Dexamethasone-inducible green fluorescent protein gene expression in transgenic plant cells.
Genomic research has made a large number of sequences of novel genes or expressed sequence tags available. To investigate functions of these genes, a system for conditional control of gene expression would be a useful tool. Inducible transgene expression that uses green fluorescent protein gene (gfp) as a reporter gene has been investigated in transgenic cell lines of cotton (COT; Gossypium hirsutum L.), Fraser fir [FRA; Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir], Nordmann fir (NOR; Abies nordmanniana Lk.), and rice (RIC; Oryza sativa L. cv. Radon). Transgenic cell lines were used to test the function of the chemical inducer dexamethasone. Inducible transgene expression was observed with fluorescence and confocal microscopy, and was confirmed by northern blot analyses. Dexamethasone at 5 mg/L induced gfp expression to the nearly highest level 48 h after treatment in COT, FRA, NOR, and RIC. Dexamethasone at 10 mg/L inhibited the growth of transgenic cells in FRA and NOR, but not COT and RIC. These results demonstrated that concentrations of inducer for optimum inducible gene expression system varied among transgenic cell lines. The inducible gene expression system described here was very effective and could be valuable in evaluating the function of novel gene.
Tang
Wei
W
Department of Biology, Howell Science Complex, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858-4353, USA. tangw@mail.ecu.edu
Collver
Hilary
H
Kinken
Katherine
K
D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000187:drug effects*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics
D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D003907:Dexamethasone