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Natural plant genetic engineer Agrobacterium rhizogenes: role of T-DNA in plant secondary metabolism

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Abstract

Agrobacterium rhizogenes is a natural plant genetic engineer. It is a gram-negative soil bacterium that induces hairy root formation. Success has been obtained in exploring the molecular mechanisms of transferred DNA (T-DNA) transfer, interaction with host plant proteins, plant defense signaling and integration to plant genome for successful plant genetic transformation. T-DNA and corresponding expression of rol genes alter morphology and plant host secondary metabolism. During transformation, there is a differential loss of a few T-DNA genes. Loss of a few ORFs drastically affect the growth and morphological patterns of hairy roots, expression pattern of biosynthetic pathway genes and accumulation of specific secondary metabolites.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank DBT, UGC, CSIR and other government funding agencies for providing financial assistance to promote the research work. SC is also thankful to the BTISNet SubDIC (BT/BI/04/065/04) and Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, for providing infrastructure facilities.

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Correspondence to Sheela Chandra.

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Chandra, S. Natural plant genetic engineer Agrobacterium rhizogenes: role of T-DNA in plant secondary metabolism. Biotechnol Lett 34, 407–415 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-011-0785-3

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