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

Chimeric constructs consisting of the gus coding region fused downstream of promoterun-translated leader sequences from the tobacco osmotin and PR-S genes, the potato proteinase inhibitor 2 gene (pin2), and the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 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.