Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated hairy roots transformation as a tool for exploring aluminum-responsive genes function

Abstract

Aim: To develop a useful alternative approach to evaluate the gene function in hairy roots. Methods: Arabidopsis and tobacco (wild-type or mutant) were a host for Agrobacterium rhizogenes transformation. Results: The hairy roots formation efficiency ranged from 53 to 98% in tobacco and 53 to 66% in Arabidopsis. Hairy and intact roots showed similar gene expression pattern in response to salt and aluminum stress. Genomic polymerase chain reaction and fluorescent images showed high rate (>80%) of co-integration of T-DNAs and uniform cell transformation without use of any antibiotic selection. Whole processes of hairy roots were completed within 1 month after the infection of Agrobacterium. Conclusion: Aluminum-responsive orthologous gene function could be evaluated by NtSTOP1-KD and Atstop1 as a host for hairy roots transformation.