Disruption of AtOCT1, an organic cation transporter gene, affects root development and carnitine-related responses in Arabidopsis.

In animals, organic cation/carnitine transporters (OCTs) are involved in homeostasis and distribution of various small endogenous amines (e.g. carnitine, choline) and detoxification of xenobiotics such as nicotine.

Identification of novel drought-related mRNAs in common bean roots by differential display RT-PCR.

Drought is a major constraint for the production of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). To identify molecular responses to water deficit, we performed a differential display RT-PCR (DDRT) analysis using roots of bean plants grown aeroponically and submitted to dehydration.

[MicroRNAs: a new class of gene expression regulators].

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small non coding RNA, about 21-25 nucleotides in length, that direct post transcriptional regulation of gene expression through interaction with homologous mRNAs. Hundreds miR genes have been identified in animals and 40 in plants. Many of them are conserved between related species, and in some cases across phyla.

Characterization of the expression of Phaseolus vulgaris OCT1, a dehydration-regulated gene that encodes a new type of phloem transporter.

A cDNA coding for a putative organic cation transporter (OCT) was isolated from Phaseolus vulgaris roots by differential display RT-PCR and the corresponding full-length cDNA (named PvOCT1) was subsequently obtained by RACE-PCR. Hydropathy profiles of the deduced amino acid sequence (547 residues) predicted the existence of twelve membrane-spanning domains, which are highly conserved in the major facilitator superfamily (MFS). Three specific domains, which characterize organic ion transporters in animals, can also be observed in the predicted protein.