Biopolymers and cell. 1996; 12 (6): 87 - 93

Chloroplast «cryptic» promoter can be activated upon their transfer to plant nuclear genome

N. V. Grgzelyak, A. P. Galkin, L. V. Gening, T. V. Medvedeva, L. G. Lioshina, O. V. Bulko, K. G. Gasaryan

It is shown that a DNA fragment containing the previously described exon 2 sequence of the chtoroplast gene for ribosomal protein SI 2 can determine expression of the reporter npt-II gene intransgenic plant nuclear genome. Transcription start points inthetransgenic plant were localized withintherpSJ2 DNA coding sequences. After5'-rpS12-CAT-nos-3' gene construction has been introduced to tobacco protoplasts by PEG-treatment, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) enzyme activity was detectable by transient assays. These facts indicate that «cryptic» promoter-like sequences exist in chtoroplast genome which can be activated as a result of their artifical or natural transfer to the nuclei.