Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation of Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana L.)

Abstract

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana L.) was transformed using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105 harboring binary vector pBI121 carrying the neomycin phosphotransferase gene (nptII) and β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene (uidA). Plants were regenerated from the Agrobacterium-infected leaf tissues through organogenesis on woody plant medium (WPM) supplemented with MS (Murashige and Skoog) vitamins, 10 μm 6-benzyladenine (BA), and 250 mg·L−1 cefotaxime plus 500 mg·L−1 carbenicillin plus 15 mg·L−1kanamycin (CCK15). Transformation was verified with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot analysis. Four of 150 (2.67%) initial explants produced GUS- and PCR-positive shoots. Southern blot analysis confirmed that the transgenes were integrated into the chokecherry genome. Transgenic in vitro shoots were rooted in half-strength MS medium containing 10 μm naphthalene acetic acid. Rooted plants were transferred to potting mix and grown in the greenhouse. This research shows a potential for future improvement of chokecherry and other Prunus species. Chemical names used: 6-benzyladenine (BA), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), acetosyringone (AS), 5-Bromo-4-chloro-3-indoxyl-beta-D-glucuronide cyclohexylammonium (X-Glu), cefotaxime, carbenicillin, kanamycin.