Improvement of culture conditions and evidence for nuclear transformation by homologous recombination in a red alga, Cyanidioschyzon merolae 10D

Plant Cell Physiol. 2004 Jun;45(6):667-71. doi: 10.1093/pcp/pch087.

Abstract

Although the nuclear genome sequence of Cyanidioschyzon merolae 10D, a unicellular red alga, was recently determined, DNA transformation technology that is important as a model plant system has never been available thus far. In this study, improved culture conditions resulted in a faster growth rate of C. merolae in liquid medium (doubling time = 9.2 h), and colony formation on gellan gum plates. Using these conditions, spontaneous mutants (5-fluoroortic acid resistant) deficient in the UMP synthase gene were isolated. The lesions were then restored by introducing the wild-type UMP synthase gene into the cells suggesting DNA transformation by homologous recombination.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods*
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Culture Media / pharmacology
  • DNA, Plant / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multienzyme Complexes / deficiency
  • Multienzyme Complexes / genetics
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Orotate Phosphoribosyltransferase / deficiency
  • Orotate Phosphoribosyltransferase / genetics
  • Orotic Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • Orotic Acid / pharmacology
  • Orotidine-5'-Phosphate Decarboxylase / deficiency
  • Orotidine-5'-Phosphate Decarboxylase / genetics
  • Recombination, Genetic / genetics*
  • Rhodophyta / genetics*
  • Rhodophyta / metabolism*
  • Transformation, Genetic / genetics*

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • DNA, Plant
  • Multienzyme Complexes
  • Orotic Acid
  • uridine 5'-monophosphate synthase
  • 5-fluoroorotic acid
  • Orotate Phosphoribosyltransferase
  • Orotidine-5'-Phosphate Decarboxylase