Tapetum-specific expression of theOsg6B promoter-ß-glucuronidase gene in transgenic rice.

ABSTRACT

The promoter of an anther tapetum-specific gene,Osg6B, was fused to aß-glucuronidase (GUS) gene and introduced into rice byAgrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. Fluorometric and histochemical GUS assay showed that GUS was expressed exclusively within the tapetum of anthers from the uninucleate microspore stage (7 days before anthesis) to the tricellular pollen stage (3 days before anthesis). This is the first demonstration of an anther-specific promoter directing tapetum-specific expression in rice.