Flow Cytometric Evidence for Hydroxyl Radical-induced Apoptosis in Tobacco Protoplasts

Protoplasts prepared from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L., cultivar BY-2) suspension cells have similar morphological characteristics to those in animal cells. The hallmarks of apoptosis such as condensation and peripheral distribution of nuclei, TUNEL positive reaction, and DNA ladders were observed when tobacco protoplasts were treated with the hydroxyl radical generating system (1.0 mmol/L FeSO4/0.5 mmol/L H2O2). In animals, the loss of transmembrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)) and the exposure of phospholipid phosphatidylserine (PS) are believed to be the main apoptosis events. To test whether these significant processes take place in plants, flow cytometry was used to detect annexin V binding and changes in DeltaPsi(m). Results showed that the PS turned out from inner membrane and DeltaPsi(m) gradually decreased during the apoptosis. All these apoptotic characteristics proved that hydroxyl radicals can cause typical programmed cell death (PCD) in tobacco protoplasts and this design can be served as an effective experiment system to explore the mechanism of plant apoptosis.

Transformation of Metallothionein Gene into Mushroom Protoplasts by Application of Electroporation

Metallothionein gene (MT) has been transferred into mushroom protoplasts by electroporation. It is a low molecular weight, cysteine-rich and metal-binding protein. MT can bind metals. Its synthesis is induced by Zn ion. Thus the expression of MT gene in mushroom can improve the accumulation of Zn in this fungus. This transgenic mushroom, consumed as a kind of vegetable, can supply the necessary Zn to people who are short of the element. When protoplasts were prepared, the concentration (C) of protoplasts is 6.745 x 10(6) /mL. After protoplast electroporation, the transformation rate of protoplasts is 0.01 %. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis showed that the gene had been integrated into the mushroom chromosome, SDS-PAGE, Western blot analysis indicated that the MT gene had been expressed in the transgenic mushroom. The expressing level, detected by ELISA, is 0.6 % - 0.8 %. Tested for metal resistance, the wild-type mushroom growth was inhibited on die medium containing 1.0 - 1.2 mmoL/L ZnSO4. While the transgenic mushroom was inhibited on the medium containing 1. 5 - 2.0 mmol/L ZnSO4. The mycelium can develop into hymenophore in the medium of rice bran: sawdust = 1: 3, and not in the medium of rice bran: sawdust = 1: 4.

Efficient gusA Transient Expression in Porphyra yezoensis Protoplasts Mediated by Endogenous Beta-tubulin Flanking Sequences

Endogenous tubulin promoter has been widely used for expressing foreign genes in green algae, but the efficiency and feasibility of endogenous tubulin promoter in the economically important Porphyra yezoensis (Rhodophyta) are unknown. In this study, the flanking sequences of beta-tubulin gene from P. yezoensis were amplified and two transient expression vectors were con-structed to determine their transcription promoting feasibility for foreign gene gusA. The testing vector pATubGUS was constructed by inserting 5’- and 3’-flanking regions (Tub5’ and Tub3’) up- and down-stream of β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene (gusA), respectively, into pA, a derivative of pCAT?3-enhancer vector. The control construct, pAGUSTub3, contains only gusA and Tub3’. These con-structs were electroporated into P. yezoensis protoplasts and the GUS activities were quantitatively analyzed by spectrometry. The results demonstrated that gusA gene was efficiently expressed in P. yezoensis protoplasts under the regulation of 5’-flanking sequence of the beta-tubulin gene. More interestingly, the pATubGUS produced stronger GUS activity in P. yezoensis protoplasts when com-pared to the result from pBI221, in which the gusA gene was directed by a constitutive CaMV 35 S promoter. The data suggest that the integration of P. yezoensis protoplast and its endogenous beta-tubulin flanking sequences is a potential novel system for foreign gene expression.

Photosynthetic responses of thalli and isolated protoplasts of Bryopsis hypnoides(Bryopsidales,Chlorophyta)during dehydration

Bryopsis kypnoides Lamouroux is a unique intertidal siphonous green alga whose extruded protoplasm can aggregate spontaneously in seawater to form numerous new cells that can develop into mature algal thalli. In this study, the photosynthetic responses during dehydration of both the thalli and protoplasts isolated from B. kypnoides were measured using a Dual-PAM （pulse amplitude modulation）-100 fluorometer. The results show that the photosynthetic rates of B. kypnoides thalli were maintained for an initial period, beyond which continued desiccation resulted in reduced rates of PSI and PSII. However, the photosynthetic performances of the isolated protoplasts dehydrated in air （CO2 concentration 600-700 mg/L） showed a slight increase of Y（II） at 20% water loss, but the rates decreased thereafter with declining water content. When protoplasts were dehydrated in CO2 deficient conditions （CO2 concentration 40-80 mg/L）, the values of Y（II） declined steadily with increased dehydration without an initial rise. These results indicated that the thalli and isolated protoplasts of this alga can utilize CO2 in ambient air effectively, and the photosynthetic performances of the isolated protoplasts were significantly different from that of the thalli during dehydration. Thus the protoplasts may be an excellent system for the study of stress tolerance.

Studies on Parameters Affecting Embryogenesis of Protoplasts Isolated from Suspension of Embryogenic Cells in Loblolly Pine

Protoplasts of embryogenic suspension cells of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L).were isolated at exponential growth stage.Influences of various concentrations of basal medium,levels of BA,and concentrations of inositol on the differentiation of embryonal suspensor mass (ESM),early stage somatic embryos (ESE) ,and lae stage somatic embryos (LSE) were investigated .A study of the effect of various concentrations of LP basal medium sowed that the optimal basal medium concentration of ESM,ESE,and LSE differentiation was 1.25 LP medium.The effects of various levels of BA and inositol showed that the optimal concentrations of BA for the formation of ESM,ESE and LSE were 4 mg/L ,2mg/L and 1mg/L,respectively ,and the optimal concentrations of inositol for the ESM ,ESE and LSM formation were 400mg/L,800mg/L and 1,200mg/L,respectively.

The protoplasts isolation,culture and shoots regeneration of broccoli(Brassica oleracea var.italica)

Eight F1-hybrid cultivars of broccoli were studied.We obtained cell division,celled colonies and p-calli in 5 cultivars,roots and shoots regeneration in one cultivar.The leavesof propagated plantlets in vitro were cut into 1—2mm pieces,isolated with an enzyme solutioncontaining 2% cellulase and 1%macerase on a rotary shaker（50 rpm,21℃,3h,2500 lux light）,and purified with a 0.5M sucrose solution.The purified protoplasts were placed on a drop of 1%agarose.2—3 ml liquid medium was added around the agarose drops,and all of the cultures wereincubated at 25℃ under light（4000 lux）for 16 hours.3—5 days after isolation the cell divisionwas found.About 7 days after incubation 4 multicellular colonies were formed.After 3—5 wksome p-calli were developed.When the p-calli were 2—3 mm in diameter it was transferred to asolidified medium.Once they were developed to 1 cm in diameter they were transferred on a re-generation medium.About 5 months after incubation some roots and shoots grown from the calliwere

The keratin intermediate filament-like system in maize protoplasts

The application of Penman's method of cell fractionation to plant protoplasts leads to our finding of keratin intermediate filament(IF)-like system in maize protoplasts,which was identified by using immunogold labelling with monoclonal antibody of cytokeratin from animal cells.Many gold particles were found to be bound on filaments,linked by 3 nm filaments.After further digestion and extraction with DNase I and ammonium sulphate.IF-like framework-lamina-nuclear matrix system was shown under electron microscope.That IF system exists in plant protoplasts just like in animal cells,and their main component is keratin-like protein.

Factors affecting the production and regeneration of protoplasts: the case of the mycorrhizal fungus Tulasnella calospora from roots of orchids

Protoplast isolation is relevant for many different applications and has been principally used in proceduresnvolving genetic manipulation. In this study, the age of mycelium, osmotic stabilizers, enzyme, incubation temperature and incubation time were evaluated in terms of their effects on protoplast yield. The young mycelia （3 d） of Tulasnella calospora were digested for 6 h at 30℃ in a mixture of 1.2 mol·L-1 MgSO_4 ＋ 10 mmoI·L-1 K2HPO4 as the osmotic stabilizer, with a 1.0% lysing enzyme and 1.5% driselase： more than 106 protoplasts mL-1 were obtained. When collected 3y density gradient centrifugation, the concentration of protoplasts can reach 107-108 protoplasts mL-1, an amount suitable enough for experiments of transformation in fungi. For every 10_5 protoplasts, about 15-25 protoplasts can egenerate after 24-36 h cultivation in a liquid medium and after 8-10 d in an agar medium. This study produced an efficient method for protoplast production, reverting them into a typical mycelia morphology using a Tulasnella calospora solate.

Plant regeneration of protoplasts isolated from suspension cells derived from leaf blale of Oryza sative

We used the leaf blade of rice (cultivars were Nonghu 6, Sugeng 2, Huyou 2 and Hanfeng) as initial material for protoplast culture, and a great number of regenerated plants were obtained. Rice seeds were sterilized and germinated. The immature leaves were cut into 3-5 mm pieces when the third or forth leaf appeared. Leaf pieces were inoculated on MS medium with 2,4-D 4 mg/1, NAA 2mg/1 and IAA Img/1. After 2 wk culture, calli were induced and subcultured once or twice for multiplication. 3-5 g calli were transferred to the modified MS liquid medium with 2,4-D 2 mg/1 and KT 0.5mg/1 for suspension culture. Embryogenic cell suspension was established after 2 mo culture. The effect of the growth period of suspension cells on the

STUDIES ON COLOR TYPE VARIANTSFROM MUTAGENIZED PROTOPLASTS OFPORPHYRA HAITANENSIS CHANG ET ZHENG& P. YEZOENSIS UEDA (RHODOPHYCEASE )

Isolated protoplasts from thalli of Porphyra haitanensis and Porphyra yezoensis were treated with colchicine or irradiated by ultraviolet (UV ). Several types of color variants were observed among the protoplast offspring. After treatment with colchicine: (1) 0.04-0.09% of red type variants in P. haitanensis were obtained; (2) The rate of red type variants and the variegated chimeral thalli composed of red type and wild type of sectors were 6.31- 1.11% in P. yezoensis. After irradiation with UV: (1) 3.5- 10.5% of red type variants in P. yezoensis were obtained: (2) 0.5-2-0% of red type variants and the variegated chimeral thalli composed of red type and wild type of sectors were obtained in P. haitanensis. Colchicine and UV’s mutangenic effects on P. yezoensis protoplasts were stronger than those on P. haitanensis protoplasts. The most efficient concentration of colchicine was 0.05%. The optimal length of UV-radiation was 1/2 min (radiation distance 5 cm). The red type variants induced, by colchicine

Studies on the isolation and culture of protoplasts from Kappaphycus alvarezii

In this study, protoplasts were successfully isolated from Kappaphycus alvarezii using snail enzymes, abalone enzymes and cellulase. The optimum enzymic ratio was fixed to be 20% of abalone enzyme, 12% of cellulase and the osmotic stabilizer was 2.0 mol/L glucose. The optimum enzymic hydrolysis conditions were found to be dark enzymolysis at 30°C continuing for 4.0 h. The resultant density and yield of protoplasts achieved 32.60×10^4 mL-1, 65.20×10^4 g-1 tissue for Kappaphycus alvarezii. Finally, under the temperature of 20°C, light intensity of 1 500–2 000 lx and photoperiod of 12 h/d, two developmental pathways were investigated：（1） callus-like cell mass and regenerated plantlet occurred on protoplast;（2） young shoots and calluslike cell mass occurred in tissue blocks after enzymolysis.

Plants regenerated from mesophyll protoplasts of white mulberry

Morus alba(white mulberry) mesophyll protoplasts were isolated from leaves of 30-45 day old sterile shoots,with protoplast yields of 2.5 x 107 g-1/F.W. after purification. The protoplasts were cultured in a modified K8P liquid medium containing 0.2 mg/L 2,4-D(2,4- Dichlorophe-noxy acetic acid), 1 mg/L NAA(Naphthyl acetic acid) and 0.5 mg/L BA(6-benzylaminopurine). A low plating density (5 x 104/ml) proved to be favourable to the division of protoplast-derived cells. The first divisioll occurred 4 days after culture, and the division frequency reached 24% at 10 days. A number of cell colonies and microcalli formed in 6 weeks. The microcalli were transferred onto MSB medium with 0.5 mg/L NAA and 0.5 mg/L BA for further proliferation. Shoot formation was initiated when the calli of 3-4 mm in size were transferred onto MSB differentiation medium with 0.1 mg/L NAA and 1 mg/L BA. The frequency of shoot formation was 35%. The shoots of 4-5 cm in height were excised from the callus and rooted on half strength MS medium with 0.5 mg/L IBA and 0.1 mg/L BA. After transplantation into pots, the regenerated plants grew vigorously in the phytotron.

An efficient transient gene expression system for protein subcellular localization assay and genome editing in citrus protoplasts

Protoplast has been widely used in biotechnologies to circumvent the breeding obstacles in citrus, including long juvenility, polyembryony, and male/female sterility. The protoplast-based transient gene expression system is a powerful tool for gene functional characterization and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in higher plants, but it has not been widely used in citrus. In this study, the polyethylene glycol(PEG)-mediated method was optimized for citrus callus protoplast transfection, with an improved transfection efficiency of 68.4%. Consequently, the efficiency of protein subcellular localization assay was increased to 65.8%, through transient expression of the target gene in protoplasts that stably express the fluorescent organelle marker protein. The gene editing frequencies in citrus callus protoplasts reached 14.2% after transient expression of CRISPR/Cas9 constructs. We demonstrated that the intronic polycistronic tRNAgRNA(inPTG) genome editing construct was functional in both the protoplast transient expression system and epicotyl stable transformation system in citrus. With this optimized protoplast transient expression system, we improved the efficiency of protein subcellular localization assay and developed the genome editing system in callus protoplasts, which provides an approach for prompt test of CRISPR vectors.

Plant regeneration from protoplasts of hydroxyprolineresistant cell line in Onobrychis viciaefolia

An efficient protocol for plant regeneration from protoplasts of hydroxyproline(HYP)resistant cell line of Onoblychis viciaefolia was established. In SH medium supplemented with 1 mg/L 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid (2,4-D), 0.5 mg/L kinetin (KT) and 0.2 mg/L naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), the division frequency of protoplastderived cells reached uP to over 60 %, and microcalli were obtained in 5-6 wk. Upon transferring them on agar solidified MS medium plus 2 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), shoots were induced. After cultivating them on MS medium with or without IAA, roots were regenerated.Chromosome number of all protoplast-regenerated plants examined were normal (2n=28). The protoplast-derived calli and plants grew vigorously on the medium containing 10 mmol/L HYP.

Isolation of Protoplasts from Undaria pinnatifida by Alginate Lyase Digestion

The aim of this study is to isolate protoplasts from Undaria pinnatifida. Protoplasts of the alga were isolated enzymatically by using alginate lyase, which was prepared by fermenting culture of a strain Vibrio sp. 510. Monofacterial method was applied for optimizing digestion condition. The optimum condition for protoplast preparation is enzymatic digestion at 28 ℃ for 2 h using alginate lyase at the concentration of 213.36 U (8 mL) every 0.5 g fresh thalline with NaCl 50 and at the shaking speed of 150 r min -1 during digestion. The protoplast yield can reach 2.62±0.09 million per 0.5 g fresh leave under the optimum condition. The enzyme activity is inhibited by Ca 2+ and slightly enhanced by Fe 2+ and Mn 2+ at concentrations of 0.05, 0.08 and 0.10 mol L -1.

Plant regeneration from cultured protoplasts of a glutinous rice

Young embryos of rice (Oryza saliva L. subsp. japonica var. Guo-xiang No.l) were cultured on MS agar medium(2,4-D 2 mg/l). Calli were formed and subcultured on N6 agar medium (2,4-D 2 mg/l). After selection, the small, grainy and pale yellowish cell clusters with dense cytoplasm were used in protoplast preparation. Isolated protoplasts were cultured in N6 medium (2,4-D 1 mg/l, 6-BA 0.2 mg/l)1 with agarose block culture method. The protoplasts grew, divided and formed calli. After inducing differentiation, the regenerated mature plants were obtained.

Optimization of Isolation and Culture of Protoplasts in Alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) Cultivar Regen-SY

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is an important forage crop belonging to the Fabaceae family. It is cultivated across the world for fodder and originated in Asia. Alfalfa cultivar Regen-SY was used in this study which is a hybrid of first-generation self-parents from Regen-S (M. sativa) and Regen-Y (Medicago falcata) research cultivars. The main objective of the study was to optimize conditions for the isolation and liquid culture of alfalfa Regen-SY protoplasts. Several factors like enzyme combination, incubation time, plant age, centrifugation speed and shaker speed affecting protoplast isolation and culture were optimized in the study. The yield and viability of the protoplasts was determined by using hemocytometer and Fluorescein diacetate (FDA) staining respectively. Results showed that factors like enzyme combination, incubation time, plant age, centrifugation speed and Mannitol concentration significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affect protoplast yield and viability whereas shaker speed didn’t result in any significant difference in the yield and viability of protoplasts. Using optimum conditions protoplasts were cultured in the liquid medium and microcalli formation was achieved after five weeks of the culture. The protocol established in this study will assist researchers in the isolation and culture of protoplasts in alfalfa and will accelerate the research processes like protoplast fusion and genetic engineering.

The effect of external Ca^(2+) and Ca^(2+)-channel modulators on red-light-induced swelling of protoplasts of Phaseolus radiatus L.

Red-light-induced swelling of the protoplasts isolated from hypocotyl of etiolated mung bean (Phaseolus radiatus L.) was observed only when Ca2+ ions were present in the medium. The optimal CaCl2 concentration was 250 μM. Swelling response declined when Ca2+ was supplied into the medium after red light irradiation. The Ca2+-chelator EGTA eliminated the red-light-induced swelling and 45Ca2+ accumulation in the protoplasts. In contrast, A23187, a Ca2+-ionophore, could mimic the effect of red light in darkness. These results indicate that Ca2+ may play a role in light signal transduction. In addition, swelling response was prevented by TFP and CPZ (both are CaM antagonists), implying the involvement of CaM in red-light-induced and Ca2+ -dependent protoplast swelling.

Plant Regeneration from Protoplasts of Wide Compatible Rice

Rice selection 02428 and T984(Oryzasativa L.ssp.japonica)were germplasmresources with wide compatibility.Mature embryos of rice cultured on Lin-smaier and Skoog medium with 2.5 mg/l2,4-D,1.0 mg/l thiamine-HCL,3%(W/V)sucrose and 0.7%(W/V)agar,pH 5.8(LS2.5)were used for callus initiation.Cultures were

Isolation and callus formation of Gracilariopsis bailiniae(Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) protoplasts

This paper reports the first successful isolation of protoplasts from G racilariopsis bailiniae and their callus formation. The base solution type, concentration of isolating enzymes, concentration of sorbitol, incubation time, temperature and pH of the enzyme solution were tested to optimize the protoplast yield. The optimized isolation conditions were: 40% base solution 3(deionized water containing 25 mmol/L MESTris and 25 mmol/L CaCl 2 ·2 H 2 O) and 60% crude Marinomonas sp. YS-70 agarase solution, containing 2% w/v cellulase, 1% w/v macerozyme R-10 and 0.4 mol/L sorbitol, with incubation for 4 h at 28°C and pH 6.5. The highest yield of viable protoplasts, which was obtained in these conditions, was(1.75±0.25)×10 6 cells/g fresh weight. Cell wall regeneration of most protoplasts from G. bailiniae was complete within 60 h and the first division of cells happened after ≥3 days. Two division types were observed in the first division of protoplasts from G. bailiniae— asymmetric division and symmetric division. After the first division, the cells underwent a series of divisions to form callus cell masses.