Gene targeting of a chromosomally integrated transgene in Arabidopsis thaliana is reported. A chimeric gene consisting of the promoter of the 35S RNA of CaMV, the polyadenylation signal of the octopine synthase gene and the coding region of the bacterial hygromycin phosphotransferase gene (hpt), which was rendered non-functional by deletion of 19 bp, was introduced into the genome of A. thaliana using Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. A total of 3.46 X 10(8) protoplasts isolated from 17 independent transgenic Arabidopsis lines harbouring the defective chimeric hpt gene were transformed via direct gene transfer using various DNA forms containing only the intact coding region of the hpt gene. Out of 150 hygromycin-resistant colonies appearing in the course of these experiments, four were the result of targeted recombination of the incoming DNA with the defective chromosomal locus as revealed by PCR and Southern blot analysis. Comparison with the number of transformants obtained when an hpt gene controlled by a promoter and terminator from the nopaline synthase gene was employed results in a maximal ratio of homologous to non-homologous transformation in A. thaliana of 1 X 10-4.

A cDNA clone encoding ascorbate peroxidase (AP, EC 1.11.1.11) was isolated from a phage lambda gt11 library of cDNA from Arabidopsis thaliana by immunoscreening with monoclonal antibodies against the enzyme, and then sequenced. The cDNA insert hybridized to a 1.1 kb poly(A)+ RNA from leaves of A. thaliana. Genomic hybridization suggests that the cDNA obtained here corresponds to a single-copy gene. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of Arabidopsis AP was determined by protein sequencing of the immunochemically purified enzyme, and proved to be homologous to the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the chloroplastic AP of spinach. The predicted amino acid sequence of the mature AP of A. thaliana, deduced from the nucleotide sequence, consists of 249 amino acid residues, which is 34% homologous with cytochrome c peroxidase of yeast, but less homologous with other plant peroxidases. Amino acid residues at the active site of yeast cytochrome c peroxidase are conserved in the amino acid sequence of Arabidopsis AP. The poly(dG-dT) sequence, which is a potential Z-DNA-forming sequence, was found in the 3' untranslated region of the cDNA.

We have isolated a homeobox-containing gene from Arabidopsis thaliana using a degenerate oligonucleotide probe corresponding to the most conserved region of the homeodomain. This strategy has been used previously to isolate homeobox-containing genes from Caenorhabditis, and recently from A. thaliana. The Arabidopsis genes have an unusual structure in that they have a leucine zipper motif adjacent to the carboxy terminal region of the homeo domain, a feature not found in homeobox-containing genes isolated from animals. We report the isolation and primary structure of a new member of this Arabidopsis homeobox-leucine zipper gene family. This new member has the homeodomain and leucine-zipper motif similar to the two genes previously identified, but differs from these genes in the part corresponding to the carboxy terminus of the polypeptide, as well as in size and isoelectric point of the protein.

1. Genetic variability in the relationship between plant size and fecundity (fecundity allocation) was investigated in 10 inbred lines (genotypes) of Arabidopsis thaliana. For each genotype, a range of plant sizes was established by planting seeds at various densities. Plant size (above-ground biomass excluding seeds), fecundity (number of seeds produced), and percentage germination of seeds were recorded for 20 individuals representative of the range of plant sizes displayed for each genotype as a result of the density treatments. 2. There was a significant (P < 0.001) positive relationship between plant size and fecundity for all genotypes. Size--fecundity regressions were primarily linear within the range investigated and the slopes differed significantly between genotypes. The y intercepts were either significantly positive or not different from zero. Seed viability generally did not depend on the number of seeds produced. 3. Genotypes with relatively large maximum plant sizes had relatively low fecundities. This trade-off is consistent with r/K-selection theory; such genotypes are regarded as having a 'K-type strategy'. There is no basis for predicting, however, that such a 'strategy' will confer superior fitness in contexts of competition. 4. The rank-order of fecundity was not consistent for all plant sizes. Individual genotypes with greater-than-average fecundity when relatively large in size tended to have lower-than-average fecundity when smaller, whilst the converse was true for genotypes having lower-than-average fecundity when relatively large. 5. The results indicate that absolute allocation to fecundity at a given plant size, and the variation in fecundity allocation across different sizes, can vary significantly at the level of the genotype in this species. This may be an important component in defining differences in fitness between individuals in the context of competition.

Anthocyanin pathway-specific transcriptional activators Rand C1 from the monocot maize were expressed in two dicots, Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum. Expression of R caused augmented anthocyanin pigmentation in both plant species and augmented trichome (hair) production in Arabidopsis. Alone, C1 had no effect. Hybrid transgenic Arabidopsis expressing both C1 and R produced anthocyanins in root, petal, and stamen tissues that normally never express anthocyanins. When R was expressed in the transparent testa glabrous (without anthocyanins and trichomes) mutant of Arabidopsis, the deficiency was complemented and both anthocyanins and trichomes were restored.

In an effort to learn more about the genomic organization of chromosomal termini in plants we employed a functional complementation strategy to isolate Arabidopsis thaliana telomeres in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Eight yeast episomes carrying A. thaliana telomeric sequences were obtained. The plant sequences carried on two episomes, YpAtT1 and YpAtT7, were characterized in detail. The telomeric origins of YpAtT1 and YpAtT7 insert DNAs were confirmed by demonstrating that corresponding genomic sequences are preferentially degraded during exonucleolytic digestion. The isolated telomeric restriction fragments contain G-rich repeat arrays characteristic of A. thaliana telomeres, as well as subterminal telomere-associated sequences (TASs). DNA sequence analysis revealed the presence of variant telomeric repeats at the centromere-proximal border of the terminal block of telomere repeats. The TAS flanking the telomeric G-rich repeat in YpAtT7 corresponds to a repetitive element present at other A. thaliana telomeres, while more proximal sequences are unique to one telomere. The YpAtT1 TAS is unique in the Landsberg strain of A. thaliana from which the clone originated; however, the Landsberg TAS cross-hybridizes weakly to a second telomere in the strain Columbia. Restriction analysis with cytosine methylation-sensitive endonucleases indicated that both TASs are highly methylated in the genome.

The Brassica napus cDNA clone A9 and the corresponding Arabidopsis thaliana gene have been sequenced. The B. napus cDNA and the A. thaliana gene encode proteins that are 73% identical and are predicted to be 10.3 kDa and 11.6 kDa in size respectively. Fusions of an RNase gene and the reporter gene beta-glucuronidase to the A. thaliana A9 promoter demonstrated that in tobacco the A9 promoter is active solely in tapetal cells. Promoter activity is first detectable in anthers prior to sporogenous cell meiosis and ceases during microspore premitotic interphase. The deduced A9 protein sequence has a pattern of cysteine residues that is present in a superfamily of seed plant proteins which contains seed storage proteins and several protease and alpha-amylase inhibitors.

The shape of the fluence-response relationship for the phototropic response of the JK224 strain of Arabidopsis thaliana depends on the fluence rate and wavelength of the actinic light. At low fluence rate (0.1 micromol m-2s-1), the response to 450-nm light is characterized by a single maximum at about 9 micromol m-2. At higher fluence rate (0.4 micromol m-2s-1), the response shows two maxima, at 4.5 and 9 micromol m-1. The response to 510-nm light shows a single maximum at 4.5 micromol m-2. Unilateral preirradiation with high fluence rate (25 micromol m-2s-1) 510-nm light eliminates the maximum at 4.5 micromol m-2 in the fluence response curve to a subsequent unilateral 450-nm irradiation, while the second maximum at 9 micromol m-2 is unaffected. Based on these results, it is concluded that a single photoreceptor pigment has been altered in the JK224 strain of Arabidopsis thaliana.