Analysis of unique variable region of a plant root inducing plasmid, pRi1724, by the construction of its physical map and library.

Ri plasmids in Agrobacterium rhizogenes specifically induce the hairy root syndrome on various dicotyledonous plants. Its T-DNA transfer system as well as those of Ti plasmids have successfully provided the fundamental technique to introduce exogenous genes into plants. To study the Ri genome structure, we constructed a complete BamHI physical map and a lambda library of pRi1724 of A. rhizogenes strain 1724. By using these, we carried out the complete sequence of the 74-kb region between the right border of T-DNA and tra operon, which is the highly variable region (VAR) among Ri and Ti plasmids. As a result, we found three kinds of putative ABC-type transport operons, histidine utilization operon, glycerol utilization operon and two chemoreceptor genes. In addition, a virulence-related gene, tzs was located independently of the vir region.     

Transgenic mimicry of pathogen attack stimulates growth and secondary metabolite accumulation

Plant secondary metabolites, including pharmaceuticals, flavorings and aromas, are often produced in response to stress. We used chemical inducers of the pathogen defense response (jasmonic acid, salicylate, killed fungi, oligosaccharides and the fungal elicitor protein, cryptogein) to increase metabolite and biomass production in transformed root cultures of the medicinal plant, Withania somnifera, and the weed, Convolvulus sepium. In an effort to genetically mimic the observed effects of cryptogein, we employed Agrobacterium rhizogenes to insert a synthetic gene encoding cryptogein into the roots of C. sepium, W. somnifera and Tylophora tanakae. This genetic transformation was associated with stimulation in both secondary metabolite production and growth in the first two species, and in growth in the third. In whole plants of Convolvulus arvensis and Arabidopsis thaliana, transformation with the cryptogein gene led, respectively, to increases in the calystegines and certain flavonoids. A similar transgenic mimicry of pathogen attack was previously employed to stimulate resistance to the pathogen and abiotic stress. In the present study of biochemical phenotype, we show that transgenic mimicry is correlated with increased secondary metabolite production in transformed root cultures and whole plants. We propose that natural transformation with genes encoding the production of microbial elicitors could influence interactions between plants and other organisms.     

发根农杆菌Ri质粒rolB基因研究进展（综述）

RiT-DNArolB基因是发根农杆菌转化植物的决定因子,rolB基因表达引起转基因植物形成大量毛状根（hairy root)。本文介绍近年来rolB基因的位点,表达与调控及RolB蛋白结构与功能方面的研究进展。     

Ri质粒介导的毛状根体系建立及其在植物次生代谢产物合成中的研究进展

发根农杆菌Ri质粒可诱导植物产生毛状根体系,该体系具有遗传性状稳定且增殖速度快的特点,可用于药用植物次生代谢产物的生产研究,为利用生物反应器技术进行药用植物有效成分工业化水平的发酵培养开辟了新途径。本文主要综述了发根农杆菌Ri质粒介导的植物毛状根体系遗传转化机理,并对毛状根体系在药用植物次生代谢产物生产中的研究现状进行了深入分析,为从基因水平上调控植物次生代谢产物的合成提供新思路。     

Pathogen-induced elicitin production in transgenic tobacco generates a hypersensitive response and nonspecific disease resistance.

The rapid and effective activation of disease resistance responses is essential for plant defense against pathogen attack. These responses are initiated when pathogen-derived molecules (elicitors) are recognized by the host. We have developed a strategy for creating novel disease resistance traits whereby transgenic plants respond to infection by a virulent pathogen with the production of an elicitor. To this end, we generated transgenic tobacco plants harboring a fusion between the pathogen-inducible tobacco hsr 203J gene promoter and a Phytophthora cryptogea gene encoding the highly active elicitor cryptogein. Under noninduced conditions, the transgene was silent, and no cryptogein could be detected in the transgenic plants. In contrast, infection by the virulent fungus P. parasitica var nicotianae stimulated cryptogein production that coincided with the fast induction of several defense genes at and around the infection sites. Induced elicitor production resulted in a localized necrosis that resembled a P. cryptogea-induced hypersensitive response and that restricted further growth of the pathogen. The transgenic plants displayed enhanced resistance to fungal pathogens that were unrelated to Phytophthora species, such as Thielaviopsis basicola, Erysiphe cichoracearum, and Botrytis cinerea. Thus, broad-spectrum disease resistance of a plant can be generated without the constitutive synthesis of a transgene product.     

Ri质粒介导的DNA转移及诱发甘草毛根再生植株

本文报道了通过三亲交配将PB1121双元中间载体从大肠杆菌C600转移到发根农杆菌R1000(PRiA4b)中,在含Km、Sm的MinA选择平板上获得了转移子,上述转移子菌液用注射法感染甘草胚轴、茎等外植体,在无激素含1mg/mlcb,0.1mg/mlkm的MS培养基上培养,两周后诱发出毛根,切下毛根在同上培养基上6周长出不定芽,继续培养长成再生植株,经检测转化株毛根中存在甘露碱和GUS基因产物,具有Km抗性和激素自主性生长特性,证明Ri质粒不仅可介导GUS基因转移还可诱发毛根再生植株,提供了简化、高效的植物遗传转化系统。     

Genetic transformation of Medicago truncatula using Agrobacterium with genetically modified Ri and disarmed Ti plasmids

Summary Fertile transgenic plants of the annual pasture legume Medicago truncatula were obtained by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, utilising a disarmed Ti plasmid and a binary vector containing the kanamycin resistance gene under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. Factors contributing to the result included an improved plant regeneration protocol and the use of explants from a plant identified as possessing high regeneration capability from tissue culture. Genes present on the T-DNA of the Ri plasmid had a negative effect on somatic embryogenesis. Only tissue inoculated with Agrobacterium strains containing a disarmed Ti plasmid lacking the T-DNA region or a Ri plasmid with an inactivated rol A gene regenerated transgenic plants. Fertile transgenic plants were only obtained with disarmed A. tumefaciens, and the introduced NPT II gene was transmitted to R₁ progeny.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid - NPT neomycin phosphotransferase     

发根农杆菌介导药用甘薯西蒙1号的遗传转化

用发根农杆菌A4分别感染药用甘薯西蒙1号的叶片、茎切段、叶柄等外植体,诱导出毛状根,并对毛状根进行了离体培养.采用L9(34)正交设计法优化甘薯西蒙1号的毛状根诱导条件;PCR扩增检测转化毛状根;用高效液相色谱仪检测了毛状根中咖啡酸的含量.结果表明:转化中茎切段是最合适的外植体,最佳感染时间20 min,共培养最佳时间为2天;PCR扩增检测表明发根农杆菌Ri质粒的T-DNA片段已整合进植物的基因组中;经高效液相色谱仪证实毛状根中含有咖啡酸,含量为0.03792 mg/g.     

Ri T-DNA对盾叶薯蓣的遗传转化及薯蓣皂甙元产生的影响

利用农杆菌介导法成功地将Pd T-DNA转入药用植物盾叶薯蓣,产生了毛状根,经分子信标探针检测农杆菌Pd质粒上的T-DNA已整合进植物基因组中。研究建立了毛状根大量快速繁殖技术,基本技术要求为：1／2 MS液体培养基,28℃培养温度,350lux弱光条件下有利于毛状根的增殖培养,提高生物量。HPLC测定结果显示,转基因获得的毛状根其薯蓣皂甙元的含量分别是微块茎、愈伤组织和植物体合成量的5．68倍、6．12倍和2．68倍。     

Agrobacterium rhizogenes lacZ-rolC gene expression in Escherichia coli: detection of the product in transgenic plants using RolC-specific antibodies

The rolC sequence of the Agrobacterium rhizogenes Ri plasmid was fused in-frame to the 3' end of the lacZ gene in plasmid pEX3. The fusion protein RolC-beta-galactosidase was accumulated as insoluble inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli. Antibodies were raised in rabbits against the fusion protein. After affinity purification, RolC-specific antibodies were found to react with a 22-kDa polypeptide prepared from roots of transgenic tobacco plants possessing a rolC gene. The result of differential centrifugation suggested that RolC is present in the soluble fraction of transformed cells.     

发根农杆菌介导的长春花高效转基因体系的建立

以长春花幼叶为外植体建立了发根农杆菌介导的长春花高效遗传转化体系,主要技术环节为：用携带有基因表达载体的发根农杆菌R1000侵染幼嫩叶片,侵染的叶片外植体与发根农杆菌共培养2d,外植体移至除菌培养基除菌培养2～3周,切取外植体上诱导长出的毛状根置于筛选培养基上培养1-2周,最后对筛选出的阳性毛状根无性系进行扩繁。筛选出的阳性毛状根经GUS染色和PCR分子鉴定表明,该方法的发根诱导率和阳性转化率分别为82％±2．49％和100％。该转化方法所获得的毛状根系数量大、质量高、遗传稳定且所需时间短,明显优于现有的长春花遗传转化技术,是长春花遗传转化的高效便捷体系。     

Genetic Transformation of Brassica juncea var. tsatsi Induced by Ri T-DNA of Agrobacterium rhizogenes

Hairy roots of mustard (Brassica juncea var. tsatsi) cv. "Paoye' were obtained from in vitro inoculation of reversely inserted petioles with Agrobacteriurn rhizogenes strain LBA9402 harbouring the agropine-type Ri plasmid (pRi1855). The root inducing rate was 100%. Transformed roots grew rapidly on hormone-free MS medium and showed typical hairy root phenotype. Transformed plantlets regenerated from hairy roots on MS medium supplemented with BA 8.0 mg/L and NAA 0.6 mg/L. Opine analysis evidenced the integration and expression of TR-DNA, PCR analysis and Southern hybridization confirmed the integration of TL-DNA including 862 bp rol B sequence in the transformed plants.     

烟草毛状根多倍体诱导及其植株再生

为了提高烟草的烟碱含量,采用发根农杆菌遗传转化和人工染色体加倍技术,进行了烟草毛状根及其多倍体诱导、植株再生及其烟碱含量测定。结果表明,发根农杆菌ATCC15834感染烟草叶片外植体8 d后产生白色毛状根,15 d后所有叶片外植体产生毛状根。毛状根能在无外源激素的MS固体和液体培养基上自主生长。PCR扩增结果显示发根农杆菌Ri质粒的rol B和rol C基因以及冠瘿碱合成酶基因已在烟草毛状根基因组中整合并得到表达。烟草毛状根多倍体诱导的最适条件为0.1%的秋水仙素溶液处理36 h,其多倍体诱导率为64.71%。经秋水仙素加倍的烟草毛状根多倍体植株再生的最适宜培养基为MS+6-BA 2.0 mg/L+NAA0.2 mg/L。与对照(二倍体非转化植株)相比,烟草二倍体毛状根再生植株的顶端优势减弱,腋芽增多,叶片变窄;而烟草毛状根多倍体再生植株茎更粗,节间变短,叶色更深,叶片的宽度和厚度均较对照明显增大。根尖细胞染色体压片观察证实,所获得的烟草毛状根多倍体再生植株为四倍体,其根尖细胞染色体数约为4n=96。盆栽实验表明,烟草二倍体毛状根植株和多倍体毛状根再生植株比对照植株延迟约21 d开花。GC-MS检测表明,烟草毛状根多倍体再生植株的烟碱含量比对照及二倍体毛状根再生植株显著提高,分别约为对照及二倍体毛状根再生植株的6.90倍和4.57倍。     

Development of a transgenic hairy root system in jute (Corchorus capsularis L.) with gusA reporter gene through Agrobacterium rhizogenes mediated co-transformation

Transgenic hairy root system is important in several recalcitrant plants, where Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated plant transformation and generation of transgenic plants are problematic. Jute (Corchorus spp.), the major fibre crop in Indian subcontinent, is one of those recalcitrant plants where in vitro tissue culture has provided a little success, and hence, Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation remains to be a challenging proposition in this crop. In the present work, a system of transgenic hairy roots in Corchorus capsularis L. has been developed through genetic transformation by Agrobacterium rhizogenes harbouring two plasmids, i.e. the natural Ri plasmid and a recombinant binary vector derived from the disarmed Ti plasmid of A. tumefaciens. Our findings indicate that the system is relatively easy to establish and reproducible. Molecular analysis of the independent lines of transgenic hairy roots revealed the transfer of relevant transgenes from both the T-DNA parts into the plant genome, indicating the co-transformation nature of the event. High level expression and activity of the gusA reporter gene advocate that the transgenic hairy root system, thus developed, could be applicable as gene expression system in general and for root functional genomics in particular. Furthermore, these transgenic hairy roots can be used in future as explants for plantlet regeneration to obtain stable transgenic jute plants.     

Quantitative determination of the major saponin mixture bacoside A in Bacopa monnieri by HPLC

Bacoside A, the putative bioactive component of the Indian medicinal plant Bacopa monnieri, was found to be a mixture of saponins with bacoside A3 (1), bacopaside II (2), jujubogenin isomer of bacopasaponin C (3) and bacopasaponin C (4) as major constituents. An HPLC method together with an optimised extraction procedure was developed for the estimation of 1-4 in B. monnieri to enable standardisation of the latter. Concentration ranges of the analytes in samples of B. monnieri collected from different regions of India were 0.14-0.85% (w/w) (1), 0.12-0.69% (2), 0.05-0.72% (3) and 0.05-0.44% (4). The importance of using bacoside A, with known concentrations of 1-4, as a reference standard for the routine analysis of B. monnieri is highlighted. Two common flavonoids, luteolin and apigenin, were present in all samples of B. monnieri.     

何首乌毛状根培养及其活性成分的产生

利用发根农杆菌LBA940 2诱导药用植物何首乌产生毛状根。PCR扩增和Southern印迹杂交实验证实发根农杆菌中Ri质粒的T-DNA片段已整合进入植物核基因组中。经过基本培养基的筛选和毛状根生长动力学的考察 ,确立了何首乌毛状根在MS培养基中的最佳继代时间为 30d左右。HPLC实验测定结果显示 ,毛状根培养物中大黄酸的含量是原植物的 2 85倍     

A critical review on use of Agrobacterium rhizogenes and their associated binary vectors for plant transformation

Agrobacterium rhizogenes, along with A. tumefaciens, has been used to affect genetic transformation in plants for many years. Detailed studies conducted in the past have uncovered the basic mechanism of foreign gene transfer and the implication of Ri/Ti plasmids in this process. A number of reviews exist describing the usage of binary vectors with A. tumefaciens, but no comprehensive account of the numerous binary vectors employed with A. rhizogenes and their successful applications has been published till date. In this review, we recollect a brief history of development of Ri-plasmid/Ri-T-DNA based binary vectors systems and their successful implementation with A. rhizogenes for different applications. The modification of native Ri plasmid to introduce foreign genes followed by development of binary vector using Ri plasmid and how it facilitated rapid and feasible genetic manipulation, earlier impossible with native Ri plasmid, have been discussed. An important milestone was the development of inducible plant expressing promoter systems which made expression of toxic genes in plant systems possible. The successful application of binary vectors in conjunction with A. rhizogenes in gene silencing and genome editing studies which are relatively newer developments, demonstrating the amenability and adaptability of hairy roots systems to make possible studying previously intractable research areas have been summarized in the present review.