A simple method for mass isolation of protoplasts from species of Monostroma, Enteromorpha and Ulva (Chlorophyta, Ulvales)

A simple enzyme mixture containing 2% Cellulase Onozuka R–10 and1% Macerozyme R–10 prepared in deionised water supplemented with 3% NaCland 1 mM CaCl₂ was developed for isolating rapidlyprotoplasts from different species of Monostroma,Enteromorpha and Ulva. The yield fordifferent species of Monostroma ranged from 9.6 ×10⁶ to 10.2 × 10⁶ cells g^–1f. wt thallus, and forEnteromorpha from 3.48 × 10⁶ to 11.7× 10⁶ cells g^–1 f. wt and forUlva from 4.58 × 10⁶ to 26.8 ×10⁶ cells g^–1 f. wt. The overallregeneration rate of the protoplasts isolated was usually > 90% and showednormal morphogenesis. The method yields rapid mass production of viableprotoplasts with high regeneration rates.     

Isolation and regeneration of protoplasts from the ectomycorrhizal ascomycete Cenococcum geophilum Fr.

Protoplasts of the ectomycorrhizal ascomycete Cenococcum geophilum were isolated from mycelium grown in liquid medium. The method was optimized with regard to culture conditions, preincubation, lytic enzyme system, pH value of the incubation medium, osmotic buffer and incubation temperature for C. geophilum strains SIV and 1448. The yields were 1-3·10⁸ and 7·10⁶ protoplasts per gram fresh weight for C. geophilum SIV and C. geophilum 1448, respectively. Protoplasts from C. geophilum SIV exhibited plasma membrane integrity close to 100% (fluorescein diacetate staining). At least 50% of the protoplasts contained a nucleus (staining with acridine orange). The regeneration of protoplasts from C. geophilum is described for the first time. The regeneration frequency was up to 13%, and, dependent on the conditions of culture (liquid medium, agarose, agar), four types of regeneration patterns could be distinguished Regenerated protoplasts of C. geophilum were capable of forming mycorrhizas with spruce (Picea abies) seedlings.     

An improved procedure for the isolation and purification of protoplasts from carrot suspension culture

A procedure is reported for the rapid and highly reproducible isolation of protoplasts from carrot suspension culture. The method utilizes Onozuka R 10 cellulase which has been purified by chromatography on Sephadex G75. Protoplast isolation, using this procedure, is quantitative and complete within 1 to 1.5 h. Intact protoplasts were separated from broken ones and other cellular debris by application of a polyethylene glycol/dextran two-phase system. The protoplasts isolated in this manner lack any detectable cell wall and are greater than 95% viable when assayed using fluorescein diacetate. It is concluded that such protoplasts are highly suitable for biochemical studies.Abbreviation PCM protoplast culture medium     

Isolation of protoplasts from fern prothallia and their regeneration to gametophytes

Protoplasts were isolated enzymatically from prothallia ofLygodium japonicum. The protoplasts grown in a culture medium containing 0.6 M mannitol and 0.05 M sucrose began to divide within 8 days of culture, and after 30 days 10-cell clusters were present. When the cell-clusters were transferred into fresh media followed by sequential reduction of mannitol concentration, they developed rhizoids and protonemata. The reduction of mannitol concentration to 0.3 M resulted in the regeneration of a common gametophyte within 50 days of culture, and subsequently the regenerated gametophytes produced sporophytic leaves and roots.     

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     

Preparation of protoplasts from the green alga Enteromorpha intestinalis (L.) Link

Protoplasts have been obtained from vegetative thallus of the green seaweed Enteromorpha following enzymic digestion with driselase and pectinase. The viability of purified protoplast fractions was assessed by staining and measurements of O₂ uptake and evolution.Abbreviations MES 2-(N-morpholino) ethanesulphonic acid - TES N-tris(hydoxymethyl) methyl-2 aminoethanesulphonic acid     

Optimization of Parameters for Isolation of Protoplasts from the Antarctic Sea Ice Alga Chlamydomonas Sp. ICE-L

The present study was initiated to provide a systematic protocol for producing protoplasts from the Antarctic sea ice alga Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L suitable for physiological studies. The results showed that the mixtures of 3.0% Cellulase R-10 and 2.0% Macerozyme R-10 were most effective for isolating protoplasts from this alga. Optimum pH and temperature for hydrolytic enzyme reaction were pH 6.0 and 15^∘C, respectively. Mannitol and sorbitol were found to be the excellent osmotic stabilizers. Growth conditions of the algae prior to enzyme treatment also influenced the yield of protoplasts greatly. At the optimized condition, protoplast production was 47.8%, and the viability of isolated protoplasts was more than 97.6% as confirmed by Evan's blue staining.     

Isolation and culture of protoplasts ofCapsicum annuum L. and their regeneration into plants floweringin vitro

Summary Axenic shoot cultures ofCapsicum annuum cv.California Wonder were used as the source for isolation of protoplasts from mesophyll cells. Protoplasts underwent sustained mitotic activity and proliferated to form callus masses on NT or DPD medium enriched with 2,4-D, NAA and BAP each at 1 mg/l level. The callus could be differentiated into whole plants on the differentiation media and plants floweredin vitro under long day conditions.     

Regeneration of cells from protoplasts ofClostridium acetobutylicum B643

Summary Conditions that allow regeneration of cells fromClostridium acetobutylicum strain B643 protoplasts were studied. Protoplast formation and stabilization in minimal media with 50 mM CaCl₂, 50 mM MgCl₂ and 0.3 M sucrose were crucial to subsequent regeneration on soft yeast extract agar containing 25 mM CaCl₂ and 25 mM MgCl₂. A regeneration frequency of 8–25% was consistently obtained.     

Heavy-meromyosin-decoration of microfilaments from Mougeotia protoplasts

The cell wall of the green alga Mougeotia was enzymatically digested by macerase and cellulysin. Released protoplasts were spread on poly-L-ornithine, formvar-carbon-coated grids, and cell fragments were collected for structural characterization. Large numbers of 5–7 nm filaments are seen which may be decorated with heavy meromyosin (HMM), a digest product of muscle myosin that binds specifically to actin, supporting the hypothesis that the phytochrome-mediated chloroplast movements in these algae are driven by a contractile complex of actomyosin.Abbreviation HMM heavy meromyosin Dedicated to Professor Wolfgang Haupt on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Microbiology and storage life of fresh edible seaweeds

Samples of two edible seaweeds, Palmaria palmata and Ulva rigida, were stored at 4 °C after harvesting, and their microbial flora were measured over a period of two weeks, using food control methods. The results showed a low level of mesophilic aerobes, fungi and yeasts throughout the storage period, whether the seaweeds were unwashed, or washed with seawater, and there was a satisfactory retention of physical characteristics. Seaweeds washed with tap water degraded in less than one week.     

Development of gametophores from isolated protoplasts of the mossAnoectangium thomsvnii Mitt.

Summary Protoplasts of the mossAnoectangium thomsonii Mitt. were isolated from preplasmolyzed protonemal filaments, grown in suspension cultures, after the digestion of the cell wall by the enzymes cellulase and macerozyme or driselase. Driselase was more effective than cellulase and macerozyme. After purification these protoplasts were plated in the form of small agar drops in modified Kofler's medium without hormones and incubated in the dark at 26 ± 2 °C. Cell walls regenerated within three days and cell divisions started seven days after the initiation of the cultures. When the regenerants were transferred to normal protonemal culture medium and illuminated by 3,000 lux continuous light, a multi-cellular protonema developed which formed leafy gametophores on salicylic acid supplemented medium.     

Transformation of protoplasts ofCellulomonas flavigena

Summary Protoplasts ofCellulomonas flavigena (Cm^s) were transformed with plasmid pC194. Transformation frequency was 2.72×10^–3 in MR-1 regeneration medium with 2 g/ml chloramphenicol. Transformation conditions are described.     

Characterization of protoplasts prepared from the edible fungus, Stropharia rugoso-annulata

Protoplast preparation and regeneration conditions of the edible fungus, Stropharia rugoso-annulata Farlow apud Murrill were studied, and the regenerated progenies were characterized in this study. The optimal condition for protoplast preparation was incubation of young mycelia with gentle shaking in 1.5%(w/v) Lywallzyme at 30 °C for 3 h. PGPM (potato/glucose/peptone/mannitol) was the most suitable regeneration medium. Served as osmotic stabilizer, sugars (mannitol and sucrose) were better than inorganic salts (MgSO₄) for clone development and growth. Pre-incubation of protoplasts in liquid regeneration medium resulted in a significantly decreased regeneration rate. Both dikaryotic isolates and monokaryotic isolates could be identified from protoplast-regenerated progenies, with a much higher frequency of monokaryotic isolates identified from the early-developed and fast-growing regenerated clones. Two parental mating types were also identified from protoplasted monokaryotic isolates, but not segregated by 1:1. The mycelial growth rate of protoplasted monokaryotic isolates showed a mating type-dependent model when cultured at different incubation temperatures and pH values, with A2B2 mating type monokaryotic isolates growing faster than those of A1B1 mating type monokaryotic isolates.     

Auxin-binding by particulate fractions from tobacco leaf protoplasts

In vitro binding of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) to particulate fractions from tobacco leaf protoplasts was studied. In freshly isolated protoplasts no specific binding could be detected, whereas it was present in particulate fractions from tobacco leaves. It is concluded that the NAA-binding-sites are probably located at the external face of the plasma membrane; they are destroyed during protoplast isolation by proteolytic enzymes in the cellulase and macerozyme preparations. After culturing the protoplasts for 3–4 d, the first cell divisions were observed and at the same time specific NAA-binding became detectable. The affinity constant for NAA was approx. 2·10⁶ mol^-1 and the number of binding sites increased during further culture.Abbreviations MES 4-morpholinoethanesulfonic acid - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid     

Electrofusion of protoplasts from celery (Apium graveolens L.) with protoplasts from the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans

A method was developed for electrofusion of higher-plant protoplasts from celery and protoplasts from the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Initially, methods for the fusion of protoplasts from ecch species were determined individually and, subsequently, electrical parameters for fusion between the species were determined. Pronase-E treatment and the presence of calcium ions markedly increased celery protoplast stability under the electrical conditions required and increased fusion frequency with A. nidulans protoplasts. A reduction in protoplast viability was observed after electrofusion but the majority of the protoplasts remained viable over a 24-h incubation period. A small decline in protoplast respiration rate occurred during incubation but those celery protoplasts fused with A. nidulans protoplasts showed elevated respiration rates for 3 h after electrofusion.Abbreviations AC alternating current - DC direct current     

Regeneration from Laminaria japonica Areschoug (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) protoplasts isolated with bacterial alginase

Summary The conditions for effective isolation of viable protoplasts from Laminaria japonica with an alginase produced by marine bacterium Alteromonas sp. and a commercially available cellulase were investigated. The highest yields of viable protoplasts (7.910.4x10⁶ cells g^–1 FW) were obtained with a hypertonic solution containing 50 % seawater, 25 mM MgCl₂, 5 mM HEPES buffer system, and 0.5 M mannitol. Protoplasts were not obtained from thalli of L. japonica when an abalone alginase (abalone acetone powder; AAP: Sigma) was used instead of the bacterial alginase. The isolated protoplasts were cultured in an PESI medium at 5 °C. Complete cell wall formation was observed within 7 days, and dividing cells were first observed in a 9-day-old culture. Some protoplasts regenerated into sheet-shaped thalli and rhizoid structures were also observed on some thalli after 30 to 40 days in culture. This is the first report of protoplast regeneration into plantlets of L. japonica Areschoug (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae).Abbreviations FW Flesh weight - AAP Abalone acetone powder - HEPES N-2-hydroxy-ethylpiperazine-N-2-ethanesulfonic acid - Tris Tris(hyrdoxymethyl)aminomethane - PESI Provasoli's enriched seawater with iodine     

Plantlet regeneration from mesophyll protoplasts of Digitalis lanata Ehrh.

Summary Protoplasts were isolated from the mesophyll of Digitalis lanata enzymatically and cultured in a liquid regeneration medium (D2a). Protoplast division occurred at a rate of approximately 30%. Mature cell colonies were transferred onto agar medium (D2b)where they developed into cell clusters with a diameter of about 4–5 mm. After transfer onto MS medium, these calli differentiated leaves and shoots which could be rooted on MS medium containing a low hormone concentration.The main part of this work was carried out in the Max-PlanckInstitut für Züchtungsforschung, Cologne (FRG)     

Hybridisation experiments with protoplasts from chlorophyll-deficient mutants of some Solanaceous species

Following fusion between protoplasts from two different chlorophyll-deficient diploid mutants of Datura innoxia Mill. it was possible to select 33 green hybrid calli on agar culture medium. Half of the somatic hybrids gave rise to leaves and some to shoots. The chromosome number of 20 somatic hybrids was determined: five were tetraploid, eight hexaploid, three octoploid, and four showed an aneuploid chromosome number. After transfer of the shoots of the five tetraploid hybrids to soil they developed roots. In control experiments in which protoplasts of the two mutants were cultured either as a mixture without being treated with the fusion agent, or cultured separately, no green callus could be obtained. Similar experiments involving protoplasts from one chlorophyll-deficient mutant of Datura innoxia, on the one hand, and those from similar mutants of Nicotiana sylvestris Spegazz. et Comes and Petunia hybrida, on the other, yielded no green somatic hybrid although hybrid protoplasts could be detected.     

Isolation of Allium pollen protoplasts

Studies on protoplasts isolation were carried out with mature pollen grains of 29 samples of species of Allium aflatunense, A. cepa, A. fistulosum, A. karataviense, A. longicuspis, A. nutans, A. odorum, A. sativum and A. schoenoprasum. Surface sterilized pollen grains drifted from crushed anthers were incubated in an enzyme solution containing 1% (w/v) cellulase Onozuka R-10, 1% (w/v) Macerozyme R-10, 0,5 mol l^-1 sucrose and the basal salts of Nitsch medium. Protoplasts were released within 3 to 120 min, either from the pollen grain, through a slightly disturbed germination pore (narrow aperture), or through a wider aperture, when the exine surrounding the germination pore was disturbed. For the first time, protoplasts were obtained from 13 genotypes of 6 Allium species, at a rate of 1 to 30% of the digested intact pollen grains, depending on the genotype.