Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation of Rice: Constraints and Possible Solutions

Genetic transformation of rice(Oryza sativa L.) by introducing beneficial traits is now a central research instrument in plant physiology and a practical tool for plant improvement. Many approaches are verified for stable introduction of foreign genes into the plant genome. The review examined the different constraints that limit the success of rice genetic transformation via Agrobacterium-mediated approach and suggested possible solutions. Explant identification, gene transfer technique and construct to tailor the integration, transgene expression without collateral to genetic damage and transformant selection are among the technical challenges affecting the rice transformation. Despite the contests, Agrobacteriummediated transformation system has been a better option for producing transgenic rice varieties because of its exact T-DNA processing and simple integration of low copy-number transgene. This information is necessary for improving the transformation system for recalcitrant rice varieties.

In planta Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation of Rice

The floral-dip transformation, the simplest technique, is no requirement of tissue culture procedure, and can directly transfer the interest gene into plant reproductive cells. It has been successfully applied to various plant species. In this study, the optimal conditions of a floral-dip method for production of transgenic rice variety RD41 were explored. The simple and effective inoculation medium was composed of Murashige and Skoog(MS) medium, 5% sucrose, 44 nmol/L benzylaminopurine, and 0.075% surfactant Tween-20 with pH 5.7. The transformation efficiencies of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains AGL1 and EHA105 were compared with the Agrobacterium density at OD_(600) = 0.8–1.0 and the co-cultivation at 25 ℃ for 48 h. A. tumefaciens strain EHA105 gave slightly higher transformation efficiency than AGL1, with statistically non-significant difference. The floral-drop transformation using the optimal floral-dip conditions showed higher transformation efficiency than the floral-dip method, but the dropped flowers turned brown and died within 2 d. Production of transgenic rice variety RD41 by the floral-dip method was achieved using A. tumefaciens strain EHA105 with the optimal conditions. Screening for the gus A gene by PCR using the gus A specific primers in the T_0 lines, there were 4 transgenic lines from 286 T_0 lines(1.4% transformation efficiency). However, histochemical glucuronidase(GUS) assay demonstrated that only three of four transgenic lines exhibited gus A expression. These results indicated that floral-dip transformation is a potential tool for production of the transgenic rice, which can be used for molecular breeding via genetic engineering in the future.

Effect of Phytosulfokine-α on Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation in Rice

Phytosulfokine- α （PSK- α ）, a biologically active peptide acting as a growth factor, plays a key role in cellular differentiation and proliferation. To test if PSK- α has some influence on agrobacterium-mediated transformation in rice, PSK-α at a series of concentrations was added into co-culture medium respectively. The results showed that PSK- α indeed affected the recovery of resistant calli and the transformation frequency of rice varieties Taipei 309 and Lijiangxintuanheigu, PSK- α at the concentration of 10 nmol/L could increase induction of resistant callus and efficiency of transformation, with a 11% and 4.9% top increase, respectively than the control. However, PSK- αat 200 nmol/L could inhibit the induction of the resistant calli. Further more, the effect of PSK-α on agrobacterium-mediated transformation is related with the concentration of 2, 4-D in selection medium. Higher induction rate of resistant calli was obtained from tissues treated with PSK- α plus 2 mg/L 2, 4-D.

Development of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Regeneration System and Agrobacterium-Mediated Genetic Transformation

The regeneration ability of four alfalfa （Medicago sativa L.） cultivars, Xinjiang Daye, Longdong, Gannong 1 and Gannong 3, was studied, and the effects of various cultivars, explant sources and medium recipes on regeneration were compared. The better callus forming frequency obtained from hypocotyls of Xinjiang Daye is 88.5% and regeneration frequency is 9.8% in our initial experiments. To further optimize regeneration system for genetic transformation, we therefore changed concentrations of plant growth regulators and supplemented with glutamine into callus-induction and shoot-regeneration media. Callus forming frequency and shoot differentiation frequency were increased to 100%. The time taken to generate transgenic plants （16 weeks） was shorter than that for previouse procedure （25 weeks） and regeneration frequency was promoted to 15.1%. The results show that addition of glutamine is particularly important for shortening period of regeneration and promoting regeneration frequency. For study of genetic transformation of alfalfa, Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Xinjiang Daye was developed based on this optimized regeneration system. The plant expression vector carrying two glutamine synthetases （GS 1 and GS2） and △1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase （P5CS） gene was used for alfalfa in vitro transformation. Six transgenic alfalfa plantlets with resistance to PPT were obtained. The introduction of foreign genes into plants was assessed in the transformants by PCR analysis and Southern hybridizations.

Agrobacterium-mediated Transformation and Regeneration by Direct Shoot Organogenesis in Cotton (G. hirsutum)

Genotype independent transformation andregeneration of Indian cotton(Gossypiumhirsutum L.)cultivar was standardized with Bt-Cry 1A(b)gene by Agrobacterium-mediation.Apical meristem of elite G.hirsutum cultivarLRK-516 and LRA 5166 were co-cultivated withA.tumefaciens LBA 4404 carrying synthetic Bt-

Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation of Embryogenic Calli of Anliucheng and Regeneration of Plants Containing the Chimaeric Ribonuclease Gene

Anliucheng (Citrus sinensis Osbeck), a very seedy and widely spread acidless sweet orange cul-tivar in south of China, was transformed by the strain of Agrobacterium Tumefaciens EHA105 carrying pTA29-barnase gene, which will induce pollen sterility in transgenic plants. The embryogenic calli of Anliucheng were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens for 3 days, and then transferred to selective medium containing 50 mg I/1 basta (a kind of herbicide) for 5 weeks. The resistant calli were recovered and regenerated 118 embryoids. A total of 13 entire plants were obtained after micro-grafted on trifoliate orange. These regenerated plants were verified by PCR amplification and confirmed by PCR-Southern blotting analysis.

Efficient Regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated Transformation of Brassica napus Cultivar Qingza No.5

Using the hypocotyl and cotyledon explants of Brassica napus L. cuhivar Qingza No. 5 as receptors, hormone combinations in bud differentiation medi- um, bud growth medium and rooting medium were optimized to establish an efficient plantlet regeneration system of B. napus cuhivar Qingza No. 5. The results showed that the highest differentiation efficiency of hypocotyls of B. napus cuhivar Qingza No. 5 reached about 90%, which was three times that of cotyledons. The appropriate differentiation medium was MSB ＋ 5 mg/L thidiazuron （TDZ） ＋7.5 mg/L AgNO3 ＋ 0.1 mg/L NAA ＋ 2 mg/L proline （L-pro） ＋ 250 mg/L casein acid hydrolysate （CH） ＋ 3% sucrose; the appropriate growth medium was 1/2 MSB ＋ 1 mg/L IBA ＋ 2 mg/L L-pro ＋ 250 mg/L CH ＋ 1.5% sucrose; the ap- propriate rooting medium was 1/2 MSB ＋ 0.2 mg/L IAA ＋ 1.5% sucrose. On this basis, a binary expression vector harboring insect resistance gene B12 was constructed and introduced into B. napus hypocotyls by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Positive plants were screened using hygromycin and carbenicillin. Transgenic plants were verified by PCR and GUS histochemical staining. The results showed that insect resistance gene B12 was successfully integrated into the nu- clear genome of B. napus plants and could be expressed normally. Leaves of transgenic plants with high expression levels were collected for indoor inoculation test with Plutella xylotella larvae to evaluate insect resistance of transgenic plants.

Transgenic Maize Plants Obtained by Pollen-mediated Transformation

The genetic transformation was achieved by pollen_mediated approach on maize ( Zea mays L.) inbred lines Tai 9101 and Zong 31. Plasmid DNA of pGLⅡ_RC_1 was mixed with fresh pollen of maize inbreds in sucrose solution. The pollens were treated by ultrasonication and collected, pollinated on silks of maize ears. Transformants were confirmed by dot blot hybridization, PCR amplification and PCR_Southern blot hybridization. The pollen_mediated transformation approach could circumvent the tedious tissue culture procedures like in particle bombardment and Agrobacterium infection, etc. This approach is simple, easy to operate, and could be widely used in practice.

Optimization of Agrobacterium tumefaciens-Mediated Immature Embryo Transformation System and Transformation of Glyphosate-Resistant Gene 2mG2-EPSPS in Maize(Zea mays L.)

Since maize is one of the most important cereal crops in the world,establishment of an efficient genetic transformation system is critical for its improvement.In the current study,several elite corn lines were tested for suitability of Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation by using immature embryos as explants.Infection ability and efficiency of transformation of A.tumefaciens sp.strains EHA105 and LBA4404,different heat treatment times of immature embryos before infection,influence of L-cysteine addition in co-cultivation medium after transformation,and how different ways of selection and cultivation influence the efficiency of transformation were compared.Glyphosate-resistant gene 2mG2-EPSPS was transformed into several typical maize genotypes including 78599,Zong 31 and BA,under the optimum conditions.Results showed that the hypervirulent Agrobacterium tumefaciens sp.strain EHA105 was more infectious than LBA4404.Inclusion of L-cysteine（100 mg L-1） in co-cultivation medium,and heating of the immature embryos for 3 min prior to infection led to a significant increase in the transformation efficiency.Growth in resting medium for 4-10 d and delaying selection was beneficial to the survival of resistant calli.During induction of germination,adding a high concentration of 6-BA（5 mg L-1） and a low concentration of 2,4-D（0.2 mg L-1） to regeneration medium significantly enhanced germination percentage.Using the optimized transformation procedure,more than 800 transgenic plants were obtained from 78599,Zong 31 and BA.By spraying herbicide glyphosate on leaves of transgenic lines,we identified 66 primary glyphosate-resistant plants.The transformation efficiency was 8.2%.PCR and Southern-blot analyses confirmed the integration of the transgenes in the maize genome.

The Technique of Genetic Transformation Mediated by keV Ion Beam

The application of keV ion beam in life science started in China several decades ago. In 1986, researchers initially studied the mutagenic effect of ion beam, and successfully applied it to plant breeding. Nowadays, ion beam implantation technique has been extensively applied to many biological fields. This paper mainly introduces one of its important applications: genetic transformation mediated by keV ion beam.

Scarabaeid Larvae- and Herbicide-Resistant Transgenic Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) Obtained by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-Mediated Transformation of cry8Ca2, cry8Ga and bar Genes

Insect pest and weeds are two major problems for forage and turf grasses. In this study, scarab larvae- and herbicide-resistant transgenic perennial ryegrass （Lolium perenne L.） was obtained by transforming it with cry and bar genes simultaneously via the Agrobacterium-mediated method. To optimize the callus induction and plant regeneration conditions, various concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 6-benzylaminopurine were assayed. The transformation efficiencies of different Agrobacterium suspension media, used during Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, were compared. Then, plasmids of pCAMBIA3301 containing cry gene （cry8Ca2 or cry8Ga） and bar gene, driven by ubiquitin promoter, were transformed into perennial ryegrass. The transformants were generated and confirmed by both Southern hybridization analysis and Western hybridization analysis. Further, the resistance of transgenic perennial ryegrass plants to scarab larvae and herbicide were analyzed. After 30 d of co-cultivation with scarab larvae, the damage to the root system of transgenic plants was less than that of non-transgenic control plants. Additionally, the leaves of transgenic plants were resistant to Basta, while leaves of the wild plants wilted after Basta spraying. These results show that cry gene and bar gene were successfully transferred into perennial ryegrass by the Agrobactgerium-mediated method, and convey resistance to scarab larvae and herbicide in transgenic perennial ryegrass plants.

Establishment of Agrobacterium tumefaciens-Mediated Transformation System for Rice Sheath Blight Pathogen Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 IA

To construct the T-DNA insertional mutagenesis transformation system for rice sheath blight pathogen Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 IA,the virulent isolate GD118 of this pathogen was selected as an initial isolate for transformation.The conditions for transformation of isolate GD118 were optimized in five aspects,i.e.pre-induction time,co-culture time,acetosyringone(AS) concentration at the co-culture phase,co-culture temperature and pH value of induction solid medium(ISM) at the co-culture phase.Finally,a system of Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation(ATMT) for R.solani AG-1 IA was established successfully.The optimal conditions for this ATMT system were as follows:the concentration of hygromycin B at 30 μg/mL for transformant screening,8 h of pre-induction,20 h of co-culture,200 μmol/L of AS in ISM,co-culture at 25 ℃ and pH 5.6 to 5.8 of ISM at the co-culture phase.The transformants still displayed high resistance to hygromycin B after subculture for five generations.A total of 10 randomly selected transformants were used for PCR verification using the specific primers designed for the hph gene,and the results revealed that an expected band of 500 bp was amplified from all of the 10 transformants.Moreover,PCR amplification for these 10 transformants was carried out using specific primers designed for the Vir gene of A.tumefaciens,with four strains of A.tumefaciens as positive controls for eliminating the false-positive caused by the contamination of A.tumefaciens.An expected band of 730 bp was amplified from the four strains of A.tumefaciens,whereas no corresponding DNA band could be amplified from the 10 transformants.The results of the two PCR amplifications clearly showed that T-DNA was indeed inserted into the genome of target isolate GD118.

Response of Explants of Calli Rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i>L.) Japonica cv. “Ilmi” to Gene Transformation Using <i>Agrobacterium tumefaciens</i>-Mediated

The AtBI-1 gene encoding the Arabidopsis thaliana Bax inhibitor was introduced into Japonica cultivars of rice (“Ilmi”) by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, and a large number of transgenic plants were produced. The neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPTII) gene was used as a selectable marker. The activity of neomycin phosphotransferase could be successfully detected in transgenic rice calluses. Introduction of the AtBI-1 gene was also confirmed by PCR using AtBI-1 specific oligonucleotide primers in regenerated plants. Stable integration and expression of the AtbI-1 gene in plants were confirmed by GFP analysis.

Development of Marker-Free Transgenic Cry1Ab Rice with Lepidopteran Pest Resistance by Agrobacterium Mixture-Mediated Co-transformation

CrylAb gene was transformed into four rice varieties, Zhejing 22, Zhejing 27, Jiahua 1 and Xiushui 63 mediated by Agrobacterium-mixture co-transformation. Rice genotype had an important effect on callus induction and transformation efficiency. Different mixtures of Agrobacterium strains （EHA105 and EHA101） contained Hpt and CrylAb genes resulted in different frequencies of resistant calli. There was no correlation between the frequency of transformants with the ratio of the Agrobacterium strain mixture contained Hpt and CrylAb genes. A total of 509 transgenic plants were obtained from the four rice varieties, and 272 T2 progenies were analyzed for CrylAb and Hpt genes. PCR analysis revealed that 412 regenerated plants were Hpt positive （80.94%）, 62 plants were also CrylAb co-transformants （15.05% in total frequency）, and 42 plants among the 272 T2 progenies were CrylAb positive but Hpt negative. This suggests that marker-free transgenic plants could be produced by co-transformation mediated by mixed Agrobacterium strains with the selectable marker gene and target gene Southern blot analysis of five independent marker-free T2 transgenic lines co-transformed from Zhejing 22 showed that CrylAb gene had been inserted into rice genome with a single copy. The transgenic plants showed significantly stronger resistance to lepidopteron than the non-transgenic plants under no application of insecticides against lepidopteron.

Transformation of dissociation transposon in japonica rice Zhonghua 11 mediated by Agrobacterium

Dissociation (Ds) transposon is one of thetransposable elements in corn. The trans-posons can be transferred into other plantswhere the transposons were not found. Oncethe transposon was inserted into target gene ofthese plants, it could be used as a marker todistinguish and isolate the gene. The object ofthis study is to transfer Ds transposon to riceby Agrobacterium -mediated transformation.The calli of immature embryos, mature

Development and drought tolerance assay of marker-free transgenic rice with OsAPX2 using biolistic particle-mediated co-transformation

Abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and low temperature cause–losses in rice production worldwide. The emergence of transgenic technology has enabled improvements in the drought resistance of rice plants and helped avert crop damage due to drought stress.Selectable marker genes conferring resistance to antibiotics or herbicides have been widely used to identify genetically modified plants. However, the use of such markers has limited the public acceptance of genetically modified organisms. Marker-free materials (i.e., those containing a single foreign gene) may be more easily accepted by the public and more likely to find common use. In the present study, we created marker-free drought-tolerant transgenic rice plants using particle bombardment. Overall, 842 T_0plants overexpressing the rice ascorbate peroxidase-coding gene OsAPX2 were generated. Eight independentmarker-free lines were identified from T_1 seedlings using the polymerase chain reaction.The molecular characteristics of these lines were examined, including the expression level,copy number, and flanking sequences of OsAPX2, in the T_2 progeny. A simulated drought test using polyethylene glycol and a drought-tolerance test of seedlings confirmed that the marker-free lines carrying OsAPX2 showed significantly improved drought tolerance in seedlings. In the field, the yield of the wild-type plant decreased by 60% under drought conditions compared with normal conditions. However, the transgenic line showed a yield loss of approximately 26%. The results demonstrated that marker-free transgenic lines significantly improved grain yield under drought-stressed conditions.

Female reproductive system of <i>Amaranthus</i>as the target for <i>Agrobacterium</i>-mediated transformation

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation through floral dip and rapid selection process after transgenic event had become a preference as it will overcome the difficulties faced in tissue culturing procedures and lengthy time for screening transformed progenies. Therefore, in this study, three constructs, p5b5 (14,289 bp), p5d9 (15,330 bp) and p5f7 (15,380 bp) in pDRB6b vector which has hygromycin as a selectable marker gene were introduced individually into Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain (AGL1). The cell suspension was applied to Amaranthus inflorescence by drop-by-drop technique and was left to produce seeds (T1). The T1 seeds were germinated and grown to produce seedlings under non-sterile condition. Hygromycin selection on seedling cotyledon leaves results in identification of 12 putative transformants, three from p5b5, four from p5d9 and five from p5f7. All positive putative transformants that were selected at the first stage through hygromycin spraying showed positive result in leaf disk hygromycin assay and in a construct specific polymerase chain reaction-based assay. A ~750 bp amplified hygromycin gene was further verified through sequencing. Our results suggest that Amaranthus inflorescences were able to be transformed and the transformed progenies could be verified through a combination of simple and rapid methods .

Establishment of Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated Genetic Transformation System for Aspergillus awamori

[ Objective ] This study aimed to establish Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation system for Aspergillus awamori and investigate the feasibility of expressing heterologous proteins in A. awamori. [ Method] Appropriate A. awamori host strains were determined according to the secretory protein profile. Selectable marker was selected for genetic transformation by drug sensitivity analysis. The established A. awamori genetic transformation system was used for transformation and expression analysis of Rhizomucor miehei lipase （RML）. The feasibility of using A. awamori to express heterologous proteins was investigated by identification of transformants and property analysis. [ Result~ Based on the analysis of secretory protein profile, A. awamori strains CBS115.52 and CICC2257 were determined as the host strains for heterologous protein expression ; drug sensitivity analysis shows that hygromycin B resistance gene （ HygBr ） is an effective ge- netic seleetable marker; by using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediatcd transformation （ATMT） method, the plasmid pHGW-amdS containing HygBr was successfully transformed into A. awamori strain CBS115.52 to establish the genetic transformation system ofA. awamorl with HygBr as selectable marker. RML was transformed into A. awamori and its expression was validated by substrate hydrolysis test, SDS-PAGE and Western blot. [ Conclusion] This study demonstrates that the genetic transformation system of A. awamori mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens has potential feasibility for expression of heterologous proteins.

Agrobacterium-Mediated Transfer of Arabidopsis ICE1 Gene into Lemon (Citrus Limon (L.) Burm. F. cv. Eureka)

The Arabidopsis ICEI （inducer of CBF expression 1） gene was cloned through RT-PCR of Arabidopsis cDNAs and introduced into the lemon （Citrus Limon （L.） Burm. F. cv. Eureka） genome using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method. Epicotyl segments from in vitro grown lemon seedlings were co-cultivated with A. tumefaciens strain EHA 105 carrying the binary plasmid pMVICE1, whose T-DNA region contain ICEI gene driven by 35S CaMV promoter. Among 320 epicotyl segments inoculated, 71 explants responded and regenerated 51 elongated shoots. These shoots were subjected to an extra month of kanamycin exposure. In this way, the number of escapes reduced. Thirteen of 31 survived shoots formed roots and 7 were tested positive using PCR technique. Southern blot analyses confirmed PCR results and demonstrated that more than two copies of the ICE1 gene were integrated into the lemon genome.

Research on the Digital Economy,Technological Innovation,and Transformation and Upgrading of the Manufacturing Industry in Shandong Province

Based on panel data from 16 cities in Shandong Province from 2013 to 2022,and grounded in theoretical analysis,this paper constructs a benchmark regression model,a mediating effect model,and a heterogeneity test for empirical analysis.The results show that:(1)the digital economy has a significant positive effect on promoting the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry in Shandong Province;(2)the digital economy can drive the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry through technological innovation;and(3)the impact of the digital economy on the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry in Shandong Province is evidently heterogeneous.