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.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of rice with the spider insecticidal gene conferring resistance to leaffolder and striped stem borer

Immature embryos of rice varieties "Xiushui11" and "Chunjiang 11" precultured for 4d were infected and transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA101/pExT7 (containing the spider insecticidal gene). The resistant cant were transferred onto the differentiation medium and plants were regenerated. The transformation frequency reached 56%-72% measured as numbers of Geneticin (G418)-resistant calli produced and 36%-60% measured as numbers of transgenic plants regenerated, respectively. PCR and Southern blot analysis of transgenic plants confirmed that the T-DNA had been integrated into the rice genome. Insect bioassays using T1 transgenic plants indicated that the mortality of the leaffolder (Cnaphalocrasis medinalis) after 7d of leaf feeding reached 38%-61% and the corrected mortality of the striped stem borer (Chilo suppressalis) after 7d of leaf feeding reached 16%-75%. The insect bioassay results demonstrated that the transgenic plants expressing the spider insecticidal protein conferred enhanced resistance to these pests.

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.

Genetic Transformation of Aloe barbadensis Miller by Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Despite the importance of aloe in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, improvement of aloe （Aloe barbadensis Miller） by genetic engineering was seldom reported previously. In this study, regeneration and transformation conditions, including explant selection and surface sterilization, use of different Agrobacterium strains, and co-culture processing, are optimized. The use of 20.0% sodium hypochloride （25 rain） for sterilization was less detrimental to the health of explant than 0.1% mercuric chloride （10 min）. Regeneration frequency from stems was much higher than that from leaves or sheaths. Explants were infected by Agrobacterium （30 rain） in liquid co-cultural medium, and this was followed by three days co-culture on sterile filter papers with light for 10 h per day at 24℃. Histochemical data demonstrated that the transient expression of GUS gene in the stem explants of aloe infected with Agrobacterium strains EHAI05 and C58CI was 80.0% and 30.0%, respectively, suggesting the higher sensitivity of the explants to EHAI05 than to C58C1. Infected tissues were selected using G418 （10.0-25.0 mg/L） to generate transformants. Sixty-seven G418 resistant plantlets were generated from the infected explants. Southern blotting, PCR, and ELISA analyses indicated that the alien gene were successfully transferred into aloe and was expressed in the transgenic plants. This newly established transformation system could be used for the genetic improvement of aloe.

Production of Transgenic Tall Fescue Plants with Enhanced Stress Tolerances by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-Mediated Transformation

In order to improve stress tolerances of turf-type tall fescue （Festuca arundinacea Schreb.）, Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105 carrying plasmid pCMD containing stress tolerance-related CBF1 gene from Arabidopsis thaliana was used to transform mature seeds-derived embryogenic calli of four cultivars. A total of 112 transgenic plants were regenerated from 32 independent lines and verified by histochemical detection of GUS activity, PCR assay and Southern hybridization analysis. The transformation frequency ranged from 0.92 to 2.87% with apparent differences among the cultivars. Stress tolerances of transgenic plants were enhanced, which was shown by the facts that transgenic plants had distinct growth superiority and significantly higher survival rate than non-transformed ones under high salinity and high osmosis stresses, and that relative electronic conductivity of in vitro leaves treated with low and high temoeratures, dehvdration and high salinity stresses was 25-30% lower in transgenic plants than in control plants.In addition,it was observed that growth of transgenic plants was inhibited due to constitutive overexpression of CBF1 gene under normal environmental conditions.

Genetic transformation of loblolly pine using mature zygotic embryo explants by Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA 4404 carrying pBI121 plasmid was used to transform mature zygotic embryos of three genotypes (E-Hb, E-Ma, and E-Mc) of loblolly pine. The results demonstrated that the expression frequency of (-glucuronidase reporter gene (GUS) varied among genotypes after mature zygotic embryos were infected with Agrobacterium tumefaciens cultures. The highest frequency (27.8%) of GUS expressing embryos was obtained from genotype E-Mc with mean number of 21.9 blue GUS spots per embryo. Expression of (-glucuronidase reporter gene was observed on cotyledons, hypocotyls, and radicles of transformed mature zygotic embryos, as well as on organogenic callus and regenerated shoots derived from co-cultivated mature zygotic embryos. Nineteen regenerated transgenic plants were obtained from GUS expression and kanamycin resistant calli. The presence and integration of the GUS gene was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot analysis. These results suggested that an efficient Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation protocol for stable integration of foreign genes into loblolly pine has been developed and that this transformation system could be useful for the future studies on transferring economically important genes to loblolly pine.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of modern rose(Rosa hybrida)using leaf-derived embryogenic callus

Rose(Rosa hybrida)is widely used for cut flowers and as garden plants.Stable and efficient transformation system is required for functional genomics of rose.Here,we established an efficient transformation method for rose using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of embryogenic callus.Expanding rose leaves were used as explants to induce somatic embryos,which were subjected to transformation with A.tumefaciens strain GV3101 using Green Fluorescence Protein(GFP)as a marker gene.It took about 8 months to generate transgenic shoots from embryogenic callus.PCR,RT-PCR,Southern and Western blotting,as well as stereoscopic fluorescence microscopy analysis demonstrated that GFP transgenes integrated stably into the rose genome.According to our data,a transformation efficiency of up to 6%can be achieved by following this optimized protocol.

Reliable and Efficient Agrobacterium tumefaciens-Mediated Genetic Transformation of Dianthus spiculifolius

Dianthus spiculifolius is a perennial herbaceous flower with strong environmental adaptability and is an important ornamental ground cover plant.In this study,seeds of D.spiculifolius were used as explants for callus induction,adventitious bud differentiation,and rooting by adding different concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid(2,4-D),6-benzyl aminopurine(6-BA),and naphthaleneacetic acid(NAA)to Murashige and Skoog medium.The calli generated were co-cultured with Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA105 containing pBI121-GUS or pBI121-GFP plasmids for 30 min,and transgenic regenerated plants were obtained by kanamycin(30mg·L^−1)screening.RT-PCR confirmed the stable expression of the exogenous GUS and GFP genes in the D.spiculifolius.Theβ-glucuronidase(GUS)histochemical staining confirmed GUS gene expression in transgenic calli,adventitious buds,and regenerated plants of D.spiculifolius.The green fluorescent protein(GFP)visual analysis showed GFP gene expression in transgenic calli.Furthermore,subcellular localization analysis showed that the three organelle marker proteins were not only successfully expressed but also accurately localized to their corresponding organelles in D.spiculifolius callus cells.These results indicated a successful establishment of a reliable and efficient A.tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation system,which will contribute to functional gene research and genetic improvement of D.spiculifolius.

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.

Adventitious shoot regeneration of Platanus acerifolia Willd. facilitated by Timentin,an antibiotic for suppression of Agrobacterium tumefaciens in genetic transformation

The effects of Timentin and cefotaxime （Cef） on shoot regeneration of the London plane tree （Platanus acerifolia Willd.） and their use for the suppression ofAgrobacterium tumefaciens in Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation were compared. Shoot regeneration was significantly reduced on the media with Cef at concentrations from 100 to 500 mg·L^-1. Timentin showed negative effect on plant regeneration at concentrations of 100 and 500 mg·L^-1; however, 300 mg·L^-1 Timentin was shown to facilitate shoot regeneration significantly and the regeneration frequency increased from 64% （control） to 88%. Effective suppression of A. tumefaciens could be obtained with 500 mg·L^-1 Cef, but plant regeneration was completely inhibited at this level. The A. tumefaciens on infected P. acerifolia leaf tissues was visually undetectable after three subcultures on a medium with 300 mg·L^-1 Timentin. Considering the effect of Cef and Timentin on plant regeneration and suppression of Agrobacteria, Timentin at 300 mg·L^-1 is the preferred application in .4. tumefaciens-mediated transformation ofP acerifolia.

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.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated GUS gene transformation of Robinia pseudoacacia 'Idaho'

Based on the plant regeneration system, a GUS gene transformation system to Idaho locust （Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Idaho＇） mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens was established. The successful transformation was confirmed by regenerating the shoots fi＇om the infected leaves in the presence of hygromysin; by histochemical X-gluc assays of 15-glucuronidase （GUS） and by PCR and PCR-Southern blotting analysis. The ratio of positive transgenic plants is 5.8% （5 out of 86 plants）. With this system, the target gene DREB was introduced into the leaves of Idaho locust. The transgenic plants regenerated, which was verified by PCR-Southern blot- ting. It is suggested that the transformation system could be a new, simple, reliable and practical route to gene transformation of R. pseudoacacia ＇Idaho＇ mediated with A. tumefaciens.

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 Transformation of Rice with Help of Bombardment

Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica cv. Zhonghua 8, which is recalcitrant to infection of Agrobacterium tumefaciens (Smith et Townsend) Conn strain EHA105 with ordinary binary vector pCambia 1301, was transformed through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation with help of bombardment. The transformation efficiency can be raised greatly. Single copy of gene insertion in the genome of transgenic rice plants was proved by Southern analysis and the expression of GUS gene was observed. GUS gene and hygromycin-resistant gene show 3:1 segregation in progenies of the transgenic rice plants.

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.

The Efficient Transformation of Wheat in Planta by Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Transformation of wheat was performed by pipetting spikelets with Agrobacterium tumefaciens which contained expression vectors using Npt II as reporter gene. Transformants were identified through kana-mycin resistance, PCR and Southern blot. The results showed that transformation efficiency was within 2.0 to 3. 2% in all tested varieties of wheat. Then the simple and efficient protocol of wheat transformation by Agrobacterium tumefaciens in planta was primarily established.

Regeneration and gene transformation systems of Robima pseudoacacia 'Idaho' mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Idaho＇ is one of several multi-purpose trees used in ornamental, soil and water conservation, fodder and nectar sources. Plant abiotic stress tolerance transformed by genes could meet the requirements for reclamation of arid or alkalid lands and vegetation restoration. For this paper, we studied the effects of auxin and cytokine on Idaho locust in vitro regeneration and the establishment of gene transformation systems for plants mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Results showed that the ratios of cytokinin and auxin were the major factors affecting adventitious bud differentiation on a MS medium; the concentration of 0.5 mg·L^-16-BA benefitted callus proliferation and 0.25 mg·L^-1 IBA promoted shoot rooting; however, a higher IBA concentration will inhibit rooting. The most effective antitoxin for screening transgenic Idaho locust shoots was G418 and the most sensitive concentration of it was 8 mg·L^-1.

Factors Affecting Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation Efficiency in Rice

Several important factors affecting the efficiency of Agrobacterium-mediated rice transformation were studied with several predominant commercial indica and japonica rice cultivars. As far as indica rice callus was concerned, CC medium was the best and the quality of callus was improved with the addition of 1.0 to 2.0 mg/L ABA. It decreased the percentage of browning calli and improved the callus growing state by addition of a certain amount of sorbitol to the subculture medium. NB medium was the best for callus initiation of japonica rice, but the improvement in the quality of callus of japonica subspecies was not obvious by adding ABA. During the period of subculture, to a certain degree, increasing the sucrose concentration could improve the proportion of hygromycin resistant calli. Furthermore, the transformation efficiency would be higher by applying selection pressure in the selection stage, removing selection pressure during the plantlet differentiation period and applying selection pressure again during seedling hardening period. Besides, suitable combination of plant hormones was beneficial for callus differentiation. An efficient /Agrobacterium-mediated rice transformation system had been established for several rice cultivars and a lot of transgenic rice plants had been obtained.

Low Co-Cultivation Temperature at 20°C Resulted in the Reproducible Maximum Increase in Both the Fresh Weight Yield and Stable Expression of GUS Activity after <i>Agrobacterium tumefaciens</i>-Mediated Transformation of Tobacco Leaf Disks

The importance of controlled temperature during the four-days co-cultivation period was evaluated under the most physiologically relevant conditions for Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Xanthi (nn, Smith)) leaf disks. We compared the effect of temperatures ranging from 15°C, 18°C, 20°C, 22°C to 25°C on the stable expression of β-glucuronidase (GUS) activity of 14 days old hygromycin-selected leaf disks, and on the increase in the fresh weight yield of 28 days old kanamycin-selected calli. The highest average of GUS activity was obtained at 20°C among the five temperatures tested although the difference between the 18°C and 20°C treatment was not statistically significant. The GUS activity at 15°C was statistically lower than those at 18°C and 20°C. The GUS activity in 22°C treatment was an intermediate between the highest (18/20°C) and second highest averages (15°C), and was not statistically significantly different. The lowest average of GUS activity was observed at 25°C. The highest increase in the plate average of fresh weight yield was obtained at 20°C among the five temperature tested. The 20°C treatment was statistically significantly better than the 15°C and 18°C treatments. The 20°C co-cultivation treatment resulted in the higher FW yield than 22°C and 25°C even though the differences were not statistically significant. In conclusion, low co-cultivation temperature at 20°C resulted in the reproducible maximum increase in both the fresh weight yield and stable expression of GUS activity after transformation of tobacco leaf disks.

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.