Photoregulation of morphogenesis of tobacco plants transformed with the gene of human interlenkin-18

The effects of blue light (BL), green light (GL), and red light (RL) on morphogenesis photoregulation of transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants containing a copy of human interleukin-18 gene were studied. Wild-type and transgenic (Il1 No.87–1 and Il18 No.7–11) lines and derived calluses were used. Photomorphogenesis of transgenic lines under GL and RL differed substantially from that of initial line at early stages of morphogenesis; this was expressed in hypocotyl lengthening under GL and cotyledon enhanced expansion under RL. Growth responses to light quality were related to changes in the levels of zeatin, IAA, and ABA. Thus, hypocotyl lengthening and increased cotyledon area under GL occurred at the elevated level of IAA and reduced level of ABA. Growth of callus cells in transgenic lines during zero passage differed from wild-type calluses only in darkness. The data obtained indicate that tobacco plant transformation with the human interleukin-18 gene changed functioning of the photoregulation systems at early developmental stages. This phenomenon is evidently explained by the pleiotropic effects of the gene inserted.