Nicotiana plumbaginifolia protoplasts were directly transformed by PEG treatment with a cloned 16S rRNA gene isolated from a double antibiotic-resistant Nicotiana tabacum plastid mutant. Putative plastid transformants were selected in cell culture by their spectinomycin resistance and identified by their unselected streptomycin resistance. Alternatively, cell lines were selected in the presence...

Although S-locus RNases (S-RNases) determine the specificity of pollen rejection in self-incompatible (SI) solanaceous plants, they alone are not sufficient to cause S-allele-specific pollen rejection. To identify non-S-RNase sequences that are required for pollen rejection, a Nicotiana alata cDNA library was screened by differential hybridization. One clone, designated HT, hybridized strongly ...

The Nicotiana plumbaginifolia gnl gene encoding a 8-1,3-glucanase isoform has been characterired. The gnl product represents an isoform distinct from the previously identified tobacco 8-1,3-glucanases. By expressing gnl in Escherichia coli, we have determined directly that the encoded protein does, indeed, correspond to a &1,3glucanase. In N. plumbaginifolia, gnl was found to be expressed in ro...

A rubber biosynthesis stimulator protein (RBSP)from the C-serum of Hevea brasiliensis latex was purified and characterised. This proteinaceous factor stimulates the incorporation of isopentenyl diphosphate into rubber and thereby enhances the rate of rubber biosynthesis. The heat stable RBSP is shown to have a molecular weight of 13 068 Da by mass spectroscopy. Amino acid sequence of peptide fr...

Plants historically have served as models in drug development. The production of medicines and the pharmacological treatment of diseases began with the use of herbs. The antifungal activity of five different plants namely, Aegle marmelos, Carica papaya, Mentha arvensis, Nicotiana plumbaginifolia and Tamarindus indica were tested against plant pathogenic fungi Alternaria alternata. The plant ext...