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Specimen block counter-staining for localization of GUS expression in transgenic arabidopsis and tobacco.

A simple counter-staining procedure has been developed for comparative beta-glucuronidase (GUS) expression and anatomical localization in transgenic herbaceous arabidopsis and tobacco. This protocol provides good anatomical visualization for monitoring chimeric gene expression at both the organ and tissue levels. It can be used with different histochemical stains and can be extended to the study of woody species. The specimens are paraffin-embedded, the block is trimmed to reveal internal structure, safranin-O staining solution is briefly applied to the surface of the block, then washed off and, after drying, a drop of immersion oil is placed on the stained surface for subsequent photographic work. This gives tissue counter-staining with good structural preservation without loss of GUS staining product; moreover, sample observation is rapid and efficient compared to existing procedures.

Arabidopsis↗

Comparison of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of four barley cultivars using the GFP and GUS reporter genes.

Experiments were conducted to produce transgenic barley plants following infection of immature embryos with Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Transformed callus was obtained using hygromycin resistance as a selectable marker and either green fluorescent protein (GFP) or beta-glucuronidase (GUS) as a reporter. Significantly reduced plant transformation frequencies were obtained with the GFP gene compared to GUS. However, GFP proved to be an excellent reporter of early transformation events and was used to compare four barley cultivars for efficiency in two phases of transformation: the generation of stably transformed barley callus and the regeneration of plantlets from transformed callus. Transformed callus was generated at a high frequency (47-76%) in all four cultivars. Regeneration of transformed plantlets was also achieved for all four cultivars although the frequency was much higher for Golden Promise than for the other three genotypes, reiterating that genotype is an important determinant in the regenerative ability of barley. This study has demonstrated for the first time that Agrobacterium-mediated transformation can be used to transform the Australian cultivars Sloop and Chebec.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗

A vaccinia virus transfer vector using a GUS reporter gene inserted into the I4L locus.

A vaccinia virus (VV) transfer vector is described which enables integration of heterologous sequences into the I4L locus (ribonucleotide reductase-encoding gene) through co-insertion of a GUS selection marker. I4L- VV recombinants formed blue plaques when an agarose overlay containing XGluc (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-glucuronide) was added to the infected cell monolayer. Viruses already containing a lacZ reporter gene were also suitable recipients for the selection procedure since infection with a VV lacZ recombinant did not produce any blue plaques with XGluc. The addition of a synthetic early promoter downstream from the GUS cassette initiated the predicted-size transcript during an infection. Insertion of genes with VV p7.5-promoters into the I4L, J2R and K1L loci of the same virus produced viable virus recombinants even though recombination between these loci could be demonstrated. These techniques should be valuable for the further development of VV as a polyvalent vector.

Animals↗

Real-time GUS analysis using Q-PCR instrumentation.

The development of new technology within biological sciences has resulted in a number of real-time PCR instruments that have become essential tools within molecular biology. This equipment has facilitated high throughput analysis of samples and optimal information gathering of completed PCR reactions for example estimating the copy number of a gene of interest that is inserted into particular genomes. Real-time PCR instruments frequently come with optional filter sets, e.g. the ALEXA filter set which has parameters in common with excitation and emission wavelengths of sodium methyl umbelliferone (NaMU) widely used in beta-glucuronidase reporter gene assays. Using these filter sets it has been possible to quantify and measure gus A activity of Ulmus procera SR4 in real-time removing the necessity for aliquots of reactions to be stopped by pipetting into carbonate buffer for each time point. The introduction of real-time GUS analysis leads to faster, more accurate and reproducible assays with reduced potential for pipetting errors, requires fewer manipulations and encourages high throughput analysis of inter-individual gene expression variation.

Equipment Design↗

Transient reporter gene (GUS) expression in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris) is affected by in vivo nucleolytic activity.

Leaf and callus tissues of a creeping bentgrass cultivar (Penn A4) had high nuclease activities that degraded exogenously added plasmid DNA. When callus tissue was incubated for 24 h with heparin, spermidine, aurintricarboxylic acid or polyethylene glycol, only heparin and spermidine were effective as in vitro nuclease inhibitors, protecting exogenously added plasmid DNA from degradation. When beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene activity was evaluated in heparin-treated (0.6%), 14-month old callus following microprojectile bombardment, GUS activity increased 1000-fold compared to equivalent aged untreated Penn A4 callus. Similar enhancement from heparin pretreatment (0.6% or 1.2%) was not observed in 6-month old callus. This is likely due to much higher activities of nuclease in the younger callus.

Aging↗

Technical advance: spatio-temporal analysis of mitotic activity with a labile cyclin-GUS fusion protein.

Plant growth responds rapidly to developmental and environmental signals, but the underlying changes in cell division activity are poorly understood. A labile cyclin-GUS reporter was developed to facilitate the spatio-temporal analysis of cell division patterns. The chimeric reporter protein is turned over every cell cycle and hence its histochemical activity accurately reports individual mitotic cells. Using Arabidopsis plants transformed with cyclin-GUS, we visualized patterns of mitotic activity in wounded leaves which suggest a role for cell division in structural reinforcement.

Arabidopsis↗

The GUS reporter-aided analysis of the promoter activities of Arabidopsis ACC synthase genes AtACS4, AtACS5, and AtACS7 induced by hormones and stresses.

Ethylene biosynthesis in higher plants is regulated developmentally and environmentally. To investigate the regulation of ACC synthase gene expression, the promoters of Arabidopsis ACS genes, AtACS4, AtACS5, and AtACS7, were fused to a GUS reporter gene, and the recombinant transgenes were introduced into Arabidopsis to produce three groups of AtACS::GUS transgenic plants. Histochemic and fluorometric study of these transgenic plants revealed that promoters of AtACS4, AtACS, and AtACS7 are all active in dark-germinated seedlings. AtACS5 has the highest promoter activity in leaves of 2-week-old light-grown seedlings among the three AtACS genes studied. In the mature leaves, AtACS4 and AtACS7 genes are expressed in both veins and areoles, whereas AtACS5 is expressed at a higher level in the areoles and epidermal cells surrounding trichomes. The promoter activities of all these AtACS genes are found in the reproductive organs. AtACS5 and AtACS7 are highly expressed in petals, sepals, carpels, stamens, cauline leaves, inflorescence stems, and siliques, while AtACS4 expression is undetectable in the petals of open flowers. All three AtACS genes are expressed in root tissue. In the 2-week-old light-grown Arabidopsis, the AtACS4 promoter is responsive to the plant hormones IAA, ethylene, and ABA, and to darkness and wounding; the AtACS5 promoter to IAA, ABA, salt, high temperature, and wounding; and the AtACS7 promoter to GA3, ethylene, and ABA, and to darkness and salt. Low-temperature treatment abolishes the darkness-induced AtACS7 gene expression, but not that of AtACS4. Each AtACS gene has a unique expression profile during growth and development. It appears that at any developmental stage or any growth period of Arabidopsis, there is always a member of AtACS multigene family that is actively expressed.

Arabidopsis↗

Enhanced expression of an antimicrobial peptide sarcotoxin IA by GUS fusion in transgenic tobacco plants.

To enhance the disease resistance of plants expressing a foreign peptide, the gene for sarcotoxin IA, which is an antimicrobial peptide from an insect consisting of 39 amino acid residues, was introduced into tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) under the control of a high expression promotor via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. In transgenic plants, sarcotoxin IA mRNA accumulated to detectable levels, however, the amount of the peptide produced was so small that we could scarcely detect it by protein gel blot analysis, probably because of the instability of short peptides in plant cells. To improve the expression efficiency, genes for four types of amino-terminal and carboxyl-terminal translational fusions of sarcotoxin IA together with the GUS gene were introduced into tobacco. In all four types of transgenic tobacco plants, high level transcripts similar to that in the direct expression sarcotoxin IA construct were found. Protein gel blot analysis with both anti-sarcotoxin IA and GUS antibodies showed production of high levels of fusion protein in all transgenic plants. Among them, three types had abnormal membranes and phenotypes, although no such abnormalities were found in transgenic plants in which only sarcotoxin IA was expressed in a secretable form. All together, these results indicated that, for stable and effective expression of a foreign short peptide in transgenic plants, expression as a fusion protein is useful and that secretion of sarcotoxin IA outside of cells is necessary for generation of useful antimicrobial transgenic plants.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Seasonal changes in the transient expression of a 35S CaMV-GUS gene construct introduced into Scots pine buds.

Seasonal changes in the transient expression of Beta-glucuronidase gene (GUS) driven by a constitutive 35S CaMV-promoter in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) buds were studied by the microprojectile DNA-delivery method. Buds were collected from 5-, 15- and 50-year-old trees. In buds from all age groups the amount of transient expression was dependent on the season; the highest values were found in March, and values were lowest both at the beginning and at the end of the growing season. Pretreatment with growth regulators increased both the amount of transient GUS expression and arginine decarboxylase (ADC) activity in buds indicating an increase in metabolic activity. These results confirm that the genetic transformation technique can be used to study seasonally dependent regulation in mature Scots pine tissues.

Journal Article↗

The expression of a barley HvNAS1 nicotianamine synthase gene promoter-gus fusion gene in transgenic tobacco is induced by Fe-deficiency in roots.

Nicotianamine (NA) is a precursor for mugineic acid-family phytosiderophores, which are a critical component of the Fe aquisition process in graminaceous plants. In addition, nicotianamine synthase (NAS) is strongly induced in these plants by Fe deficiency. NA is essential for Fe metabolism also in dicots, but NAS is not induced by Fe deficiency. We introduced a barley HvNAS1 promoter-gus fusion gene into tobacco. GUS activity was induced in the roots of these plants by Fe deficiency, and was constitutively expressed at a low level in their leaves.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Analysis of genetically modified plant gene expression using GUS fluorimetry.

A fluorimetric assay method for the analysis of beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene expression in genetically modified plants is described. Optimization of this method for woody plants and a statistical approach suitable for comparisons of gene expression in different transformants or tissues of the same plant is described. Example data from elm (Ulmus procera) SR4 regenerant plants, shown to be genetically modified by PCR and DNA-DNA hybridizations, in which higher GUS expression levels are found in stems than in leaves demonstrates the utility of this approach.

DNA, Plant↗

Selection of several classes of mimosine-degradation-defective Tn3Hogus-insertion mutants of Rhizobium sp. strain TAL1145 on the basis of mimosine-inducible GUS activity.

Rhizobium sp. strain TAL1145 that nodulates Leucaena leucocephala degrades mimosine, a toxin produced by this tree legume. A cosmid clone, pUHR263, containing approximately 25 kb cloned DNA was isolated by plating Escherichia coli cells containing the cosmid clone library of TAL1145 on a minimal medium in which 3-hydroxy-4-pyridone (HP), a degradation product of mimosine, was used as the source of nitrogen. Cosmid pUHR263 was mutagenized by random insertions of Tn3Hogus, a transposon that makes transcriptional gus fusions when it is inserted in a gene in the correct orientation. Various pUHR263::Tn3Hogus derivatives that showed mimosine-inducible or mimosine-repressible GUS activities when transferred to the Rhizobium sp. strain TAL1145 were selected. Mutants of TAL1145 were constructed by transferring these Tn3Hogus insertions into the TAL1145 chromosome through double-homologous recombination. These mutants were classified into five classes on the basis of defects in mimosine degradation. The growth of these mutants was inhibited to different extents by mimosine applied to the growth medium. Mimosine forms a red-colored Fe-mimosine complex when FeCI3 is added to the medium. The inhibitory effect of Fe-mimosine on growth of the mutants was much less than that of mimosine.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Agrobacterium-mediated transient GUS gene expression in buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.).

The study was conducted to standardize a protocol for Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.). Embryogenic calli, produced from one-year-old mature seeds of buffel grass, were used as target cells for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. A. tumefaciens strain LBA4404, harbouring pCAMBIA-1301 or pCAMBIA-2301, was used for co-cultivation with embryogenic calli from three genotypes (IG-3108, IG-9757 and IG-97101). Co-culturing of calli with Agrobacterium for 30 minutes, followed by co-cultivation with 0.1 mM acetosyringone for 3 days was found to be optimum for maximum transformation efficiency. Presence of acetosyringone during co-cultivation was found to be necessary for transformation. Transient GUS (beta-glucuronidase) gene expression was used to monitor T-DNA delivery into the target cells. Significant genotypic variations in response to transformation were observed among the tested genotypes. A very high frequency (63.3%) of GUS gene expression was obtained following Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer into embryogenic calli. The standardized protocol would be useful for Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of buffel grass with genes of agronomic importance.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗

GUS gene remains stable in transgenic citrus callus recovered from cryopreservation.

The conservation of transgenic materials is very important, paticularly for their potential future use in crop development. In this study, transgenic callus cultures of 'Newhall' navel orange (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) were cryopreserved by a vitrification method. Transgenic calluses survived cryopreservation and recovered under normal culture conditions. The results of PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) amplification, Southern blotting and SSCP (Single-Strand Conformation Polymorphism) assay showed that the GUS gene was still maintained in the genome of callus cultures recovered from cryopreservation. X-Gluc staining further indicated GUS gene expression in callus cultures recovered from cryopreservation.

Blotting, Southern↗

Isolation of the spinach nitrite reductase gene promoter which confers nitrate inducibility on GUS gene expression in transgenic tobacco.

Nitrite reductase is the second enzyme in the nitrate assimilatory pathway. The transcription of this gene is regulated by nitrate as well as a variety of other environmental and developmental factors. Genomic clones containing the entire nitrite reductase gene have been isolated from a spinach genomic library and sequenced. The sequence is identical in the transcribed region to a previously isolated spinach NiR cDNA clone (Back et al., 1988) except for the presence of three introns. The analysis of the genomic clones and DNA blot hybridization demonstrates that there is a single NiR gene per haploid genome in spinach. This is in contrast to what has been found for other plant species. The transcription initiation site has been determined by S1 mapping and the 5' upstream region has been used to regulate the GUS reporter gene in transgenic tobacco plants. This gene was found to be regulated by the addition of nitrate in the transgenic plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Floral organ-specific and constitutive expression of an Arabidopsis thaliana heat-shock HSP18.2::GUS fusion gene is retained even after homeotic conversion of flowers by mutation.

Organ-specific and constitutive expression of the Arabidopsis HSP18.2 gene under normal growth conditions (22 degrees C) was observed in transgenic A. thaliana, which carried a fusion gene composed of the promoter region of HSP18.2, one of the genes for low molecular weight heat-shock proteins in Arabidopsis, and the gene for beta-glucuronidase (GUS) from Escherichia coli. In order to clarify the organ-specific nature of promoter expression, various mutations that affect flower morphology were introduced into the transgenic Arabidopsis line, AHS9. The results show that the pattern of expression observed in sepals, filaments, and styles is regulated in a structure-dependent manner, and suggest that the HSP18.2 gene might have an important role in the process of differentiation of flower buds, as do several other stress-related genes.

Arabidopsis↗

The gamma phosphorylase kinase gene, Phkg, maps to mouse chromosome 5 near Gus.

Phosphorylase kinase is a multimeric regulatory enzyme in the glycogenolytic pathway. Interest in various types of phosphorylase kinase enzyme deficiency has focused attention on cloning and mapping the enzyme subunits. We report the mapping of the catalytic gamma subunit gene, Phkg, to mouse Chromosome (Chr) 5 near beta-glucuronidase (Gus), between alpha fetoprotein (Afp) and erythropoietin (Epo). In addition, PCR-based polymorphism assays have been developed for the human (EPO) and mouse erythropoietin genes, and a unique recombinant inbred strain distribution pattern has been defined for Epo, a distal anchor marker on mouse Chr 5.

Alleles↗

Growth inhibition of a Fusarium verticillioides GUS strain in corn kernels of aflatoxin-resistant genotypes.

Two corn genotypes, GT-MAS:gk and MI82, resistant to Aspergillus flavus infection/aflatoxin contamination, were tested for their ability to limit growth of Fusarium verticillioides. An F. verticillioides strain was transformed with a beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene (uidA) construct to facilitate fungal growth quantification and then inoculated onto endosperm-wounded and non-wounded kernels of the above-corn lines. To serve as a control, an A. flavus strain containing the same reporter gene construct was inoculated onto non-wounded kernels of GT-MAS:gk. Results showed that, as in a previous study, non-wounded GT-MAS:gk kernels supported less growth (six- to ten-fold) of A. flavus than did kernels of a susceptible control. Also, non-wounded kernels of GT-MAS:gk and M182 supported less growth (two- to four-fold) of F. verticillioides than did susceptible kernels. Wounding, however, increased F. verticillioides infection of MI82, but not that of GT-MAS:gk. This is in contrast to a previous study of A. flavus, where wounding increased infection of GT-MAS:gk rather than M182 kernels. Further study is needed to explain genotypic variation in the kernel response to A. flavus and F. verticillioides kernel infections. Also, the potential for aflatoxin-resistant corn lines to likewise inhibit growth of F. verticillioides needs to be confirmed in the field.

Aflatoxins↗