Plant regeneration from protoplasts of a commercial Asian long-grain javanica rice

A reproducible plant regeneration system has been developed for protoplasts from embryogenic cell suspension cultures of the commercial Asian long-grain javanica rice, Oryza sativa cv. Azucena. Protoplasts were isolated routinely from cell suspensions with yields of 5.5–12.0 × 10⁶ g^-1 fresh weight. A membrane filter nurse-culture method was adopted and was essential to support sustained mitotic division of protoplast-derived cells, leading to cell colony formation. The protoplast plating efficiency was higher when suspension cells of Lolium multiflorum, rather than those of the japonica rice O. sativa L. cv. Taipei 309, were employed as nurse cells. A two-step shoot regeneration procedure, in which protoplast-derived calli were cultured initially on medium semi-solidified with 1% (w/v) agarose followed by culture on medium containing 0.4% (w/v) agarose, induced plant regeneration from protoplast-derived calli. Fifteen percent of protoplast-derived tissues regenerated shoots; tissues not subjected to this treatment failed to develop shoots.     

Fertile indica and japonica rice plants regenerated from protoplasts isolated from embryogenic haploid suspension cultures

Summary A system to regenerate fertile rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants (both indica and japonica varieties) from protoplasts isolated from anther-derived embryogenic haploid suspension cultures has been established. Green plants were regenerated from protoplast-derived cell clusters five months after suspension culture initiation. Protoplast yields and subsequent growth of the protoplast-derived microcalli were enhanced by transferring suspension cells into AA medium (Muller et al. 1978) three to four days prior to protoplast isolation. Protoplasts were cultured initially in Kao medium (Kao et al. 1977) and in association with nurse cells for four weeks. Protoplast-derived microcalli were transferred onto N6 (Chu et al. 1975) or MS (Murashige and Skoog 1962) media for callus proliferation. Callus growth was more rapid and the calli were more enbryogenic when grown on N6 medium. The 2,4-D concentration used to develop the suspension culture was important. Cell cultures grown in medium containing 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D released protoplasts whose plating efficiency was higher than for protoplasts obtained from suspension cultures grown in 2.0 mg/l 2,4-D. However, suspension cells grown in 2.0 mg/l 2,4-D were superior with regard to the ability of protoplast-derived calli to regenerate green plants. Amongst several hormone treatments evaluated, a combination of 0.5 mg/l NAA + 5.0 mg/l BAP resulted in the largest number of green plants regenerated. There were no significant differences between BAP or kinetin regarding total number of plants regenerated. More than 200 green plants have been produced form six independently initiated suspension cell lines. The number of regenerated plants per 10⁶ protoplats plated anged from 0.4 to 20.0, and the average seed fertility of single panicles of these R_O plants was about 40%.     

Plant regeneration from protoplasts isolated from suspension cultures of leek (Allium ampeloprasum L.)

A procedure is described for the regeneration of plants from protoplasts of tetraploid leek (Allium ampeloprasum L.), 2n = 4x =32. Regeneration-competent protoplasts could only be obtained from an embryogenic suspension culture that was initiated with friable, embryogenic callus derived from immature embryos. The generally low plating efficiency could be increased by embedding the protoplasts in Ca-alginate, compared to culturing the protoplasts in liquid or agarose-solidified medium. A minimum plating density of 2 × 10⁵ pps/ml was required to obtain microcalli. Upon transfer of the protoplast-derived calli on agarose-solidified BDS medium, morphologically different callus types proliferated. After transfer to regeneration medium, compact or friable calli with an embryogenic appearance produced somatic embryos and plantlets at a frequency of up to 80%. Calli that had been classified as heterogeneous also regenerated shoots, but mainly via organogenesis, at a frequency of 46%. After transfer of shoots to half strength MS medium, healthy, well-rooted plants were obtained, that were successfully transferred to soil. All plants contained the tetraploid DNA level.     

Electroporation Stimulates Plant Regeneration from Protoplasts of the Woody Medicinal Species Solarium dulcamara L.

Exposure of cell suspension protoplasts of the woody medicinalplant Solatium dulcamara L. to voltages of 250 to 1250 V cm^–1for three successive pulses, each of 10–50 us duration,stimulated growth of protoplast-derived tissues. Such tissuesexhibited increased morphogenesis and required a shorter periodin culture to exhibit this effect than tissues from untreatedprotoplasts. Regenerated shoots also rooted more readily anddeveloped more prolific root systems than shoots from untreatedprotoplasts. These observations have important implicationsfor plant genetic manipulation and may have application in therecovery and rooting of shoots from tissues of woody species,normally considered recalcitrant in culture. Key words: Electroporation, protoplasts, shoot regeneration, Solanum dulcamara (woody nightshade, bittersweet)     

Efficient plant regeneration from cell suspension protoplasts of the woody medicinal plant Solanum dulcamara L. (bittersweet,woody nightshade)

Large populations of viable protoplasts were released from suspension cultured cells of the woody medicinal plant Solanum dulcamara (bittersweet, woody nightshade) when the cells were harvested 3 to 7 months after culture initiation and 4 to 5 days after transfer to fresh medium. A Bio-Gel p6 purified enzyme mixture enhanced the protoplast plating efficiency 6 fold compared to the unpurified mixture, without affecting protoplast yield. Agarose-solidified medium markedly improved protoplast division and colony formation, and enabled protoplasts to be plated at lower densities than in liquid medium. All protoplast-derived tissues produced shoots on MS based medium with 1.0 mgl^-1 zeatin. Shoots rooted readily on medium lacking phytohormones. Cytological examination revealed high chromosome stability of suspension cultured cells, of plants derived from such cells, and of protoplast-derived plants. The implication of these results is discussed in relation to the genetic manipulation of this pharmaceutically important plant.     

Electroporation-mediated improvement of plant regeneration from colt cherry (Prunus avium × pseudocerasus) protoplasts

Results are presented that show a promotory carry-over effect, of an electroporation treatment of isolated cell suspension protoplasts of Colt cherry (Prunus avium × pseudocerasus), on the growth of protoplast-derived calli and on plant regeneration capacity. Callus from protoplasts subjected to three successive exponential pulses at 250 V or 500 V showed the largest fresh weight increases between subcultures, and also exhibited the highest frequency of plant regeneration based on the number of shoots per callus. These shoots, in turn, produced a more prolific root system when compared to those derived from non-electropulsed protoplasts.     

Plant regeneration from mesophyll protoplasts of the tree legume Pithecellobium dulce benth

Conditions were developed for the isolation, culture and regeneration of mesophyll protoplasts of the tree legume, Pithecellobium dulce Benth. The presence of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was essential to induce initial cell divisions and addition of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) improved the response. Sustained division and cell colony formation were achieved from the protoplasts cultured in a modified KM8P medium containing 2,4-D (2.3 μM), NAA (3 μM) and benzyladenine (BA) (2.3 μM). Dilution of the osmotica included in the protoplast culture medium was necessary to induce sustained proliferation of the protoplast-derived cells. Differentiation of shoots from the protoplast-derived calli occurred on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with BA (5 μM) and indole-3-acetic acid (1 μM). Omission of 2,4-D from the culture medium, after the initial 2 weeks of protoplast culture, was obligatory to induce shoot morphogenesis.     

Haploid Plant Regeneration from Protoplast Cultures of Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.)

Haploid suspension callus cultures from embryos of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf. ) × maize (Zea mays L. ) crosses were used for protoplast isolation. Experimental results from enzyme digestion showed large numbers of viable protoplasts released from both suspension culture and solid culture of callus cut into small pieces of 1 mm in size prior to incubation in an enzyme solution containing 2.0% cellulase RS and 0.5 % pectolyase Y-23. Division frequency of protoplasts isolated from suspension cultured callus was quite different from that of solid cultured callus, however, the former being 5.20%, and the latter less than 1.0% when cultured on KM8p medium containing 1.0 mg/L 2, 4-D using LMP (low melting point) agarose embedding method. Embryogenic ealli could be selected out from protoplast-derived microcalli after 2 to 3 subcultures. Plants could be regenerated from protoplast-derived embryogenic calli after 20 days of culture on differentiation medium I (MS basal medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/L 2, 4-D, 1.0 mg/L BAP, 0. I mg/L NAA, 3 %/4 su- crose, 200 mg/L casein hydrolysate, 146 mg/L glutamine, 300 mg/L aspartic acid) and (components were the same as I without 2, 4-D) respectively. The plant regeneration frequency was about 20%. Chromosome count of root tip cells of 4 plants of the 22 protoplast- derived plants sampled at random revealed haploid in nature (2n= 2x= 14).     

Organogenesis of stem and leaf protoplasts of a haploid golden delicious apple clone (Malus Xdomestica Borkh.)

Summary Highly viable protoplasts were isolated in large numbers from in vitro-grown leaf and stem tissues of a haploid clone of the apple scion cultivar Golden Delicious (Malus Xdomestica Borkh.). Protoplasts from both sources divided rapidly to give microcallus, when cultured in a modified Kao and Michayluk-based medium. Following two successive subcultures for callusing, shoot buds were regenerated from such calli, on half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium with an increased concentration of group B vitamins and containing 5.0 mg.l^-1 6-benzyl-aminopurine and 0.1 mg.l^-1 l-naphthaleneacetic acid (for the leaf protoplast-derived calli) or 4-indole-3yl-butyric acid (for stem protoplast-derived calli). The mesophyll protoplast-derived shoots were enfeebled and vitrified, in time with their ultimate death. Conversely, for those shoots deriving from the stem protoplasts, in vitro propagation was successfully achieved. This is the first report on the successful isolation, culture and organogenesis from stem protoplasts of a woody plant genotype.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - FPE final plating efficiency - IBA 4-indole-3yl-butyric acid - IPE initial plating efficiency - f wt fresh weight - KM Kao and Michayluk (1975) - MES 2-N-morpholino ethane sulfonic acid - MPE intermediate plating efficiency - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) - NAA l-naphthaleneacetic acid - PVP-10 polyvinylpyrrolidone (Av MW 10,000)     

Plant regeneration of protoplasts isolated from suspension cultures of Solanum lycopersicoides

A protocol was developed for the isolation, culture and plant regeneration of protoplasts isolated from suspension cultures of Solanum lycopersicoides Dun. (LA 1990). Protoplasts were isolated by an overnight enzyme digestion, further purified by washing in W5 salts solution, and plated in two modified MS protoplast culture media with and without type VII agarose. The addition of agarose to the two culture media did not enhance plating efficiencies and shoot regeneration percentages and in some cases was even inhibitory. Unlike the experience with some other solanaceous species, the deletion of ammonium from the protoplast culture medium was not found to be beneficial. Protoplasts sustained continuous division in the modified MS media and up to 70% of the protoplast-derived calli readily regenerated shoots on MS salts and vitamins medium containing zeatin and GA.     

Plant regeneration from leaf protoplasts of Brassica oleracea var. italica CV Green Comet broccoli

A procedure is described for regeneration of plants from leaf protoplasts of the hybrid broccoli cultivar, Green Comet (Brassica oleracea var italica). The totipotency of protoplasts isolated from plants regenerated from hypocotyl explants (GCR) was greater than that of protoplasts from plants grown directly from seed (GC). Using medium B developed by Pelletier et al (1983), division efficiencies greater than 70% were obtained in leaf protoplasts isolated from GCR. Approximately 1% of these protoplasts formed calli on solidified medium; 77% of the calli regenerated shoots. In contrast, protoplasts from seed-grown material showed a lower division efficiency (15–22%) and fewer protoplast-derived calli produced shoots. Some of the 178 protoplast-derived plants grown to maturity had variant phenotypes.Abbreviations NAA napthalene acetic acid - BA 6-benzylaminopurine - MES 1-morpholino-ethane sulfonate This work has been submitted by D. R. in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Ph.D. degree     

High frequency plant regeneration from rice protoplasts by novel nurse culture methods

Summary Novel nurse culture methods have been developed for plant regeneration from protoplasts of rice (Oryza sativa). The nurse culture methods use the agarose-bead type culture in combination with actively growing nurse cells that are either in the liquid part of the culture or inside a culture plate insert placed in the centre of the dish. Protoplasts isolated from either primary seed calluses or suspension cultures of various callus origins, divided and formed colonies with a frequency of up to 10% depending on the protoplast source and the genotype. The presence of nurse cells was absolutely required for the induction of protoplast division. Plants were regenerated from protoplast-derived calluses of five tested cultivars with a frequency of 17%–50%. Close examination of the plant regeneration process suggested that plants are regenerated through somatic embryogenesis from protoplast-derived calluses. Over 300 protoplast-derived plants were transferred to either pots or the field and are being examined for karyotypic stability and various plant phenotypes.     

Culture and regeneration of Populus leaf protoplasts isolated from non-seedling tissue

Leaf protoplasts of Populus alba L. × P. grandidentata Michx. (NC-5339) were isolted from shoot cultures of non-seedling origin and cultured through plant regeneration. Complete protoplast development was dependent on providing a stress-free culture environment which included eliminating ammonium, agar, exudate build-up, and light during the culture period. Contact with a solid surface appeared to stimulate development and thus the protoplasts were cultured in a liquid floating-disc system in which they adhered to the fibers of a polyester screen. Protoplasts exhibited a slow, staged development which resulted in cell division 6 weeks following protoplast isolation. The resulting colonies proliferated rapidly and rooted spontaneously. Shoot regeneration occurred when the protoplast-derived calli were exposed to thidiazuron, and such shoots could be readily rooted. This is the first report of reproducible plant regeneration from leaf protoplasts of non-seedling origin of a tree species.     

Isolation,culture, and regeneration of plants from potato protoplasts

A technique is described for the routine isolation of protoplasts from storage parenchyma cells of potato tubers grown in vitro. The protoplasts typically contained many starch grains. On culture, most of the starch grains were metabolised during the first 7 days, after which the cells began to divide. Following further culture, protoplast-derived colonies and calli were obtained, from which shoots and intact plants were regenerated. Cytological study of regenerated plants showed that the majority were octaploid or aneuploid at the octaploid level. This aspect is compared with plants regenerated from mesophyll protoplasts of potato. The use of tuber protoplasts for studies on tissue-specific transient gene expression of chimeric gene constructs, following their introduction into the protoplasts by electroporation, is discussed, together with the uses of tuber protoplasts in fundamental physiological and biochemical studies.     

Improved efficiency of genotype-dependent regeneration from protoplasts of important potato cultivars

The regeneration of protoplasts from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cvs. Desiree and King Edward has been significantly improved. Different shoot culture media were required for the release of viable protoplasts from cvs. Maris Piper and Desiree, and the response of protoplasts to different culture conditions depended upon the cultivar genotype of the protoplast source. Using protoplast isolation media containing 6mM CaCl₂ improved protoplast viability and culture in enriched media lead to the reproducible and relatively efficient recovery of colonies from protoplasts of these cultivars. Over 70% of protoplast-derived calli from King Edward and Desiree regenerated shoots. Many shoots were grown to mature plants in soil. This is the first report of the regeneration of mature Desiree plants from protoplasts.Abbreviations NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - MES 2-(N-Morpholino)ethanesulphonic acid - CH Casein hydrolysate - CW Coconut water - Inos myo-Inositol - PABA p-Aminobenzoic acid     

Somatic embryogenesis and fertile green plant regeneration from suspension cell-derived protoplasts of rye (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Secale cereale</Emphasis> L.)

A method for somatic embryogenesis and fertile green plant regeneration from suspension cell-derived protoplasts of rye (Secale cereale L. cv. Auvinen) was developed. Fast-growing and friable embryogenic calli with a high regeneration capacity were induced from immature rye inflorescences using modified MS medium. These friable embryogenic calli were used for suspension culture initiation in liquid AA medium. A high yield of protoplasts was obtained from suspension cell clumps after 3–5 days of subculture. Isolated protoplasts were cultured in KM8p medium. The frequency of protoplast cell divisions and colony formations in liquid culture medium were similar to those on agarose-solidified medium. Compact embryogenic calli were developed from protoplast-derived microcalli in growth medium mMS. Approximately 7% of the transferred embryogenic calli produced green shoots on N₆ regeneration medium. Of 33 green plants, 28 were fertile with normal flowering and seed set. The ratio of green and albino plantlets was 1:4. Rye protoplast-derived green plants showed normal diploid characters as determined by flow cytometer analysis and chromosome counting.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-Dichorophenoxyacetic acid - FDA Fluorescein diacetate - FW Fresh weight - GA₃ Gibberellic acid - Kinetin 6-Furfurylaminopurine - IAA Indole-3-acetic acid - NAA -Naphthaleneacetic acid     

Mesophyll protoplasts from Solanum melongena var depressum bailey regenerate to fertile plants

Mesophyll protoplasts have been isolated from soil grown plants of Solanum melongena var depressum Bailey and protoplast-derived colonies regenerated in liquid DPD culture medium. Protoplast-derived colonies proliferated on agar-solidified MS culture medium and regenerated shoots which grew to fertile plants in potting compost.on leave from Landzhou University, Peoples Republic of China     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from protoplasts isolated from embryogenic cell suspensions of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

We describe the early formation of somatic embryos followed by plant regeneration from protoplasts isolated from an embryogenic wheat cell suspension, which was initiated from small granular (0.2 to 1 mm in size) embryogenic calli. These granular calli formed embryogenic cell suspensions within 20 days in liquid culture, and were selected gradually from young inflorescence-derived nodular embryogenic calli of the winter wheat cv. Kehong 1041. The division frequency of protoplasts was 11 to 16%, and the frequency of differentiation into plants was about 0.001% (number of plants formed divided by the total number of protoplasts plated). About 20% of somatic embryos present in the culture formed directly from protoplast-derived cells within 15 days of cultures.     

Regeneration of fertile plants from protoplasts derived from embryogenic cell suspensions of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

We report regeneration of fertile plants from barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Igri) protoplasts isolated from regenerable suspension cultures initiated from anther-derived embryogenic callus. Plants were routinely regenerated from these suspension cultures, which maintained their regenerative capacity for several months. It was first possible to isolate protoplasts from suspensions after three months of culture and after four months protoplasts capable of division could be isolated. Protoplasts maintained the regenerative capacity of the donor cells and formed embryogenic callus. Green plants were regenerated from protoplast-derived calli, although the proportion of albino plantlets was high. Viable regenerants were transferred to soil and fertile plants were recovered.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - 6-BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - PP Protoplasts     

An improved method for protoplast micro-injection suitable for transfer of entire plant chromosomes

A simple protoplast culture system, combining optimal plating efficiency and the prerequisites for microinjection (immobilization, localization, optics) is described. Microinjection of lucifer yellow into protoplasts and protoplast-derived cells from Nicotiana plumbaginifolia cell suspensions was carried out to demonstrate the vitality of the procedure, the possibility to penetrate cell walls, and the occurrence of aberrant cell divisions early during protoplast regeneration at high frequency.Using specific adaptations of the equipment, transfer of particles was carried out: metaphase chromosomes isolated from a partially synchronized kanamycin-resistant suspension culture of N. plumbaginifolia were microinjected into recipient wild-type N. plumbaginifolia protoplasts. So far only visual evidence was achieved; genetic and molecular verification for chromosome-mediated gene transfer is in progress.