IN-VIVO OBSERVATION OF LARGE FOREIGN DNA-MOLECULES IN HOST-PLANT CELLS

We have developed a system to monitor microscopically the fate of fore ign DNA within plant cells in vivo, Fluorescein-11-dUTP was used to la bel DNA during target-specific amplification by polymerase chain react ion (PCR), Labeled DNA fragments of 1.5-3.5 kb were prepared and then transported into tobacco protoplasts by polyethylene glycol (PEG)-medi ated direct gene transfer. We localized the foreign, labeled DNA withi n the cell by confocal laser scanning microscopy.