Increasing the transient expression of GUS gene in Porphyra yezoensis by 18S rDNA targeted homologous recombination

In order to test whether 18S rDNA can influence positively GUS gene transient expression in the red alga Porphyra yezoensis, a targeting vector pQD-GUS was constructed containing a portion of the 18S rDNA of P. yezoensis and transformed it into the same strain protoplasts. The results showed that GUS protein activity was increased markedly with pQD-GUS compared to the parent pBS-GUS. It is suggested that this system can be used to enhance the expression of exogenous genes in transgenic P. yezoensis.