Abstract: Novel plant promoters isolated from cotton fiber tissues are provided. The plant promoters are located upstream cotton plant genes KC03, KC18, KC22, and Gh3, all of which are expressed in cotton fibers, and contain (a) DNA having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 6, 11, or 16. Also provided are plant expression vectors prepared by introducing the plant promoters into appropriate vectors; transformed plant cells prepared by introducing the plant expression vectors into host plant cells; transformed plants regenerated from the transformed plant cells; transformed plant seeds obtained from the transformed plants; and processes for producing transformed plants from the plant seeds.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed to achieve an improvement in the characteristics and yield of cotton fibers. In one method, a cotton plant of the genus Gossypium in seed form or in growth stage is treated with a brassinosteroid. In another method, an ovule culture is prepared from a cotton plant of the genus Gossypium in a brassinosteroid-containing liquid medium. Cotton fibers with improved fiber characteristics are obtained from the cotton bolls of the treated plant or from the cultured ovules.

Abstract: Cotton fiber tissue-specific genes disclosed herein are specifically expressed in a cotton fiber tissue at the stage of cotton fiber elongation. One of the genes was first derived from a cotton plant of the genus Gossypium and found to change the degree of its expression by treatment with a brassinosteroid.

Abstract: A method for producing glycoconjugate, which comprises the steps of:(i) binding a sugar residue to the side chain of a water-soluble polymer via a linker having a selectively cleavable linkage to give a primer, and bringing said primer into contact with an immobilized glycosyltransferase in the presence of a sugar nucleotide, to transfer a sugar residue of said sugar nucleotide to the sugar residue of said primer,(ii) elongating a sugar chain by transfer of plural sugar residues by repeating the step (i) at least once,(iii) removing, where necessary, a by-produced nucleotide or an unreacted sugar nucleotide, and(iv) repeating the steps (i)-(iii) where necessary and releasing the glycoconjugate by selectively cleaving the cleavable linkage in the linker, from the above-mentioned primer connecting the sugar chain elongated by the transfer of plural sugar residues,and a method for producing a sphingoglycolipid.

Abstract: Cotton fiber tissue-specific genes disclosed herein are specifically expressed in a cotton fiber tissue at the stage of cotton fiber elongation. One of the genes was first derived from a cotton plant of the genus Gossypium and found to change the degree of its expression by treatment with a brassinosteroid. These novel genes are useful for the production of cotton fibers with improved characteristics.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed to achieve an improvement in the characteristics and yield of cotton fibers. In one method, a cotton plant of the genus Gossypium in seed form or in growth stage is treated with a brassinosteroid. In another method, an ovule culture is prepared from a cotton plant of the genus Gossypium in a brassinosteroid-containing liquid medium. Cotton fibers with improved fiber characteristics are obtained from the cotton bolls of the treated plant or from the cultured ovules.

Abstract: A DNA polymerase from Thermus thermophilus which retains at least 60% of its activity when placed at pH 8.0 and 85.degree. C. for 2 hours is disclosed. The DNA polymerase has a pH optimum of about 8.0, a temperature optimum of about 75.degree. C., a mass of about 85 to 95 kDa and an optimal saline concentration of about 20-60 mM NaCl.

Abstract: A DNA polymerase with excellent thermostability is provided. The DNA polymerase retains at least about 60% of its activity when placed at pH 8.0 for 2 hours at 85.degree. C.

Abstract: A DNA polymerase with excellent thermostability is provided. The DNA polymerase retains at least about 60% of its activity when placed at pH 8.0 for 2 hours at 85.degree. C.

Abstract: A recombinant vector comprising an incorporated chromosome DNA fragment containing a PvuI restriction enconuclease gene derived from Proteus vulgaris, a host transformed with the recombinant vector and a method of producing PvuI restriction endonuclease characterized in that the transformed host is cultivated and PvuI restriction endonuclease is harvested from the resulting culture. Since the host transformed with the recombinant vector of the present invention produces PvuI alone, it is unnecessary to remove PvuII in the purification process for PvuI, and further, since its productivity for nonspecific DNase is lower in comparison with conventional producer bacteria, DNase can be removed easily, making the production of PvuI easy.