Effect of nurse cultures on the production of macro-calli and fertile plants from maize embryogenic suspension culture protoplasts

Fertile plants have been obtained from maize (Zea mays L.) embryogenic suspension culture protoplasts. Friable, embryogenic callus initiated from an immature embryo from a cross involving the genotypes A188, B73, and Black Mexican sweetcorn was used to establish a rapidly growing embryogenic suspension culture. After nine months in culture, high yields of viable protoplasts (30×10⁶/ gram fresh weight) were obtained following a 1.5 hour enzymatic digestion. Protoplasts cultured with feeder cells divided and formed embryogenic callus, from which male and female fertile plants were regenerated. Protoplast-derived R₁ plants were self-pollinated and immature R₂ embryos isolated for callus initiation. Female fertile plants have also been produced from protoplasts isolated from an R₂-derived suspension culture. Significant interactions between protoplast and feeder-cell lines were observed.Abbreviations BC backcross - BMS Black Mexican Sweetcorn - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - PWS protoplast wash solution (0.2 M mannitol, 80 mM CaCl₂) - FDA fluorescein diacetate - ABA abscisic acid     

Regeneration of haploid and dihaploid plants from protoplasts of supersweet (sh2sh2) corn

Summary Plants were regenerated from maize (Zea mays L.) protoplasts isolated from embryogenic cell suspensions. The donor maize suspension cultures were established from friable callus initiated from microspores of a commercial supersweet hybrid (sh2sh2). The frequency of cell colony formation was higher when protoplasts were cultured on feeder layers of maize cells as compared with a liquid thin layer method. It was demonstrated that haploid and dihaploid soil-grown plants can be regenerated from maize protoplasts isolated from haploid cell cultures.     

Transient gene expression after electroporation of protoplasts derived from embryogenic maize callus

Protoplasts isolated from embryogenic callus cultures derived from immature embryos ofZea mays L. are suitable for analysis of transient gene expression using electroporation-mediated DNA transfer. Expression of introduced genes is comparable to the levels obtained with protoplasts from Black Mexican Sweet suspension cultures. Two different promoters, that directing synthesis of the 35S RNA of cauliflower mosaic virus and the maizeAdh1 promoter were placed in front of the luciferase reporter gene to assess protoplast gene expression and the impact of an intron on expression level.Abbreviations 35S promoter isolated from CaMV - CaMV cauliflower mosaic virus - Adh1 maize gene encoding Alcohol dehydrogenase-1 enzyme - BMS suspension cultures of the Black Mexican Sweet maize variety     

Plant regeneration from protoplasts of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Musa acuminata</Emphasis> cv. Mas (AA) via somatic embryogenesis

A protocol for plant regeneration from protoplasts of Musa acuminata cv. Mas (AA) via somatic embryogenesis was developed. Viable protoplasts were isolated from embryogenic cell suspensions at a yield of 1.2 × 10⁷ protoplasts/ml packed cell volume (PCV). Liquid and feeder layer culture systems with medium-A and medium-B were used for protoplast culture. In liquid culture system, medium-B was more efficient for inducing cell division (17.5% at 14 days) and colony formation (6.7% at 28 days) than medium-A. However, all protoplast-derived cell colonies (PDCC) obtained from liquid culture system could not develop further. In feeder layer culture system, there was no significant difference between medium-A and medium-B on cell division and colony formation of the cultured protoplasts, and the cell division frequency at 14 days and colony formation frequency at 28 days were 24.5% and 11.2%, respectively, in medium-B. Comparative study on the effects of BAP (2.2 μM, 4.4 μM, 8.8 μM), zeatin (0.4 μM, 0.8 μM, 1.2 μM) and TDZ (0.2 μM, 0.4 μM, 0.6 μM) on embryo formation of PDCC from feeder-layer culture indicated that TDZ was best. TDZ at 0.4 μM induced 7906 mature embryos per ml PCV PDCC, which was 4-fold the frequency as with BAP at 4.4 μM, 7.5-fold as with zeatin at 0.8 μM and 150-fold as control medium (no mentioned cytokinins) after 45 days on M3 medium. About 44% of the mature embryos were converted into plantlets with poor root system after subculture on M4 medium. Root further development of regenerated plantlets was promoted by addition of activated charcoal (AC) to MS basal medium.     

Development and Characterization of a Nonmorphogenetic Cell Line of Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

This study was conducted to compare characteristics of a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cell line to those of the maize (Zea mays L.) black Mexican sweet (BMS) cell line and to compare protoplasts isolated from suspension cells of these cell lines. The wheat cell line was established from immature-embryo derived callus of the experimental line ‘ND7532’ and was conditioned for growth in suspension culture. For both cell lines, measurements of packed cell volume (PCV), fresh weight (FW), and dry weight (DW) were taken at 3 day intervals from suspension cultures. Measurements of FW of calluses cultured from suspension cells of both cell lines were taken at 6 day intervals. The morphogenetic potential of the wheat ND7532 cell line was tested in both callus and suspension cultures using media promoting regeneration and/or organogenesis. Growth rates of ND7532 cells in suspension culture were comparable to those of BMS cells. However, relative growth rates of calluses recovered from ND7532 suspension cells were slower than those of calluses recovered from BMS suspension cells. The ND7532 cell line has very limited morphogenetic potential and has been maintained as rapidly growing callus tissue for 11 years. Yields of protoplasts from suspension cells of the two cell lines were comparable, though ND7532 protoplasts were typically smaller. The wheat cell line has is now designated ND7532-NM (nonmorphogenetic) and is available for cellular and molecular biology research.     

Plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis from suspension culture-derived protoplasts of Paspalum scrobiculatum L.

Protoplasts were released from embryogenic suspension culture of Paspalum scrobiculatum and cultured in either liquid or semisolid KM medium supplemented with 2,4-D in the dark at 24°C with or without a feeder layer. Cell wall formation was observed in 75% of the plated protoplasts. Microcolonies developed after 10 d of culture, which in turn formed callus upon transfer to M-2 medium (Nayak and Sen, 1989). The highest plating effeciency (ca 7%) was obtained in thin-layer liquid culture. The macrocalli formed somatic embryos which regenerated to plantlets. The plantlets were grown to flowering plants upon transfer to soil.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - FDA Fluoresceine diacetate - MES 2-(N-Morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid - MS Murashige & Skoog medium (1962)     

Isolation and culture of suspension-derived protoplasts ofBeta vulgaris L.

Sugar beet protoplasts (Beta vulgaris L.) were isolated from hypocotyl-derived suspension cells and cultured on modified Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 5 μM naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 2 μM 6-benzyl-aminopurine (BAP). Protoplasts were plated at a density 1.0–1.5×10⁵ cm⁻³ and incubated in either liquid medium or in medium solidified by 1.2% agarose, at 25°C in the dark. Comparison of two methods of culture unequivocally showed the second to be superior. Immobilizing the protoplast in agarose proved to be essential for obtaining sustained protoplast division and reproducible colony formation. The plating efficiency after two weeks of culture, expressed as the percentage of protoplasts which developed to form colonies, reached 40%. Subsequent subcultures of protoplast-derived callus to regeneration media with different concentrations of BAP (5 μM, 10 μM, 20 μM, 30 μM) resulted in very good callus proliferation at the three lowest concentrations, although organogenesis was not achieved.     

Plant Regeneration from Supersweet Maize Protoplasts Derived from Gametophytic Cell Suspensions

Plant regeneration from protoplasts isolated from haploid cell suspensions of commercial supersweet maize (SS 7700) was achieved and the plants were survival after transfer into soil in pots. Protoplast plating efficiency obtained from feeder layer system was 130 folds higher as compared with conventional liquid culture method, the composition of protoplast culture medium, the pore size of supportive membrane filter and the relationship between protoplasts and feeder cells were critical for callus formation. An enriched medium containing vitamins, organic acids, amino-acids and other organic substances such as coconut water could extremely improve callus formation. Filters with pore size within the range of 0.22–8.0 μm in diameter was useful. Filters with smaller pore size of 0.04 μm or larger 11 μm appeared to decrease the frequency of protocolony formation. The feeder cells which belong to the same species (Zea mays) as protoplasts greatly increased protoplast plating efficiencies as compared to those of feeder cells belonging to other species such as Avena nuda and Nicotiana tabacum. Among 11 protoplast-regenerated plants examined, 10 plants were haploid and one plant was diploid.     

Establishment of embryogenic callus and high protoplast yielding suspension cultures of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids)

For 18 sugarcane cultivars, four distinct callus types developed on leaf explant tissue cultured on modified MS medium, but only Type 3 (embryogenic) and Type 4 (organogenic) were capable of plant regeneration. Cell suspension cultures were initiated from embryogenic callus incubated in a liquid medium. In stage one the callus adapted to the liquid medium. In stage two a heterogeneous cell suspension culture formed in 14 cultivars after five to eight weeks of culture. In stage three a homogeneous cell suspension culture was developed in six cultivars after 10 to 14 weeks by selective subculturing to increase the proportion of actively dividing cells from the heterogeneous cell suspension culture. Plants were regenerated from cell aggregates in heterogeneous cell suspension cultures for up to 148 days of culture but plants could not be regenerated from homogeneous cell suspension cultures. High yields of protoplasts were obtained from homogeneous cell suspension cultures (3.4 to 5.2 × 10⁶ protoplasts per gram fresh weight of cells [gfwt^-1]) compared to heterogeneous cell suspension cultures (0.1 × 10⁶ protoplasts gfwt^-1). Higher yields of protoplasts were obtained from homogeneous cell suspension cultures for cultivars Q63 and Q96 after regenerating callus from the cell suspension cultures, then recycling this callus to liquid medium (S-cell suspension cultures). This process increased protoplast yield to 9.4 × 10⁶ protoplasts gfwt^-1. Protoplasts isolated from S-cell suspension cultures were regenerated to callus and recycled to produce SP-cell suspension cultures yielding 6.4 to 13.2 × 10⁶ protoplasts gfwt^-1. This recycling of callus to produce S-cell suspension cultures allowed protoplasts to be isolated for the first time from cell lines of cultivars Q110 and Q138.     

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     

Cytoplasmic-nuclear interaction and medium effect for protoplast culture in sunflower

Protoplasts of 6 alloplasmic and 2 euplasmic sunflower inbred lines were isolated from dark grown seedling hypocotyls with a density of 2×10⁴ protoplasts/ml. The protoplast suspension was mixed with a solution of 0.5% agarose (sigma – type 1), then pipetted in droplets of about 1000 protoplasts. Droplets were surrounded by two different liquid media. After 30 days droplets from both media were transferred to solid differentiation medium. Protoplast division, microcolony frequency and the number of calluses produced were strongly dependent on medium composition and genotype. The number of calluses per 1000 protoplasts plated range from 0.3 to 5.0 according to the genotype and the method used. The alloplasmic line RHA274-PEF1, was the best responding genotype for calluses produced in both media used. In all cases, the percentage of calluses for alloplasmic lines were significantly higher when compared with the nucleus donor genotype. H. petiolaris fallax cytoplasm increased both the number of calluses produced and the percentage of microcolonies. The complex interaction among genotypes tested indicates that protoplast culture responses are affected independently by nuclear-cytoplasm interactions. Some nucleus-cytoplasm combinations can improve the protoplast culture responses in sunflower. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Protoplast culture and paclitaxel production by Taxus yunnanensis

Viable protoplasts of Taxus yunnanensis were isolated from friable, light yellow callus. Protoplast yield was dependent on callus age, with a maximum from 20-day-old callus. Protoplasts were induced to undergo sustained divisions and to form cell colonies when cultured in medium consisting of B5 salts, KM vitamin and organic components, 0.45 M fructose, 3.0 mg l^-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.1 mg l^-1 kinetin. The planting density was 2.5–3.0×10⁵ protoplasts per ml of culture medium. Cell-free extract from callus enhanced protoplast division and the highest plating efficiency was about 7%. Protoplast-derived colonies showed significant variations in both growth and paclitaxel content. A negative correlation existed between paclitaxel accumulation in colonies and their growth to some extent (r = −0.4485). Among 70 colonies isolated from the heterogeneous protoplast cultures, colony TY-7 accumulated the highest paclitaxel content. Paclitaxel accumulation in colony TY-7 was not great enough to produce paclitaxel for commercial purposes, however, success in inducing colony formation from T. yunnanensis protoplasts provides an opportunity to obtain cell lines with high paclitaxel productivity from mutagenized protoplast cultures. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Plant regeneration from patchouli protoplasts encapsulated in alginate beads

Mesophyll protoplasts were isolated from leaves of in vitro grown patchouli (Pogostemon cablin Benth.). The protoplasts were encapsulated in alginate beads, approximately 2–3×10³ protoplasts per 25 l bead. Successful colony formation was induced when the protoplast beads were inoculated into a liquid medium supplemented with 10^-6 M NAA and 10^-5 M BA. The frequency of colony formation was improved greatly by the inclusion of several beads per ml medium. To induce high colony formation for a single bead, it was essential to culture protoplasts in the presence of nurse beads containing actively-growing cells of the same species. Rapid regeneration of plants from protoplast-derived calluses was accomplished by a two-step culture procedure with liquid and then solid media. Gas-chromatographic analyses showed that regenerated plants produced an essential oil comprising a full-set of patchouli sesquiterpenes.Abbreviations BA 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - f. wt. fresh weight - GC gas chromatography - MES 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid     

Plant regeneration from indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) protoplasts

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants of the indica cultivar IR54 were regenerated from protoplasts. Conditions were developed for isolating and purifying protoplasts from suspension cultures with protoplast yields ranging from 1·10⁶ to 15·10⁶ viable protoplasts/1 g fresh weight. Protoplast viability after purification was generally over 90%. Protoplasts were cultured in a slightly modified Kao medium in a Petri plate by placing them onto a Millipore filter positioned on top of a feeder (nurse) culture containing cells from a suspension culture of the japonica rice, Calrose 76. Plating efficiencies of protoplasts ranged from 0.5 to 3.0%; it was zero in the absence of the nurse culture. Protoplast preparations usually contained no contaminating cells, and when present, the number of cells never exceeded 0.1% of the protoplasts. After three weeks the Millipore filter with callus colonies were transferred off feeder cells and onto a Linsmaier and Skoog-type medium for an additional three weeks. Selected callus colonies that had embryo-like structures were then transferred to regeneration medium containing cytokinins, and regeneration frequencies up to 80% were obtained. Small shoots emerged and were transferred to jars for root development prior to transferring to pots of soil and growing the plants to maturity in growth chambers. Of the cytokinins evaluated, N⁶-benzylaminopurine was the most effective in promoting shoot formation; however, kinetin was also somewhat effective. Regeneration medium could be either an N₆ or Murashige and Skoog basal medium. Of 76 plants grown to maturity, 62 were fertile, and the plant heights averaged about three-fourths the height of seed-grown plants.Two other suspension cultures of IR54, one developed from the protoplast callus of the initial IR54 line, and the other developed from callus produced by mature seeds, have yielded protoplasts capable of regenerating plants when using cells of the Calrose 76 suspension as a nurse culture. In addition, protoplasts obtained from three-week-old primary callus of immature embryos of IR54 were capable of regenerating plants when using the same culture conditions.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - pcy packed cell volume - BAP N⁶-benzylaminopurine - FDA fluorescein diacetate - FW fresh weight - IAA indole-3-acetic acid Media AA Muller and Grafe (1978) - CPW Frearson et al. (1973) - Kao^* Kao (1977) - LS Linsmaier and Skoog (1965) - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) - N₆ Chu et al. (1975) - PCM Ludwig et al. (1985)     

Embryogenic callus formation from maize protoplasts

Maize (Zea mays L.) protoplasts have been obtained which divide rapidly and produce a callus that differentiates to form somatic embryos. The somatic embryos can be induced to form roots and small leaf-like structures. The genotype was the hybrid A188xBlack Mexican Sweet. Protoplasts were prepared from an embryogenic suspension culture derived from a Type II callus which had been selected from Type I callus produced by immature zygotic embryos. The basal medium for the suspension culture was N6 (C.C. Chu et al., 1975, Scientia Sinica 18, 659–668). The 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid concentration of the suspension culture was critical for subsequent protoplast growth and was optimal at 4.0 mg.l. Protoplasts had to be cultured in a low-osmoticum medium (0.3 M mannitol) for subsequent cell divisions to occur. The protoplasts have been transformed transiently with the gene chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) containing the 35S promoter obtained from cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV-35S).Abbreviations FDA fluorescein diacetate - ABA abscisic acid - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid     

Silicon carbide fiber-mediated DNA delivery into plant cells

Summary Silicon carbide fiber-mediated delivery of DNA into intact plant cells was investigated. Black Mexican Sweet (BMS) maize (Zea mays) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) suspension culture cells were vortexed in the presence of liquid medium, plasmid DNA encoding -glucuronidase (GUS), and silicon carbide fibers. Penetration of BMS cells by the silicon carbide fibers was observed by scanning electron microscopy of vortexed cells. Following fiber and DNA treatment, BMS cells transiently expressed GUS activity at a mean frequency of 139.5 units (one unit = one blue cell or one colony of blue cells) per sample. Treated tobacco cells expressed an average of 373 GUS units per sample. Untreated controls did not exhibit GUS activity. These results indicate that the silicon carbide fibers-vortex procedure can be used to rapidly and inexpensively deliver foreign DNA into intact plant cells for investigations of transient gene expression.Abbreviations BMS Black Mexican Sweet maize suspension cultures - MS Murashige and Skoog salts - GUS -glucuronidase - 2,4-D 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid     

The isolation and culture of protoplasts from an embryogenic cell suspension culture of Picea glauca (moench) voss

Conditions were standardized for the isolation and culture of protoplasts from an embryogenic cell suspension culture of Picea glauca. A combination of 0.5% Cellulase R-10, 0.25% Macerozyme, 0.25% Driselase, 0.25% Rhozyme HP-150 with 0.5M mannitol and 5 mM CaCl₂.2H₂O produced an average of 4.5 × 10⁶ protoplasts per gram fresh weight of cells. Of the several protoplast culture media tested, von Arnold and Eriksson and Kao and Michayluk (KM8P) media best supported mitotic divisions of protoplasts. A density of 10⁵ protoplasts per ml and the addition of 5 mM glutamine to the culture medium was necessary to induce sustained divisions and microcallus formation. Microcalli grew into subculturable callus using a nurse culture technique.Abbreviations BAP benzylaminopurine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid - FDA fluorescein diacetate NRCC No. 27937     

An improved system to establish highly embryogenic haploid cell and protoplast cultures from pollen calluses of maize (Zea mays L.)

Regenerable, embryogenic haploid cell suspensions were initiated and established from type II pollen calluses of two selected Chinese maize genotypes (No 592 Y and 592.A2 LY). The induction frequency of friable, embryogenic callus (type II) was highly dependent on three factors: genotype, medium, cold pretreatment, and on their interactions. Repeated callus and cell selection during the culture procedure led to stable haploid suspensions consisting of fine clusters each containing 20–50 cells. The selected cell lines were able to maintain their morphogenic ability during long-term subculture (2 years). Protoplasts were successfully isolated from subcultured, friable, embryogenic pollen calluses and cultured on N₆BM and N₆K media using a feeder layer, obtained from 2-day-old suspension culture. Healthy plants were regenerated from protoplast-derived calluses.     

Protoplast-to-plant regeneration in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Coker 312) using feeder layers

Summary We report the regeneration of protoplasts isolated from two embryogenic cell lines of Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Coker 312 initiated from hypocotylderived callus. Protoplasts plated on cellulose nitrate filters and placed over feeder layers formed embryogenic callus from which plants were regenerated. Plating efficiency up to 12.8% depended upon the cell line. Addition of phytohormones to the protoplast medium had no stimulating effect on plating efficiency. The influence of feeder cells and conditioned medium on plating efficiency was significantly different for the two cell lines.Abbreviations ACM autoclaved conditioned medium - AFC autoclaved feeder cells - BM basic medium - BM+ basic medium with phytohormones - CM non-autoclaved conditioned medium - FC non-autoclaved feeder cells - FDA fluorescein diacetate - MM maturation medium - NAA 1-naphtaleneacetic acid - PCM protoplast culture medium - PCM+ protoplast culture medium with phytohormones - SC settled cells - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - 6-BAP 6-benzylamino purine     

Plantlet regeneration from protoplast-derived haploid embryogenic calli of wheat

To search for an alternative method for protoplast culture, regenerable embryogenic calli were obtained from anther culture of three wheat cultivars, Karl 92, Jinghua #1, and Pavon 76. Protoplasts were isolated directly from the haploid embryogenic calli and cultured in modified PMI and LM8P media without going through cell suspension culture. After 8–11 days of subculture, the embryogenic calli produced the maximum yield of protoplasts and cell division was at the highest frequency when plated at a density of 3–4 × 10⁵ protoplasts ml⁻¹. Frequency of colony formation varied from 0.2% to 0.5% for Jinghua #1 and from 0.1% to 2% for Pavon 76, while Karl 92 failed to produce colonies, even though its embryogenic calli were friable and fast-growing on the maintenance medium. Green haploid plantlets of Jinghua #1 and Pavon 76 have been regenerated from protoplasts, which were cultured on a differentiation medium first and then on a rooting medium. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.