The transformation of Zea mays seedlings with Agrobacterium tumefaciens Detection of T-DNA specific enzyme activities

• Published in: Plant molecular biology 1986, Vol.7 (1), p.43-50
• Main Authors: GRAVES, A. C. F, GOLDMAN, S. L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agrobacterium tumefaciens; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gene transfer; Genetic engineering; Genetic engineering applications; Genetic technics; Genetics and breeding of economic plants; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Plant breeding: fundamental aspects and methodology; plasmids; transformation; Vectors (cloning, transfer, expression). Insertion sequences and transposons; Zea mays
• ISSN: 0167-4412; 1573-5028
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00020130

A member of the commercially important Gramineae is subject to A. tumefaciens directed transformation. Seedlings of Zea mays that have had the bacteria introduced into wound sites defined by a region which includes the scutellar node and mesocotyl express the activity of enzymes whose synthesis is associated with the translation of T-DNA transcripts. Specifically, strain specific lysopine dehydrogenase activity has been detected in B6 infected material, whereas nopaline dehydrogenase activity is reported only in those plants inoculated with C58N. Detection of either of these activities in extracts made from infected maize plants requires that the assaulting bacterial strain be competent with respect to the transfer of T-DNA. The vir super(-) strains, JK195 and 238MX, are not, and transformation does not seem to occur.