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Title: DEVELOPMENT OF A TRANSIENT EXPRESSION ASSAY SYSTEM USING MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L)KERNELS GROWN IN VITRO

Author
item Muhitch, Michael
item Shatters, Robert - Bob

Submitted to: American Society of Plant Physiologists Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/31/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The anatomy of the maize cob renders it intractable to practical experimental manipulation. While endosperm-derived cell cultures can be used as a model system to circumvent this problem, patterns of gene expression and ensuant biochemistry of these in vitro-grown cells does not always reflect that found in the developing intact seed. Alternatively, single kernels attached to cob pieces can be grown in vitro to maturity on a defined agar-based medium, allowing easy administration of experimental compounds and treatments. Tissue specificity of maize seed transient expression was demonstrated by particle bombardment of a ubiquitin promoter-beta-glucuronidase reporter gene construct. Beta-GUS staining appeared in the pericarp, aleurone, pedicel and periphery of the embryo of in vitro grown kernels transformed 7, 15 or 22 days after pollination. Employing the in vitro kernel culture system, we are studying the effects of inhibiting branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis and varying nitrogen supply on the transient expression of zein and sucrose synthase promoter-beta-GUS gene constructs.