Expression of the crucifer-infecting TMV-Cg movement protein in tobacco plants complements in trans a TMV-U1 trafficking-deficient mutant.

Tobamovirus movement proteins play a determinant role in the establishment of infections in plants, allowing the local movement of viral RNA genome through plasmodesmatas. We expressed the movement protein (MP) of the crucifer- and garlic-infecting Tobacco Mosaic Virus strain Cg (TMV-Cg) in both resistant Xanthi NN and sensitive Xanthi nn Nicotiana tabacum plants. MP-Cg function was assayed by inoculating transgenic plants with a trafficking-deficient mutant of TMV strain U1.

An efficient particle bombardment system for the genetic transformation of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.).

The microprojectile bombardment method was used to transfer DNA into embryogenic callus of asparagus (Asparagus officcinalis L.) and to produce stably transformed asparagus plants. Embryogenic callus, derived from UC 157 and UC72 asparagus cultivars, was bombarded with tungsten particles coated with plasmid DNA that contained genes encoding hygromycin phosphotransferase, phosphinothricin acetyl transferase and β-glucuronidase.