In order to identify genes involved in expression of desiccation toler
ance in the foliage of the grass Sporobolus stapfianus, a cDNA library
was constructed from desiccated leaf tissue of S. stapfianus. Differe
ntial screening resulted in the isolation of a number of clones which
detect transcripts whose abundance alters during drought stress and th
e associated induction of desiccation tolerance. The characteristics o
f 6 of these cDNA clones are presented here. Transcripts represented b
y three of the cDNA clones accumulate during drying and following trea
tment of leaves with abscisic acid (ABA). A fourth cDNA clone detects
a transcript which also accumulates following application of ABA but t
he transcript level fluctuates during drying. The remaining two cDNA c
lones are not responsive to ABA but transcript levels are present thro
ughout the drying process. Characterisation of these cDNAs has led to
the identification of the encoded proteins. Some have similarity to pr
oteins which are known to be involved in the protection of cellular or
ganelles and detoxification processes and they include dehydrin, LEA g
roup 3 and thiol proteases which have been identified in other systems
and shown to be induced by water stress. In addition one clone showed
similarity to glyoxalase I, an enzyme involved in the removal of toxi
c byproducts produced during glycolysis, which has been shown to be in
duced by salt stress in tomato.