Full-length cDNAs are essential for the functional analysis of plant genes.
The information in them is essential for the prediction of transcription u
nits from genomic sequence data. Using the biotinylated CAP trapper method,
we have constructed more than ten full-length cDNA libraries from Arabidop
sis thaliana plants at various stages of development under several growth c
onditions. We used an Arabidopsis full-length cDNA microarray for monitorin
g expression profiles of drought- and/or cold-inducible genes and for the d
iscovery of target genes of a stress-related transcription factor. In this
review, we summarize the present status and perspectives of the analysis of
Arabidopsis full-length cDNAs, including their collection, sequencing and
microarray analysis for gene expression analysis, and their application to
functional and structural analysis of plant proteins. (C) 2001 Editions sci
entifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.