ULTRASOUND MEDIATED DELIVERY OF COMPOUNDS INTO PETUNIA PROTOPLASTS AND CELLS

The effects of ultrasound on uptake of foreign substance by Petunia pr otoplasts were studied using calcein (3, 6-dihydroxy-2,4-bis-[N, N-di (carboxymethyl)-aminoethyl fluoran] and DNA. Neither the protoplasts n or cells took up the calcein, but treatment with ultrasound facilitate d the uptake. Pronounced stimulation of uptake was observed with proto plasts but only moderate stimulation was observed with the cells. The ultrasound uptake was dependent on sound frequency, temperature and du ration of treatment, Uptake increased with treatment time but prolong treatment caused the rupture of protoplasts. Ultrasound also facilitat ed uptake of DNA by cells of Petunia. In this study the plasmid pBI 12 1.2 carrying a reporter, beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene was used. Trans ient expression of this gene was an indicator of DNA uptake. Survived protoplasts and cells subjected to ultrasound treatment divided and fo rmed microcalli in agarose medium.