Tissue-specificity of maize sucrose synthase gene promoters in maize tissues after particle bombardment

Abstract

The reporter gene encoding β-glucuronidase (GUS) driven by either of the two maize sucrose synthase gene (Sh1 and Sus 1) promoters was introduced and expressed in various maize tissues via particle bombardment. Transient gene expression was examined by histochemical assays. It was found that the two SS promoters directed differential GUS expression. In the developing kernel, the Sh1 promoter was active only in the upper and central parts of the endosperm. In contrast, strong GUS activity controlled by the Sus1 promoter was detected in various types of cells, including the aleurone cells, the subaleurone endosperm cells, the scutellar cells of the embryo and the pericarp cells. Both promoters showed similar expression patterns in vegetative tissues.