New insights into an old story: Agrobacterium-induced tumour formation in plants by plant transformation.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens causes tumour formation in plants. Plant signals induce in the bacteria the expression of a range of virulence (Vir) proteins and the formation of a type IV secretion system (T4SS). On attachment to plant cells, a transfer DNA (T-DNA) and Vir proteins are imported into the host cells through the bacterial T4SS. Through interaction with a number of host proteins, the Vir proteins suppress the host innate immune system and support the transfer, nuclear targeting, and integration of T-DNA into host cell chromosomes. Owing to extensive genetic analyses, the bacterial side of the plant-Agrobacterium interaction is well understood. However, progress on the plant side has only been achieved recently, revealing a highly complex molecular choreography under the direction of the Vir proteins that impinge on multiple processes including transport, transcription, and chromosome status of their host cells.
Pitzschke
Andrea
A
Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, Vienna, Austria.
Hirt
Heribert
H
D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D008954:Models, Biological; D010941:Plant Tumors / Q000382:microbiology*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D012231:Rhizobium / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014170:Transformation, Genetic; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; C036483:T-DNA