Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transfer of Phaseolus vulgaris alpha-amylase inhibitor-1 gene into mungbean Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek using bar as selectable marker

Morphologically normal and fertile transgenic plants of mungbean with two transgenes, bar and α-amylase inhibitor, have been developed for the first time. Cotyledonary node explants were transformed by cocultivation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105 harboring a binary vector pKSB that carried bialaphos resistance (bar) gene and Phaseolus vulgaris α-amylase inhibitor-1 (αAI-1) gene. Green transformed shoots were regenerated and rooted on medium containing phosphinothricin (PPT). Preculture and wounding of the explants, presence of acetosyringone and PPT-based selection of transformants played significant role in enhancing transformation frequency. Presence and expression of the bar gene in primary transformants was evidenced by PCR-Southern analysis and PPT leaf paint assay, respectively. Integration of the Phaseolus vulgaris α-amylase inhibitor gene was confirmed by Southern blot analysis. PCR analysis revealed inheritance of both the transgenes in most of the T₁ lines. Tolerance to herbicide was evidenced from seed germination test and chlorophenol red assay in T₁ plants. Transgenic plants could be recovered after 8–10 weeks of cocultivation with Agrobacterium. An overall transformation frequency of 1.51% was achieved.     

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of citrange: factors affecting transformation and regeneration

The effects of cocultivation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens, regeneration and selection conditions on the transformation efficiency of citrange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck×Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) have been investigated. Factors such as cocultivation period, preculture of explants, use of acetosyringone or feeder plates during cocultivation, cocultivation on a medium rich in auxins, postcultivation in darkness, and different kanamycin concentrations for selection were assessed. A 3-day cocultivation on a medium rich in auxins improved transformation frequencies, since it increased the number of dividing cells competent for transformation, at the cut ends of the explants. Exposure of explants to darkness for 4 weeks on selection medium resulted in further callus development and increased the regeneration frequency of transgenic shoots. Furthermore, this treatment drastically reduced the number of regenerated escape shoots. A transformation efficiency of 41.3% was achieved using the optimized transformation procedure. Received: 4 November 1997 / Revision received: 7 January 1998 / Accepted: 13 February 1998     

Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of groundnut (arachis hypogaea L.): An assessment of factors affecting regeneration of transgenic plants

Transgenic groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) plants were produced efficiently by inoculating different explants withAgrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harbouring a binary vector pBM21 containinguidA (GUS) andnptll (neomycin phosphotransferase) genes. Genetic transformation frequency was found to be high with cotyledonary node explants followed by 4 d cocultivation. This method required 3 days of precultivation period before cocultivation withAgrobacterium. A concentration of 75 mg/l kanamycin sulfate was added to regeneration medium in order to select transformed shoots. Shoot regeneration occurred within 4 weeks; excised shoots were rooted on MS medium containing 50 mg/I kanamycin sulfate before transferring to soil. The expression of GUS gene (uidA gene) in the regenerated plants was verified by histochemical and fluorimetric assays. The presence ofuidA andnptll genes in the putative transgenic lines was confirmed by PCR analysis. Insertion of thenptll gene in the nuclear genome of transgenic plants was verified by genomic Southern hybridization analysis. Factors affecting transformation efficiency are discussed.     

Transformation of Recalcitrant Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Cultivars is Facilitated by Wounding with Carborundum

Transformation of the recalcitrant melon (Cucumis melo L.) cultivars Kιrka?aç 637 and Noi Yarok was accomplished by wounding cotyledon explants by vortexing with carborundum prior to inoculation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The addition of silver nitrate to the regeneration‐selection medium reduced the transformation efficiency, as the percentage of the explants forming putative transgenic calli and bud‐like protuberances was decreased and no transgenic shoots were produced. Chimeric transgenic plants were obtained after the regeneration of putatively transformed callus, bud‐like protuberances, buds and shoots on selective medium with kanamycin. The treatments producing the most buds or shoots from explants after 30–40 days of cultivation were the most successful for the production of transgenic plants. Only treatments where explants were vortexed with carborundum produced transgenic melon shoots of either cultivar. Subculture every 18–20 days on fresh regeneration‐selection medium containing 50 mg/L kanamycin after either a relatively high (100 mg/L) or low level (50 mg/L) of kanamycin in the first regeneration‐selection medium was necessary for the successful transformation of cultivar Kιrka?aç 637. These techniques are now being used in breeding programs for the production of melon lines bearing resistances to zucchini yellow mosaic virus and cucumber mosaic virus, important viruses limiting agricultural production.     

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of rutabaga (Brassica napus var. napobrassica) cultivar “American Purple Top Yellow”

An efficient protocol for genetic transformation of rutabaga (Brassica napus var. napobrassica) cultivar ??American Purple Top Yellow?? was developed by optimizing several factors influencing gene delivery and plant regeneration. A two-step regeneration protocol, adapted from canola, was optimal for rutabaga regeneration using hypocotyl explants. Transient expression studies monitored by histochemical ??-glucuronidase (GUS) assays indicated that several factors, including Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain, cocultivation time, and cocultivation medium, affected gene delivery. For stable transformation, precultured hypocotyl explants were cocultivated with Agrobacterium cells on sterilized filter paper overlaid on callus induction medium containing 100???M acetosyringone for 6?d under a 16-h photoperiod. Selection and regeneration of transformed cells were conducted on media containing 50?mg?l^?1 kanamycin and 250?mg?l^?1 Timentin. Using this protocol, GUS- and PCR-positive transformants were obtained from 3.2 to 4.2?% of hypocotyl explants inoculated with each of the three Agrobacterium strains after 3?C5?mo. Most transformants exhibited a normal phenotype. Southern blot analysis confirmed stable integration of the gusA transgene in T₀ plants.     

Successful cocultivation of Brassica napus microspores and proembryos with Agrobacterium

Brassica napus microspores and microspore-derived proembryos were cocultivated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens harbouring a binary vector. The vector contained selectable genes for kanamycin and hygromycin antibiotic resistance. Microspores and proembryos survived the cocultivation procedure and subsequent antibiotic selection. Thousands of plantlets can be regenerated from a single experiment. Biochemical analysis indicated up to 7.3% of plants exhibited neomycin phosphotransferase II enzyme activity. Success of the cocultivation procedure depended largely on choosing the proper coculture conditions while allowing microspore embryogenesis to proceed.Abbreviations Hm hygromycin - Km kanamycin     

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of the aromatic shrub Lavandula latifolia

Transgenic plants of the aromatic shrub Lavandula latifolia (Lamiaceae) were produced using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene transfer. Leaf and hypocotyl explants from 35–40-day old lavender seedlings were inoculated with the EHA105 strain carrying the nptII gene, as selectable marker, and the reporter gusA gene with an intron. Some of the factors influencing T-DNA transfer to L. latifolia explants were assessed. Optimal transformation rates (6.0 ± 1.6% in three different experiments) were obtained when leaf explants precultured for 1 day on regeneration medium were subcultured on selection medium after a 24 h co-cultivation with Agrobacterium. Evidence for stable integration was obtained by GUS assay, PCR and Southern hybridisation. More than 250 transgenic plants were obtained from 37 independent transformation events. Twenty-four transgenic plants from 7 of those events were successfully established in soil. -glucuronidase activity and kanamycin resistance assays in greenhouse-grown plants from two independent transgenic lines confirmed the stable expression of both gusA and nptII genes two years after the initial transformation. Evidence from PCR data, GUS assays and regeneration in the presence of kanamycin demonstrated a 1:15 Mendelian segregation of both transgenes among seedlings of the T1 progeny of two plants from one transgenic L. latifolia line.     

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Solanum gilo Raddi as influenced by explant type

An efficient system for Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Solanum gilo was established. The marker genes for kanamycin resistance and ß-glucuronidase expression were introduced. A comparison between cotyledon and hypocotyl explants showed that while regeneration was better from hypocotyl explants, cotyledon explants gave better transformation efficiency (46% vs. 32%). Four levels of kanamycin selection (100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/l) were tested for effect on transformation efficiency with each type of explant. Lower levels of kanamycin worked better using cotyledon explants, while higher levels of kanamycin worked better for hypocotyl explants. All nine t₀ plants tested for expression of the kan ^r gene were positive. The progeny of three of these plants showed a pattern of classical Mendelian inheritance (3 to 1) for both the kan ^r and the ß-glucuronidase genes.Abbreviations MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium - 2,4-D 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - NPTII neomycin phosphotransferase - GUS ß-glucuronidase     

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of cauliflower,Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

We have developed an efficient and simpler method for genetic transformation and regeneration of cauliflower, Brassica oleracea var. botrytis plants. Explants from 4-day old seedlings were inoculated and cocultivated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harbouring a binary vector with the neomycin phosphotransferase-II gene under the regulatory control of nopaline synthase promoter and terminator sequences, permitting transformed shoots to be selected on kanamycin containing medium. After three months rooted transformed plantlets were successfully transferred and grown under glasshouse conditions. Higher numbers of transformed plants were obtained from cotyledon than hypocotyl explants, presumably indicating cotyledons of cauliflower are more amenable to genetic transformation. Integration and expression of the introduced transgene were analysed by DNA gel blot and PCR analysis and NPT-II expression assay. Factors influencing transformation efficiency include explant age, concentration of bacterium used for infection, duration of infection and cocultivation with Agrobacterium. Transgenic plants of three commercial genotypes of cauliflower were produced using this method. We also show that introduction of antisense Bcp1 (pollen-specific gene) linked to a pollen-specific promoter (Lat52) resulted in the expected sterility of 50% pollen carrying this transgenic construct.     

Genetic transformation of lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swing.): factors affecting transformation and regeneration

We have previously developed procedures for the efficient production of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) and Carrizo citrange (C. sinensis L. Osbeck×Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) transgenic plants using an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation and shoot tip grafting in vitro regeneration system. We now report on the optimization of the cocultivation, regeneration and selection conditions for efficient and reliable production of transgenic lime (C. aurantifolia Swing.) plants. Improved transformation frequencies were obtained by cocultivating the explants with Agrobacterium on feeder plates. Optimum regeneration of transgenic shoots was obtained by exposing the explants to darkness for 2 weeks and by using kanamycin at 100 mg/l as selective agent. Attempts to use geneticin as selection antibiotic were not successful. Shoot tip grafting of regenerated shoots on Troyer citrange seedlings resulted in 100% successful production of transgenic plants. The presence and expression of the transferred genes in the regenerated plants was verified by β-glucuronidase histochemical and fluorimetric assays, neomycin phosphotransferase ELISA assays, PCR and Southern analyses. Received: 10 December 1996 / Revision received: 10 February 1997 / Accepted: 25 February 1997     

Transformation and regeneration of the self-incompatible species Nicotiana alata Link & Otto

A transformation and regeneration system has been developed for Nicotiana alata, a plant which is being intensively studied as a model of gametophytic self-incompatibility. Plantlets can be regenerated efficiently from seedling hypocotyls. Kanamycin-resistant, transformed plants have been obtained by cocultivation of regenerating hypocotyls with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 containing a binary vector. The transformation frequency was low with <1% of tissue explants regenerating transformed plants. The transformed plants contained from one to three copies of the introduced DNA. In most cases, the kanamycin resistance phenotype was transmitted to the offspring as a normal Mendelian factor. In one unusual case, none of the offspring inherited the kanamycin resistance of the transformed maternal parent. This plant may have been chimeric or the kanamycin resistance gene may have been inactivated.     

Stable genetic transformation of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Vigna mungo</Emphasis> L. Hepper via<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Agrobacterium tumefaciens</Emphasis>

Vigna mungo is one of the large-seeded grain legumes that has not yet been transformed. We report here for the first time the production of morphologically normal and fertile transgenic plants from cotyledonary-node explants inoculated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying binary vector pCAMBIA2301, the latter of which contains a neomycin phosphotransferase ( nptII) gene and a beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene ( uidA) interrupted with an intron. The transformed green shoots, selected and rooted on medium containing kanamycin, tested positive for nptII and uidA genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. These shoots were established in soil and grown to maturity to collect the seeds. Mechanical wounding of the explants prior to inoculation with Agrobacterium, time lag in regeneration due to removal of the cotyledons from explants and a second round of selection at the rooting stage were found to be critical for transformation. Analysis of T(0) plants showed the expression and integration of uidA into the plant genome. GUS activity in leaves, roots, flowers, anthers and pollen grains was detected by histochemical assay. PCR analysis of T(1) progeny revealed a Mendelian transgene inheritance pattern. The transformation frequency was 1%, and 6-8 weeks were required for the generation of transgenics.     

根癌农杆菌对巴戟天遗传转化的影响因素

以巴戟天带节茎为材料,研究了根癌农杆菌对巴戟天遗传转化的影响因素。结果表明:外植体感染前先进行2 d预培养,对转化有一定促进作用;外植体与农杆菌共培养时间以3 d为宜;乙酰丁香酮能提高转化效率,抗性芽分化率可达18.0％;外植体与农杆菌共培养后延迟4 d选择,抗性芽分化率有所提高;硝酸银能抑制外植体表面农杆菌的生长,提高GUS阳性芽的比例,硝酸银浓度2 mg/L时,GUS阳性芽比例最高(42.9％)。     

A new high-frequency Agrobacterium-mediated transformation technique for Sesamum indicum L. using de-embryonated cotyledon as explant

In spite of the economic importance of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and the recent availability of its genome sequence, a high-frequency transformation protocol is still not available. The only two existing Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocols that are available have poor transformation efficiencies of less than 2 %. In the present study, we report a high-frequency, simple, and reproducible transformation protocol for sesame. Transformation was done using de-embryonated cotyledons via somatic embryogenic stages. All the critical parameters of transformation, like incubation period of explants in pre-regeneration medium prior to infection by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, cocultivation period, concentrations of acetosyringone in cocultivation medium, kanamycin concentration, and concentration of plant hormones, including 6-benzylaminopurine, have been optimized. This protocol is superior to the two existing protocols in its high regeneration and transformation efficiencies. The transformed sesame lines have been tested by PCR, RT-PCR for neomycin phosphotransferase II gene expression, and β-glucuronidase (GUS) assay. The regeneration frequency and transformation efficiency are 57.33 and 42.66 %, respectively. T0 and T1 generation transgenic plants were analyzed, and several T1 plants homozygous for the transgenes were obtained.     

Rapid,efficient production of homozygous transgenic tobacco plants withagrobacterium tumefaciens: A seed-to-seed protocol

An optimized complete protocol was developed forAgrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cultivar SR1), producing T₁ flowering plants homozygous for the inserted T-DNA as verified by kanamycin resistance in T₂ seedlings in 6 to 7 months from the time of cocultivation withAgrobacterium. Previous protocols require up to 9 to 12 months to obtain similar results. Procedures unique and important to this protocol include; a modified “whole-leaf” transformation coupled with a long duration of cocultivation, resulting in high rates of transformation, high levels of kanamycin in selection media resulting in few escapes, and extensive rooting of regenerants prior to a greenhouse hardening procedure. Once in the greenhouse, primary regenerants were maintained in small containers with long day photoperiod and high light levels, greatly shortening the time to seed set. Flowers from primary transformants were bagged to allow self pollination, and seed capsules harvested and dried prior to normal maturation on the plant. T₁ and T₂ seeds were plated and selected on kanamycin media by an improved seed plating technique which eliminates the need for the placement of individual seeds, saving time and improving selection homogeneity. Using this protocol, over 130 independent tobacco lines from six separate gene constructs have been generated in a very short time period. Of these 130, nearly 60 percent segregated 3∶1 for kanamycin resistance: susceptibility, indicating single transgene insertion events.     

Optimizing the production of transformed pea (Pisum sativum L.) callus using disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains

For optimization of the transformation procedure with Pisum sativum L. stern explant callus was used to test the effect of disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains, cocultivation procedures (preconditioning of explants; use of Nicotiana tabacum L. nurse cultures), duration of cocultivation (2, 3 or 4 days), and agents for selection (kanamycin or hygromycin). The succinamopine strain EHA101(pBI1042) produced the highest percentage of transformed calli (77%) when used in conjunction with tobacco nurse culture during four days of cocultivation. Using this strain, kanamycin (76%) and hygromycin (77%) were equally effective selective agents, but for strain LBA4404(pBI1042) percentage of transformed calli was higher for hygromycin (63%) than for kanamycin (17%). The procedures and strains shown to be optimal for transformation of pea callus will now be complemented by a pea regeneration system.     

Successful <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis>-Mediated Genetic Transformation of Maize Elite Inbred lines

An efficient transformation system was developed for maize (Zea mays L.) elite inbred lines using Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer by identifying important factors that affected transformation efficiency. The hypervirulent Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105 proved to be better than octopine LBA4404 and nopaline GV3101. Improved transformation efficiencies were obtained when immature embryos were inocubated with Agrobacterium suspension cells (A₆₀₀ = 0.8) for 20 min in the presence of 0.1% (v/v) of a surfactant (Tween20) in the infection medium. Optimized cocultivation was performed in the acidic medium (pH5.4) at 22 °C in the dark for 3 days. Using the optimized system, we obtained 42 morphologically normal, independent transgenic plants in four maize elite inbred lines representing different genetic backgrounds. Most of them (about 85%) are fertile. The transformation frequency (the number of independent, PCR-positive transgenic plants per 100 embryos infected) ranged from 2.35 to 5.26%. Stable integration, expression, and inheritance of the transgenes were confirmed by molecular and genetic analysis. One to three copies of the transgene were integrated into the maize nuclear genome. About 70% of the transgenic plants received a single insertion of the transgenes based on Southern analysis of 10 transformed events. T₁ plants were analyzed and transmission of transgenes to the T₁ generation in a Mendelian fashion was verified. This system should facilitate the introduction of agronomically important genes into commercial genotypes.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis>-mediated transformation of the genome-sequenced poplar clone,nisqually-1 (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus trichocarpa</Emphasis>)

The US Department of Energy recently released a 6.8X draft of the genome sequence for Nisqually-1, a genotype of black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa). To improve its utility for functional genomics research, having an efficient means for transformation and regeneration is necessary. To examine several parameters known to affect the transformation rate, we cocultivated leaf disc and stem explants with a strain ofAgrobacterium tumefaciens harboring a binary plasmid vector containing genes for both neomycin phosphotransferase (NPTII) and β-glucuronidase (GUS). Shoot regeneration from stem explants was observed in the presence of kanamycin when thidiazuron was incorporated in the selection medium. Transformation efficiency was influenced by the level of thidiazuron to which explants were exposed during the early stages of shoot induction. Histochemical assays revealed expression of theGUS gene in leaf, stem, and root tissues of transgenic plants. Polymerase chain reaction confirmed the presence of both selectable marker and reporter genes in all lines that stained positive for β-glucuronidase activity. By use of our modified protocol, transgenic plants were recovered within 6 mo at an efficiency of 6%, adequate to produce a large number of transgenic events with modest effort.     

Proteomic analysis of leaves from a diploid cybrid produced by protoplast fusion between Satsuma mandarin and pummelo

Hypocotyls and cotyledons of three ramie (Boehmeria nivea Gaud.) cultivars (Zhongzhu No.1, Zhongsizhu No.1 and NC01), important plants for textile fiber, were pre-cultured on callus-inducing medium for 1 day before co-cultivation for 2 days with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harboring the plasmid pGBI4ABC carrying two insect resistance (CryIA and CpTI), gus, and neomycin phosphotransferase (npt II) genes. Calli were induced from both hypocotyl and cotyledon explants grown on a kanamycin selection medium. Regenerated shoots were obtained after two cycles of culture and transferred to rooting medium. Kanamycin-resistant plantlets were rooted in 2 weeks, and then transplanted to soil. Transgenic plants were subsequently confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, Southern blot hybridization, and GUS assays. More than 100 transgenic plants carrying insect-resistance genes were produced. A transformation frequency of 8.8 to 10.3% was obtained using hypocotyls as explants, which was higher than all previously reported transformation frequencies. The whole protocol, from transformation recovery of plants grown in soil, was completed within 2–4 months. Therefore, a simple, efficient, and robust Agrobacterium tumefaciens -mediated transformation system for ramie has been developed.