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Studies of the mechanism of transgene integration into plant protoplasts: improvement of the transformation rate

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Summary

The production of transgenic plants by means of direct gene transfer to protoplasts is now a widely-used technique. The biological mechanisms underlying the transformation are still poorly understood, but many investigations have attempted to shed light on some components of this process. Varying the experimental conditions has in some cases led to better transformation rates, but further improvements of the protocols are possible. Such improvements will require a better understanding of how the alien DNA enters the cells, becomes integrated into the chromosomes and is treated as a part of the plant genome. Irradiation with sublethal doses of X-rays or UV-light has been shown to increase the transformation frequency, while certain drugs have been shown to act in a similar manner. The effects of these and other factors are discussed.

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Abbreviations

Aph:

aphidicolin

ATF:

absolute transformation frequency

BLM:

bleomycin

CaMV:

cauliflower mosaic virus

CAT:

chloramphenicol acetyl transferase

CHO:

Chinese hamster ovary cells

EF:

enhancement factor

Nos:

nopaline synthase

NPTII:

neomycin phosphotransferase II

Ocs:

octopine synthase

PEG:

polyethyleneglycol

RTF:

relative transformation frequency

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Author notes

  1. Indridi Benediktsson

    Present address: Institute for Experimental Pathology, Keldur, 112, Reykjavik, Iceland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Angewandte Genetik, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 6, 14195, Berlin, Germany

    Indridi Benediktsson & Otto Schieder

  2. CEFOBI, Suipacha 531, 2000, Rosario, Argentina

    Claudia P. Spampinato

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  2. Claudia P. Spampinato
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  3. Otto Schieder
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Benediktsson, I., Spampinato, C.P. & Schieder, O. Studies of the mechanism of transgene integration into plant protoplasts: improvement of the transformation rate. Euphytica 85, 53–61 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00023930

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