Deletion analysis of a phytochrome-regulated monocot rbcS promoter in a transient assay system.

We have developed a transient gene expression assay system in the aquatic monocot Lemna gibba in which DNA was introduced into intact tissue by particle bombardment. Constructs based on the Lemna rbcS gene SSU5B, which is positively regulated by phytochrome in vivo, also showed phytochrome regulation in the transient assay system. Reporter gene expression increased 12-fold over dark levels in response to a single treatment with red light. This increase was not observed if far-red light was immediately followed by the red light. A 5' deletion analysis of the promoter defined a region from position -205 to position -83 relative to the start of transcription as necessary to observe the phytochrome response. This region contains the binding site for the light-induced binding activity (LRF-1) found in Lemna nuclear extracts. Upstream of position -205, we found evidence for the presence of at least two upstream activating sequences and a silencer.