Planta

, Volume 139, Issue 1, pp 55–60 | Cite as

Uptake of auxotrophic cells of a heterocyst-forming cyanobacterium by tobacco protoplasts, and the fate of their associations

  • John C. Meeks
  • Russell L. Malmberg
  • C. Peter Wolk
Article

Abstract

Auxotrophic cells of the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis Kütz. were introduced into protoplasts of Nicotiana tabacum L. in an attempt to engineer a nitrogen-fixing endosymbiosis. Conditions were established to maximize uptake of the cyanobacteria by use of polyethylene glycol. Culture of the novel association was not successful: tobacco protoplasts with Anabaena inside did not appear to divide. Most of the protoplasts expelled the cyanobacteria and simultaneously disintegrated. The reasons for the incompatibility are not known.

Key words

Anabaena Cell uptake Cyanobacterium Nicotiana Polyethylene glycol Protoplast 

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1978

Authors and Affiliations

  • John C. Meeks
    • 1
  • Russell L. Malmberg
    • 2
  • C. Peter Wolk
    • 1
  1. 1.MSU-ERDA Plant Research LaboratoryMichigan State UniversityEast LansingUSA
  2. 2.Department of Crop and Soil SciencesMichigan State UniversityEast LansingUSA

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