Agrobacterium tumefaciens: a natural tool for plant transformation

Plant Biotechnology

Molecular Biology and Genetics

EJB Electronic Journal of Biotechnology ISSN: 0717-3458	Vol.1 No.3, Issue of December 15, 1998.
© 1998 by Universidad Católica de Valparaíso -- Chile

INVITED REVIEW ARTICLE

Agrobacterium tumefaciens: a natural tool for plant transformation

Gustavo A. de la Riva*
Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology. Plant Division. Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB). P.O.Box 6162, 10600 Havana, Cuba
Fax: (53-7) 218070, (53-7) 336008
E-mail: Gustavo.Riva@cigb.edu.cu

Joel González-Cabrera
Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology. Plant Division. Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB). P.O.Box 6162, 10600 Havana, Cuba
Fax: (53-7) 218070, (53-7) 336008
E-mail: CryLab@cigb.edu.cu

Roberto Vázquez-Padrón
Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology. Plant Division. Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB). P.O.Box 6162, 10600 Havana, Cuba
Fax: (53-7) 218070, (53-7) 336008
E-mail: CryLab@cigb.edu.cu

Camilo Ayra-Pardo
Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology. Plant Division. Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB). P.O.Box 6162, 10600 Havana, Cuba
Fax: (53-7) 218070, (53-7) 336008
E-mail: CryLab@cigb.edu.cu

*Corresponding author

Keywords: Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Plant transformation, T-DNA

Abstract

Full Text

Updated information of mechanisms for T-DNA transfer to plant cells by Agrobacterium tumefaciens is provided, focused on the role played by the different components of the virulence system. The general assessments for the establishment of efficient transformation protocols are discussed with an emphasis in the application of this methodology to monocotyledonous plants. Based on our own experience, we present the establishment of sugarcane transformation by A. tumefaciens as a model of application of this methodology to an important culture plant species, previously considered recalcitrant and inaccessible for this type of genetic manipulation.