Genetic recombination by protoplast fusion inNocardia asteroides

Summary Fusion and regeneration of protoplasts ofNocardia asteroides strains ATCC 3318, IMRU W3599 and HIK B971 have been used to study genetic recombination in this species. Protoplasts were produced by treatment with lysozyme, following incubation with glycine. Mutants of ATCC 3318 were grown in peptone yeast extract medium at 32°C prior to protoplast production to maximize protoplast frequency, whereas mutants of IMRU W3599 and HIK B971 were grown in trypticase-soy broth. Glycine concentrations favoring protoplast formation varied from 1.5% to 5% depending on strain. For all strains, protoplast formation was complete 1 h after addition of 5 mg/ml lysozyme. Protoplasts were fused by addition of 50% polyethylene glycol-1000. In general, 25% of the protoplasts could be regenerated. The incidence of recombinant recovery was increased up to 750-fold. The distribution of recombinant phenotypes in matings was similar for protoplast fusion and conventional crosses.     

DEVELOPMENTAL STUDIES IN PORPHYRA (RHODOPHYCEAE). III. EFFECT OF CULTURE CONDITIONS ON WALL REGENERATION AND DIFFERENTIATION OF PROTOPLASTS1

Protoplasts isolated from thalli of four Porphyra species regenerated successfully into differentiated plantlets. The efficiency of protoplast isolation and the developmental patterns of the regenerating protoplasts depended on the type of tissues from which they were isolated. However, culture conditions greatly influenced the patterns of development at the cellular and organismal levels. Sorbitol, nitrogen, and agar concentration in the medium controlled rates of cell division, thickening of cell walls, development of rhizoids, and formation of calluses or differentiated blades. Agitation disturbed the attachment of the protoplasts to a substrate. Cells in agitated cultures produced suspensions of single cells and non-polarized small calluses. Calluses which developed from protoplasts survived in storage for over two years. The stored calluses, and cells and protoplasts that were isolated from them, were subcultured successfully. We forsee extensive use of Porphyra cell suspensions for strain selection and vegetative propagation of cultivars. This technology, which makes vegetative cloning of selected Porphyra plants possible, may eliminate the need for cultivation and storage of the conchocelis phase. Protoplasts are also being used as tools for studies in genetic engineering of these commercial species.     

Uptake of protoplasts from the filamentous fungiAspergillus nidulans andFusarium oxysporum into protoplasts from celery (Apium graveolens L.)

Summary Protoplasts isolated from celery cell suspension cultures, were mixed with fungal protoplasts, from either the saprophytic speciesAspergillus nidulans or the pathogenic speciesFusarium oxysporum. The incubation of protoplast mixtures with PEG caused close adhesion between plant and fungal protoplasts. Subsequent dilution of PEG resulted in the uptake of protoplasts from either fungal species into the plant protoplast cytoplasm. A range of PEG concentrations, incubation times and dilution rates were tested to maximise adhesion and uptake frequencies. Identification of uptake was achieved either by fluorescent staining of nuclei or by electron-microscopy. A maximum of 10% celery protoplasts had taken upA. nidulans protoplasts after PEG treatment. Fungal protoplasts were taken up into celery protoplast cytoplasm by endocytosis, and were maintained within vesicles; two bounding membranes were observed by electron microscopy. Plant protoplast viability was determined during prolonged incubation following fungal protoplast uptake. The presence ofA. nidulans protoplasts tended to maintain celery protoplast viability and although some morphological disintegration occurred intact celery protoplasts remained for at least 92 h after uptake. The uptake ofF. oxysporum protoplasts markedly depressed celery protoplast viability after 24 h incubation and greater celery protoplast disintegration occurred.Abbreviations PEG Polyethylene glycol - DAPI 4,6-diaminido-2-phenylindole - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid     

Protoplast isolation and regeneration from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gracilaria changii</Emphasis> (Gracilariales,Rhodophyta)

The tropical agarophyte Gracilaria changii has been much researched and documented by the Algae Research Laboratory, University of Malaya, especially with regards to its potential as a seaweed bioreactor for valuable compounds. Protoplast regeneration of this seaweed was developed following the optimization of protoplast isolation protocol. Effect of the concentration and combination of isolating enzymes, incubation period, temperature, enzyme solution pH, tissue source on the protoplast yields were used to optimize the isolation protocol. The enzyme mixture with 4% w/v cellulase Onozuka R-10, 2% w/v macerozyme R-10 and 1 unit mL^-1 agarase was found to produce the highest yield of protoplast at 28°C and 3 h incubation period. Thallus tips gave higher yields of protoplasts than middle segments. Freshly isolated G. changii protoplasts were cultured in MES medium. Regeneration of protoplast cell walls after 24 h was confirmed by calcofluor white M2R staining under UV fluorescence microscopy. The protoplasts with regenerated cell walls then underwent a series of cell division to produce callus-like cell masses in MES medium. Following this, juvenile plants of G. changii were obtained.     

Isolation and Cell Wall Regeneration of Protoplasts from Botrytis cinerea Pers.

Abstract A procedure for efficient isolation and cell wall regeneration of protoplasts from Botrytis cinerea is described. Protoplasts were obtained from mycelia using a lytic enzyme mixture containing β-Glucuronidase, Cellulase R10 and Driselase with mannitol for osmotic support. The digestion of cell walls was checked by fluorescence microscopy. Protoplasts were purified from cell debris and lytic enzymes. Regeneration and reversion were performed by incubation on agar plates.     

Specific features of the ascorbate/glutathione cycle in cultured protoplasts

Protoplasts isolated from Nicotiana tabacum (L.) leaves were cultured for 6 days in liquid medium and some features of their antioxidant capacity were investigated. Ascorbate exported into the culture medium was oxidized non-enzymically, whereas important modifications of the enzymic scavenging activity were detected inside protoplasts. A new pool of isoenzymes, most of them with cytoplasmic characteristics, ensures the increased ascorbate peroxidase activity. The specific activity of other enzymes involved in the ascorbate/glutathione cycle, such as dehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione reductase, and of glutathione peroxidase were modified, resulting in cultured protoplasts with quantitative differences in antioxidant capacity compared to leaves. The hypothesis presented here suggests that the new scavenging system is related to differences in the compartment-specific accumulation of active oxygen species following protoplast isolation. Received: 8 December 1997 / Revision received: 27 March 1998 / Accepted: 10 April 1998     

Protoplasts of Pyricularia oryzae P2 : Preparation and Regeneration into Hyphal Form

Protoplasts of Pyricularia oryzae P₂, a rice blast mold, were prepared in high yield from the young mycelium of the fungus using lytic enzymes from Bacillus circulans WL 12. The majority of the protoplasts had one nucleus per cell. The protoplasts formed a cell wall and eventually reverted to normal mycelial form in liquid medium. The process of regeneration was studied under phase-contrast and electron microscopes. The protoplast built a very thick wall prior to the protrusion of a germ-tube like hypha. Golgi apparatus-like structures appeared in the early stage of regeneration and disappeared later. Electron-transparent amorphous structures accumulated during regeneration. Lomasomes were observed in the regenerated cell walls.     

Somatic Embryogenesis and Cytological Variation in Protoplast Culture of Levisticum officinale Koch

Protoplasts were isolated from spongy calli in a well growing state. Protoplasts were induced to undergo sustained divisions and to form colonies in the liquid C81V medium supplemented with 2,4-D and kinetin. When protoplast derived colonies were transferred onto agarsolidified medium, the spongy, white calli developed. After being subcultured on N6 medium plus 6BA and IBA, the light-yellow, granular embryogenic calli emerged on the protoplast regenerated callus surface. A large number of plantlets were obtained on MS medium with NAA and IBA via somatic embryogenesis Cytological observation on the donor calli used for protoplast isolation and plantlets regenerated from protoplasts were carried out. Remarkable variation of nucleus morphology and chromosome numbers were observed in donor calli. However, the cytological abnormalities in plantlets regenerated from protoplasts were comparatively less seen. The reason are discussed.     

Microcallus formation from maize protoplasts prepared from embryogenic callus

Conditions have been developed that induce maize (Zea mays L.) protoplasts to re-synthesize cell walls and to initiate cell divisions. Two types of embryogenic maize callus were used as a source of protoplasts: a heterogeneous callus (Type I) derived from immature embryos after three weeks in culture, and a friable, rapidly growing callus (Type II) selected from portions of the Type I callus. Many variables in the growth conditions of the donor tissue (type of medium, transfer schedule, age of callus), protoplast isolation solutions (pH, osmolarity, type and concentration of cell wall hydrolyzing enzymes, addition of polyamines) and conditions (amount of time in enzyme, amount of tissue per volume of enzyme incubation medium, agitation, preplasmolysis of source tissue, type of callus), and purification procedures (filtration and-or flotation), were found to affect both yield and viability of protoplasts (based upon fluorescein-diacetate staining). Our isolation procedure yielded high numbers of viable, uninucleated maize callus protoplasts which were densely cytoplasmic and varied in size from 20 to 50 m in diameter. Protoplasts plated in solid medium formed walls and divided several times. Of several gelling agents tested for protoplast propagation, only agarose resulted in protoplasts capable of sustained divisions leading to the formation of microcalli. Plating efficiency was established over a wide range of protoplast densities (10³–10⁷ protoplasts/ml). Highest plating efficiency (25%) was obtained at 1·10⁶ protoplasts/ml). The resulting microcalli grew to be dense clusters of about 0.1–0.5 mm in diameter and then stopped growing. Nurse cultures of maize and carrot (Daucus carota L.), were used to establish that individual protoplasts (not contaminating cells or cell clusters) formed walls and divided. Nurse cultures also increased the efficiency of microcallus formation from protoplasts.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) salts - MS 1D Murashige and Skoog salts with 1 mg/l 2,4-D - MS 2D Murashige and Skoog salts with 2 mg/l 2,4-D - N₆ medium of Chu et al. (1975) - NN67-mod medium of Nitsch and Nitsch (1967) as modified in the present paper - FDA fluorescein diacetate - LMP low melting point     

Isolation of protoplasts from female gametophytes of Torenia fournieri

Protoplasts from the cells of mature embryo sacs (ES-protoplasts) of Torenia fournieri were obtained during incubation of ovules in an enzyme solution. Four protoplasts which arose from each embryo sac were connected together after isolation, or aggregates of the egg cell protoplast and two synergide protoplasts dissociated from the protoplast of the central cell. The ES-protoplasts stayed viable for 2 weeks in culture, but they did not regenerate cell walls.Abbreviations ES embryo sac - FAA fixative (formalin : acetic acid : alcohol = 1 : 1 : 18) - FDA fluorescein diacetate - PAS periodic acid Schiff reaction - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid     

欧当归原生质体培养中体细胞胚胎发生和细胞学变化

从继代培养的欧当归(Levisticum officinale Koch)愈伤组织分离的原生质体在 C81V培养基中培养,得到了较高频率的持续分裂。形成的细胞团转移到固体培养基上后,发展成了白色松软型的愈伤组织。将其转移到附加6-苄氨基嘌呤和吲哚丁酸的 N6培养基上继续培养了2—3个月后,表面出现了浅黄色、颗粒状的胚性愈伤组织。后者在附加吲嗓丁酸和萘乙酸的 MS 培养基上培养,可通过体细胞胚胎发生途径分化出大量小植株。对供体愈伤组织和原生质体再生植株进行了细胞学观察。     

Regenerated cell wall of carrot protoplasts isolated from suspension-cultured cells

Protoplasts of Daucus carota L. cultured in a synthetic liquid medium resumed cell division after about 4 days of cultivation. During this lag period, nucleic acid and protein showed only slight increases but the protoplasts commenced cell-wall regeneration soon after the removal of lytic enzymes. The originally spherical protoplasts became ellipsoidal before they underwent division. Radioactive glucose and myo-inositol were readily utilized by the protoplasts. Most of the radioactivity, however, appeared in extracellular polysaccharides and only a small portion was deposited in the regenerated wall. The sugar composition of new cell wall, as studies by chemical analysis and incorporation of labelled precursors, was shown to be considerably different from that of normal cell wall.     

Protoplast formation from selected species of ectomycorrhizal fungi

Summary Conditions for the formation of protoplasts from selected species of ectomycorrhizal fungi are described. The age of the fungal culture and extent of incubation in a lytic enzyme mixture are critical factors for efficient formation of protoplasts. There is a correlation between the distribution of nuclei in hyphal fragments and protoplasts and the frequency of protoplast regeneration. Protoplasts from at least two of the species studied are formed in sufficient numbers and regenerate at suitable frequencies to be useful for development of genetic transformation and cell fusion systems. These fungi can now be considered in experiments designed for the improvement of ectomycorrhizal associations through genetic manipulation of the fungal component.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Dr. hc. K. Esser on the occasion of his 65th birthdayThis research was supported in part by the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research Program and is published as Alabama Agriculture Experiment Station Journal No. 6-881863P     

Plasmid transfer and genetic recombination by protoplast fusion in staphylococci.

The experimental conditions for plasmid transfer and genetic recombination in Staphylococcus aureus and some coagulase-negative staphylococci by protoplast fusion are described. Protoplasts were prepared by treatment with lysostaphin and lysozyme in a buffered medium with 0.7 to 0.8 M sucrose. Regeneration of cell walls was accomplished on a hypertonic agar medium containing succinate and bovine serum albumin. Transfer of plasmids occurred after treatment of the protoplast mixtures with polyethylene glycol (molecular weight, 6,000) not only between strains of the same species but also between parents of different species, although at approximately 100 times lower frequency in the latter case. Recombination of the chromosomal genes in fused protoplasts required simultaneous treatment of the mixed protoplasts with polyethylene glycol and CaCl2. A method was developed for isolation of recombinants after fusion between mutants of S. areus carrying unselectable markers. Antibiotic resistance plasmids were introduced into the parental strains and used as primary markers to detect protoplast fusion. Chromosomal recombinants were found among the clones with both parental plasmids at a high frequency. The method appears to have simple applications in the construction of strains with multiple mutant characters.     

Inhibition of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis increases cell wall digestibility, protoplast isolation, and facilitates sustained cell division in American elm (Ulmus americana)

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Protoplast technologies offer unique opportunities for fundamental research and to develop novel germplasm through somatic hybridization, organelle transfer, protoclonal variation, and direct insertion of DNA. Applying protoplast technologies to develop Dutch elm disease resistant American elms (Ulmus americana L.) was proposed over 30 years ago, but has not been achieved. A primary factor restricting protoplast technology to American elm is the resistance of the cell walls to enzymatic degradation and a long lag phase prior to cell wall resynthesis and cell division. RESULTS: This study suggests that resistance to enzymatic degradation in American elm was due to water soluble phenylpropanoids. Incubating tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) leaf tissue, an easily digestible species, in aqueous elm extract inhibits cell wall digestion in a dose dependent manner. This can be mimicked by p-coumaric or ferulic acid, phenylpropanoids known to re-enforce cell walls. Culturing American elm tissue in the presence of 2-aminoindane-2-phosphonic acid (AIP; 10-150 uM), an inhibitor of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), reduced flavonoid content, decreased tissue browning, and increased isolation rates significantly from 11.8% (+/-3.27) in controls to 65.3% (+/-4.60). Protoplasts isolated from callus grown in 100 uM AIP developed cell walls by day 2, had a division rate of 28.5% (+/-3.59) by day 6, and proliferated into callus by day 14. Heterokaryons were successfully produced using electrofusion and fused protoplasts remained viable when embedded in agarose. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes a novel approach of modifying phenylpropanoid biosynthesis to facilitate efficient protoplast isolation which has historically been problematic for American elm. This isolation system has facilitated recovery of viable protoplasts capable of rapid cell wall re-synthesis and sustained cell division to form callus. Further, isolated propotoplasts survived electrofusion and viable heterokaryons were produced. Together, these results provide the first evidence of sustained cell division, callus regeneration, and potential application of somatic cell fusion in American elm, suggesting that this source of protoplasts may be ideal for genetic manipulation of this species. The technological advance made with American elm in this study has potential implications in other woody species for fundamental and applied research which require availability of viable protoplasts.     

Efficient isolation, culture and regeneration of Lotus corniculatus protoplasts

This paper reports an improved protocol for isolation, culture and regeneration of Lotus corniculatus protoplasts. A range of parameters which influence the isolation of L. corniculatus protoplasts were investigated, i.e., enzyme combination, tissue type, incubation period and osmolarity level. Of three enzyme combinations tested, the highest yield of viable protoplasts was achieved with the combination of 2% Cellulase Onozuka RS, 1% Macerozyme R-10, 0.5% Driselase and 0.2% Pectolyase. The use of etiolated cotyledon tissue as a source for protoplast isolation proved vital in obtaining substantially higher protoplast yields than previously reported. Culture of the protoplasts on a nitrocellulose membrane with a Lolium perenne feeder-layer on the sequential series of PEL medium was highly successful in the formation of micro-colonies with plating efficiencies 3–10 times greater than previous studies. Shoot regeneration and intact plants were achieved from 46% of protoplast-derived cell colonies.     

Protoplast regeneration from gametophytes and sporophytes of some species in the order Laminariales (Phaeophyceae)

Summary Protoplasts were isolated from sporophytes and from gametophyte cultures of several species in the order Laminariales. For each example, the isolation and culture procedures were investigated systematically, to identify conditions leading to plant regeneration. After dedifferentiation through a filamentous stage, protoplasts isolated from adultLaminaria saccharina sporophytes regenerated polystichous bladelets. In contrast, cells isolated fromLaminaria digitata sporophytes proved recalcitrant in culture, except when the donor plants were undifferentiated sporelings. The most critical factors for protoplast development were the origin of explants, the osmoticum used for cell isolation, cultivation in plain seawater, and the absence of stress during the first two weeks of culture. We also found that protoplast isolation from the sporophytes of members of the Laminariales results in the release of hydrogen peroxide, up to 5–120 μM final concentration in the macerating medium, a characteristic which may be related to protoplast recalcitrance. Protoplasts isolated from the gametophytic phase readily regenerated into normal gametophytes, capable of gametogenesis and producing sporophytes by fertilization.     

Development of a quantitative method for determination of the optimal conditions for protoplast isolation from cultured plant cells

An index [kv: average isolation rate of viable protoplast (number/ml min)] was established to evaluate the optimal conditions for protoplast isolation from cultured plant cells. The optimal conditions for protoplasts isolation from Nicotiana tabacum BY2 cultured cells could be determined on the basis of the kv [31.7 × 10³ (number/ml min)]. The colony-forming efficiency of the protoplasts was about 46%. The optimal conditions for protoplasts isolation from Catharanthus roseus [kv = 38.1 × 10³ (number/ml min)] and Wasabia japonica [kv = 14.2 × 10³ (number/ml min)] cultured cells could also be determined. Furthermore, a method for rapid regenerating cell wall of protoplast in liquid culture using alginate gel containing locust bean gum was developed.     

Vital and Calcofluor staining ofCosmarium and its protoplasts

Summary Intact cells, protoplasts, primary and secondary walls ofCosmarium species were stained with 13 vital stains and with Calcofluor. The intracellular contents of viable cells and protoplasts were not stained with any of the test dyes although the primary and secondary walls often were stained. Protoplasts disintegrated after short periods in acid stains but did survive for up to 24 hours in several dilute basic dyes. Once the protoplast membrane was damaged, the nuclei and cytoplasm were brightly stained with most dyes, whereas the vacuoles remained unstained. Calcofluor was particularly useful in determining the porous structure and pattern of the primary walls.     

Protoplast isolation in the marine brown alga Dictyopteris prolifera (Dictyotales)

Protoplasts were isolated from thalli of Dictyopteris prolifera using a mixture of crude enzymes from vicera of live oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and the following commercial enzymes: an abalone enzyme, cellulase, polygalacturonase and hemicellulase. The enzyme mixtures produced up to 3.3 × 10⁷ cells per l g of tissue fresh weight. The conversion to protoplasts of the cells was about 100% using the oyster enzyme or the abalone enzyme alone. The optimum pH for protoplast isolation was 6.0 and 20 hours were required for conversion to protoplasts.