Effect of promoter‐leader sequences on transient expression of reporter gene chimeras biolistically transferred into sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris) suspension cells

Summary.

Chimeric constructs consisting of the gus coding region fused downstream of promoter‐untranslated leader sequences from the tobacco osmotin and PR‐S genes, the potato proteinase inhibitor 2 gene (pin2), and the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMW) 35S promoter were biolistically transferred into sugarbeet suspension cells. Each construct was expressed in recipient cells at 6 h after bombardment with maximum levels observed between 12 and 48 h. Expression of the PR‐S construct mimicked the time‐course expression of the constitutively expressed 35S construct but reached levels almost 50% higher. The pin2‐promoter construct was ultimately expressed at levels similar to that of PR‐S. Expression of the osmotin promoter‐leader construct was highest, reaching levels approximately 2.5‐fold higher than those of the 35S construct.