An affinity probe for isolation of abscisic acid-binding proteins.

An affinity probe has been developed for isolation of receptor proteins that bind the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA). The structural features required for biological activity have been preserved, and the probe has been demonstrated to bind to known ABA-binding proteins.

A highly conserved gene for vitamin B biosynthesis may have consequences for stress and hormone responses in plants.

Pyridoxine (vitamin B(6)) is not only an essential cofactor in amino acid biosynthesis but has recently been added to the list of potent antioxidants found in plants (Bilski et al., 71: 129-134, 2000). Herein the cloning of a gene (pvPDX1) from Phaseolus vulgaris that has a high degree of similarity to PDX1 from Cercospora nicotianae is reported.