Use of green fluorescent protein for detection of transformed shoots and homozygous offspring.

Using tobacco as a model system, the data obtained demonstrated that the green fluorescent protein (GFP) can be used as a visual selection marker for transformed tissues. Based on differences in the intensity of GFP fluorescence, homozygous and hemizygous states could be easily visualized in seeds and seedlings of the T1 generation. These results were confirmed by genetic analysis. Optimized conditions for GFP analysis of stable transformants are presented.