EXPRESSION OF HUMAN ALPHA-INTERFERON CDNA IN TRANSGENIC RICE PLANTS

The plasmid pIG3031 containing human alpha-interferon cDNA and the neo mycin phosphotransferase II coding sequence was successfully transferr ed into rice protoplasts (Indica type rice) by Lipofectin-mediated tra nsformation. Assays for NPT II enzyme activity indicated that the tran sformation frequency was 10%. Transgenic plants were regenerated from transformed calli. Southern blots showed that the human alpha-interfer on cDNA sequence was present in rice DNA. RNA slot blots indicated app arent transcription of human alpha-interferon cDNA under the control o f the plant-active promoter PI'. Extracts of transgenic cell cultures and plants contained apparent interferon activity as measured by resis tance of a human amniotic cell line to viral infection in the presence of plant extracts. These studies demonstrate that human alpha-interfe ron cDNA may be correctly expressed in rice cells.