Luciferase as a reporter gene for transformation studies in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Transformed rice plants of var 'TN1' were regenerated from immature embryos following particle bombardment with a construct containing the firefly luc iferase gene as a reporter gene and the hygromycin resistance gene as a sel ectable marker. Expression of the luciferase gene in the presence of the su bstrate luciferin was visualised in the calli derived from bombarded immatu re embryos and in the leaves and roots of the regenerated transformed plant s using a low light imaging system (luminograph). Embryogenic callus prolif eration and plant regeneration were unaffected by luciferin treatment and l uminograph screening. The quantitative Luc assay using samples of leaf tiss ue from the segregating generations gave early information about the homozy gous and hemizygous state of the luc transgene.