Positive fluorescent selection permits precise, rapid, and in-depth overexpression analysis in plant protoplasts

Plant Physiol. 2009 Mar;149(3):1231-9. doi: 10.1104/pp.108.133975. Epub 2009 Jan 23.

Abstract

Transient genetic modification of plant protoplasts is a straightforward and rapid technique for the study of numerous aspects of plant biology. Recent studies in metazoan systems have utilized cell-based assays to interrogate signal transduction pathways using high-throughput methods. Plant biologists could benefit from new tools that expand the use of cell culture for large-scale analysis of gene function. We have developed a system that employs fluorescent positive selection in combination with flow cytometric analysis and fluorescence-activated cell sorting to isolate responses in the transformed protoplasts exclusively. The system overcomes the drawback that transfected protoplast suspensions are often a heterogeneous mix of cells that have and have not been successfully transformed. This Gateway-compatible system enables high-throughput screening of genetic circuitry using overexpression. The incorporation of a red fluorescent protein selection marker enables combined utilization with widely available green fluorescent protein (GFP) tools. For instance, such a dual labeling approach allows cytometric analysis of GFP reporter gene activation expressly in the transformed cells or fluorescence-activated cell sorting-mediated isolation and downstream examination of overexpression effects in a specific GFP-marked cell population. Here, as an example, novel uses of this system are applied to the study of auxin signaling, exploiting the red fluorescent protein/GFP dual labeling capability. In response to manipulation of the auxin response network through overexpression of dominant negative auxin signaling components, we quantify effects on auxin-responsive DR5::GFP reporter gene activation as well as profile genome-wide transcriptional changes specifically in cells expressing a root epidermal marker.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / drug effects
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Indoleacetic Acids / chemistry
  • Indoleacetic Acids / pharmacology
  • Luminescent Measurements / methods*
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Organ Specificity / drug effects
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • Protoplasts / drug effects
  • Protoplasts / metabolism*
  • Red Fluorescent Protein
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects

Substances

  • Indoleacetic Acids
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Plant Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins