Abstract
Transgenic technology is a powerful tool for gene functional characterization, and poplar is a model system for genetic transformation of perennial woody plants. However, the poplar genetic transformation system is limited to a number of model genotypes. Herein, we developed a transformation system based on efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation for the hybrid poplar Populus Alba × Populus glandulosa Uyeki, which is a fast-growing poplar species that is suitably grown in the northern part of China. Importantly, we optimized many independent factors and showed that the transformation efficiency was improved significantly using juvenile leaf explants. Explants were infected by an Agrobacterium suspension with the OD600 = 0.6 for 15 min and then co-cultured in dark conditions for 3 days. Using the improved transformation system, we obtained the transgenic poplar with overexpression of β-glucuronidase (GUS) via direct organogenesis without callus induction. Furthermore, we analyzed the GUS gene in the transgenic poplars using PCR, qRT-PCR, and GUS staining. These analyses revealed that the GUS gene was efficiently transformed, and it exhibited various expression levels. Taken together, these results represent a simple, fast, and efficient transformation system of hybrid poplar plants. Our findings may facilitate future studies of gene functions in perennial woody plants and tree breeding via transgenic technology assisted design.
Highlights
Poplar is an important group of cultivated tree species used in both ecological and economic plantations
We developed a simple and efficient system for transformation, selection, and regeneration based on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of hybrid poplar P. alba × P. glandulosa Uyeki, known as suwon poplar
The transformation efficiency was significantly increased with juvenile leaf explants, but the frequency of shoot induction was simultaneously decreased (Figure 1A)
Summary
Poplar is an important group of cultivated tree species used in both ecological and economic plantations. Its popularity is largely due to its adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and its capacity for rapid growth [1]. Tree breeding by transgenic technology assisted design is the major technique for improving varieties of poplar with superior hereditary characteristics. This technique can overcome the difficulties associated with the breeding of woody plants, which require many years to produce progeny [2]. The in-depth knowledge of gene function is effective for making more purposeful and systematic breeding programs directed at transgenic technology assisted breeding of poplar
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