Expression levels of growth reducing genes transferred by Agrobacterium rhizogenes used as a genetic tool in ornamental plants
2012
Transformation with the naturally occurring bacterium Agrobacterium rhizogenes has been used as a non-GMO strategy to breed compact potted plants of several species. The strategy is valuable in obtaining compact growth without using recombinant DNA technology. The aim of the present investigation was to determine expression levels of wild type genes transferred from the bacterium into the plant. Through this type of transformation a large set of wild type genes are inserted in the plant genome. Hence, the observed phenotypical traits in the transgenic plants, like dwarfism, are determined by a plethora of genes. It is therefore very difficult to determine the roles of the specific genes inserted. Determination of expression levels could serve as a useful tool in the evaluation of specific phenotypes observed after transformation. Expression patterns of four rol (rolA, B, C, D) and two aux genes (aux1, aux2) are currently being determined in Kalanchoë blossfeldiana ‘Molly’ plants transgenic with A. rhizogenes (T1). Transcript levels were determined in various tissues, i.e., stems, leaves and roots. A number of T1-plants were analysed in greenhouse trials and the characterisation showed that their growth was affected. The T1-plants were compact and exhibited a lower average plant height compared to the WT. Knowledge about expression levels and the correlation of gene expression with the observed traits could serve as a functional tool in respect to these phenotypes. Differential expression patterns could be utilised as a method to gain further insight into the function of the genes transferred from the bacterium and used in optimised directional breeding for specific properties.
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