Transformation of `Beurre Bosc' Pear with the rolC Gene

Abstract

`Beurre Bosc' pear (Pyrus communis L.) was transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens (E.F. Smith & Townsend) Conn strain EHA101 containing the binary vector pGA-GUSGF into which the rolC gene had been inserted. Leaf explants from in vitro shoot tip cultures were wounded, Agrobacterium-inoculated, and cultured on kanamycin selection medium. Regenerating shoots were transferred to proliferation medium without antibiotics. Three clones tested positive for GUS and nptII enzyme activity. Transformation with the rolC gene was confirmed by DNA, RNA, and protein blot analyses. The number of copies of the rolC transgene varied from one to three. Plantlets of the three transgenic clones were acclimated and transferred to the greenhouse. Preliminary observations of phenotype indicate that the rolC gene reduced height, number of nodes, and leaf area of transgenic `Beurre Bosc'.