Calcium-binding proteins, like calcineurin B-like (CBL) proteins, represent important roles in plant calcium signaling. Calcium signals mediate a multitude of plant responses to external stimuli and regulate a wide range of physiological processes including pathogens, abiotic stresses and hormones. These proteins form a complex network with their target kinases being the CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs). CBL genes play vital roles in multiple abiotic stress response pathways whereas some of these are more specifically involved in mediating ABA signaling. In this study, we collected 17 CBL genes designated as B. rapa CBL (BrCBL) from the Brassica database and analyzed the sequences. In comparison analysis, these genes showed high homology with published CBL genes of other species. An organ specific expression of these genes was observed in different organs of chinese cabbage plants. In addition, six BrCBL genes showed responsive expression after cold and drought stress treatments at certain time courses. All these data revealed that these CBL genes might be useful resources in developing abiotic stresses resistance Brassica.

Abiotic stresses such as extreme temperatures frequently limit the plant growth and productivity of major crop species. Two Chinese cabbage DH lines that have different geographic origins, in that Chiifu is from temperate regions, while Kenshin is from subtropical and tropical regions have been expected to show the specific response to high or low temperature. To find the temperature response genes between Chiifu and Kenshin, we analyzed transcriptomic profiling from light-chilling (6h at 4°C) and high temperature (6h at 38°C) treated plants using the KBGP-24K chip. Distribution of genes classified by PI (probe intensity) values showed remarkable difference between Chiifu and Kenshin. The number of genes up- and down-regulated gens by both temperatures were 135 and 79 genes, respectively. These genes may be temperature stress-related genes. Genes involved in the response to stress were changed by light-chilling stress. Chiifu specifically up-regulated genes upon light chilling-stress belong to cold acclimation proteins, calcium binding proteins, cell wall biogenesis proteins and lipoxygenase. On the other hand, Kenshin specifically up-regulated genes by heat-shock treatment include heat-shock proteins, phosphatases, protein folding and phosphorylation-associated ones. Further study on these specific genes function may provide insight to adaptation of Chinese cabbage and clue to develop molecular markers.

Twenty two varieties of pecan including wild types were classified based on 6 characters measured by principal component analysis score distance. The results are summarized as fellow. Twenty two varieties were classified into 5 groups based in PCA score distance. Five groups were distinctly characterized by many morphological characters. Total variation could be explained by 51%, 95%, 99% with first, third and fifth principal components respectively. Varimax rotation of the factor loading of the first factors indicated that the first component was highly loaded with leaf characters, the second component with fruit characters, but fruit length was negative loaded. The second, the third and the fourths groups of cultivars had very close genetic parentage similarity.