Highest Transformation Frequency Research Articles

Genetic Manipulation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

AbstractThe sexually‐transmitted pathogen, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, undergoes natural transformation at high frequency. This property has led to the rapid dissemination of antibiotic resistance markers and to the panmictic structure of the gonococcal population. However, high frequency transformation also makes N. gonorrhoeae one of the easiest bacterial species to manipulate genetically in the laboratory. Techniques have been developed that result in transformation frequencies >50%, allowing the identification of mutants by screening and without selection. Constructs have been created to take advantage of this high frequency transformation, facilitating genetic mutation, complementation, and heterologous gene expression. Techniques are described for genetic manipulation of N. gonorrhoeae, as well as for growth of this fastidious organism.

Transgenic Christmas Trees Regenerated from Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated Transformation of Zygotic Embryos Using the Green Fluorescence Protein as a Reporter

Mature zygotic embryos of recalcitrant Christmas tree species Fraser fir [Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir], and Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana L.k.), and Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana Mill.) were used as explants for Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain GV3850-mediated transformation using the gfp (green fluorescent protein) gene as a reporter. Factors including media used for inoculation and co-cultivation, concentrations of acetosyringone, and antibiotics in tissue culture media have been evaluated. A high transformation frequency was obtained on TE medium containing 50μM acetosyringone and using 500 mg/l timentin to eliminate bacteria. Transient gene expression was observed in all three Christmas tree species, but transgenic plants were only produced from Virginia pine. Stable integration and expression of transgenes in the plant genome of Virginia pine was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Southern and northern blot analyses. These results demonstrated that a stable transformation system has been established in Virginia pine and this system would provide an opportunity to transfer economically important genes into Christmas tree species.

국내 옥수수 품종 및 계통의 미숙배 배양으로부터 Yellowish Friable Embryogenic 캘러스 (YFEC) 생산과 식물체 재생

국내 옥수수 3품종 (두메찰, 미백찰, 흑점찰)과 5 계통(HW1, KL103, HW3, HW4, KW7)의 미숙배를 1 mg/L 2,4-D, 25 mM proline, 100 mg/L casamino acid, 3 mM MES, 1.7 mg/L <TEX>$AgNO_3$</TEX>, Eriksson's vitamin 및 20 g/L sucrose가 첨가된 MS배지 (SEM)에 5주 동안 배양하였다. 각 계통 및 품종의 체세포배 발생 빈도는 HW1 (45.20%), KL103 (5.75%), HW3 (37.20%), HW4 (30.10%), KW70 (55.20%), 미백찰 (18.74%), 흑점찰 (22.41%), 두메찰 (36.72%)이었으며, 모델 품종인 Hi II type에서는 10% 이하였다. Hi II계통에서 형성되는 type II캘러스와 같은 노란색의 부드러운 배발생캘러스 (yellowish friable embryogenic callus, YFEC)는 오직 HW3와 흑점찰 품종에서 형성되었으며, 반면 다른 품종 및 계통에서는 late-embryo단계의 단단한 체세포배가 직접 발생되거나 형태적으로 비정상 모양을 갖는 단단하고 팽창된 체세포배가 발생 되었다. 노란색의 부드러운 배발생캘러스 (yellowish friable embryogenic callus, YFEC)는 동일배지에서 빠르게 증식 되었고 6개월 이상 배발생 능이 유지 되었으며, 1차 재분화 배지와 2차 재분화배지에 옮겼을 때 모두 식물체로 전환 되었다. 그러나 단단한 노란색의 배발생캘러스와 비정상 형태의 체세포배는 동일배지에서 매우 느리게 증식되었고, 재분화 배지에서 낮은 식물체 전환율 (25%)을 보였다. 따라서 본 연구로부터 선발된 HW3와 흑점찰은 향후 국내 옥수수 유전자원을 이용한 형질전환 시스템 개발연구에 이용 될 수 있을 것으로 예상된다. Immature embryos of 3 cultivars (Du Me Chal, Mi Baek Chal, Heug Jeom Chal) and 5 genotypes (HW1, KL103, HW3, HW4, KW7) were cultured on medium containing MS salts, Eriksson's vitamins, 1 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 25 mM proline, 100 mg/L casamino acid, 3 mM MES, 1.7 mg/L <TEX>$AgNO_3$</TEX> and 20 g/L sucrose (SIM). Frequency of somatic embryo formation on explant of immature embryos showed in HW1 (45.20%), KL103 (5.75%), HW3 (37.20%), HW4 (30.10%), KW70 (55.20%), Mi Baek Chal (18.74%), Heug Jeom Chal (22.41%), Du Me Chal (36.72%) and Hi II type (<10%), respectively. Yellowish friable embryogenic callus (YFEC) such as type II callus of Hi II genotype only produced from the HW3 and Heug Jeom Chal, whereas other cultivars and genotypes were directly formed somatic embryos with late-embryonic stages or expanded yellowish compact somatic embryo with morphological abnormality. The yellowish friable embryogenic callus (YFEC) could be proliferated on the same medium, which were maintained embryogenic capacity for 6 months over. Upon transfer to first regeneration and second regeneration medium, somatic embryos converted to plantlets at a frequency of approximately 100%. However, the expanded somatic embryos with abnormal morphology were slowly proliferated when subcultured on the same medium, and some of them were degenerated or converted to plantlets at a frequency of approximately 25%. Accordingly, The Heug Jeom Chal and HW3 genotype will be further used for development of high frequency transformation system in domestic maize germplasm.

Recent advances in rice biotechnology—towards genetically superior transgenic rice

Rice biotechnology has made rapid advances since the first transgenic rice plants were produced 15 years ago. Over the past decade, this progress has resulted in the development of high frequency, routine and reproducible genetic transformation protocols for rice. This technology has been applied to produce rice plants that withstand several abiotic stresses, as well as to gain tolerance against various pests and diseases. In addition, quality improving and increased nutritional value traits have also been introduced into rice. Most of these gains were not possible through conventional breeding technologies. Transgenic rice system has been used to understand the process of transformation itself, the integration pattern of transgene as well as to modulate gene expression. Field trials of transgenic rice, especially insect-resistant rice, have recently been performed and several other studies that are prerequisite for safe release of transgenic crops have been initiated. New molecular improvisations such as inducible expression of transgene and selectable marker-free technology will help in producing superior transgenic product. It is also a step towards alleviating public concerns relating to issues of transgenic technology and to gain regulatory approval. Knowledge gained from rice can also be applied to improve other cereals. The completion of the rice genome sequencing together with a rich collection of full-length cDNA resources has opened up a plethora of opportunities, paving the way to integrate data from the large-scale projects to solve specific biological problems.

Transformation of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) via sonication and vacuum infiltration of germinated seeds with Agrobacterium harboring a group 3 LEA gene from B. napus

A protocol for producing transgenic radish (Raphanus sativus) was obtained by using both ultrasonic and vacuum infiltration assisted, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The Agrobacterium strain LBA4404 contained the binary vector pBI121-LEA (late embyogenesis abundant), which carried a Group 3 LEA gene, from Brassica napus. Among six combinations, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation assisted by a combination of 5-min sonication with 5-min vacuum infiltration resulted in the highest transformation frequency. The existence, integration and expression of transferred LEA gene in transgenic T(1) plants were confirmed by PCR, genomic Southern and Western blot analysis. Transgenic radish demonstrated better growth performance than non-transformed control plants under osmotic and salt stress conditions. Accumulation of Group 3 LEA protein in the vegetative tissue of transgenic radish conferred increased tolerance to water deficit and salt stress.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens -Mediated Transformation of Aspergillus fumigatus : an Efficient Tool for Insertional Mutagenesis and Targeted Gene Disruption

Agrobacterium tumefaciens was used to transform Aspergillus fumigatus by either random or site-directed integration of transforming DNA (T-DNA). Random mutagenesis via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) was accomplished with T-DNA containing a hygromycin resistance cassette. Cocultivation of A. fumigatus conidia and Agrobacterium (1:10 ratio) for 48 h at 24 degrees C resulted in high frequencies of transformation (> 100 transformants/10(7) conidia). The majority of transformants harbored a randomly integrated single copy of T-DNA and were mitotically stable. We chose alb1, a polyketide synthase gene, as the target gene for homologous integration because of the clear phenotype difference between the white colonies of Deltaalb1 mutant strains and the bluish-green colonies of wild-type strains. ATMT with a T-DNA-containing alb1 disruption construct resulted in 66% albino transformants. Southern analysis revealed that 19 of the 20 randomly chosen albino transformants (95%) were disrupted by homologous recombination. These results suggest that ATMT is an efficient tool for transformation, random insertional mutagenesis, and gene disruption in A. fumigatus.

Influence of different co-cultivation temperatures, periods and media on Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene transfer

Tobacco leaf disc explants were inoculated with Agrobacterum tumefaciens strain GV2260 carrying p35S GUS-INT to determine the influence of different co-cultivation temperatures (18 – 26 °C), periods (24 – 96 h) and media (solid and liquid) on transformation efficiency. Kanamycin-resistant shoots developed on leaf discs inoculated with Agrobacterium after 4 weeks of culture initiation. Regenerated shoots were excised and rooted in the basal medium supplemented with 100 mg dm −3 kanamycin and 250 mg dm −3 augmentin. The rooted plantlets were finally transferred to compost and confirmed by GUS assay and PCR analysis. The highest transformation frequency was achieved from the explants co-cultivated with A. tumefaciens in liquid medium for 48 h at 22 or 24 °C.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation ofCry I A(b) gene toTrichoderma harzianum

In this study,Cry IA(b) gene was successfully transferred into the biocontrol fungusTrichoderma harzianum with an efficiency of 60–180 transformants per 106 spores by usingAgrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Putative transformants were analyzed to test the presence ofCry IA(b) gene by Southern blot. Most transformants contained a single T-DNA copy. RT-PCR analysis showed that theCry IA(b) gene was transcribed. Antifungal activities and insecticidal activities of the transformants were examined. There was no obvious difference in antifungal activities between the transformants and their wild strains. The modified mortalities of the transformants T1 and T2 were 69.57% and 91.30%, respectively. The tranformation system mediated byA. tumefaciens proved to be a powerful tool for the filamentous fungi transformation and functional genomic study with its high transformation frequency, simplicity of T-DNA integration, and genetic stability of transformants.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of embryogenic tissue and transgenic plant regeneration in Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb. et Zucc.

A genetic transformation procedure for Chamaecyparis obtusa was developed after co-cultivation of embryogenic tissues with disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C58/pMP90, which harbours the sgfp (synthetic green fluorescent protein) visual reporter and nptII (neomycin phoshotransferase II) selectable marker genes. The highest transformation frequency was 22.5 independent transformed lines per dish (250 mg embryogenic tissue) following selection on kanamycin medium. Transgenic plantlets were regenerated through the maturation and germination of somatic embryos. The intensity of GFP fluorescence, observed under a fluorescence microscope, varied from very faint to relatively strong, depending on the transgenic line or part of the transgenic plant. The integration of the genes into the genome of regenerated plantlets was confirmed by Southern blot analysis.

Polyamines enhance Agrobacterium tumefaciens vir gene induction and T-DNA transfer

We report here the enhancement of acetosyringone-mediated virulence gene induction in Agrobacterium tumefaciens by polyamines. The diamine putrescine and triamine spermidine enhanced vir gene induction when agrobacterial cells were treated prior to acetosyringone addition. An increase in polyamine levels was observed in Agroacterium following the polyamine treatments, which was positively correlated with the magnitude of vir gene induction. Plant transformation experiments have shown that modulation of polyamine levels in Agrobacterium results in the enhanced T-DNA transfer. These results suggest the involvement of polyamines in the processes that lead to vir gene induction and T-DNA transfer. And these findings may be useful in achieving a high transformation frequency in those plant species, which show minimal vir gene induction.

The development of a reproducible Agrobacterium tumefaciens transformation system for garlic (Allium sativum L.) and the production of transgenic garlic resistant to beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua Hübner)

This paper describes the development of a reliable transformation system for garlic Allium sativum L. and its application in producing insect resistant GM garlic lines. The transformation system is based on Agrobacterium tumefaciens as a vector, using young callus derived from different callus sources: callus induced from both apical and non-apical root segments of in vitro plantlets, true garlic seeds and bulbils. Two different reporter genes were used in our garlic transformation experiments, namely the gusA gene coding for -glucuronidase and the gfp gene coding for green fluorescent protein. A total of seven independent transformed callus lines derived from different callus sources were obtained. The advantage of the system developed is the short time period needed for completion of the protocol about 6 months and the year-round availability of high quality callus from in vitro roots. The highest transformation frequency in a single experiment 1.47%, was obtained using garlic cv. ‘Printanor’. Differences existed between cultivars in transformation frequency but were not significant. The same was found for the plasmids used in transforming garlic. Via PCR the presence of the gusA, hpt hygromycin phosphotransferase and gfp genes could be demonstrated in putative transformed in vitro plants. Southern hybridization showed that the reporter gene gusA and the selective gene hpt were stably integrated into the garlic genome. After transfer to the greenhouse of in vitro regenerants, transgenic garlic harbouring the gusA gene survived and grew well, whereas the gfp transgenic garlic gradually died under these conditions. Using this protocol transgenic garlic resistant to beet armyworm using the cry1Ca and H04 resistance genes from Bacillus thuringiensis were developed. Via Southern hybridization it was shown that the cry1Ca sequence was stably integrated into the garlic genome. After transfer of the transgenic in vitro garlic plants to the greenhouse, the cry1Ca plants developed normally and grew well to maturity with normal bulbs. However, all transgenic in vitro H04 garlic plants did not survive after transfer to the greenhouse. Transgenic cry1Ca garlic plants proved completely resistant to beet armyworm in a number of in vitro bio-assays. This finding will facilitate the development of new garlic cultivars resistant to beet armyworm.

Mutant acetolactate synthase gene is an efficient in vitro selectable marker for the genetic transformation of Brassica juncea (oilseed mustard)

We report in this study, the successful deployment of a double mutant acetolactate synthase gene (ALSdm, containing Pro 197 to Ser and Ser 653 to Asn substitutions) as an efficient in vitro selection marker for the development of transgenic plants in Brassica juncea (oilseed mustard). The ALS enzyme is inhibited by two categories of herbicides, sulfonylureas (e.g. chlorsulfuron) and imidazolinones (e.g. imazethapyr), while the mutant forms are resistant to the same. Three different selection agents (kanamycin, chlorsulfuron and imazethapyr) were tested for in vitro selection efficiency in two B. juncea cultivars, RLM198 and Varuna. For both the cultivars, higher transformation frequencies were obtained using chlorsulfuron (3.8±0.6% and 4.6±0.9% for RLM198 and Varuna, respectively) and imazethapyr (10.2±0.7% for RLM198 and 7.8±1.2% for Varuna) as compared to that obtained on kanamycin (3.1±0.2% and 2.8±0.5% for RLM198 and Varuna, respectively). Additionally, transformation frequencies were higher on imazethapyr than on chlorsulfuron for both the cultivars indicating that imidazolinones are better selective agents than sulfonylureas for the selection of mustard transgenics.

Research on Transformation Conditions using Malus hupenensis var. `Pingyitiancha'

`Pingyitiancha' has good agricultural traits and is an important rootstock for apples. It was studied for Kam, Cef and Carb concentrations, precultural times, active medium of A.tum, Ca++ concentration, mixed inoculation times of AgNO3, and PVP delay selection times for getting transgenic `Pingyitiancha' stock with more resistance to drought and salt. It was demonstrated that the highest transformation frequency was obtained with 200 mg·L-1 Cef as an A.tum restraining antibiotic, 8 mg·L-1 Kam as a selection antibiotic, GCJ8 active medium, a precultural of 2 days, 5 Ca++ concentrations in preculture and coculture medium compared with standard MS medium, immersed in A. tum as OD600 for 0.5 to 1 min., 4 mg·L-1 AgNO3 and 0.7% PVP as an anti-oxidation compound to reduce hydroxybenzene oxidation and delay selection for 5 days by using `Pingyitiancha' apex shoots as explants. Using mediate of A. tum strain LBA4404 under conditions mentioned above and same explants, the HVA1 gene were transformed into `Pingyitiancha' under the control of CaMV35S promoter and obtained Kam resistance regeneration plants. Six transgenic plants were confirmed by PCR and subsequent dot blot methods.

English

An efficient and reproducible protocol is required to achieve high frequency transformation from transformed calli. We report here high frequency plant regeneration from mature seed derived embryogenic calli of two recalcitrant&nbsp;indica&nbsp;rice cultivars HKR-46 and HKR-126 after partial desiccation treatment. Embryogenic and nodular callus was initiated on MS basal medium supplemented with 2.5 mg l-1&nbsp;2,4-D, 500 mg l-1&nbsp;proline, 500 mg l-1&nbsp;casein hydrolysate, 30 g l-1&nbsp;sucrose and 2.5 g l-1&nbsp;gelrite. Several media with different combinations of growth regulators were tried. Maximum shoot regeneration frequency (63%) was observed in partially desiccated calli for 48 h in cv. HKR 46 and 82.1 per cent in cv. HKR-126 on the MS modified medium supplemented with 2 mg l-1&nbsp;kinetin + 0.5 mg l-1&nbsp;NAA + 30 gl-1&nbsp;sucrose + 6 g l-1&nbsp;gelrite followed by in the medium supplemented with 1 mgl-1&nbsp;2ip + 30 g l-1&nbsp;sucrose + 6 g l-1&nbsp;gelrite (61% in cv. HKR-46 and 79.2 % in cv. HKR-126). Highly significant regeneration differences were observed in partially desiccated calli (48 h) in comparison to non-dehydrated (0 h desiccation) calli. Shoot regeneration frequency increased from 1.2 to 5.6 fold after 48 h of desiccation in both the cultivars on different regeneration media. Shoot regeneration frequency declined at 72 h desiccation treatment as compared to 48 h treatment. Well-developed plantlets were hardened and transferred to the green house. &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Plant regeneration,&nbsp;indica&nbsp;rice, mature embryo, partial desiccation.

High-frequency transformation of undeveloped plastids in tobacco suspension cells.

Although leaf chloroplast transformation technology was developed more than a decade ago, no reports exist of stable transformation of undeveloped plastids or other specialized plastid types, such as proplastids, etioplasts, or amyloplasts. In this work we report development of a dark-grown tobacco suspension cell model system to investigate the transformation potential of undeveloped plastids. Electron microscope analysis confirmed that the suspension cells carry plastids that are significantly smaller (approximately 50-fold less in volume) and have a very different subcellular localization and developmental state than leaf cell chloroplasts. Using antibiotic selection in the light, we demonstrated that both plastid and nuclear transformation of these cell suspensions is efficient and reproducible, with plastid transformation frequency at least equal to that of leaf chloroplast transformation. Homoplasmic plastid transformants are readily obtained in cell colonies, or in regenerated plants, providing a more consistent and versatile model than the leaf transformation system. Because of the uniformity of the cell suspension model, we could further show that growth rate, selection scheme, particle size, and DNA amount influence the frequency of transformation. Our results indicate that the rate-limiting steps for nuclear and plastid transformation are different, and each must be optimized separately. The suspension cell system will be useful as a model for understanding transformation in those plant species that utilize dark-grown embryogenic cultures and for characterizing the steps that lead to homoplasmic plastid transformation.

Identification and analysis of ARS function of six plant MARs

Six plant MARs isolated from tobacco and Arabdiposis were investigated for their ARS activity in yeast. The results showed that among the six plant MARs, only TM1 and AM4 had strong ARS activity which was almost the same as that of ARS from yeast chromosome. In order to further identify the core region of the two MARs for the ARS activity, a series of subclones were created by PCR strategy, and the corresponding subclones were designated as TM1-1, TM1-2, TM1-3, AM4-1, AM4-2 and AM4-3, respectively. Our studies revealed that TM1-3 and AM4-3 not only had higher ARS activity, but also displayed higher transformation frequency, plasmid stability and growth rate compared to their intact MARs, TM1 and AM4. These data present an important clue for further elucidating the relationship between MAR and ARS.

High-frequency transformation of Lobelia erinus L. by Agrobacterium -mediated gene transfer

A highly efficient transformation procedure was developed for Lobelia erinus. Leaf or cotyledon discs were inoculated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105 harboring the binary vector plasmid pIG121Hm, which contains a beta-glucuronidase gene with an intron as a reporter gene and both the neomycin phosphotransferase II and hygromycin phosphotransferase genes as selectable markers. The hygromycin-resistant calli produced on the selection medium were transferred to MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l benzyladenine and 0.2 mg/l indole-3-acetic acid for regeneration of adventitious shoots. Transgenic plants were obtained as a result of the high regeneration rate of the transformed calli, which was as high as 83%. In contrast, no transgenic plant was obtained by the procedure of direct shoot formation following inoculation with A. tumefaciens. Transgenic plants flowered 3-4 months after transformation. Integration of the transgenes was detected using PCR and Southern blot analysis, which revealed that one to several copies were integrated into the genomes of the host plants. The transformation frequency at the stage of whole plants was very high--45% per inoculated disc.

Genetic transformation of the green alga— Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by Agrobacterium tumefaciens

We report here the first successful transfer of T-DNA of Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying the genes coding for β-glucuronidase ( uidA), green fluorescent protein ( gfp) and hygromycin phosphotransferase ( hpt) to the nuclear genome of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The transformation frequency (which was based on hygromycin resistance phenotype) was 50-fold higher than that of the glass bead transformation. Molecular and genetic analyses performed on transformants revealed the stable nuclear integration and expression of transgenes. The simplicity of Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer and the high transformation frequency as well as the precision of T-DNA integration will enable further molecular dissection of this important model organism to understand basic plant metabolic processes as well as to exploit the system for biotechnological applications.

Akt/PTEN signaling mediates estrogen-dependent proliferation of primordial germ cells in vitro.

Testicular tumors in humans are reported to be significantly increasing in incidence. Embryo exposure to environmental estrogens has been proposed as one of the possible underlying causes. In mice, genetic, immunological, and experimental evidence suggest that germ cell testicular tumors may derive from primordial germ cells (PGCs), the embryonic precursors of gametes. Here we show that relatively high concentrations of estrogens stimulate mouse PGC growth in vitro through the somatic cells of the gonadal ridges. Moreover, we found that estrogens stimulate the transcription of the Steel gene and the production of c-Kit ligand in gonadal somatic cells, and that this growth factor is likely to be responsible for the observed stimulation of PGC growth via an Akt/PTEN pathway. Finally, we show that estrogen stimulation of gonadal somatic cells in culture, in combination with PTEN down-regulation in PGCs and the presence of leukemia inhibitory factor in the culture medium, result in high frequency of PGC transformation in tumorigenic cells. Based on these results, we present a novel experimental in vitro model for tumorigenic germ cell transformation and identify molecular pathways likely involved in development of germ cell tumors after estrogen exposure.

A novel selection system for potato transformation using a mutated AHAS gene.

Acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) is the target enzyme for a number of herbicides. A S653N mutation in the AHAS gene results in an increased tolerance to imidazolinone herbicides. We have investigated the use of the mutated gene as selection gene for potato transformation. This resulted in a transformation system with a very high transformation frequency and low rate of escapes. The mutated AHAS gene was introduced into transformed potato together with a beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene. Selection on 0.5 microM Imazamox yielded GUS expression in 93-100% of regenerated shoots. Furthermore the mutated AHAS gene was used as selection gene for production of high-amylopectin potato lines. The high transformation frequency was verified and potato lines with the desirable starch quality were obtained.