Transformation of Erwinia carotovora ssp. atroseptica with the Green Fluorescent Protein Gene from Aequorea victoria

Erwinia carotovora ssp. atroseptica has been transfortned with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene from Aequorea victoria. Transformants had very high levels of GFP expression but some plasmid instability was apparent when bacteria were not grown on atnpicillin. Confocal microscopy showed variation between cells in the level of expression of GFP. Transfonnants retained their pathogenicity on potatoes, rotting tubers and causing typical blackleg symptoms when inoculated into stems, but the level of fluorescence was not suitable for observing bacterial movement. In contrast, E. coli producing GFP could be used to follow bacterial movement within vascular tissue of potato leaves.