Transformation of rice with long DNA-segments consisting of random genomic DNA or centromere-specific DNA

Rice was transformed with either long DNA-segments of random genomic DNA from rice, or centromere-specific DNA sequences from either maize or rice. Despite the repetitive nature of the transgenic DNA sequences, the centromere-specific sequences were inserted largely intact and behave as simple Mendelian units. Between 4 and 5% of bombarded callus clusters were transformed when bombarded with just pCAMBIA 1305.2. Frequency of recovery dropped to 2-3% when BACs with random genomic inserts were co-bombarded with pCAMBIA, and fell to less than 1% when BACs with centromeric DNA inserts and pCAMBIA were co-bombarded. A similar effect was noted on regeneration frequency. Differences in transformation ability, regeneration and behavior of plants transgenic for BACs with random genomic DNA inserts, as compared to those with centromeric DNA inserts, suggests functional differences between these two types of DNA.