O estresse salino afeta o crescimento e o desenvolvimento das plantas, induzindo respostas bioquímicas e fisiológicas como mecanismo de adaptação para sua sobrevivência. As proteínas desacopladoras de planta (pUCPs) dissipam o gradiente eletroquímico mitocondrial de prótons como calor e são codificadas por famílias multigênicas. Elas atuam como sistema de defesa evitando a formação de espécies reativas de oxigênio geradas em resposta a estresses ambientais. O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar a expressão de genes das pUCPs (VuUCP1a e VuUCP1b ) em raízes e folhas de plântulas de Vigna unguiculata submetidas ao estresse salino (NaCl 100 mM). Sementes foram germinadas no escuro e após 3 dias, as plântulas foram transferidas para solução de Hoagland, permanecendo 3 dias antes da aplicação do estresse. As raízes e folhas foram coletadas com 0; 6; 12 e 24 horas, após adição de NaCl, para avaliar o perfil de expressão dos genes da pUCP por RT- PCR. A análise de transcritos mostrou que VuUCP1a é expresso em raízes e folhas revelando um perfil constitutivo enquanto que VuUCP1b é dependente do tecido, isto é, expresso nas folhas, sem alteração em resposta ao estresse e induzido pelo estresse salino nas raízes. A peculiaridade da duplicação gênica de pUCP1 em caupi com perfil diferencial de expressão, sugere tanto um papel dessa enzima nos mecanismos de ajustamento ao estresse salino quanto promove essa espécie como um modelo atrativo para compreensão do papel da família multigênica da pUCP em plantas.

Salt stress affects growth and development of plants, inducing a variety of physiological and biochemical responses as an adaptation mechanism for survival. The plant uncoupling mitochondrial proteins (pUCPs) are able to dissipate the proton electrochemical gradient as heat and are encoded by a multigene family. They works as defence systems avoiding the formation of reactive oxygen species promoted by environmental stress. The aim of this work was to study gene expression of pUCPs (VuUCP1a and VuUCP1b) in roots and leaves from Vigna unguiculata seedlings under salt stress (100 mM NaCl). Seeds were germinated in the dark and after 3 days, the seedlings were transferred to Hoagland's medium and grown for 3 additional days before being submitted to the stress condition. Roots and leaves were harvested at 0; 6; 12 and 24 hours after addition of NaCl for total RNA isolation and RT-PCR assays. Expression analysis by RT-PCR showed that VuUCP1a is constitutive in leaves and roots while VuUCP1b is expressed as tissue-dependent presenting a constitutive profile in leaves and a differential one in roots from seedlings under salt stress. The uniqueness of pUCP1 gene duplication in cowpea with differential expression suggest a role of this enzyme in the adjustment of salt stress as well as promotes this species as an attractive model to understand the role of pUCP gene members in plants.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar biológica e molecularmente três isolados de Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) de lavouras de milho, analisá-los filogeneticamente e discriminar polimorfismos do genoma. Plantas com sintomas de mosaico e nanismo foram coletadas em lavouras de milho, no Estado de São Paulo e no Município de Rio Verde, GO, e seus extratos foliares foram inoculados em plantas indicadoras e submetidos à análise sorológica com antissoros contra o SCMV, contra o Maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) e contra o Johnsongrass mosaic virus (JGMV). Mudas de sorgo 'Rio' e 'TX 2786' apresentaram sintomas de mosaico após a inoculação dos três isolados, e o DAS-ELISA confirmou a infecção pelo SCMV. O RNA total foi extraído e usado para amplificação por transcriptase reversa seguida de reação em cadeia de polimerase (RT-PCR). Fragmentos específicos foram amplificados, submetidos à análise por polimorfismo de comprimento de fragmento de restrição (RFLP) e sequenciados. Foi possível discriminar os genótipos de SCMV isolados de milho de outros isolados brasileiros do vírus. Alinhamentos múltiplos e análises dos perfis filogenéticos corroboram esses dados e mostram diversidade nas sequências de nucleotídeos que codificam para a proteína capsidial, o que explica o agrupamento separado desses isolados e sugere sua classificação como estirpes distintas, em lugar de simples isolados geográficos.

The objective of this work was to characterize biologically and molecularly three Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) isolates from maize crops in Brazil, to analyze them phylogenetically and to discriminate genome polymorphisms. Plants with mosaic and stunting symptons were collected from maize crops in the state of São Paulo and in Rio Verde county, GO, Brazil; their foliar extracts were inoculated in indicator plants and subjected to serological analysis with antisera to SCMV, Maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) and Johnsongrass mosaic virus (JGMV). Sorghum 'Rio' and 'TX 2786' seedlings showed mosaic symptons after inoculation of the three isolates, and DAS-ELISA confirmed infection by SCMV in these plants. Total RNA was extracted from the infected leaves and was used as template for reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Specific fragments were amplified, subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and sequenced. It was possible to discriminate the SCMV maize isolates from other Brazilian isolates of the virus. Multiple alignments and phylogenetic profile analyses corroborate these data and show diversity in the sequence of nucleotides that code for capsidal protein, what explains the distinct clustering of these isolates, suggesting that they should be ranked as distinct SCMV strains rather than geographical isolates.

Os dois principais vírus que infectam o milho no Brasil são o Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) e o Maize rayado fino virus (MRFV), cujos principais vetores são o afídeo Rhopalosiphum maidis e a cigarrinha Dalbulus maidis, respectivamente. O MRFV é freqüentemente encontrado em infecções mistas com fitoplasmas e espiroplasmas, causando as doenças denominadas enfezamentos do milho. Em uma lavoura de milho próxima a Santo Antonio da Posse, SP, cercada por campos de cana-de-açúcar, foi encontrada alta incidência de plantas apresentando mosaico, riscas, nanismo e espigas com falhas no enchimento de grãos. Análises serológicas com anti-soros específicos detectaram a presença do SCMV e MRFV nessas plantas. A infecção pelo SCMV também foi confirmada por RT-PCR com primers específicos e análise de seqüências. Em observações de preparações contrastadas negativamente em TEM, partículas flexuosas (ca.770 nm) e isométricas (ca.30 nm) foram detectadas. Em cortes ultrafinos, inclusões citoplasmáticas, típicas de Potyviridae, foram observadas; não foi encontrada a presença de espiroplasmas nem de fitoplasmas. Esses resultados mostram que a infecção conjunta por SCMV e MRFV pode ser responsável pelos danos encontrados nessa lavoura.

The two main viruses infecting maize in Brazil are Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) and Maize rayado fino virus (MRFV), whose main vectors are the aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis and the leafhopper Dalbulus maidis, respectively. MRFV is frequently found in mixed infections with phytoplasms and spiroplasms causing the so-called corn stunting diseases. In a maize commercial field close to Santo Antonio da Posse, São Paulo state, surrounded by sugarcane fields, it was found a high incidence of plants showing mosaic, striping, stunting and cobs with decreased number of grains. Serological analysis with specific antisera detected the presence of SCMV and MRFV in these plants. SCMV infection was also confirmed by RT-PCR with specific primers and sequence analysis. In TEM observations of negatively stained preparations, flexuous (ca.770 nm) and isometric particles (ca.30 nm) were detected. In ultrathin sections, cytoplasmic inclusions, typical of Potyviridae, were observed; neither presence of spiroplasms nor phytoplasms could be noted. These results show that mixed infection by SCMV and MRFV might be responsible for the crop losses.

Os vírus pertencentes ao subgrupo do Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV, gênero Potyvirus, família Potyviridae) infectam e causam mosaico em diferentes espécies botânicas da subfamília Panicoideae (família Poaceae), porém apenas o SCMV e o Sorghum mosaic virus (SrMV) infectam naturalmente cana-de-açúcar. No Brasil, a espécie SCMV parece ser o único agente causal da doença. Embora a maioria das variedades comerciais de cana-de-açúcar seja considerada resistente ou tolerante ao SCMV, relatos de incidência de mosaico em tais variedades têm ocorrido no campo. Amostras com sintomas, de diversos clones e variedades, foram coletadas em campos experimentais e comerciais de cana-de-açúcar. Dentre as variedades, a RB72-454, uma das mais plantadas no país e considerada resistente à doença, também apresentou plantas com sintomas de mosaico. As amostras foram testadas por DAS-ELISA, com anti-soros policlonais para as espécies SCMV, Johnsongrass mosaic virus (JGMV) e Maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV), apresentando resultados negativos. Porém, sintomas de mosaico foram observados em mudas de sorgo "Rio" e "TX2786" quando inoculadas mecanicamente com os isolados, indicando tratar-se de infecção pelo SCMV. RNA total foi extraído das folhas de cana e submetido a RT-PCR com oligonucleotídeos específicos para SCMV e SrMV. Fragmentos específicos de aproximadamente 880 pares de bases foram amplificados com os oligonucleotídeos para o SCMV, confirmando os resultados da inoculação mecânica. Os produtos de PCR foram clonados e seqüenciados. Um dos isolados de SCMV encontrado constitui uma nova estirpe, mais severa, capaz de infectar plantas da variedade RB72-454 e de outras variedades, consideradas tolerantes, no campo.

Viruses in the Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV, genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae), subgroup cause mosaic in different botanical species in the subfamily Panicoideae (family Poaceae). However, only SCMV and Sorghum mosaic virus (SrMV) naturally infect sugarcane. In Brazil, SCMV seems to be the only causal agent of mosaic in sugarcane. Most sugarcane cultivars are believed to be resistant to mosaic, although new cases have been reported in the field. Symptomatic samples, from several clones and cultivars, were collected in sugarcane crops. Among these cultivars, RB72-454, one of the most grown in Brazil, and considered resistant, showed plants with mosaic symptoms. Samples were tested by DAS-ELISA with antisera to SCMV, Johnsongrass mosaic virus (JGMV) and Maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV), showing negative results. However, sorghum "Rio" and "TX2786" showed mosaic symptoms when mechanically inoculated with the viral isolates, indicating infection by SCMV. Total RNA was extracted and submitted to amplification with specific primers to SCMV and SrMV in RT-PCR. Specific bands with ca. 880 bp were amplified with the SCMV-specific primer pair, corroborating results from mechanical inoculation. PCR products were cloned and sequenced. One of the SCMV isolates comprises a new and more severe strain capable of infecting RB72-454 and other tolerant cultivars in the field.

The RNA interference (RNAi) technique is a recent technology that uses double-stranded RNA molecules to promote potent and specific gene silencing. The application of this technique to molecular biology has increased considerably, from gene function identification to disease treatment. However, not all small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are equally efficient, making target selection an essential procedure. Here we present Strand Analysis (SA), a free online software tool able to identify and classify the best RNAi targets based on Gibbs free energy (deltaG). Furthermore, particular features of the software, such as the free energy landscape and deltaG gradient, may be used to shed light on RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) activity and RNAi mechanisms, which makes the SA software a distinct and innovative tool.

O artigo contempla parte dos resultados de uma pesquisa-ação desenvolvida junto aos agentes de saúde dos bairros São Marcos e Santa Mônica, em Campinas-SP. Trata-se de pesquisa longitudinal, com duração de um ano e meio, envolvendo três fases: presencial, semipresencial e a distância. Aqui tratamos apenas das atividades ocorridas na fase presencial, nas quais os agentes começaram a aprender a utilizar o computador, e do TelEduc. Para tanto, optamos por uma observação qualitativa, já que o objetivo principal foi aferir os estágios de desenvolvimento de Piaget com a capacidade dos agentes em dominar as entidades tangíveis e intangíveis da informática (compreendem-se as entidades tangíveis como os elementos de hardware; e as entidades intangíveis, como os de software). Essa relação foi possível quando eles, de maneira presencial, começaram a interagir com os elementos básicos do computador e com o TelEduc. Após superarem a anomia e terem dominado as ferramentas que favoreceram posturas heterônomas, os agentes manipularam recursos que permitiram o começo de uma relação de cooperação.

This article analyzes part of the results of a social research program developed along with neighborhood health agents of São Marcos and Santa Mônica in Campinas, state of São Paulo. It was a longitudinal study carried out over a period of a year and a half carried out throughout three phases: face-to-face, intermediary stage and pure distance work. In this article we solely discuss the activities during the face-to-face phase, whereby agents learnt how to use the computer and the TelEduc2 system. We opted to apply qualitative observation given that the main objective of this research was to identify Piaget's developmental stages within the context of the agents' capacity to understand tangible and intangible aspects of the technological universe. This relationship was possible when the subjects began to interact with basic elements of the computer and with TelEduc. After overcoming a state of anomia and understanding the tools that allowed a heteronomous attitude, agents used resources allowing them to enter a relationship of cooperation.

Este artículo contempla parte de los resultados de una investigación-acción desarrollada juntamente con los agentes de salud de los barrios Sao Marcos y Santa Mônica, Campinas/ Sao Paulo. Fue una investigación longitudinal, con duración de un año y medio, que constó de tres fases: Presencial, semipresencial y a distancia. En este artículo tratamos solamente de las actividades ocurridas en la fase presencial, en la cual los agentes comenzaron a aprender a utilizar el ordenador y TelEduc. Optamos por una observación cualitativa, ya que el objetivo principal fue asociar las tres fases de desarrollo piagetianas -anomia, heteronomia y cooperación - con la capacidad de los agentes de dominar las propiedades tangibles e intangibles de la informática. Esta asociación fue posible cuando ellos empezaron a interactuar con los elementos básicos del ordenador y del TelEduc. Después de superar la anomia y de dominar las herramientas qué favorecieran actitudes heterónomas, los agentes manipularon recursos que permitieron el comienzo de una relación de cooperación.

O artigo contempla parte dos resultados de uma pesquisa-ação desenvolvida junto aos agentes de saúde dos bairros São Marcos e Santa Mônica, em Campinas-SP. Trata-se de pesquisa longitudinal, com duração de um ano e meio, envolvendo três fases: presencial, semipresencial e a distância. Aqui tratamos apenas das atividades ocorridas na fase presencial, nas quais os agentes começaram a aprender a utilizar o computador, e do TelEduc. Para tanto, optamos por uma observação qualitativa, já que o objetivo principal foi aferir os estágios de desenvolvimento de Piaget com a capacidade dos agentes em dominar as entidades tangíveis e intangíveis da informática (compreendem-se as entidades tangíveis como os elementos de hardware; e as entidades intangíveis, como os de software). Essa relação foi possível quando eles, de maneira presencial, começaram a interagir com os elementos básicos do computador e com o TelEduc. Após superarem a anomia e terem dominado as ferramentas que favoreceram posturas heterônomas, os agentes manipularam recursos que permitiram o começo de uma relação de cooperação.

This article analyzes part of the results of a social research program developed along with neighborhood health agents of São Marcos and Santa Mônica in Campinas, state of São Paulo. It was a longitudinal study carried out over a period of a year and a half carried out throughout three phases: face-to-face, intermediary stage and pure distance work. In this article we solely discuss the activities during the face-to-face phase, whereby agents learnt how to use the computer and the TelEduc system. We opted to apply qualitative observation given that the main objective of this research was to identify Piaget's developmental stages within the context of the agents' capacity to understand tangible and intangible aspects of the technological universe. This relationship was possible when the subjects began to interact with basic elements of the computer and with TelEduc. After overcoming a state of anomia and understanding the tools that allowed a heteronomous attitude, agents used resources allowing them to enter a relationship of cooperation.

Este artículo contempla parte de los resultados de una investigación-acción desarrollada juntamente con los agentes de salud de los barrios Sao Marcos y Santa Mônica, Campinas/ Sao Paulo. Fue una investigación longitudinal, con duración de un año y medio, que constó de tres fases: Presencial, semipresencial y a distancia. En este artículo tratamos solamente de las actividades ocurridas en la fase presencial, en la cual los agentes comenzaron a aprender a utilizar el ordenador y TelEduc. Optamos por una observación cualitativa, ya que el objetivo principal fue asociar las tres fases de desarrollo piagetianas -anomia, heteronomia y cooperación - con la capacidad de los agentes de dominar las propiedades tangibles e intangibles de la informática. Esta asociación fue posible cuando ellos empezaron a interactuar con los elementos básicos del ordenador y del TelEduc. Después de superar la anomia y de dominar las herramientas qué favorecieran actitudes heterónomas, los agentes manipularon recursos que permitieron el comienzo de una relación de cooperación.

O artigo contempla parte dos resultados de uma pesquisa-ação desenvolvida junto aos agentes de saúde dos bairros São Marcos e Santa Mônica, em Campinas-SP. Trata-se de pesquisa longitudinal, com duração de um ano e meio, envolvendo três fases: presencial, semipresencial e a distância. Aqui tratamos apenas das atividades ocorridas na fase presencial, nas quais os agentes começaram a aprender a utilizar o computador, e do TelEduc. Para tanto, optamos por uma observação qualitativa, já que o objetivo principal foi aferir os estágios de desenvolvimento de Piaget com a capacidade dos agentes em dominar as entidades tangíveis e intangíveis da informática (compreendem-se as entidades tangíveis como os elementos de hardware; e as entidades intangíveis, como os de software). Essa relação foi possível quando eles, de maneira presencial, começaram a interagir com os elementos básicos do computador e com o TelEduc. Após superarem a anomia e terem dominado as ferramentas que favoreceram posturas heterônomas, os agentes manipularam recursos que permitiram o começo de uma relação de cooperação.

This article analyzes part of the results of a social research program developed along with neighborhood health agents of São Marcos and Santa Mônica in Campinas, state of São Paulo. It was a longitudinal study carried out over a period of a year and a half carried out throughout three phases: face-to-face, intermediary stage and pure distance work. In this article we solely discuss the activities during the face-to-face phase, whereby agents learnt how to use the computer and the TelEduc system. We opted to apply qualitative observation given that the main objective of this research was to identify Piaget's developmental stages within the context of the agents' capacity to understand tangible and intangible aspects of the technological universe. This relationship was possible when the subjects began to interact with basic elements of the computer and with TelEduc. After overcoming a state of anomia and understanding the tools that allowed a heteronomous attitude, agents used resources allowing them to enter a relationship of cooperation.

Este artículo contempla parte de los resultados de una investigación-acción desarrollada juntamente con los agentes de salud de los barrios Sao Marcos y Santa Mônica, Campinas/ Sao Paulo. Fue una investigación longitudinal, con duración de un año y medio, que constó de tres fases: Presencial, semipresencial y a distancia. En este artículo tratamos solamente de las actividades ocurridas en la fase presencial, en la cual los agentes comenzaron a aprender a utilizar el ordenador y TelEduc. Optamos por una observación cualitativa, ya que el objetivo principal fue asociar las tres fases de desarrollo piagetianas -anomia, heteronomia y cooperación - con la capacidad de los agentes de dominar las propiedades tangibles e intangibles de la informática. Esta asociación fue posible cuando ellos empezaron a interactuar con los elementos básicos del ordenador y del TelEduc. Después de superar la anomia y de dominar las herramientas qué favorecieran actitudes heterónomas, los agentes manipularon recursos que permitieron el comienzo de una relación de cooperación.

Herbicides inhibit enzymatic systems of plants. Acetolactate synthase (ALS, EC = 4.1.3.18) and 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS, EC 2.5.1.19) are key enzymes for herbicide action. Hundreds of compounds inhibit ALS. This enzyme is highly variable, enabling the selective control of weeds in a number of crops. Glyphosate, the only commercial herbicide inhibiting EPSPS is widely used for non-selective control of weeds in many crops. Recently, transgenic crops resistant to glyphosate were developed and have been used by farmers. The aim of this study was the data mining of eucalypt expressed sequence tags (ESTs) in the FORESTs Genome Project database (<A HREF="https://forests.esalq.usp.br">https://forests.esalq.usp.br</A>) related to these enzymes. Representative amino acid sequences from the NCBI database associated with ALS and EPSPS were blasted with ESTs from the FORESTs database using the tBLASTx option of the blast tool. The best blasting reads and clusters from FORESTs, represented as nucleotide sequences, were blasted back with the NCBI database to evaluate the level of similarity with available sequences from different species. One and seven clusters were identified as showing high similarity with EPSPS and ALS sequences from the literature, respectively. The alignment of EPSPS sequences allowed the identification of conserved regions that can be used to design specific primers for additional sequencings.

Boron (B) is a low mobility plant micronutrient whose molecular mechanisms of absorption and translocation are still controversial. Many factors are involved in tolerance to Boron excess or deficiency. Recently, the first protein linked to boron transport in biological systems, BOR1, was characterized in Arabidopsis thaliana. This protein is involved in boron xylem loading and is similar to bicarbonate transporters found in animals. There are indications that BOR1 is a member of a conserved protein family in plants. In this work, FORESTS database was used to identify sequences similar to this protein family, looking for a probable BOR1 homolog in eucalypt. We found five consensus sequences similar to BOR1; three of them were then used in multiple alignment analysis. Based on amino acid similarity and in silico expression patterns, a consensus sequence was identified as a candidate BOR1 homolog, helping deeper experimental assays that could identify the function of this protein family in Eucalyptus.

This work was aimed at locating Eucalyptus ESTs corresponding to the GS enzyme (Glutamine Synthetase, EC = 6.3.1.2) and to the D1 protein, which are directly related to resistance to herbicides that promote oxidative stress. Glutamine Synthetase corresponds to the site of action of the herbicide glufosinate. Herbicides that belong to groups such as ureas, uracils, triazines and triazinones act on the D1-Qb complex (receptor of electrons from the Photosystem II) by inactivating it. The clusters EGEQRT3302E01.g, EGEQRT3001F12.b; EGEZLV1203B04.g; EGBGFB1211H06.g and EGEZLV1205F09.g enclosed complete sequences (with 356 amino acids) of the Glutamine Synthetase enzyme. The cluster EGEQSL1054G06.g is a consensus of four reads and enclosed a complete sequence of D1 Protein (with 353 amino acids). The comparison of the sequences of Protein D1 from different species showed that the substitutions of serine (S) by glycine (G) or serine (S) by threonine (T) at the position 264 could produce plants resistant to herbicides that act on electron flow on Photosystem II. The sequence of amino acids corresponding to the cluster EGEQSL1054G06.g had a serine in position 264 indicating sensitivity of the Eucalyptus plants to herbicides that act on this site.

This work was aimed at locating Eucalyptus ESTs corresponding to the PROTOX or PPO enzyme (Protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase, E.C. 1.3.3.4) directly related to resistance to herbicides that promote oxidative stress, changing the functionality of this enzyme. PROTOX, which is the site of action of diphenyl-ether (oxyfluorfen, lactofen, fomesafen), oxadiazole (oxadiazon and oxadiargyl), and aryl triazolinone (sulfentrazone and carfentrazone) herbicides, acts on the synthesis route of porphyrins which is associated with the production of chlorophyll a, catalases, and peroxidases. One cluster and one single read were located, with e-values better than e-70, associated to PROTOX. The alignment results between amino acid sequences indicated that this enzyme is adequately represented in the ESTs database of the FORESTs project.

The expressed sequence tags (ESTs) produced in the Forests project provide an invaluable opportunity to assess the Eucalyptus transcriptome. Besides providing information on the different proteins produced by this plant, it is possible to infer gene expression profiles because non-normalized cDNA libraries were used. The EST frequency from any gene is correlated to the transcript levels in the tissues from which the cDNA libraries were constructed. The goal of this work was to identify Eucalyptus genes that showed either differential expression pattern or were ubiquitously expressed in the tissues sampled in the Forests project. Six robust statistical tests and very restrictive rules were applied to gain confidence in the in silico data aiming to avoid false positives. Several genes with interesting expression profiles were identified and some of them were validated by RT-PCR.

Post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) is a conserved surveillance mechanism that identifies and cleaves double-stranded RNA molecules and their cellular cognate transcripts. The RNA silencing response is actually used as a powerful technique (named RNA interference) for potent and specific inhibition of gene expression in several organisms. To identify gene products in Eucalyptus sharing similarities with enzymes involved in the PTGS pathway, we queried the expressed sequence tag database of the Brazilian Eucalyptus Genome Sequence Project Consortium (FORESTs) with the amino acid sequences of known PTGS-related proteins. Among twenty-six prospected genes, our search detected fifteen assembled sequences encoding products presenting high level of similarity (E value < 10-40) to proteins involved in PTGS in plants and other organisms. We conclude that most of the genes known to be involved in the PTGS pathway are represented in the FORESTs database.

Abscisic acid (ABA) regulates stress responses in plants, and genomic tools can help us to understand the mechanisms involved in that process. FAPESP, a Brazilian research foundation, in association with four private forestry companies, has established the FORESTs database (<A HREF="https://forests.esalq.usp.br">https://forests.esalq.usp.br</A>). A search was carried out in the Eucalyptus expressed sequence tag database to find ESTs involved with 9-cis epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED), the regulatory enzyme for ABA biosynthesis, using the basic local BLAST alignment tool. We found four clusters (EGEZLV2206B11.g, EGJMWD2252H08.g, EGBFRT3107F10.g, and EGEQFB1200H10.g), which represent similar sequences of the gene that produces NCED. Data showed that the EGBFRT3107F10.g cluster was similar to the maize (Zea mays) NCED enzyme, while EGEZLV2206B11.g and EGJMWD2252H08.g clusters were similar to the avocado (Persea americana) NCED enzyme. All Eucalyptus clusters were expressed in several tissues, especially in flower buds, where ABA has a special participation during the floral development process.