E. coli plasmid pCGN1055 containing the hygromycin phosphotransferase (Hpt) gene under the control of the plant promoter was introduced into wheat protoplasts by cationic liposome (lipofectin)-mediated transformation, and transgenic albino plantlets were obtained. The transformation frequencies were 6.0% and 8.8% according to hygromycin resistance and DNA molecular hybridization. The assay of Hpt enzyme activity and Southern blot indicated the foreign gene existed and expressed in transgenic plantlets.