Fast, efficient and reproducible genetic transformation of Phaseolus spp. by Agrobacterium rhizogenes

This transformation procedure generates, with high efficiency (70-90%), hairy roots in cultivars, landraces and accessions of Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean) and other Phaseolus spp. Hairy roots rapidly develop after wounding young plantlets with Agrobacterium rhizogenes, at the cotyledon node, and keeping the plants in high-humidity conditions. Callogenesis always precedes hairy-root formation, and after 15 days, when roots develop at wounded sites, the stem with the normal root is cleaved below the hairy root zone. Transgenic roots and nodules co-transformed with a binary vector can be easily identified using a reporter gene. This procedure, in addition to inducing robust transgenic hairy roots that are susceptible to being nodulated by rhizobia and to fixing nitrogen efficiently, sets the foundation for a high-throughput functional genomics approach on the study of root biology and root-microbe interactions. This protocol can be completed within 30 days.     

美洲商陆毛状根诱导及其离体培养的影响因素

为了探讨利用美洲商陆毛状根生产其药用成分的可能性,研究了美洲商陆毛状根诱导及其离体培养的影响因素。结果表明,美洲商陆叶片外植体被发根农杆菌ATCC 15834感染约18 d后,从其叶片外植体形态学下端叶脉切口处产生毛状根,其中以预培养1 d,农杆菌感染20 min,共培养4 d时的毛状根诱导率最高,达到70%。PCR扩增和硅胶薄层层析结果显示,发根农杆菌Ri质粒的rol C基因以及冠瘿碱合成酶基因已在美洲商陆毛状根基因组中整合和表达。所获得的美洲商陆毛状根系都能在无外源激素的MS固体培养基上快速自主生长;其中以毛状根根系2的生长速度最快、分生侧根能力最强和根表面的根毛密度最高;毛状根根表面呈紫红色或呈白色。在供试的MS、1/2MS、B5和6,7-V液体培养基中,以无外源激素的MS培养基最适合美洲商陆毛状根根系生长。与无外源激素的MS培养基相比,6,7-V培养基更有利于毛状根中商陆皂苷甲的合成与积累。本文所建立的美洲商陆毛状根诱导及其离体培养的适宜条件为今后利用其毛状根株系的规模培养来生产其药用有效成分商陆皂苷甲奠定了实验和技术基础。     

Genetic transformation<Emphasis Type="Italic"> of Pueraria phaseoloides </Emphasis>with<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Agrobacterium rhizogenes</Emphasis> and puerarin production in hairy roots

An efficient transformation system for the medicinal plant Pueraria phaseoloides was established by using agropine-type Agrobacterium rhizogenes ATCC15834. Hairy roots could be obtained directly from the cut edges of petioles of leaf explants or via callus 10 days after inoculation with the bacteria. The highest frequency of explant transformation by A. rhizogenes ATCC15834 was about 70% after infection for 30 days. Hairy roots could grow rapidly on solid, growth regulator-free Murashige and Skoog medium and had characteristics of transformed roots such as fast growth and high lateral branching. Paper electrophoresis revealed that bacteria-free hairy roots of P. phaseoloides could synthesize agropine and mannopine. The polymerase chain reaction amplification of rooting locus genes showed that left-hand transferred DNA of the root inducing plasmid of A. rhizogenes was inserted into the genome of transformed P. phaseoloides hairy roots. The content of puerarin in hairy roots reached a level of 1.190 mg/g dry weight and was 1.067 times the content in the roots of untransformed plants.     

Characterization of root clones obtained after transformation of monohaploid and diploid potato genotypes with hairy root inducing strains of Agrobacterium

A procedure for transformation of monohaploid and diploid potato genotypes through infection of stem internodes with hairy root inducing strains of Agrobacterium is described. Hairy roots induced by A. rhizogenes strain LBA9402 and A. tumefaciens strain LBA1020, both containing the Ri1855 plasmid, were analysed for phenotype, growth and development, and opine expression. The ploidy level of the hairy roots was determined by measurements of the nuclear DNA content and the chromosome number. The genotypes of potato (8 monohaploids, 2 diploids) greatly differed in their response to transformation, i.e. the frequency of stem internodes with primary hairy roots, the number of roots per internode and their phenotype. Transformation efficiency was lower in most of the monohaploid genotypes as compared to that in diploid genotypes. Hairy root clones could be established in 4 of the 8 monohaploid genotypes and in both diploid genotypes after subculturing of primary hairy roots. Hormone autotrophy was observed in all the root clones. The root clones varied in their phenotype and opine expression; opine expression was found in only 50% of the clones. Twenty-five of the 26 hairy root clones of the diploid genotypes showed only parental (diploid) chromosome number, even after 6 months of culture, suggesting genetic stability during the transformation and in the resulting hairy roots. However, in monohaploid genotypes the hairy root clones were either diploid or tetraploid. The transformation of monohaploid and diploid potato genotypes can be an efficient system for the establishment of a series of genetic marker lines for gene mapping.     

纤维植物罗布麻发根的诱导及植株再生

利用3种发根农杆菌(LBA9402.R601,和R1000)转化纤维植物罗布麻无菌种子苗的根茎叶不同外植体部位,首次诱导其生成发根并实现了直接由发根途径的植株再生.罗布麻发根诱导与所用的发根农杆菌菌株,外植体部位及光周期密切相关.发根农杆菌LBA9402感染罗布麻的根外植体,实现了最高转化率达100%.与LBA9402及R601相比,被发根农杆菌R1000感染的根外植体适合在黑暗环境下培养.其诱导生成的发根密度可达平均每个外植体22条.在不加激素的1/2 MS培养基上,LBA9402和R601诱导产生的发根可以诱导生成不定芽,不定芽诱导率达20%.不定芽切下后,在不加激素的1/2 MS培养基上2周内可以诱导生根.通过聚合酶链式反应(PCR)对发根及再生植株进行了鉴定,证明发根农杆菌的T-DNA插入了植物的基因组.为罗布麻的分子育种建立了稳定的转化及再生体系,为下一步通过转入外源基因改善其农艺性状奠定了基础.     

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。     

光对商陆发状根生长和PAP基因表达的影响

利用发根农杆菌菌株Ar1334与美洲商陆(Phytolacca americana)叶片外植体共培养转化体系,共获得58个发状根无性系(SL-1~58).以发根农杆菌Ri质粒TL-DNA上的rol C基因设计特异引物,对发状根进行PCR检测,得到了预期的560 bp目的片段,表明Ri质粒T-DNA整合到发状根基因组中.将筛选出的株系SL-7接种在MS培养基上分别置于光、暗条件下进行培养.结果发现:SL-7在暗培养条件下呈乳白色,具有多分枝、多根毛、无向地性等典型的发状根特性;在光培养条件下,发根呈粉红色,少分支且生长缓慢;以商陆抗病毒蛋白(pokeweed antiviral protein,PAP)cDNA片段为探针,分别对光、暗条件下的发状根进行Northern blot检测,发现光对PAP基因的转录具有一定抑制作用;将发状根粗蛋白提取液与TMV病毒液混合后,摩擦接种于心叶烟(Nicotiana glutinosa)离体叶片,发现暗培养的发状根粗蛋白提取液对TMV抗性明显提高.表明商陆发状根的生长及PAP基因的表达都受到光的负向调控.该结果为商陆发状根的规模化培养和PAP蛋白的离体合成优化体系的建立奠定了基础.     

3种农杆菌对茶树发状根诱导的影响

以茶树'福云6号'和'铁观音'成熟种子下胚轴、未成熟种子下胚轴和愈伤组织为材料,以发状根诱导率为指标,探究菌液浓度、农杆菌菌株、外植体类型和预培养时间对发状根诱导的影响.结果表明:(1)菌液浓度OD600在0.4～1.2范围内,'福云6号'成熟种子下胚轴发状根诱导率先升高后降低,ATCC15834在OD 600为0.6...     

Gene silencing by expression of hairpin RNA in Lotus japonicus roots and root nodules

We investigated the efficacy of self-complementary hairpin RNA (hpRNA) expression to induce RNA silencing in the roots and nodules of model legume Lotus japonicus, using hairy root transformation mediated by Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Transgenic lines that express beta-glucuronidase (GUS) by constitutive or nodule-specific promoters were supertransformed by infection of A. rhizogenes harboring constructs for the expression of hpRNAs with sequences complementary to the GUS coding region. GUS activity in more than 60% of the hairy roots was decreased or silenced almost completely. Silencing of the GUS gene was also observed in symbiotic nodules formed on hairy roots in both early and late stages of nodule organogenesis. These results indicate that transient RNA silencing by hairy root transformation provides a powerful tool for loss-of-function analyses of genes that function in roots and root nodules.     

Root hairiness: effect on fluid flow and oxygen transfer in hairy root cultures

The effect of root hairiness on fluid flow and oxygen transfer in hairy root cultures was investigated using wild-type, transgenic and root-hair mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana. The root hair morphologies of the A. thaliana lines were hairless, short hairs, moderately hairy (wild-type) and excessively hairy, and these morphologies were maintained after transformation of seedlings with Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Filtration experiments were used to determine the permeability of packed beds of roots; permeability declined significantly with increasing root hairiness as well as with increasing biomass density. Hairy roots of wild-type A. thaliana grew fastest with a doubling time of 6.9 days, but the hairless roots exhibited the highest specific oxygen uptake rate. In experiments using a gradientless packed bed reactor with medium recirculation, the liquid velocity required to eliminate external mass transfer boundary layer effects increased with increasing root hairiness, reflecting the greater tendency towards liquid stagnation near the surface of roots covered with hairs. External critical oxygen tensions also increased with increasing root hairiness, ranging from 50% air saturation for hairless roots to ca. 150% air saturation for roots with excessive root hairs. These results are consistent with root hairs providing a significant additional resistance to oxygen transfer to the roots, indicating that very hairy roots are more likely than hairless roots to become oxygen-limited in culture. This investigation demonstrates that root hairiness is an important biological parameter affecting the performance of root cultures and suggests that control over root hair formation, either by use of genetically modified plant lines or manipulation of culture conditions, is desirable in large-scale hairy root systems.     

Flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of Artemisia vulgaris L. “hairy” roots

We investigated the effect of Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation on antioxidant activity of Artemisia vulgaris “hairy” roots. It appeared that transformation may increase flavonoid content as well as DPPH-scavenging activity and ability to reduce Fe³⁺ as compared to the non-transformed plants. Some “hairy” roots accumulated flavonoids up to 73.1?±?10.6?mg RE/g DW (while the amount of flavonoids in the leaves of non-transformed plants was up to 49.4?±?5.0?mg RE/g DW). DPPH-scavenging activity of some “hairy” root lines was 3–3.8 times higher than such one of the roots of the control plants. The Fe³⁺-reducing power of most transgenic root extracts exceeded such power of the extracts of the roots of the control plants. The decrease in SOD activity was found in the most “hairy” root lines compared to the control roots. The increase of flavonoid content correlated with the increase of ability of extracts to scavenge DPPH*- radical and Fe³⁺ - reducing power. No correlation between SOD activity of extracts and concentration of flavonoids was found (p?≥?0.2).Thus, transformation has led to the alteration in flavonoid accumulation and antioxidant activity in A. vulgaris “hairy” roots. Transgenic roots with high-antioxidant properties can be selected after A. rhizogenes-mediated transformation.     

Transgenic hairy roots. recent trends and applications

Agrobacterium rhizogenes causes hairy root disease in plants. The neoplastic roots produced by A. rhizogenes infection is characterized by high growth rate and genetic stability. These genetically transformed root cultures can produce higher levels of secondary metabolites or amounts comparable to that of intact plants. Hairy root cultures offer promise for production of valuable secondary metabolites in many plants. The main constraint for commercial exploitation of hairy root cultures is their scaling up, as there is a need for developing a specially designed bioreactor that permits the growth of interconnected tissues unevenly distributed throughout the vessel. Rheological characteristics of heterogeneous system should also be taken into consideration during mass scale culturing of hairy roots. Development of bioreactor models for hairy root cultures is still a recent phenomenon. It is also necessary to develop computer-aided models for different parameters such as oxygen consumption and excretion of product to the medium. Further, transformed roots are able to regenerate genetically stable plants as transgenics or clones. This property of rapid growth and high plantlet regeneration frequency allows clonal propagation of elite plants. In addition, the altered phenotype of hairy root regenerants (hairy root syndrome) is useful in plant breeding programs with plants of ornamental interest. In vitro transformation and regeneration from hairy roots facilitates application of biotechnology to tree species. The ability to manipulate trees at a cellular and molecular level shows great potential for clonal propagation and genetic improvement. Transgenic root system offers tremendous potential for introducing additional genes along with the Ri T-DNA genes for alteration of metabolic pathways and production of useful metabolites or compounds of interest. This article discusses various applications and perspectives of hairy root cultures and the recent progress achieved with respect to transformation of plants using A. rhizogenes.     

Study of artemisinin and sugar accumulation in Artemisia vulgaris and Artemisia dracunculus “hairy” root cultures

We studied the effect of genetic transformation on biologically active compound (artemisinin and its co-products (ART) as well as sugars) accumulation in Artemisia vulgaris and Artemisia dracunculus “hairy” root cultures. Glucose, fructose, sucrose, and mannitol were accumulated in A. vulgaris and A. dracunculus “hairy” root lines. Genetic transformation has led in some cases to the sugar content increasing or appearing of nonrelevant for the control plant carbohydrates. Sucrose content was 1.6 times higher in A. vulgaris “hairy” root lines. Fructose content was found to be 3.4 times higher in A. dracunculus “hairy” root cultures than in the control roots. The accumulation of mannitol was a special feature of the leaves of A. vulgaris and A. dracunculus control roots. A. vulgaris “hairy” root lines differed also in ART accumulation level. The increase of ART content up to 1.02?mg/g DW in comparison with the nontransformed roots (up to 0.687?mg/g DW) was observed. Thus, Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated genetic transformation can be used for obtaining of A. vulgaris and A. dracunculus “hairy” root culture produced ART and sugars in a higher amount than mother plants.     

Hairy root culture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picrorhiza kurroa</Emphasis> Royle ex Benth.: a promising approach for the production of picrotin and picrotoxinin

Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. is an endangered plant producing various compounds of medicinal importance. Hairy roots of P. kurroa were obtained following cocultivation of shoot tip explants with Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains A 4 and PAT 405. Bacterial strain A 4 appeared to be better than the strain PAT 405 in terms of both growth of respective hairy root cultures and secondary metabolite production. The optimal growth of both the hairy root cultures occurred on half-strength semisolid medium with 3% sucrose. Picrotin and picrotoxinin from the roots of wild type field grown plants were compared with 8-week-old hairy root cultures induced by the A 4 and PAT 405 strains of A. rhizogenes. Picrotin and picrotoxinin content were evaluated in hairy root cultures as well as roots of field grown plant of P. kurroa. In terms of the production of picrotin and picrotoxinin, the A 4 induced hairy roots appeared to be a better performer than the PAT 405 induced hairy root cultures. The picrotin and picrotoxinin content was highest in 8-week-old A 4 induced hairy roots (8.8 μg/g DW and 47.1 μg/g DW, respectively). Rapid growth of the hairy roots of P. kurroa with in vitro secondary metabolite production potential may offer an attractive alternative to the exploitation of this endangered plant species.     

Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth.: establishment and selection of superior hairy root clone

A protocol for induction and establishment of Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated hairy root cultures of Picrorhiza kurroa was developed through optimization of the explant type and the most suitable bacterial strain. The infection of leaf explants with the LBA9402 strain resulted in the emergence of hairy roots at 66.7% relative transformation frequency. Nine independent, opine and TL-positive hairy root clones were studied for their growth and specific glycoside (i.e., kutkoside and picroside I) productivities at different growth phases. Biosynthetic potentials for the commercially desirable active constituents have been expressed by all the tested hairy root clones, although distinct inter-clonal variations could be noted in terms of their quantity. The yield potentials of the 14-P clone, both in terms of biomass as well as individual glycoside contents (i.e., kutkoside and picroside I), superseded that of all other hairy root clones along with the non-transformed, in vitro-grown control roots of P. kurroa. The present communication reports the first successful establishment, maintenance, growth and selection of superior hairy root clone of Picrorhiza kurroa with desired phyto-molecule production potential, which can serve as an effective substitute to its roots and thereby prevent the indiscriminate up-rooting and exploitation of this commercially important, endangered medicinal plant species. CIMAP Publication No.: 2007-28J     

Protocol for bonediol production in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bonellia macrocarpa</Emphasis> hairy root culture

The aim of this protocol was for Bonellia macrocarpa hairy root establishment and bonediol production in transformed root cultures. Cotyledons, hypocotyls and roots were used as explants for hairy root induction. Fluorescence microscopy was used for detected tandem dimer of the tomato protein (TDT). A PCR analysis for rolC was used to confirm the presence of these genes. Identification and quantification of bonediol was made for HPLC. Hypocotyls showed greater transformation efficiency (25%). Fluorescence microscopy and PCR analysis confirm genetic transformation. Bonedio production was higher in hairy roots than in complete plants.     

青蒿转杜松烯合成酶基因发根系的培养

将已克隆的棉花杜松烯合成酶的ｃＤＮＡ（ｃａｄＣ１４）插入到植物表达载体ｐＢＩ１２１中,构建含ＣａＭＶ３５Ｓ启动子驱动下的杜松烯合成酶基因的植物表达载体ｐＢＩＣ１４。用含ｐＢＩＣ１４质粒的发根农杆菌（Ａｇｒｏｂａｃｔｅｒｉｕｍｒｈｉｚｏｇｅｎｅｓ）１５８３４感染青蒿（ＡｒｔｅｍｉｓｉａａｎｎｕａＬ．）叶片并诱导发根,共建立１２１个生长迅速的发根系。经浓度为２０ｍｇ／Ｌ的Ｋａｎ筛选,获得１２个抗Ｋａｎ阳性根系。ＰＣＲ和Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎｂｌｏｔｉｎｇ分析表明,外源杜松烯合成酶基因已整合到青蒿基因组中,其转基因频率为３％。ＲＴＰＣＲ分析表明,外源杜松烯合成酶基因在Ｃ３７根系中,在转录水平上已有表达。