid and 10 well slides. For leaf thickness analysis, the sections were stained with 1% toluidine blue for 1 min and washed with running water. Images were taken using Axio Imager M2 (Zeiss), and measurement of leaf thickness was performed using AxioVision SE64 Rel. 4.9.1 (Zeiss) software. Three biological samples with three technical replicates were used to measure leaf thickness.

Example 2: Identification of a Mutant with Defects in Vacuole Morphogenesis

[0181] A confocal microscopy-based screen was performed on an EMS-mutagenized population to identify mutants with defects in the subcellular distribution of a GFP-tagged tonoplast intrinsic protein (TIP), GFP-δTIP (Avila et al., 2003; Cutler et al., 2000). The inventors identified mutant line eva1, a mutant characterized by severe defects in vacuole morphology early in development. During the first 10 days after germination, in wild-type (WT) cotyledon epidermal cells, small vacuoles undergo membrane fusion to form a single large central vacuole (Zhang et al., 2014) (FIG. 1A). In contrast, 10-day old eva1 cotyledon epidermal cells displayed numerous additional vacuolar structures that vary in shape and size (FIG. 1B). To further characterize eva1 vacuolar phenotypes, two prominent vacuolar structures were identified that are rarely observed in wild type: trans-vacuolar strands and presumably unfused vacuoles. Trans-vacuolar strands are strands formed upon association between vacuolar membrane and bundled actin filaments (Ueda et al., 2010), which were greatly enhanced in number, length and thickness in eva1 (FIG. 1). The inventors defined presumably unfused vacuoles as spherical structures that are isolated from the large central vacuole and have diameter >5 μm. Both two vacuolar phenotypes were attenuated in 20-day old eva1 cotyledons, which closely resembled WT (FIG. 1C-1D). The eva1 vacuole phenotypes were verified in 10-day old eva1 cotyledons expressing γTIP-YFP (Nelson et al., 2007), which labels the large central vacuole and other vacuolar structures not marked by GFP-δTIP (Gattolin et al., 2010) (FIG. 1). These results support the conclusion that the tonoplast organization and vacuolar morphology are compromised in eva1 in early stages of growth independently from the tonoplast marker used for the analyses.

[0182] The inventors next identified the causative mutation in eva1. Bulked segregant analysis and whole-genome resequencing narrowed down the eva1 mutation to a G-to-A transition in IPMS1 (ATIG18500) causing an aspartate (Asp)-to-asparagine (Asn) residue substitution (FIG. 1E-1F). IPMS1 catalyzes condensation of 2-oxoisovalerate and acetyl-CoA into 2-isopropylmalate, the committed step for Leu biosynthesis (de Kraker et al., 2007; Field et al., 2004) (FIG. 2A). Homology modeling of IPMS1 predicted that the mutated Asp228 is located in the acetyl-CoA binding surface near the pocket for 2-oxoisovalerate substrate. In addition to eva1, we used three other IPMS1 alleles that had been characterized: two recessive loss-of-function mutants, ipms1-4 and ipms1-5, and a gain-of-function ipms1-1D, with a point mutation that impairs allosteric regulation (Xing and Last, 2017; de Kraker et al., 2007) (FIG. 1E). 10-day old eva1, ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 seedlings exhibited similar delay in emergence of true leaves (FIG. 1G). These growth and developmental phenotypes, as well as the subcellular phenotypes, were attenuated by 20 days of growth (FIG. 1H). The presence of the eva1 phenotypes in the eva1×ipms1-5 F1 progeny confirmed allelism of eva1 to IPMS1 (FIG. 1). Together, these results support that the eva1 vacuole and plant growth phenotypes are correlated to a loss of functional IPMS1, which has a consistent subcellular impact on early stages of growth.

Example 3: Eva1 Plants Over-Accumulate Valine

[0183] The role of IPMS1 in BCAA biosynthesis has been characterized as directing flux towards Leu biosynthesis, and away from the competing product Val (Xing and Last, 2017; de Kraker et al., 2007; Field et al., 2004) (FIG. 2A). The Arabidopsis genome encodes two IPMS isoforms: IPMS1 mRNA accumulates to higher levels than IPMS2 mRNA through most stages of plant growth (de Kraker et al., 2007). An earlier work examined two-week old plants and found that Val and Ile were increased in both ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 but Leu was decreased in ipms1-4 and increased in ipms1-5 (Xing and Last. 2017). To determine the impact of the eva1 mutation on amino acid homeostasis at earlier stages of growth, we conducted free amino acid analysis of 10-day and 20-day old WT and ipms1 mutants. Notably, the eva1, ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 plants had similar increases in Val and total BCAAs and decreases in Leu, consistent with the data that eva1 is a loss-of-function allele of IPMS1 (FIG. 2B-2C). In addition, in these mutants exhibited similar changes in Asp-derived amino acids (threonine-Thr, methionine-Met, lysine-Lys and Ile) and aromatic amino acids (phenylalanine-Phe, tryptophan-Trp and tyrosine-Tyr) (FIG. 2B-2C). Consistent with a disappearance of the subcellular phenotypes of the mutants during growth (FIG. 1A-ID), the impact of ipms1 mutations on amino acid homeostasis was mitigated at 20 days of growth, with the fold change of Val becoming smaller in the mutants versus WT, and the types of amino acids significantly changed in the mutants compared to WT becoming fewer (FIG. 2B-2C). Taken together, these data indicate that eva1 is a loss-of-function mutant of IPMS1 equivalent to ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 and that the alteration in BCAA levels is most notable for increased in Val levels.

Example 4: Disruption of BCAA Homeostasis Leads to Pleiotropic Defects in Plant Growth and Development

[0184] This Example describes experiments designed to evaluate whether the transient changes in BCAA accumulation and vacuole morphology affected early plant growth.

[0185] At 10 days following germination, the IPMS1 loss-of-function mutants displayed retardation of growth and development (FIG. 1G-1H), exhibiting approximately 30-40% decreases in aerial tissue fresh weight and 40-50% decreases in primary root length compared to WT (FIG. 3). Propidium iodide staining showed a strikingly delayed formation of root hairs in ipms1 mutants compared to WT, which was accompanied by increases in both cell length and number in the elongation zone. Meanwhile, in ipms1 meristem has increased cell number but reduced cell length. At 20 days of growth, the difference in fresh weight between ipms1 alleles and WT became not significant, though the primary roots of the ipms1 mutants were still slightly shorter than WT (FIG. 3H-3I). In contrast, two independent lines of dominant ipms1-1D feedback-insensitive mutant, which have small Val decrease and Leu increase, exhibited indistinguishable primary root elongation, but increased fresh weight compared to WT (FIG. 3F-3I). Additionally, notable differences were not observed between six-week old WT and IPMS1 loss-of-function mutant plants growing in soil. The transient retardation of overall plant growth of IPMS1 loss-of-function mutants correlated with the emergence-and-disappearance period of both vacuole morphology and BCAA homeostasis perturbation phenotypes (FIG. 1A-1D; FIG. 2B-2C).

[0186] The inventors then examined the development of cotyledons by confocal microscopy. The cotyledons constituted most of the aerial tissue for amino acid profiling and were used for analyses. Cotyledons of ipms1 mutants were thicker and larger than WT (FIG. 3A-3C). Despite a delay of true leaf emergence (FIG. 1G), the expanded first pair of true leaves in these mutants were larger than WT (FIG. 1H). Analyses of chloroplast ultrastructure revealed an absence of connecting stroma thylakoids and a reduction of thylakoid length ipms1 alleles compared to WT (FIG. 3D-3E). Additionally, purple pigmentation appeared in 10-day old IPMS1 loss-of-function mutants, particularly in cotyledon petioles and emerging true leaves. Anthocyanin extraction and measurement confirmed that these mutants contained higher levels of total anthocyanins compared to WT (FIG. 3J). These results indicate that the growth of certain tissues of the ipms1 mutants is particularly promoted but the overall plant growth and development are temporarily inhibited.

Example 5: The Organization of ER Network and Actin Cytoskeleton is Altered in Eva1

[0187] This Example describes analysis of other endomembrane compartments by experiments designed to provide more insights into the eva1 vacuolar phenotypes.

[0188] The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the most extensively distributed organelle of the plant secretory pathway, and it is closely associated with several other membrane-bound organelles, including the vacuole (Ueda et al., 2010).

[0189] In the eva1 mutant, the ER luminal marker ERYK (Nelson et al., 2007) revealed a pronounced appearance of the cortical ER network with strikingly thickened strands compared to WT (FIG. 4A, see arrows). The thickened ER strands did not completely overlap with the trans-vacuolar strands. High-magnification confocal microscopy images of the cortical ER revealed a pronounced cisternation in eva1 compared to WT (FIG. 4B). Quantitative analyses of the surface area occupancy of the ER in the total field of view confirmed these observations (i.e., larger ER-occupied area in eva1 compared to WT) (FIG. 4D). The appearance of the Golgi apparatus, which in plant cells is organized in disperse stacks of cisternae in close association with the ER (Brandizzi and Barlowe, 2013), also was abnormal. Indeed, the Golgi marker GFP-CASP (Renna et al., 2005) revealed increased clustering and higher abundance of Golgi stacks at the cell cortex in eva1 compared to WT (FIG. 4G). The apoplast with the bulk flow marker SEC-RFP was also examined using methods described by Faso et al. (2009) to assess secretion, which is an important function of the endomembrane system (Renna et al., 2013; Renna et al., 2018). No intracellular retention of the SEC-RFP marker was observed in eva1 cotyledon epidermal cells.

[0190] These results and the absence of retention of the vacuolar marker in the ER document that the morphology of the vacuole, organization of the Golgi and the ER network are markedly affected by the eva1 mutation, while bulk-flow secretion is unaffected.

[0191] Collectively, the root-related defects of the ipms1 mutants, including delayed formation of root hairs and reduced number of lateral roots, are reminiscent of mutants with impaired actin depolymerization or promoted actin bundling (Ketelaar et al., 2004; Deeks et al., 2005), consistent with the possibility that reorganization of actin cytoskeleton may be causative of the observed developmental phenotypes. The establishment and maintenance of the trans-vacuolar strands, ER network and Golgi subcellular distribution are dependent on the actin cytoskeleton. The inventors hypothesized that the organization of actin cytoskeleton may be altered in eva1.

[0192] Confocal microscopy in cells expressing the actin filament (F-actin) marker YFP-ABD2 (Sheahan et al., 2004) revealed coalescence of actin cables compared to WT (FIG. 4C). Quantitative analyses of actin organization identified higher skewness, suggesting enhanced bundling, and lower density, suggesting decreased occupancy of F-actin in the cytoplasm in eva1 compared to WT (FIG. 4E-4F). These results indicate that the prominent phenotypes of the endomembranes in eva1 may be due to their connections with F-actin, whose organization is largely altered in the eva1 mutant.

[0193] Experiments were designed to validate this hypothesis by testing the sensitivity of the ipms1 alleles to the F-actin depolymerizing reagent latrunculin B (Lat B) (Cao et al., 2016). The primary root length of 10-day old ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 was approximately 50% of WT (FIG. 4H-4I). Seedlings of all genotypes were then transferred to medium containing DMSO or 50 nM or 100 nM Lat B in DMSO. After another 8 days, Lat B treatment promoted the formation of lateral roots in WT seedlings, but not in ipms1 alleles. Additionally, the primary root length of ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 was approximately 65% compared to WT on DMSO medium; however, this difference was reduced in the presence of increasing levels of Lat B in the growth medium (i.e., 80% to WT on 50 nM Lat B, and not significantly different from WT on 100 nM Lat B) (FIG. 4I). These results demonstrate that the ipms1 alleles are less sensitive to F-actin depolymerization compared to WT, supporting a functional connection between the disruption of IPMS1 and altered organization of the actin cytoskeleton.

Example 6: The Eva1 Vacuolar Phenotypes are Rescued by PI3K/TOR Dual Inhibitors and Partially Recovered by Disruption of F-Actin

[0194] This Example describes experiments involving chemicals that alter the vacuolar morphogenesis and cytoskeleton integrity to provide insights into the mechanisms by which eva1 defects in BCAA biosynthesis led to alteration of the organization of subcellular structures. The inventors hypothesized that the persistence of small vacuoles in eva1 could be due to delayed vacuole membrane fusion during vacuole morphogenesis. To test this, wortmannin (Wm), an inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks), was first employed to disrupt the balance of phosphoinositides and promotes homotypic tonoplast fusion (Zheng et al., 2014; Wang et al., 2009; Mayer et al., 2000).

[0195] As shown in FIGS. 5A-5D and 5I, treatment of 10-day old WT and eva1 seedlings for two-three hours with wortmannin suppressed the eva1 phenotypes. The effects of wortmannin were mirrored by treatment with another PI3K inhibitor, LY294002 (Zheng et al., 2014) (FIG. 5E-5H).

[0196] The relationship between trans-vacuolar strands and integrity of the cytoskeleton in eva1 was then investigated. After a two-hour treatment with Lat B, the trans-vacuolar strands disappeared but the small vacuoles persisted in eva1 cotyledon epidermal cells (FIG. 5E-5F). By contrast, a two-hour treatment with oryzalin, a microtubule disrupting reagent (Zheng et al., 2014), did not lead to discernable change of vacuole morphology (FIG. 5G-5H). Together these results indicate that the presumably unfused vacuole and enhanced trans-vacuolar strand phenotypes in eva1 are both responsive to wortmannin and LY294002, but only the enhanced trans-vacuolar strand phenotype is related to the verified reorganization of F-actin.

Example 7: Loss of Function of IPMS1 Leads to Up-Regulation of TOR Activity

[0197] As described above, homotypic membrane fusion and F-actin bundling are two processes directly involved in the eva1 Leu biosynthetic mutant phenotypes (FIG. 5)). This creates a quandary given that the role of IPMS1 in chloroplast BCAA biosynthesis is both functionally disconnected with—and spatially isolated from—the endomembrane compartments and actin cytoskeleton. Although the functions of wortmannin and LY294002 in inhibiting PI3Ks and promoting homotypic vacuolar membrane fusion have been established in plant cells (Cui et al., 2019; Zheng et al., 2014; Wang et al., 2009; Marshall and Vierstra, 2018), in mammalian cell studies these chemicals have been used to inhibit TOR signaling (Sarbassov et al., 2004; Brunn et al., 1996). This is because TOR belongs to the phosphoinositide kinase-related kinase (PIKK) family, whose members share similar kinase domains with PI3Ks (Andrs et al., 2015). Indeed, wortmannin and LY294002 are effective inhibitors of mammalian TOR (Brunn et al., 1996), and thus are considered as PI3K/TOR dual inhibitors (Benjamin et al., 2011). These foregoing results led the inventors to hypothesize that the effects of wortmannin and LY294002 in suppressing the eva1 vacuole phenotypes could be related to TOR inhibition.

[0198] To test this hypothesis, two TOR inhibitors with high selectivity for TOR over PI3Ks were employed: AZD-8055 and Torin2 (Benjamin et al., 2011; Liu et al., 2011; Chresta et al., 2010), which also effectively inhibit plant TOR (Li et al., 2017; Wang et al., 2018; Dong et al., 2017; Pu et al., 2017).

[0199] Ten-day old wild type and eva1 seedlings were transferred to liquid growth medium containing 5 μM AZD-8055. Compared to untreated samples, wild type cells did not exhibit significant changes in the morphology of the central vacuole and the few thin trans-vacuolar strands after 2 or 4 hours of incubation, although numerous fluorescent punctae appeared (FIGS. 6A, 6C, and 6E). TOR is the major negative regulator of autophagy (Pu et al., 2017). The punctae could then be autophagic structures resulting from the TOR inhibition by the chemicals. Untreated eva1 cells contained numerous small vacuoles and conspicuous trans-vacuolar strands (FIG. 6B); however, by 2 hours of treatment with AZD-8055, these structures were reduced in appearance (FIG. 6D). By 4 hours of treatment, the eva1 cells were indistinguishable from wild type, including the appearance of the small punctae (FIG. 6E-6F). These results were mirrored by Torin2 treatment: presumably unfused vacuoles and trans-vacuolar strands were no longer present in the eva1 cells by 2 hours of 1 μM Torin2 treatment. This result is consistent with the higher in vitro TOR inhibitory activity of Torin2 compared to AZD-8055 (Liu et al., 2011; Chresta et al., 2010).

[0200] In addition to the effects of temporal treatment on vacuolar phenotype (FIG. 6G), the effects of chronic inhibition of TOR were tested. As shown in FIG. 6L-6M, ipms1 primary root elongation was promoted by lower concentrations (0.1 and 0.2 μM), but inhibited by higher concentrations (0.4, 0.6 and 1.0 μM) of AZD-8055. These results indicate that moderate TOR inhibition led to optimized plant growth of ipms1. Similarly, a low concentration of wortmannin caused minimal but significant promotion of ipms1 root elongation (FIG. 6N-6O). By comparison, promotion of root elongation was not observed upon Lat B treatment (FIG. 6P-6Q). Together these results indicate that both subcellular and growth defects of ipms1 are associated with up-regulated TOR and are suppressed by TOR inhibition.

[0201] The inventors next sought to confirm these results by testing the activation status of TOR in ipms1 mutants. Based on the evidence that TOR inhibition rescued the ipms1 subcellular phenotypes, we predicted to find an increased level of TOR activity in ipms1 mutants compared to wild type. S6K is a conserved substrate of TOR protein kinase and its phosphorylation status has been adopted as an indicator of TOR activity in plants (Pfeiffer et al., 2016; Wang et al., 2018; Dong et al., 2017; Xiong and Sheen, 2012). Indeed, immunoblot analyses with specific antisera for either phosphorylated or total S6K (Pfeiffer et al., 2016; Wang et al., 2018; Dong et al., 2017; Xiong and Sheen, 2012) revealed increased levels of TOR-phosphorylated S6K in eva1 and ipms1-4 compared to WT, despite similar levels of total S6K in three genotypes (FIG. 6H-6I). The foregoing data support the conclusion that TOR signaling is upregulated in the ipms1 background.

[0202] To validate this conclusion, DNA synthesis was monitored in root tips because stimulated TOR signaling promotes cell proliferation in the root apical meristem. Such cellular proliferation can be detected by EdU staining of newly synthesized DNA (Li et al., 2017; Dong et al., 2017; Xiong et al., 2013). Consistent with the inventors' hypothesis, EdU staining displayed enhanced labeling in the root apical meristem of ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 compared to wild type (FIG. 6J-6K). This result was further confirmed by propidium iodide staining and morphometric analyses of root tips showing increased cell numbers in the root apical meristem of eva1, ipms1-4 and ipms1-5 compared to wild type.

[0203] The foregoing results show suppression of vacuole phenotypes by TOR inhibition, increased levels of S6K phosphorylation, and root apical meristem activity (i.e., increased DNA synthesis and cell number) in the ipms1 mutants. These results support the hypothesis that TOR signaling is up-regulated in the IPMS1 loss-of-function mutants.

Example 8: Over-Accumulation of BCAAs Alters the Subcellular Organization of the Actin Cytoskeleton and Endomembranes

[0204] This Example describes testing of the role of TOR signaling and its specificity in the verified BCAA over-accumulation-induced phenotypes.

[0205] An estradiol-inducible TOR mutant (tor-es) (Xiong and Sheen, 2012) and a loss-of-function mutant of AtRAPTOR1B (raptor1b, SALK_022096) (Salem et al., 2017; a locus encoding the functional TORC1 component RAPTOR in Arabidopsis (Salem et al., 2018: Anderson et al., 2005)) were used in these experiments.

[0206] Before induction of TOR silencing, like wild type seedlings, for-es seedlings grown on BCAA-supplemented medium exhibited induced F-actin bundling compared to for-es grown on normal medium (compare FIGS. 7A and 7E with FIGS. 7B and 7F). After induction of TOR silencing, tor-es grown on either medium exhibited similarly low levels of bundling (FIGS. 7C and 7O). These results confirm a functional dependence of TOR signaling and the actin cytoskeleton phenotype due to mis-regulated TOR. By contrast, in raptor1b BCAA feeding led to F-actin bundling (FIG. 7D, 7H). Together, these results indicate that reorganization of F-actin is induced by over-accumulation of BCAAs and is dependent on functional TOR. In addition, these results indicate that the reorganization of F-actin induced by over-accumulation of BCAAs is also an underlying cause of the subcellular phenotype linking BCAA to TOR signaling components other than RAPTOR.

[0207] Next, experiments were performed to test the generality of the connection between over-accumulation of BCAAs, morphological alteration of cellular structures, and functional TOR signaling. To do so, a variety of BCAA mutants (Xing and Last. 2017) were used, combined with BCAA feeding. For example, an ipms1-1.sup.D mutant was chosen because it exhibits a modest decrease in Val with an increase in Leu. The ahass1-1 mutant exhibits a small increase in Val. The ahass2-7 mutant exhibits decreased Val and Leu. The omr1-11.sup.D mutant has a greater than 140-fold increase in Ile compared to WT.

[0208] Confocal microscopy analyses of cotyledon epidermal cells revealed that the organization of F-actin in ipms1-1 and ahass1-1 mutants resembled that of wild type (FIGS. 7A, 7I, and 7J). By contrast, enhanced actin bundling was observed following BCAA feeding (1 mM Val, Leu and Ile) and in the ipms1-5 and omr1-11.sup.D mutants (FIGS. 7E, 7K, and 7L). Interestingly, the mutants also showed reorganization of F-actin and remodeling of the ER network. Specifically, mutants with moderate increase or decrease in BCAAs showed ER morphology similar to wild type, while wild type grown with BCAA supplementation and mutants that over-accumulate BCAAs showed compromised ER organization with longer and thicker ER strands compared to wild type.

[0209] The striking phenotype of enhanced ER strands in omr1-11.sup.D was recovered by a 2-hour Torin2 treatment. In addition to bundling of F-actin and enhancement of ER strands, supplementation of BCAAs also induced the formation of prominent trans-vacuole strands.

[0210] Together, these results support a general correlation between over-accumulation of BCAAs and distorted actin cytoskeleton and endomembranes.

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[0299] All patents and publications referenced or mentioned herein are indicative of the levels of skill of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, and each such referenced patent or publication is hereby specifically incorporated by reference to the same extent as if it had been incorporated by reference in its entirety individually or set forth herein in its entirety. Applicants reserve the right to physically incorporate into this specification any and all materials and information from any such cited patents or publications.

[0300] The following statements describe some of the elements or features of the invention. The statements provide features that can be claimed in the application and the dependencies of the statements illustrate combinations of features that can be present when included in the claims.

Statements:

[0301] 1. A modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant comprising a modified isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) gene that encodes a modified isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) protein; or a modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant comprising an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid segment encoding a modified isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) protein. [0302] 2. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has isopropylmalate synthase activity or does not have significant isopropylmalate synthase activity. [0303] 3. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of statement 1 or 2, wherein the promoter is a tissue specific promoter or a developmentally regulated promoter. [0304] 4. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-3, wherein the promoter is a seed specific promoter. [0305] 5. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-4, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has a mutation or modification of its allosteric domain. [0306] 6. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-5, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has a mutation or modification located within about 20 amino acids of the C-terminus. [0307] 7. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-6, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has a point mutation at a position corresponding to position 606 of SEQ ID NO:2. [0308] 8. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-7, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has a replacement of a glycine (G) at a position corresponding to position 606 of SEQ ID NO:2. [0309] 9. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of statement 8, wherein the glycine at a position corresponding to position 606 of SEQ ID NO:2 is a glutamic acid (E). [0310] 10. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-9, wherein the plant seeds have increased content of Gln, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp, Val, or a combination thereof. [0311] 11. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-10, wherein the plant's vegetative tissues have increased content of Leu, and other amino acids. [0312] 12. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-4, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has a mutation or modification of its catalytic domain. [0313] 13. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 14 or 12, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has a mutation within or next to its substrate pocket. [0314] 14. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-4, 12 or 13, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has a mutation in its acetyl-CoA binding surface near its substrate pocket. [0315] 15. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-4, 12-14, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has as aspartic acid replaced in its catalytic domain. [0316] 16. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-4, 12-15, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has as aspartic acid replaced at an amino acid position corresponding to position 228 of SEQ ID NO:2. [0317] 17. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-4, 12-16, wherein the seeds and/or plants have increased content of amino acids comprising valine. [0318] 18. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-17 wherein plants that express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein have increased amino acid content compared to an average content for one or more amino acids of wild type plants, or parental plants, or plants with a knockout IPMS gene that do not express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein. [0319] 19. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-18, wherein a plant expressing the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least a 1%, at least a 2%, at least a 3%, at least a 4%, at least a 5%, at least a 10%, at least a 15%, at least a 20%, at least a 25%, at least a 30%, at least a 40%, at least a 50%, at least a 100%, at least a 150%, at least a 200%, at least a 300%, at least a 400%, or at least a 500% increase in the content of one or more amino acids compared to an average content for one or more amino acids of wild type plants, or parental plants, or plants with a knockout IPMS gene that do not express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein. [0320] 20. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-19, wherein a plant expressing the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least a two-fold, at least a three-fold, at least a four-fold, or at least a five-fold increase in the content of one or more amino acids compared to an average amino acid content of wild type plants, or parental plants, or plants with a knockout IPMS gene that do not express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein. [0321] 21. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-20, wherein plants that express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein have increased biomass compared to an average biomass of wild type plants, or parental plants, or plants with a knockout IPMS gene that do not express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein. [0322] 22. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-21, wherein a plant expressing the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least a 1%, at least a 2%, at least a 3%, at least a 4%, at least a 5%, at least a 10%, at least a 15%, at least a 20%, at least a 25%, at least a 30%, at least a 40%, at least a 50%, at least a 100%, at least a 150%, at least a 200%, at least a 300%, at least a 400%, or at least a 500% increase in biomass compared to an average biomass of wild type plants, or parental plants, or plants with a knockout IPMS gene that do not express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein. [0323] 23. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-22, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase nucleic acid or the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 99.5% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NO:1-38. [0324] 24. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-23, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase nucleic acid has at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 99.5% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NO:1, 4, 6, 8, 27, 29, 31, 34, or 37. [0325] 25. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-24, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase nucleic acid has at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 99.5% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NO:4 or 6. [0326] 26. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-25, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 99.5% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NO:2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, or 38. [0327] 27. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-26, which is an agricultural crop species or a forage crop species. [0328] 28. The modified plant cell, plant seed, or plant of any of statements 1-27, which is a forage plant (e.g., alfalfa, clover, soybeans, turnips, bromegrass, bluestem, and fescue), starch plant (e.g., canola, potatoes, lupins, sunflower and cottonseed), grain (maize, wheat, barley, oats, rice, sorghum, millet and rye), grass (switchgrass, prairie grass, wheat grass, sudangrass, sorghum, straw-producing plants, miscanthus, switchgrass), sugar producing plants (sugarcane, beets), vegetable plant (e.g., cucumber, lettuce, tomato), Brachypodium, Arabidopsis, bamboo, softwood, or hardwood. [0329] 29. A method comprising: selecting a plant cell comprising an endogenous mutation or modification of an isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) gene, or comprising an expression cassette with an isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) mutation or modification; generating a plant from the plant cell that expresses a modified isopropylmalate synthase protein; and cultivating the plant. [0330] 30. The method of statement 29, further comprising analyzing the amino acid content or biomass of the plant, and selecting one or more plants that have increased amino acid content or increased biomass compared to an average amino acid content or an average biomass of wild type plants, or parental plants, or plants with a knockout IPMS gene that do not express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein. [0331] 31. The method of statement 29 or 30, wherein the mutation or modification is at least one mutation or modification to an endogenous (native) isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) gene in the plant cell. [0332] 32. The method of statement 29 or 30, wherein the expression cassette with an isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) mutation or modification is an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid segment encoding the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein. [0333] 33. The method of statement 32, wherein the promoter is a tissue specific promoter or a developmentally regulated promoter. [0334] 34. The method of statement 32, wherein the promoter is a seed specific promoter. [0335] 35. The method of any of statements 29-34, wherein the a modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has isopropylmalate synthase activity or does not have significant isopropylmalate synthase activity. [0336] 36. The method of any of statements 29-35, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein comprises a mutation or modification of its allosteric domain. [0337] 37. The method of any of statements 29-36, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has a mutation or modification located within about 20 amino acids of the C-terminus. [0338] 38. The method of any of statements 29-37, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has a point mutation at a position corresponding to position 606 of SEQ ID NO:2. [0339] 39. The method of any of statements 29-38, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has a replacement of a glycine (G) at a position corresponding to position 606 of SEQ ID NO:2. [0340] 40. The method of any of statements 29-39, wherein the glycine at a position corresponding to position 606 of SEQ ID NO:2 is a glutamic acid (E). [0341] 41. The method of any of statements 29-40, wherein the plants' seeds have increased content of Gln, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp, Val, or a combination thereof. [0342] 42. The method of any of statements 29-41, wherein the plants' vegetative tissues have increased content of amino acids comprising Leu, and other amino acids. [0343] 43. The method of any of statements 29-41, wherein the plants have increased biomass. [0344] 44. The method of any of statements 29-35, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein comprises a mutation or modification of its catalytic domain. [0345] 45. The method of any of statements 29-35 or 44, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein comprises a mutation or modification of its substrate pocket. [0346] 46. The method of any of statements 29-35 or 44-45, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein comprises a mutation or modification in its acetyl-CoA binding surface near its substrate pocket. [0347] 47. The method of any of statements 29-35 or 44-46, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein comprises a mutation or modification within or next to its substrate pocket and a mutation or modification in its acetyl-CoA binding surface near its substrate pocket. [0348] 48. The method of any of statements 29-35 or 44-47, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein comprises an aspartic acid replacement in its catalytic domain. [0349] 49. The method of any of statements 29-35 or 44-48, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein comprises an aspartic acid replacement at an amino acid position corresponding to position 228 of SEQ ID NO:2. [0350] 50. The method of any of statements 29-35 or 44-49, wherein the seeds and/or plants have increased content of amino acids comprising valine. [0351] 51. The method of any of statements 29-50, wherein plants that express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein have increased amino acid content compared to an average content for one or more amino acids of wild type plants, or parental plants, or plants with a knockout IPMS gene that do not express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein. [0352] 52. The method of any of statements 29-51, wherein plants that express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein have increased content of Gln, His, Ile, Lu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp, Val, or a combination thereof. [0353] 53. The method of any of statements 29-52, wherein a plant expressing the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least a 1%, at least a 2%, at least a 3%, at least a 4%, at least a 5%, at least a 10%, at least a 15%, at least a 20%, at least a 25%, at least a 30%, at least a 40%, at least a 50%, at least a 100%, at least a 150%, at least a 200%, at least a 300%, at least a 400% e, or at least a 500% increase in the content of one or more amino acids compared to an average content for one or more amino acids of wild type plants, or parental plants, or plants with a knockout IPMS gene that do not express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein. [0354] 54. The method of any of statements 29-53, wherein plants expressing the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein have at least a two-fold, at least a three-fold, at least a four-fold, or at least a five-fold increase in the content of one or more amino acids compared to an average amino acid content of wild type plants, or parental plants, or plants with a knockout IPMS gene that do not express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein. [0355] 55. The method of any of statements 29-54, wherein plants that express a modified isopropylmalate synthase protein have increased biomass compared to an average biomass of wild type plants, or parental plants, or plants with a knockout IPMS gene that do not express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein. [0356] 56. The method of any of statements 29-55, wherein a plant expressing the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least a 1%, at least a 2%, at least a 3%, at least a 4%, at least a 5%, at least a 10%, at least a 15%, at least a 20%, at least a 25%, at least a 30%, at least a 40%, at least a 50%, at least a 100%, at least a 150%, at least a 200%, at least a 300%, at least a 400%, or at least a 500% increase in biomass compared to an average biomass of wild type plants, or parental plants, or plants with a knockout IPMS gene that do not express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein. [0357] 57. The method of any of statements 29-56, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase nucleic acid or the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 99.5% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NO:1-38. [0358] 58. The method of any of statements 29-57, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase nucleic acid or a cDNA copy of an endogenous modified isopropylmalate synthase mRNA has at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 99.5% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NO:1, 4, 6, 8, 27, 29, 31, 34, or 37. [0359] 59. The method of any of statements 29-58, wherein a cDNA copy of an mRNA encoding the modified isopropylmalate synthase has at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 99.5% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NO:4 or 6. [0360] 60. The method of any of statements 29-59, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 99.5% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NO:2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, or 38. [0361] 61. The method of any of statements 29-60, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 99.5% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NO: 3, 5, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 28, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, or 38. [0362] 62. The method of any of statements 29-61, wherein the plant is an agricultural crop species or a forage crop species. [0363] 63. The method of any of statements 29-62, wherein the plant is forage plant (e.g., alfalfa, clover, soybeans, turnips, bromegrass, bluestem, and fescue), starch plant (e.g., canola, potatoes, lupins, sunflower and cottonseed), grain (maize, wheat, barley, oats, rice, sorghum, millet and rye), grass (switchgrass, prairie grass, wheat grass, sudangrass, sorghum, straw-producing plants, miscanthus, switchgrass), sugar producing plants (sugarcane, beets), vegetable plant (e.g., cucumber, lettuce, tomato). Brachypodium, Arabidopsis, bamboo, softwood, or hardwood. [0364] 64. The method of any of statements 29-63, further comprising harvesting the selected plant(s), or parts of the selected plant(s). [0365] 65. The method of any of statements 29-64, further comprising harvesting seeds from the selected plant(s). [0366] 66. The method of any of statements 29-65, further comprising harvesting vegetables or leaves from the selected plant(s). [0367] 67. A method comprising (a) cultivating a seed or seedling to produce a mature plant therefrom, wherein the seed or seedling comprises a modified isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) gene that encodes a modified isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) protein, or wherein the seed or seedling comprises an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid segment encoding a modified isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) protein; and (b) harvesting the mature plant, one or more seeds from the mature plant, or one or more parts of the mature plant. [0368] 68. The method of statement 67, wherein the seed or seedling comprises at least one mutation or modification in an endogenous (native) isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) gene. [0369] 69. The method of statement 67 or 68, wherein the seed or seedling comprises an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid segment encoding a modified isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) protein. [0370] 70. The method of statement 69, wherein the promoter is a tissue specific promoter or a developmentally regulated promoter. [0371] 71. The method of statement 69 or 70 wherein the promoter is a seed specific promoter. [0372] 72. The method of any of statements 67-71, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has isopropylmalate synthase activity or the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein does not have significant isopropylmalate synthase activity. [0373] 73. The method of any of statements 67-72, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein comprises a mutation or modification of its allosteric domain. [0374] 74. The method of any of statements 67-73, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has a mutation or modification located within about 20 amino acids of the C-terminus. [0375] 75. The method of any of statements 67-74, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has a point mutation at a position corresponding to position 606 of SEQ ID NO:2. [0376] 76. The method of any of statements 67-75, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has a replacement of a glycine (G) at a position corresponding to position 606 of SEQ ID NO:2. [0377] 77. The method of any of statements 67-76, wherein the glycine at a position corresponding to position 606 of SEQ ID NO:2 is a glutanic acid (E). [0378] 78. The method of any of statements 67-77, wherein the plants' seeds have increased content of Gln, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp, Val, or a combination thereof. [0379] 79. The method of any of statements 67-78, wherein the plants' vegetative tissues have increased content of amino acids comprising Leu, and other amino acids. [0380] 80. The method of any of statements 67-79, wherein the plants have increased biomass. [0381] 81. The method of any of statements 67-72, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein comprises a mutation or modification of its catalytic domain. [0382] 82. The method of any of statements 67-72, or 81 wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has a mutation within or next to its substrate pocket. [0383] 83. The method of any of statements 67-72, or 81-82, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has a mutation in its acetyl-CoA binding surface near its substrate pocket. [0384] 84. The method of any of statements 67-72, or 81-83, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has as aspartic acid replaced at an amino acid position corresponding to position 228 of SEQ ID NO:2. [0385] 85. The method of any of statements 67-72, or 81-84, wherein the seeds and/or plants have increased content of amino acids comprising valine. [0386] 86. The method of any of statements 67-85, wherein plants that express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein have increased amino acid content compared to an average content for one or more amino acids of wild type plants, or parental plants, or plants with a knockout IPMS gene that do not express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein. [0387] 87. The method of any of statements 67-86, wherein plants that express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein have increased content of Gln, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp, Val, or a combination thereof. [0388] 88. The method of any of statements 67-87, wherein a plant expressing the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least a 1%, at least a 2%, at least a 3%, at least a 4%, at least a 5%, at least a 10%, at least a 15%, at least a 20%, at least a 25%, at least a 30%, at least a 40%, at least a 50%, at least a 100%, at least a 150%, at least a 200%, at least a 300%, at least a 400%, or at least a 500% increase in the content of one or more amino acids compared to an average content for one or more amino acids of wild type plants, or parental plants, or plants with a knockout IPMS gene that do not express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein. [0389] 89. The method of any of statements 67-88, wherein plants expressing the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least a two-fold, at least a three-fold, at least a four-fold, or at least a five-fold increase in the content of one or more amino acids compared to an average amino acid content of wild type plants, or parental plants, or plants with a knockout IPMS gene that do not express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein. [0390] 90. The method of any of statements 67-89, wherein the increased amino acid content is in the plant's vegetative tissues, seeds, or a combination thereof. [0391] 91. The method of any of statements 67-90, wherein plants that express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein have increased biomass compared to an average biomass of wild type plants, or parental plants, or plants with a knockout IPMS gene that do not express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein. [0392] 92. The method of any of statements 67-91, wherein plants that express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein have increased biomass compared to an average biomass of wild type plants, or parental plants, or plants with a knockout IPMS gene that do not express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein. [0393] 93. The method of any of statements 67-92, wherein plants expressing the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least a 1%, at least a 2%, at least a 3%, at least a 4%, at least a 5%, at least a 10%, at least a 15%, at least a 20%, at least a 25%, at least a 30%, at least a 40%, at least a 50%, at least a 100%, at least a 150%, at least a 200%, at least a 300%, at least a 400%, or at least a 500% increase in biomass compared to an average biomass of wild type plants, or parental plants, or plants with a knockout IPMS gene that do not express the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein. [0394] 94. The method of any of statements 67-93, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase nucleic acid or the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 99.5% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NO:1-38. [0395] 95. The method of any of statements 67-94, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase nucleic acid has at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 99.5% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NO:1, 4, 6, 8, 27, 29, 31, 34, or 37. [0396] 96. The method of any of statements 67-95, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase nucleic acid has at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 99.5% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NO:4 or 6. [0397] 97. The method of any of statements 67-96, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 99.5% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NO:2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, or 38. [0398] 98. The method of any of statements 67-97, wherein the modified isopropylmalate synthase protein has at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 99.5% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NO: 3, 5, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 28, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, or 38. [0399] 99. The method of any of statements 67-98, which seed or seedling is an agricultural crop species or a forage crop species. [0400] 100. The method of any of statements 67-99, which seed or seedling is a forage plant (e.g., alfalfa, clover, soybeans, turnips, bromegrass, bluestem, and fescue), starch plant (e.g., canola, potatoes, lupins, sunflower and cottonseed), grain (maize, wheat, barley, oats, rice, sorghum, millet and rye), grass (switchgrass, prairie grass, wheat grass, sudangrass, sorghum, straw-producing plants, miscanthus, switchgrass), sugar producing plants (sugarcane, beets), vegetable plant (e.g., cucumber, lettuce, tomato), Brachypodium, Arabidopsis, bamboo, softwood, or hardwood. [0401] 101. The method of any of statements 67-100, further comprising harvesting seeds from the mature plant.

[0402] The specific plants, plant cells, seeds, methods, and compositions described herein are representative of preferred embodiments and are exemplary and not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Other objects, aspects, and embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of this specification, and are encompassed within the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the claims. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that varying substitutions and modifications may be made to the invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0403] The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, or limitation or limitations, which is not specifically disclosed herein as essential. The methods and processes illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in differing orders of steps, and the methods and processes are not necessarily restricted to the orders of steps indicated herein or in the claims.

[0404] Under no circumstances may the patent be interpreted to be limited to the specific examples or embodiments or methods specifically disclosed herein. Under no circumstances may the patent be interpreted to be limited by any statement made by any Examiner or any other official or employee of the Patent and Trademark Office unless such statement is specifically and without qualification or reservation expressly adopted in a responsive writing by Applicants.

[0405] The terms and expressions that have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intent in the use of such terms and expressions to exclude any equivalent of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as claimed. Thus, it will be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims and statements of the invention.

[0406] The invention has been described broadly and generically herein. Each of the narrower species and subgeneric groupings falling within the generic disclosure also form part of the invention. This includes the generic description of the invention with a proviso or negative limitation removing any subject matter from the genus, regardless of whether or not the excised material is specifically recited herein. In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.