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A plant cell factor induces Agrobacterium tumefaciens vir gene expression.

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  • 1. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SC-42, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195.
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    • Stachel SE 1
    (1 author)

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 01 Jan 1986, 83(2):379-383
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.83.2.379 PMID: 16593648 PMCID: PMC322862

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Abstract 

The virulence genes of Agrobacterium are required for this organism to genetically transform plant cells. We show that vir gene expression is specifically induced by a small (<1000 Da) diffusible plant cell metabolite present in limiting quantities in the exudates of a variety of plant cell cultures. Active plant cell metabolism is required for the synthesis of the vir-inducing factor, and the presence of bacteria does not stimulate this production. vir-inducing factor is (i) heat and cold stable; (ii) pH stable, although vir induction with the factor is sensitive above pH 6.0; and (iii) partially hydrophobic. Induction of vir gene expression was assayed by monitoring beta-galactosidase activity in Agrobacterium strains that carry gene fusions between each of the vir loci and the lacZ gene of Escherichia coli. vir-inducing factor (partially purified on a C-18 column) induces both the expression in Agrobacterium of six distinct loci and the production of T-DNA circular molecules, which are thought to be involved in the transformation process. vir-inducing factor potentially represents the signal that Agrobacterium recognizes in nature as a plant cell susceptible to transformation.

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Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1986 Jan; 83(2): 379–383.
PMCID: PMC322862
PMID: 16593648

A plant cell factor induces Agrobacterium tumefaciens vir gene expression

Scott E. Stachel,*† Eugene W. Nester,* and Patricia C. Zambryski†
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Abstract

The virulence genes of Agrobacterium are required for this organism to genetically transform plant cells. We show that vir gene expression is specifically induced by a small (<1000 Da) diffusible plant cell metabolite present in limiting quantities in the exudates of a variety of plant cell cultures. Active plant cell metabolism is required for the synthesis of the vir-inducing factor, and the presence of bacteria does not stimulate this production. vir-inducing factor is (i) heat and cold stable; (ii) pH stable, although vir induction with the factor is sensitive above pH 6.0; and (iii) partially hydrophobic. Induction of vir gene expression was assayed by monitoring β-galactosidase activity in Agrobacterium strains that carry gene fusions between each of the vir loci and the lacZ gene of Escherichia coli. vir-inducing factor (partially purified on a C-18 column) induces both the expression in Agrobacterium of six distinct loci and the production of T-DNA circular molecules, which are thought to be involved in the transformation process. vir-inducing factor potentially represents the signal that Agrobacterium recognizes in nature as a plant cell susceptible to transformation.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
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