Expression Patterns of CaMV 35S Promoter-GUS in Transgenic Poatoes and Their Clonal Progenies

  • Published : 1994.03.01

Abstract

Two potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars were transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens harboring cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter and $\beta$-glucuronidase (GUS) gene. Expression patterns of the CaMV 35S promoter according to tissue types and developmental stages, and genetic stability of GUS gene were investigated in the clonal progenies of transgenic potatoes. Kanamycin-resistant shoot emerged from tuber disc after 4 weeks of culture, and root was induced 6 weeks after culture on the selection medium. Shooting frequency of cvs. Superior and Dejima were 43% and 27%, respectively. Mature transformants and their clonal progenies showed no phenotypical abnormality. GUS activity was expressed primarily at parenchymatous cells of phloem tissue around the vascular cambium in the stem and root, and higher activity was found at the apical meristem of shoot, root and adventious shoot bud. GUS activity was higher at tubers of young explants than at stored tubers. These facts indicate that expression level of the CaMV 35S promoter differed according to tissue types and developmental stages of the organs. The GUS gene was stably inherited to each clonal progeny and normally expressed.

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