Germination-specific lipid transfer protein cDNAs in Brassica napus L.

Three cDNA clones encoding lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) were isolated by applying the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) protocol to imbibed seeds and germinating seedlings Brassica napus. The deduced amino-acid sequences show a great degree of homology and they exhibit the common features shared by all LTPs. Their expression pattern indicates a strong developmental, hormonal, and environmental regulation.

Identification of spheroplast-like agents isolated from tissues of patients with Crohn's disease and control tissues by polymerase chain reaction.

Mycobacterium paratuberculosis has been isolated from tissue taken from patients with Crohn's disease and has been implicated in the etiology of this disease. On culture, the organisms appear initially as cell wall-deficient, spheroplast-like forms that are difficult to identify by conventional techniques. Here we examine 30 unidentified cultures by the polymerase chain reaction using primers specific for M.

Patterns of gene expression in developing anthers of Brassica napus.

The relationship between bud length, anther length and stage of anther development has been investigated in Brassica napus using a series of cytological markers that define steps in the process of male gametogenesis. It was determined that bud length is directly related to anther length and that anther or bud length is tightly linked to the stage of male gametogenesis within the anther. This simple correlation has enabled the construction of cDNA libraries representing transcripts expressed in defined stages of anther development, and the detailed examination of the developmental pattern of expression of anther RNAs.