Transient expression profiles for several chimeric β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene constructs were determined in microspore-derived embryos of wheat following microprojectile bombardment. The constructs analyzed consisted of the uidA (GUS) reporter gene driven by six different promoters [Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35S (CaMV35S), Nopaline synthase (NOS), Mannopine synthase (MAS), Chlorella Mosaic Virus Adenin methyltransferase (AMT), maize Ubiquitin 1 (UBI1), and enhanced 35S (E35S)]. The total numbers of GUS blue spot were determined manually under a dissecting microscope after histochemical staining for GUS. Results suggest that the E35S promoter is the most active and UBI1 promoter is the second active in embryos or embryogenic calli derived from wheat microspore. In addition, by flurometric assay on GUS, the E35S promoter was the best. Therefore, both UBI1 and E35S promoter are suitable for constitutive expression of the gene of interest in microspore-derived embryos of wheat. This information describing promoter functionality in wheat will be important when designing gene constructs for traits modification and when choosing appropriate cultivars for improvement through gene transfer experiments.

• 김경문(제주대학교 아열대원예산업 연구센터) | Kyung Moon Kim
• 송인자(제주대학교 아열대원예산업 연구센터) | In Ja Song
• P.Stephen Baenziger(네브라스카 주립대학교) | Baenziger, P.Stephen