The Evolutionarily Conserved CKAP2 Gene Is Located in Human Region 13q14.3 Often Rearranged in Various Tumors

The human CKAP2 gene, which is involved in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, was localized by screening the GeneBridge 4 somatic cell radiation hybrid panel by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The CKAP2 gene was mapped between the WI-15460 and WI-3673 markers at the boundary between regions 13q14.3 and 13q21.1, at the distance of 14.39 cR (with 4.8 cR per cM) from the WI-5867 framework marker (lod score > 2.26). The human CKAP2 gene displayed high homology to mouse and rat expressed orthologs. A CKAP2-like sequence was found in human chromosome 14 and assumed to be a pseudogene resulting from duplication and subsequent mutations of the CKAP2 gene on chromosome 13. A possible role of the CKAP2 gene in oncogenesis associated with deletions and rearrangements of region 13q14.3–21.1 is discussed.     

Genomics of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Its Late Complications

In ethnic Russians, MHC (HLA) was shown to be the major locus determining the predisposition to type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). To map the regions linked to T1DM, families with concordant or discordant sib pairs were selected from the Russian population of Moscow. With these families, linkage to T1DM was demonstrated for the CTLA4 gene (IDDM12, 2q32.1–q33), which codes for a T-cell surface antigen, and the PDCD2 gene (IDDM8, 6q25–q27), which is homologous to the mouse programmed cell death activator gene. Using polymorphic microsatellites, we could also observe the linkage to T1DM of regions 3q21–q25 (IDDM9) and 10p12.2 (IDDM10). Complex analysis of linkage and association of the polymorphic markers from region 11p13 in the vicinity of the catalase gene (CAT) based on the case/control groups and two groups of families allowed us to reveal a new T1DM locus; the linkage to this locus was not reported earlier for other populations. Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) proved to be associated with polymorphic markers Ala(–9)Val of the SOD2 gene, Arg213Gly of the SOD3 gene, and T(–262)C of the CAT gene, and with a polymorphic microsatellite located in the promoter region of the NOS2 gene. It has been supposed that one of the main risk factors of DPN development in patients with type 1 diabetes is oxidative stress arising in hyperglycemia because of increased production of superoxide radicals in mitochondria and insufficient activity of antioxidative enzymes. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) showed no association with the antioxidative enzyme genes. However, the association was observed for the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of ACE and the ecNOS34a/4b polymorphism of NOS3, two genes involved in controlling vascular tonus, as well as for the I/D polymorphism of APOB and the 2/3/4 polymorphism of APOE, two genes involved in lipid transport. In addition, polymorphic microsatellites of chromosome 3q21–q25 proved to be closely associated with DN. The tightest association was established for D3S1550, carriers of allele 12 or genotype 12/14 having high risk of DN (OR = 4.85 and 6.25, respectively). Region 3q21–q25 perhaps contains a major gene determining DN development, while the other DN-associated genes mostly influence the progression of DN.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Not</Emphasis>I Sequence-Tagged Sites as Markers of Genes on Human Chromosome 3

Using nucleotide sequences from jumping and linking NotI libraries of human chromosome 3, 94 NotI-STS markers for 72 individual NotI clones were developed. The positions of the NotI-STS markers and their order on the chromosome were determined by a combination of RH-mapping (our data), contig mapping, cytogenetic mapping, and in silico mapping. Comparison of NotI-STS DNAs with human genome sequences revealed two gaps in the regions 3p21.33 (marker NL1-256) and 3p21.31 (NL3-005), and a segmental duplication. Identical DNA fragments were found in the regions 12q and 3p22–21.33 (marker NL3-007). In the 3q28–q29 region (marker NLM-084), a fragment was detected whose identical copies were also present on chromosomes 1, 2, 15, and 19. For 69 NotI-STSs, significant homologies to nucleotide sequences of 70 genes and 2 cDNAs were detected (with homologies in NotI-STS 5′- and 3′-terminal sequences being taken into account). An association between NotI-STSs and genes is confirmed by a strong correlation between the density distributions of genes and NotI-STS markers on the map of human chromosome 3. Our results indicate that the NotI map may be regarded as a gene map of human chromosome 3. Thus, NotI-STSs are applicable as gene markers.__________Translated from Molekulyarnaya Biologiya, Vol. 39, No. 4, 2005, pp. 687–701.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Sulimova, Rakhmanaliev, Klimov, Kompaniytsev, Udina, Zabarovsky, Kisselev.     

The carbohydrate structure of human fibronectins: A comparison between normal embryonic lung fibroblasts WI-38 and the SV40 virus transformed cell line VA13

The carbohydrates of human fibronectin released from non-transformed human fibroblasts WI-38 have been compared with those of fibronectin released from SV40 virus transformed WI-38/VA13 cells and those of fibronectin prepared from human plasma. The majority of the bi-antennary glycopeptides of fibronectin released from WI-38 fibroblasts was not sialylated at the terminal galactosyl residues, but was fucosylated at the coreN-acetylglucosaminyl residue directly linked to a peptide (structure A, below). Most of the minor sialylation detected was linked 2–3 to galactose. In contrast, the majority of the bi-antennary glycopeptides released from the transformed VA13 cells was highly sialylated at the terminal galactosyl residues with both 2–3 and 2–6 linkages, but was only partially fucosylated at the coreN-acetylglucosaminyl residue (structure B, below). This structure was similar to that of the bi-antennary glycopeptide of human plasma fibronectin which was, however, predominantly sialylated with an 2–6 linkage (structure C, below). These human fibronectins, regardless of their source, lack a high molecular weight lactosaminoglycan structure.In addition to the differences in bi-antennary structure described above, the quantity of tri- to tetra-antennary glycopeptides of fibronectin released from VA13 transformed cells was found to be much greater than the quantity of these glycopeptides of fibronectin released from normal WI-38 fibroblasts. Furthermore, there was a relatively small quantity of a glycopeptide fraction having a smaller molecular weight that did not bind to Con A-Sepharose and was separated on a Bio-Gel P-4 column. The presence of this fraction was characteristic for fibronectin released from transformed VA13 cells, and the fraction was absent in fibronectin from normal fibroblasts.     

Evolutionarily-conserved gene CKAP2,located in region 13q14.3 of the human genome, is frequently rearranged in various tumors

The human CKAP2 gene, which is involved in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, was localized via screening the GeneBridge 4 somatic cell radiation hybrid panel by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The CKAP2 gene was mapped between the WI-15460 and WI-3673 markers at the boundary between regions 13q14.3 and 13q21.1, at the distance of 14.39 cR (with 4.8 cR per cM) from the WI-5867 framework marker (lod score > 2.26). The human CKAP2 gene displayed high homology to mouse and rat expressed orthologs, A CKAP2-like sequence was found in human chromosome 14 and assumed to be a pseudogene resulting from duplication and subsequent mutations of the CKAP2 gene on chromosome 13. A possible role of the CKAP2 gene in oncogenesis associated with deletions and rearrangements of region 13q14.3-21.1 is discussed.     

Minimal enhancer elements of the leghemoglobinlba andlbc3 gene promoters fromGlycine max L. have different properties

The characteristics of the soybean leghemoglobinlba gene promoter were analyzed and important promoter elements from thelba andlbc3 promoters were compared using transgenicLotus corniculatus plants. A 5 deletion analysis of thelba promoter delimited twocis-acting elements controlling expression: a distal positive element (–1254, –884) required for expression and a proximal element (–285, –60) essential for full-level activity. In contrast to the corresponding region of thelbc3 promoter, thelba proximal element is unable to control expression from the heterologous CaMV 35S enhancer. The upstream positive element of thelba gene contains a position- and orientation-independent enhancer between positions (–1091, –788). The sequence of this enhancer region is conserved in thelbc3 gene upstream (–1333, –1132) of the previously assigned strong positive element (SPE; –1090, –947). The present analysis revealed some of the properties of this extendedlbc3 SPE element. The extended element (–1364, –947) functions in both orientations from 5 locations whereas the SPE2 subcomponent (–1364, –1154) containing the conserved sequence is only active in the correct orientation. Removal of the SPE2 by internal deletion demonstrates that the SPE2 subcomponent is indispensable for the activity of thelbc3 upstream positive element. These results indicate that the upstream positive elements of thelba andlbc3 genes possess different properties although their conserved minimal enhancer sequence has similar function. This may reflect the differential expression of the twolb genes ofGlycine max L.     

Inhibition of Oncogenic and Activated Wild-Type ras-p21 Protein-Induced Oocyte Maturation by Peptides from the ras-Binding Domain of the raf-p74 Protein, Identified from Molecular Dynamics Calculations

In the preceding paper we found from molecular dynamics calculations that the structure of the ras-binding domain (RBD) of raf changes predominantly in three regions depending upon whether it binds to ras-p21 protein or to its inhibitor protein, rap-1A. These three regions of the RBD involve residues from the protein–protein interaction interface, e.g., between residues 60 and 72, residues 97–110, and 111–121. Since the rap-1A–RBD complex is inactive, these three regions are implicated in ras-p21-induced activation of raf. We have therefore co-microinjected peptides corresponding to these three regions, 62–76, 97–110, and 111–121, into oocytes with oncogenic p21 and microinjected them into oocytes incubated in in insulin, which activates normal p2l. All three peptides, but not a control peptide, strongly inhibit both oncogenic p21- and insulin-induced oocyte maturation. These findings corroborate our conclusions from the theoretical results that these three regions constitute raf effector domains. Since the 97–110 peptide is the strongest inhibitor of oncogenic p21, while the 111–121 peptide is the strongest inhibitor of insulin-induced oocyte maturation, the possibility exists that oncogenic and activated normal p21 proteins interact differently with the RBD of raf.     

Promoter analysis of the auxin-regulated tobacco glutathione S-transferase genes Nt103-1 and Nt103-35

We have analysed the promoter regions of two closely related auxin-regulated glutathione S-transferase genes. All active deletion constructs tested showed expression of the reporter gene -glucuronidase (gusA) in root tips of young seedlings and newly developing lateral roots. Auxin treatment greatly enhanced the level of expression. The Nt103-1 promoter region –370/–276 was found to be necessary, at least as a quantitative element to confer auxin-responsiveness to a reporter gene, and sequences responsible for the auxin-responsiveness must be located downstream of –370. The region –651/–370 contains sequence information necessary for uninduced expression. The Nt103-35 promoter manifested its auxin-responsiveness within the –504/–310 region. Electrophoretic mobility shift analysis, using nuclear extracts from tobacco leaves and suspension cells, identified a factor binding to a sequence (ap103, TGAGTCT) at position –560 of the Nt103-1 promoter, which shows homology to the mammalian AP-1 site. A second factor was found to bind a sequence (as103, ATAGCTAAGTGCTTACG) with homology to the CaMV 35S promoter as-1 element. The as103 element is present in both promoters and positioned around –360, so within the region determined to be indispensable for the response to auxin. A third factor was found binding to the –276/–190 region of both promoters. Combined, these data point to the relevance of a 90 bp region for auxin-induced activity of both tobacco genes. The ASF-1 like factor binding to the as103 element within this region might be involved in mediating the auxin response.     

Characterization of cis-regulatory regions responsible for developmental regulation of the gibberellin biosynthetic gene GA1 in Arabidopsis thaliana

The Arabidopsis GA1 gene encodes copalyl diphosphate synthase, which catalyzes the first committed step in the gibberellin biosynthetic pathway. Previous studies indicated that the expression pattern of the GA1 gene is tissue-specific and cell-type-specific during development. Here we showed that expression of GA1 cDNA driven by the 2.4 kb 5-upstream sequence plus the GA1 genomic coding region into the third exon was able to rescue the ga1-3 mutant phenotype. To understand the mechanism controlling GA1 gene expression, cis-regulatory regions in the GA1 promoter were identified by promoter deletion analysis with the GA1--glucuronidase (GUS) gene fusion system. The second intron and the region from –1391 to –997, with respect to the translation initiation site, positively regulate overall GA1-GUS expression level in all tissues examined. Several additional regulatory regions are involved in GA1-GUS expression in all the stages except in seeds: two positive regulatory regions in the first intron and the sequence between –425 and –207, and a negative regulatory region between –1848 and –1391. We also found that the region between –997 and –796 is essential for a high level of GA1 expression in developing seeds.     

Dissection of a pollen-specific promoter from maize by transient transformation assays

We have previously reported the isolation and characterization of a gene (Zm 13) from Zea mays which shows a pollen-specific pattern of expression. Stably transformed tobacco plants containing a reporter gene linked to portions of the Zm 13 5 flanking region show correct temporal and spatial expression of the gene. Here we present a more detailed analysis of the 5 regions responsible for expression in pollen by utilizing a transient expression system. Constructs containing the -glucuronidase (GUS) gene under the control of various sized fragments of the Zm13 5 flanking region were introduced into Tradescantia and Zea mays pollen via high-velocity microprojectile bombardment, and monitored both visually and with a fluorescence assay. The results suggest that sequences necessary for expression in pollen are present in a region from –100 to –54, while other sequences which amplify that expression reside between –260 and –100. The replacement of the normal terminator with a portion of the Zm13 3 region containing the putative polyadenylation signal and site also increased GUS expression. While the –260 to –100 region contains sequences similar to other protein-binding domains reported for plants, the –100 to –54 region appears to contain no significant homology to other known promoter fragments which direct pollen-specific expression. The microprojectile bombardment of Tradescantia pollen appears to be a good test system for assaying maize and possibly other monocot promoter constructs for pollen expression.     

The Effects of Hypoxia on Three Sympatric Shark Species: Physiological and Behavioral Responses

Behavioral and physiological responses to hypoxia were examined in three sympatric species of sharks: bonnethead shark Sphyrna tiburo, blacknose shark, Carcharhinus acronotus, and Florida smoothhound shark, Mustelus norrisi, using closed system respirometry. Sharks were exposed to normoxic and three levels of hypoxic conditions. Under normoxic conditions (5.5–6.4mg l^–1), shark routine swimming speed averaged 25.5 and 31.0cm s^–1 for obligate ram-ventilating S. tiburo and C. acronotus respectively, and 25.0cm s^–1 for buccal-ventilating M. norrisi. Routine oxygen consumption averaged about 234.6 mg O₂kg^–1h^–1 for S. tiburo, 437.2mg O₂kg^–1h^–1 for C. acronotus, and 161.4mg O₂ kg^–1 h^–1 for M. norrisi. For ram-ventilating sharks, mouth gape averaged 1.0cm whereas M. norrisi gillbeats averaged 56.0 beats min^–1. Swimming speeds, mouth gape, and oxygen consumption rate of S. tiburo and C. acronotus increased to a maximum of 37–39cm s^–1, 2.5–3.0cm and 496 and 599mg O₂ kg^–1 h^–1 under hypoxic conditions (2.5–3.4mg l^–1), respectively. M. norrisi decreased swimming speeds to 16cm s^–1 and oxygen consumption rate remained similar. Results support the hypothesis that obligate ram-ventilating sharks respond to hypoxia by increasing swimming speed and mouth gape while buccal-ventilating smoothhound sharks reduce activity.     

Chlorophyll fluorescence as an indicator of photosynthetic functioning of in vitro grapevine and chestnut plantlets under ex vitro acclimatization

This study reports the effects of light availability during the acclimatization phase on photosynthetic characteristics of micropropagated plantlets of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) and of a chestnut hybrid (Castanea sativa × C. crenata). The plantlets were acclimatized for 4 weeks (grapevine) or 6 weeks (chestnut), under two irradiance treatments, 150 and 300 mol m^–2 s^–1 after in vitro phases at 50 mol m^–2 s^–1. For both treatments and both species, leaves formed during acclimatization (so-called `new leaves') showed higher photosynthetic capacity than the leaves formed in vitro either under heterotrophic or during acclimatization (so-called `persistent leaves'), although lower than leaves of young potted plants (so-called `greenhouse leaves'). In grapevine, unlike chestnut, net photosynthesis and biomass production increased significantly with increased light availability. Several parameters associated with chlorophyll a fluorescence indicated photoinhibition symptoms in chestnut leaves growing at 300 mol m^–2 s^–1. The results taken as a whole suggest that 300 mol m^–2 s^–1 is the upper threshold for acclimatization of chestnut although grapevine showed a better response than chestnut to an increase in light.     

Human and rat chromosomal localization of two genes for 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase by analysis of somatic cell hybrids and in situ hybridization

Two genes encoding 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase were localized in human and rat chromosomes. PFKFB1 (previously PFRX), which encodes the liver and muscle isozymes, was assigned to Xq22-q31 in the rat and to Xq27–q28 in the human by in situ hybridization using probes generated by the polymerase chain reaction. PFKFB2, which encodes the heart isozyme of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase, was assigned to chromosome 13 in the rat and to chromosome 1 in the human by hybridization of DNA from somatic cell hybrids. By in situ hybridization, this gene was localized to the regions 13q24–25 in the rat and 1q31 in the human.     

Molecular phylogeny of the genus Stereocaulon (Stereocaulaceae, lichenized ascomycetes)

In the present study phylogenetic relationships of the genus Stereocaulon (lichenized ascomycetes) were examined using DNA sequences from the ITS1–5.8 S–ITS2 rDNA gene cluster and from the protein-coding β-tubulin gene. In addition to the fruticose species traditionally classified in Stereocaulon, representatives of the crustose species that have recently been transferred to the genus were included. Muhria, a monotypic genus that is morphologically similar to Stereocaulon, differing only in apothecia ontogeny, was also incorporated. The analyses included 101 specimens from the ingroup representing 49 taxa. Sequences from both DNA regions were analysed simultaneously using direct optimization under the parsimony optimality criterion. The results support the inclusion of the crustose species and Muhria in Stereocaulon, while the current infrageneric classification is not supported. As Muhria is securely nested within Stereocaulon the new combination Stereocaulon urceolatum comb. nov. (syn. Muhria urceolata) is made. Further, species concepts need to be re-examined, as some species do not appear as monophyletic entities in the phylogeny.     

Interdomain linkage in the polymeric hemoglobin molecule of Artemia

Artemia has evolved the longest known concatenation of hemoglobin domains, the subunit containing nine domains and the subunit having a similar size. Translation of the cDNA sequence of the subunit reveals eight regions of inter-domain polypeptide linking together the nine heme-binding domains, together with partially analogous sequences preceding the first domain and following the last. Analysis of the structural possibilities of the linker sequences suggests how the domains may be organized in the subunit.The interdomain linker sequences were 14%–64% identical (62%–91% similar by Dayhoff substitution matrix) and approximately 14 residues in length including a consensus -Val-Asp-Pro-Val-Thr-Gly-Leu-. The linker composition resembled that of the 11 amino acid pre-A leader sequence of Petromyzon marinus (lamprey) hemoglobin V, the structure of which is known. Prediction of structure from the Artemia linker sequences indicated a nonhelical, turn-associated linker which could be modeled to the Petromyzon leader. Measurements confirmed that such a structure could support the packing of nine Artemia domains into a polymeric subunit of annular shape, two of which subunits (which can be similar or dissimilar) comprise the physiological molecule.The position of interdomain introns and the character of a variable residue early in the linker are compatible with the nine-domain polymer having evolved through gene duplication reflected in globin domain fusion incorporating an extension specifically of the N-terminus. The multiplication of an original single-domain globin gene to give the present nine is estimated from sequence differences, allowing for multiple mutations at individual sites, to have occurred in a period at least 500–700 million years ago.Correspondence to: C.N.A. Trotman 1444     

Ingestion of the cyanobacterium Trichodesmium spp. by pelagic harpacticoid copepods Macrosetella,Miracia and Oculosetella

Trichodesmium is a filamentous, colonial nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria, ubiquitous in tropical and subtropical regions of the world's oceans. Trichodesmium fixes atmospheric nitrogen and can comprise a significant fraction of total primary production in oceanic surface waters. Therefore, the consumption and fate of Trichodesmium has important consequences for understanding carbon and nitrogen cycling in the open ocean. The pelagic harpacticoid copepod Macrosetella gracilis uses Trichodesmium not only as a physical substrate for juvenile development, but also as a food source. Several different types of pelagic copepods (including several species of calanoids, harpacticoids and a poecilostomatoid species) were tested for ingestion of Trichodesmium by labelling the cyanobacteria with ¹⁴C. Only the pelagic harpacticoids ingested Trichodesmium. Here we report the first grazing rates based on ¹⁴C-uptake measurements for Macrosetella gracilis (0.173 µg C copepod^–1 h^–1), and the first quantitative measurements of both Miracia efferata (0.402 µg C copepod^–1 h^–1) and Oculosetella gracilis (0.126 µg C copepod^–1 h^–1) ingesting this cyanobacteria. Ingestion rates of M. gracilis and M. efferata on the two different species of Trichodesmium, T. thiebautii and T. erythraeum, as well as the two different colonial morphologies of T. thiebautii, spherical-shaped (puffs) and fusiform (tufts), were also compared. Both Miracia and Macrosetella had higher ingestion rates on the puff colonies than the tuft colonies of T. thiebautii.. Both also had higher ingestion rates of T. erythraeum than T. thiebautii. Trichodesmium thiebautii contains a previously reported neurotoxin which may be an important factor in determining trophodynamic interactions. Our results suggest that pelagic harpacticoid copepods can be quantitatively important in determining the fate of Trichodesmium carbon and nitrogen.     

New gene in the homologous human 11q13–q14 and mouse 7F chromosomal regions

Alterations in the chromosomal region 11q13–11q14 are involved in several pathologies in which most of the key genes remain to be identified. In an effort to isolate as many candidates as possible, we are cloning genes from this region. We report here the mapping for a new sequence from 11q13.5–11q14. This sequence, designated D11S833E, putatively encodes a new gene, provisionally named GARP. We cloned its homologous sequence in the mouse and located it on Chromosome (Chr) 7, region F. The human and mouse genes belong to a conserved group of synteny. This, together with the similar conservation of the FGF and TYR genes, indicates that the human 11q13–q14 and mouse 7E-7F regions share homology.     

Genetic Alterations at Chromosome 6 Associated with Cervical Cancer Progression

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis on chromosome 6 was performed to define the genetic changes that occur in the development of squamous cell cervical cancer (SCC). Detailed analysis with 28 microsatellite markers revealed several loci with high frequency of deletions at the short (6p25, 6p22, 6p21.3) and long (6q14, 6q16–q21, 6q23–q24, 6q25, 6q27) arms of chromosome 6. Examination of microdissected 37 SCC and 22 cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (CIN) revealed allelic deletions in the HLA class I–III region (6p22–p21.3) and at subtelomeric locus 6p25-ter in more than 40% of CIN. By a combination of LOH and microdissection of multiple samples from the same tumor sections, we studied the intratumoral genetic heterogeneity of SCC, and identified clonal and subclonal allelic deletions. Half of SCC had clonal allelic deletion at D6S273, which is localized in intron of Ly6G6D (MEGT1) gene mapped in the HLA class III region. The LOH frequency at 6q in CIN cases did not exceed 20%. Allelic deletions at two loci, 6q14 and 6q16–q21, were for the first time associated with invasion and metastasis in SCC.     

Identification and cloning of a submergence-induced gene OsGGT (glycogenin glucosyltransferase) from rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.) by suppression subtractive hybridization

A submergence-induced gene, OsGGT, was cloned from 7-day submerged rice (Oryza sativa L. plants, FR13A (a submergence-tolerant cultivar, Indica), using suppression subtractive hybridization and both 5- and 3-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The full-length OsGGT cDNA contains 1,273 bp with an open reading frame of 1,140 bp (17–1,156) that encodes 379 amino acids. Its deduced amino acid sequence is homologous with glycogenin glucosyltransferase. We found that the OsGGT gene is located in the 17,970–20,077 bp region of genome fragment AAAA01002475.1 of the Indica cultivar and in the 53,293–51,186 bp region of genome fragment AC037426.12 of chromosome 10 of the Japanica cultivar. A time-course study showed that OsGGT-gene expression increased in FR13A during submergence but decreased in IR42 (submergence-intolerant cultivar, Indica). The expression of the OsGGT gene in FR13A was induced by salicylic acid and benzyladenine. The accumulation of OsGGT mRNA in FR13A also increased in response to ethylene, gibberellin, abscisic acid, drought and salt treatment, but methyl jasmonate treatment and cold stress had no effect on expression. These results suggest that the OsGGT gene could be related to submergence stress and associated with a general defensive response to various environmental stresses.The nucleotide sequences of OsGGT cDNA has been submitted to GenBank DDBJ under accession numbers AB164463.