The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having
alpha-amylase activity and/or starch binding activity and/or plasmid
targeting signals and to isolated polynucleotides encoding the
polypeptides. The invention also relates to DNA constructs, vectors and
host cells incorporating the polynucleotide sequences, methods for
modulating starch content in plants, particularly plastids, as well as
modifying plastid specific starch. The applicants have identified a class
of alpha-amylases with plastid targeting signals and starch binding
activity.
