Transformation of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) with Arabidopsis early flowring gene Apetalai (API) through agrobacterium infiltration of ripened fruits

• Published in: Pakistan journal of botany Vol. 40; no. 1; pp. 161 - 173
• Main Authors: Hasan, M. (G.P.G.C. Bannu (Pakistan)), Khan, A.J. (Gomal Univ., D.I. Khan (Pakistan). Gomal Centre of Biotechnology and Biochemistry), Khan, S. (Kohat Univ. of Science and Technology (Pakistan)), Shah, A.H. (Gomal Univ., D.I. Khan (Pakistan). Dept. of Biological Sciences), Khan, A.R. (Gomal Univ., D.I. Khan (Pakistan). Dept. of Biological Sciences), Mirza, B. (Quaid-e-Azam Univ., Islamabad (Pakistan). Faculty of Biological Sciences)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.02.2008
• Subjects: AGROBACTERIUM; ARABIDOPSIS; GENE EXPRESSION; GENES; GENETIC TRANSFORMATION; GERMINATION; INFILTRATION; INJECTION; LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM; PLASMIDS; TOMATOES
• ISSN: 0556-3321

In order to develop an easy, rapid and efficient protocol for the genetic transformation of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), without involving tissue culturing, ripened fruits of tomato were infiltrated with Agrobacterium harboring plasmid pROKII GUSint API. The plasmid contains Arabidopsis early flowering gene API, GUS reporter gene and NPTII as a selectable marker gene. Both transient and stable GUS expressions were studied with different parameters such as various incubation periods (48, 72 and 96 hours) and tissue type effect. The effects of infiltration on germination of seeds both on selection and non-selection media were studied. The percentage of germination of seeds on non-selection medium was 14% lesser than control, while the germination percentage on selection medium was significantly higher for treated seeds (65-74%) as compared to control (5%), with 48 hours incubation period having maximum (74%).