ULTRASOUND MEDIATED DELIVERY OF COMPOUNDS INTO PETUNIA PROTOPLASTS AND CELLS

The effects of ultrasound on uptake of foreign substance by Petunia protoplasts were studied using calcein (3, 6-dihydroxy-2,4-bis-[N, N-di (carboxymethyl)-aminoethyl fluoran] and DNA. Neither the protoplasts nor cells took up the calcein, but treatment with ultrasound facilitated the uptake. Pronounced stimulation of uptake was observed with protoplasts but only moderate stimulation was observed with the cells. The ultrasound uptake was dependent on sound frequency, temperature and duration of treatment, Uptake increased with treatment time but prolong treatment caused the rupture of protoplasts. Ultrasound also facilitated uptake of DNA by cells of Petunia. In this study the plasmid pBI 121.2 carrying a reporter, beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene was used. Transient expression of this gene was an indicator of DNA uptake. Survived protoplasts and cells subjected to ultrasound treatment divided and formed microcalli in agarose medium.