POPULATION: We have analyzed the distribution of allele frequencies at 12 Y-chromosornal short tandem repeats loci (DYS 19, DYS385a, DYS385b. DYS389I. DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS437, DYS438 and DYS439) in the representative sample of Bosnian and Herzegovinians. A total of 100 unrelated male individuals (Caucasians) from different regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina have been sampled for the analysis. Samples were collected with a respect to the approximate proportional participation of three main ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina [Bosniacs-Muslim (35). Serbs (31), Croats (34)].

ABSTRACT This study aims to establish plant tissue culture and regeneration systems of five different sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes: Trakya 259, Trakya 80, Trakya 129, Trakya 2098 and Viniimk 8931, which are commercially important for Turkey. Plant tissue culture systems were established on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with various plant growth regulators using hypocotyl and cotyledon explants. The highest shoot regeneration was observed using hypocotyl explants with Trakya 259 genotype (40%) on MS media supplemented with 1 mg/l BAP (6-benzylaminopurine) and 0.5 mg/l NAA (α-naphthalene acetic acid). Hypocotyl explants from other genotypes showed regeneration efficiencies as followed: Trakya 80, 33%; Trakya 129, 29%; Trakya 2098, 22% and Viniimk 8931, 19%. Shoot regeneration efficiencies with the cotyledon explants on the same medium were lower in comparation with hypocotyl explants as followed: Trakya 129, 20%; Trakya 2098, 10% and Viniimk 8931, 9%. In addition, two genotypes (Trakya 259 and Trakya 80) were non-responsive on the same media with cotyledon explants. All of the regenerated shoots were rooted on MS media supplemented with 1 mg/l IBA (indol-3-butiric acid). The results obtained in this study will be useful for the improvement of gene transfer systems to these commercially important sunflower genotypes.

High frequency of plant regeneration from Paulownia elongata was obtained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium and Woody Plant Medium (WPM), with appropriate supplements of growth regulators. Leaves, leaves with petioles, internodes and nodes excised from 3-month-old non-aseptically grown P. elongata were used as explants. The highest shoot regeneration efficiency (93.7%) was obtained from the nodes of P. elongata on MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/ml naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 1 mg/ml 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). The highest root formation efficiency (100%) from the regenerated shoots was obtained on WPM supplemented with 1 mg/ml indolebutyric acid (IBA). Rooted plantlets were transplanted to soil with a survival efficiency of almost 100%. The regeneration system reported here could be useful for rapid multiplication of elite genotypes of P. elongata in a short period of time.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to obtain transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Samsun NN) plants resistant to tobacco mosaic virus, TMV-vulgare strain, by the expression of a single-chain variable fragment (scFv-anti-TMV) against the TMV coat protein. The scFv-anti-TMV gene was made by combining the coding sequences of the heavy and light chain variable domains of the full antibody molecule with a sequence encoding a flexible linker. The scFv-anti-TMV was cloned under the control of the 35S promoter in the plant expression vector pBI121, and used for Agrobcterium-mediated transformation of tobacco. Integration of the scFv-anti-TMV gene into the genome of the transgenic plants and its expression were confirmed using PCR, immunoblot, and ELISA analysis. Transgenic plants expressing scFv-anti-TMV and untransformed control plants transformed with pBI121 only were inoculated with I μg/ml TMV. Constitutive expression of this scFv-anti-TMV resulted in complete immunity against TMV infection in transgenic plants (100% reduction of virus infection). In contrast, control plants were heavily infected by TMV. These results confirmed the applicability of antibody expression as a means of protecting plants from virus infection.

A cationic peroxidase gene (Shpx6a) of a forage legume species, Stylosanthes humilis, was transferred to poplar (Populus tremula) in antisense orientation under the control of 35S RNA promoter of cauliflower mosaic virus. Transformed plants were regenerated on selective media after co-cultivation of poplar stem explants with Agrobacterium tumefaciens and integration of transgenes was confirmed by PCR and Southern hybridization analyses. Analyses of selected transgenic plants showed reductions in total leaf peroxidase activity which was 50% to 70% of that measured in untransformed control plants. Transgenic poplar plants with reduced leaf peroxidase activity had 10-20% lower lignin content than control plants. Although which isoform of poplar peroxidase (s) has been inhibited by 35S-Shpx6a antisense construct is not clearly known, our results suggested the possibility of manipulation of lignin content through inhibition of lignin-specific peroxidases.

ABSTRACTTransformations of potato (Solanum tuberosum cv. Yayla kizi) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Samsun NN) were achieved using tuber discs and internodes via Agrobacterium rhizogenes 8196 wild strain on MS (11) media supplemented with 5 μM Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA). In this study, we examined the effects of NAA on hairy root formation of potato and tobacco. Cultures of bacteria were concentrated at O.D. 600=0.2 for inoculation and MS media supplemented with 1 μM Cefotaxime (Cx) and 5 μM NAA were used for co-cultivation. Transformed hairy roots were obtained after three weeks in a regulated plant growth cabinet at 25 °C with 16 hours light followed by 8 hours dark period. DNA was extracted from these roots and digested using EcoR I and Hind III restriction endonucleases, and transformation was confirmed using the Southern blot hybridization method with [γ32P] CTP labeled Ri plasmid DNA of A. rhizogenes 8196.