Transient expression of lacZ in bombarded unicellular green alga Haematococcus pluvialis

This paper reports for the first time the transient expression of areporter gene, LacZ, in the unicellular green alga Haematococcuspluvialis. By employing the micro-particle bombardment method,motilecells in the exponential phase showed transient expression oflacZ. This was detected in bombarded motile cells undertherupture-disc pressures of 3103 KPa and 4137 KPa.Transient expression of LacZ gene could not be observed in non-motile cells ofthis alga under the same transformation condition. No LacZ background was foundin either the motile cells or the non-motile cells. The study suggests apromising potential of the SV40 promoter and the lacZreporter gene in genetic engineering of unicellular green algae.