Characterization of Albino Tobaccos (Nicotiana tabacum L.) Derived from Leaf Blade-Segments Cultured in vitro

The leaf blade-segments of albino tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) were cultured on MS media containing different concentrations of BAP (0, 0.4, 2.2, 4.4, 22.2 <TEX>${mu}{ extrm}{m}$</TEX>) with or without NAA (0, 0.5, 2.7 <TEX>${mu}{ extrm}{m}$</TEX>). Multiple shoots were induced on the media containing 0.4 to 2.2 <TEX>${mu}{ extrm}{m}$</TEX> BAP. The best condition for multiple shoot induction with root formation was MS media containing 4.4 <TEX>${mu}{ extrm}{m}$</TEX> BAP and 0.5 <TEX>${mu}{ extrm}{m}$</TEX> NAA. The regenerated albino plants showed a significant reduction in accumulation of chlorophylls and carotenoids. The drastic reduction of the pigments content was associated with the distinct alterations in gene expression in the albino plants. firstly, the expression of plastid genes, such as rbcL, psbA, 165 rDNA and 235 rDNA, was reduced at the level of transcripts in the regenerated albino plants. Secondly, the alteration of structure of the plastid genes was not detected in the albino plants. However, the copy number of the plastid genes whose transcription level was reduced greatly was increased approximately two-fold, although the transcriptions of nuclear gene (255 rDNA) showed the wild-type level.