Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of recalcitrant crops

The most widely used technique for the introduction of new genetic information into plant cells is based on the natural gene transfer capacity ofAgrobacterium tumefaciens. Currently, this technique is routinely applicable in just a few model species, like tobacco and petunia. Thus far, the numerous efforts to apply the technique to crop species have had limited success. In this review, an attempt is made to survey all the research experience onAgrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of recalcitrant crops and to highlight the problems generally encountered. The main difficulty appears to be directing the gene transfer towards those plant cells that are amenable to regeneration. The various ways to reduce stress during the transformation and regeneration process are often beneficial. The influence of the developmental stage of the plant material and the host range of theAgrobacterium strain depends largely on the plant species used, which hampers the formulation of common procedures. However, some general guidelines for the development of a transformation protocol are discussed.     

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri

A protocol for Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation of Rhipsalidopsis cv. CB5 was developed. Calluses derived from phylloclade explants and sub-cultured onto fresh callus induction medium over a period of 9–12 months were co-cultivated with A. tumefaciens LBA4404. Plasmid constructs carrying the nptII gene, as a selectable marker, and the reporter uidA gene were used. Transformed Rhipsalidopsis calluses with a vigorous growth phenotype were obtained by extended culture on media containing 600 mg l⁻¹ kanamycin. After 9 months of a stringent selection pressure, the removal of kanamycin from the final medium together with the culture of the transformed calluses under nutritional stress led to the formation of several transgenic adventitious shoots. Transformation was confirmed by GUS staining (for uidA gene), ELISA analysis and Southern blot hybridization (for the nptII gene). With this approach, a transformation efficiency of 22.7% was achieved. Overall results described in this study demonstrate that Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is a promising approach for this cactus species.     

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of embryogenic tissue and transgenic plant regeneration in Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb. et Zucc.

A genetic transformation procedure for Chamaecyparis obtusa was developed after co-cultivation of embryogenic tissues with disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C58/pMP90, which harbours the sgfp (synthetic green fluorescent protein) visual reporter and nptII (neomycin phoshotransferase II) selectable marker genes. The highest transformation frequency was 22.5 independent transformed lines per dish (250 mg embryogenic tissue) following selection on kanamycin medium. Transgenic plantlets were regenerated through the maturation and germination of somatic embryos. The intensity of GFP fluorescence, observed under a fluorescence microscope, varied from very faint to relatively strong, depending on the transgenic line or part of the transgenic plant. The integration of the genes into the genome of regenerated plantlets was confirmed by Southern blot analysis.     

Factors affecting Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation of Lycium barbarum L.

Summary Using the system for genetic transformation and transgenic plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis (SE) of Lycium barbarum established in this laboratory, this study reports the optimization of the factors affecting the efficiency of transformation, including pre-culture period, leaf explant source, use of acetosyringone, strains and density of Agrobacterium, and temperature of co-cultivation. The optimized transformation protocol for L. barbarum included preculture of leaf explants from 3-wk-old seedlings for 3 d on the medium for callus induction followed by inoculation with Agrobacterium strain EHA101 (pIG121 Hm), co-cultivation for 3d at 24°C, and transfer to the selection regeneration medium with 50 mg l^−1 kanamycin (Kan). Using this protocol, 65% L. barbarum explants gave rise to Kan-resistant and GUS-positive calli. In addition, the expression of introduced transgene (npt II) in clonal progeny was verified by formation of calli and somatic embryos from leaf segments of nine transgenic plants grown on the Kan-containing medium. All explants formed calli at 50 mg l^−1 Kan and seven out of nine transgenic plants were found to possess callus-forming capacity even at 100 mg l^−1 Kan. These calli also possessed higher SE potential on SE medium supplemented with 25 mg l^−1 Kan.     

Stable genetic transformation of castor (Ricinus communis L.) via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene transfer using embryo axes from mature seeds

A protocol for the transformation of castor embryo axes using the pCAMBIA vector 1304 in disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105 is presented. Co-cultivated explants were initially subjected to expansion and proliferation on MS medium with 0.5 mg l^–1 TDZ followed by three cycles of selection on medium with 0.5 mg l^–1 BA and increasing concentrations of hygromycin (20–40–60 mg l^–1). Selected shoot clusters were transferred to medium with 0.5 mg l^–1 BA for proliferation and 0.2 mg l^–1 BA for shoot elongation. Elongated shoots were rooted on half-strength MS medium with 2.0 mg l^–1 NAA. The presence and stable integration of the hpt gene was confirmed through PCR, RT-PCR, PCR-Southern blot, sequence analysis, Southern blot analysis and PCR analysis of progeny. Southern blot analysis of the primary transformants showed single copy integration and progeny analysis revealed monogenic inheritance of the introduced gene. This paper reports the first successful attempt at producing transgenic castor.     

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Beauveria bassiana using an herbicide resistance gene as a selection marker

Beauveria bassiana has been investigated for use in the biological control of several insects in agricultural practice. To understand the molecular basis of virulence and host specificity and to improve the entomopathogenicity of B. bassiana, we have developed a simple, highly efficient and reliable Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method for B. bassiana using a phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (bar) gene as a selectable marker. Most transformants contained single copies of T-DNA and the T-DNA inserts were stably inherited after five generations. With this highly efficient transformation method for B. bassiana, we also obtained two putative T-DNA-tagged mutants that may have altered growth habits or virulence. Thus, the described protocol could provide a useful tool to manipulate the genetic make-up and to tag genes that may be important for virulence or growth and development of B. bassiana.     

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and production of transgenic plants

An efficient system for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and production of transgenic plants was developed. Transformation was accomplished by cocultivation of hypocotyl segments with Agrobacterium tumefaciens containing a binary Ti-plasmid vector harboring chimeric neomycin phosphotransferase and β-glucuronidase (GUS) genes. A modified Gamborg's B5 medium used in this study was effective for both callus induction and regeneration of transgenic shoots. This medium could also effectively maintain the organogenic capability of callus for more than a year. Culturing transgenic shoots in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 0.1 mg ⋅ l^–1 benzylaminopurine prior to root induction in rooting medium markedly increased the rootability of shoots that were recalcitrant to rooting. Histochemical assay revealed the expression of the GUS gene in leaf, stem, and root tissues of transgenic plants. Insertion of the GUS gene in the nuclear genome of transgenic plants was verified by genomic Southern hybridization analysis, further confirming the integration and expression of T-DNA in these plants. Received: 1 August 1997 / Revision received: 11 December 1997 / Accepted: 24 January 1998     

Efficient shoots regeneration and genetic transformation of Bacopa monniera

Bacopa monniera is an important source of metabolites with pharmaceutical value. It has been regarded as a valuable medicinal plant and its entire commercial requirement is met from wild natural population. Recently, metabolic engineering has emerged as an important solution for sustained supply of assured and quality raw material for the production of active principles. Present report describes efficient in vitro multiplication and transformation method for genetic manipulation of this species. MS medium supplemented with 2 mgl⁻¹ BA and 0.2 mgl⁻¹ IAA was found optimum for maximum shoot regeneration (98.33 %) from in vitro leaves with 2–3 longitudinal cuts. Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation method was used for generating transgenic B. monniera plants. Putative transformants were confirmed by GUS assay and PCR based confirmation of hptII gene. DNA blot analysis showed single copy insertion of transgene cassette. An average of 87.5 % of the regenerated shoots were found PCR positive for hptII gene and GUS activity was detected in leaves of transgenic shoots at a frequency of 82.5 % The efficient multiple shoots regeneration system described herein may help in mass production of B. monniera plant. Also, the high frequency transformation protocol described here can be used for genetic engineering of B. monniera for enhancement of its pharmaceutically important metabolites.     

Factors affecting Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation in several black poplar clones

Transient expression of the uidA reporter gene was used in preliminary experiments with two oncogenic and two disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains in order to test the efficiency of T-DNA transfer to N084 x Populus nigra and N107 x P. nigra clones. The oncogenic strain A281 pKIWI105 produced the highest average number of GUS spots per leaf disc. In order to optimize the production of transgenic plantlets from different P. nigra clones (San Giorgio, Jean Pourtet, N084 x P. nigra and N107 x P. nigra, respectively), two A. tumefaciens strains (GV2260 p35S GUS, A281pKIWI105) and bacterial concentrations (7×10⁸; 1.2×0⁹ bacteria ml^-1) were used. Following co-cultivation with A281 pKIWI105, the frequency of leaf discs producing kanamycin-resistant calli was not significantly different between the clones and bacteria concentrations used. Transformed shoots were regenerated from all clones, except for Jean Pourtet. Co-cultivation of leaf discs with GV2260 p35S GUS produced very few calli which died when transferred to selective regeneration medium. In addition, the effects of acetosyringone and leaf wounding were evaluated for the San Giorgio and Jean Pourtet clones, using the same strains. Factors which significantly affected the transformation efficiency of leaf explants were the P. nigra clone, the A. tumefaciens strain, and the presence of acetosyringone. Genetic transformation of calli and regenerated plantlets was confirmed by their ability to grow and root on Woody Plant Medium containing kanamycin, by histochemical -glucuronidase assays, and Southern blot hybridization analyses.Abbreviations BA benzyladenine - GUS -glucuronidase - IBA indolebutyric acid - MS Murashige and Skoog - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - nptII neomycin phosphotransferase II gene - uidA -glucuronidase gene - WPM Woody Plant Medium     

Generation of transgenic Lolium temulentum plants by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation

Lolium temulentum L. (Darnel ryegrass) has been proposed to be used as a model species for functional genomics studies in forage and turf grasses, because it is a self-fertile, diploid species with a short life cycle and is closely related to other grasses. Embryogenic calluses were induced from mature embryos of a double haploid line developed through anther culture. The calluses were broken up into small pieces and used for Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. A. tumefaciens strain EHA105 harboring pCAMBIA1301 and pCAMBIA1305.2 vectors were used to infect embryogenic callus pieces. Hygromycin was used as a selection agent in stable transformation experiments. Hygromycin resistant calluses were obtained after 4–6 weeks of selection and transgenic plants were produced in 10–13 weeks after Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Fertile plants were readily obtained after transferring the transgenics to the greenhouse. Transgenic nature of the regenerated plants was demonstrated by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Southern hybridization analysis, and GUS staining. Progeny analysis showed Mendelian inheritance of the transgenes. The transformation system provides a valuable tool for functionality tests of candidate genes in forage and turf grasses.     

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Allium cepa L.: the production of transgenic onions and shallots

This paper describes the development of a reliable transformation protocol for onion and shallot (Allium cepa L.) which can be used year-round. It is based on Agrobacterium tumefaciens as a vector, with three-week old callus, induced from mature zygotic embryos, as target tissue. For the development of the protocol a large number of parameters were studied. The expression of the uidA gene coding for -glucuronidase was used as an indicator in the optimization of the protocol. Subspecies (onion and shallot) and cultivar were important factors for a successful transformation: shallot was better than onion and for shallot cv. Kuning the best results were obtained. Also, it was found that constantly reducing the size of the calli during subculturing and selection by chopping, thus enhancing exposure to the selective agent hygromycin, improved the selection efficiency significantly. Furthermore, callus induction medium and co-cultivation period showed a significant effect on successful stable transformation. The usage of different Agrobacterium strains, callus ages, callus sources and osmotic treatments during co-cultivation did not influence transformation efficiency. The highest transformation frequency (1.95%), was obtained with shallot cv. Kuning. A total of 11 independent transformed callus lines derived from zygotic embryos were produced: seven lines from shallot and four lines from onion. Large differences in plantlet production were observed among these lines. The best line produced over 90 plantlets. Via PCR the presence of the uidA and hpt (hygromycin phosphotransferase) genes could be demonstrated in these putative transformed plants. Southern hybridization showed that most lines originated from one transformation event. However, in one line plants were obtained indicating the occurrence and rescue of at least three independent transformation events. This suggested that T-DNA integration occurred in different cells within the callus. Most transgenic plants only had one copy of T-DNA integrated into their genomes. FISH performed on 12 plants from two different lines representing two integration events showed that original T-DNA integration had taken place on the distal end of chromosomes 1 or 5. A total of 83 transgenic plants were transferred to the greenhouse and these plants appeared to be diploid and normal in morphology.     

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation to alter ethylene and cytokinin biosynthesis in broccoli

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) deteriorates rapidly following harvest. Postharvest treatment of broccoli with 6-benzylaminopurine delays senescence, whilst exogenous ethylene has been shown to accelerate this process following harvest. To alter ethylene biosynthesis, broccoli was transformed, using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation, with an antisense ACC oxidase gene from broccoli driven by the asparagine synthetase promoter from asparagus. In addition, broccoli was transformed with the chimeric gene construct SAG12-IPT to alter cytokinin biosynthesis during harvest-induced senescence. Transformation was achieved using both hypocotyl and cotyledonary petiole explants. The presence of an antisense ACC oxidase gene enhanced transformation efficiency, but Ag⁺ incorporated into the medium did not. The transgenic nature of these plants was confirmed by PCR and Southern analyses.     

Regeneration of transgenic Cryptomeria japonica D. Don after Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of embryogenic tissue

A genetic transformation procedure for Cryptomeria japonica was developed after co-cultivation of embryogenic tissues with the disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C58/pMP90, which harbours the visual reporter gene sgfp and two selectable marker genes, hpt and nptII. We were able to generate eight and three independent transgenic lines per gram of embryogenic tissue after selection on hygromycin and kanamycin medium, respectively. Transgenic plants were regenerated through somatic embryogenesis in 4 lines out of these 11 lines. Green fluorescent protein fluorescence was observed under fluorescent microscopy. Integration of the genes into the genome was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction analysis of embryogenic tissues and Southern blot analysis of regenerated plantlets.     

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of sweet orange and regeneration of transgenic plants

Summary Transgenic sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) plants have been obtained by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene transfer. An hypervirulent A. tumefaciens strain harboring a binary vector that contains the chimeric neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPT II) and ß-glucuronidase (GUS) genes was cocultivated with stem segments from in vivo grown seedlings. Shoots regenerated under kanamycin selection were harvested from the stem segments within 12 weeks. Shoot basal portions were assayed for GUS activity and the remaining portions were shoot tip grafted in vitro for production of plants. Integration of the GUS gene was confirmed by Southern analysis. This transformation procedure showed the highest transgenic plant production efficiency reported for Citrus.Abbreviations BA benzyladenine - CaMV cauliflowermosaic virus - GUS ß-glucuronidase - LB Luria Broth - MS Murashige and Skoog - NAA naphthalenacetic acid - NOS nopaline synthase - NPT II neomycin phosphotransferase II - PEG polyethylene glycol - RM rooting medium - SRM shoot regeneration medium     

Factors influencing the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of carrot (Daucus carota L.)

To develop an efficient procedure for Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation of carrot (Daucus carota L.) the effects of several factors were studied. Parameters which significantly affected the transformation frequency were the variety, the explant type, and the co-cultivation period. Under optimal conditions, using the A. tumefaciens C58C1 containing either pGSTRN943 or pGSGluc1 and 3 days of co-cultivation, the frequency of transformation of petiole explants of the variety Nanco was greater than 45%. This procedure does not require acetosyringone or prolonged precultivation period. Using kanamycin (100 mg l^-1) for selection, a large number of transgenic plantlets developed from the embryogenic calli within 8–10 weeks of culture on hormone-free medium. Transformation was confirmed by histochemical detection of -glucuronidase activity in the transformed cells, by the ability of petiole segments to produce embryogenic calli in presence of kanamycin, and by Southern hybridization analyses.     

Genetic transformation and regeneration of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg) transgenic plants with a constitutive version of an anti-oxidative stress superoxide dismutase gene

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation and the regeneration of transgenic plants was achieved in Hevea brasiliensis. Immature anther-derived calli were used to develop transgenic plants. These calli were co-cultured with A. tumefaciens harboring a plasmid vector containing the H. brasiliensis superoxide dismutase gene (HbSOD) under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter. The -glucuronidase gene (uidA) was used for screening and the neomycin phosphotransferase gene (nptII) was used for selection of the transformed calli. Factors such as co-cultivation time, co-cultivation media and kanamycin concentration were assessed to establish optimal conditions for the selection of transformed callus lines. Transformed calli surviving on medium containing 300 mg l^-1 kanamycin showed a strong GUS-positive reaction. Somatic embryos were then regenerated from these transgenic calli on MS2 medium containing 2.0 mg l^-1 spermine and 0.1 mg l^-1 abscisic acid. Mature embryos were germinated and developed into plantlets on MS4 medium supplemented with 0.2 mg l^-1 gibberellic acid, 0.2 mg l^-1 kinetin (KIN) and 0.1 mg l^-1 indole-3-acetic acid. A transformation frequency of 4% was achieved. The morphology of the transgenic plants was similar to that of untransformed plants. Histochemical GUS assay revealed the expression of the uidA gene in embryos as well as leaves of transgenic plants. The presence of the uidA, nptII and HbSOD genes in the Hevea genome was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction amplification and genomic Southern blot hybridization analyses.Communicated by L. Peña     

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation of the white root rot ascomycete Rosellinia necatrix

Hygromycin B resistance was conferred to the mycelium of the white root rot fungus Rosellinia necatrix by transformation with the hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene (hph) of Escherichia coli under the control of the heterologous fungal Aspergillus nidulans P-gpd (glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase) promoter and the trpC terminator. In all three transformants, the presence of hph and single-copy integrations of the marker gene were demonstrated by Southern analysis. This is the first report describing A. tumefaciens-mediated transformation of R. necatrix     

Genetic transformation and regeneration of transgenic plants in grapevine (Vitis rupestris S.)

Isolated somatic embryos from petiole-derived callus cultures ofVitis rupestris Scheele have been employed in experiments on genetic transformation. Co-cultivation of somatic embryos during embryogenesis induction withAgrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404, which contains the plasmid pBI121 carrying the neomycin phosphotranspherase and the-glucuronidase genes, produced transformed cellular lines capable of recurrent somatic embryogenesis. Precocious selection for high levels of kanamycin (100 mgl^-1) was an important part of our transformation protocol. Transformed lines still have strong-glucuronidase expression as well as stable insertion of the marker genes after 3 years of in-vitro culture, during which they have maintained their capacity to organize secondary embryos and to regenerate transgenic plants with an agreeable efficiency (13%).     

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of embryogenic tissues of tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze)

Embryogenic tissues of tea were cocultivated withAgrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404. The plasmid pBi121, which contains the neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) gene providing kanamycin resistance as a selectable marker and the β-glucuronidase (uidA) reporter gene, was used as binary vector. The highest transformation frequency (12 transformants/g fresh weight [FW] of treated embryogenic tissue) was obtained with 5-day-old tissues grown in liquid medium and cocultivated withAgrobacterium for 2 d in the same medium but containing 50 μM acetosyringone. There was improvement in the recovery of kanamycin-resistant tissues when tissues were first grown for 10 d on a medium containing 350 mg/L Timentin to prevent bacterial overgrowth, before application of the selection pressure. Resistant tissues obtained after 6 wk on kanamycin-selection medium showed stableuidA expression. Polymerase chain reaction demonstrated the presence of the transgenes, while Southern hybridization confirmed their integration into the genome. Transgenic plants were regenerated from transformed tissues within 4 mo after coculture.