Bioinformatic analysis of ESTs collected by Sanger and pyrosequencing methods for a keystone forest tree species: oak.

Background: The Fagaceae family comprises about 1,000 woody species worldwide. About half belong to the Quercus family. These oaks are often a source of raw material for biomass wood and fiber.

Characterization of a Novel Protein Induced by Progressive or Rapid Drought and Salinity in Brassica napus Leaves.

Under progressive drought stress, Brassica napus displays differential leaf modifications. The oldest leaves, developed before the onset of water deficit, wilt gradually, whereas the youngest leaves harden. Hardening was distinguished by leaf turgor and bluish wax bloom when the shoot water potential was below -3 MPa and the leaf water saturation deficit was about 60%.

A Brassica napus transcript encoding a protein related to the Künitz protease inhibitor family accumulates upon water stress in leaves, not in seeds.

A cDNA clone encoding a Brassica napus drought-induced 22 kDa (BnD22) protein has been isolated and characterized. The BnD22 transcript accumulated in response to drought reversibly, and to other conditions of leaf water deficit such as rapid water stress or salt acclimation, but not to cold acclimation or heat shock. Exogenously applied abscisic acid induced both changes in leaf morphology similar to the drought-adaptive response and a pronounced accumulation of the BnD22 mRNA.