Role of vitronectin-like protein in Agrobacterium attachment and transformation of Arabidopsis cells.

The role of plant vitronectin-like protein (Vn) in Agrobacterium-host plant interactions and receptor-specific bacterial attachment is unclear and still open to debate. Using a well-established Agrobacterium-mediated Arabidopsis transformation system, the marker gene beta-glucuronidase (GUS) of Escherichia coli, and biochemical and cytological methods, such as ELISA tests, immunoblots, immunolocalization, and functional in vitro binding assays, we have reassessed the role of Vn in receptor-specific bacterial attachment and transformation. We provide evidence that Vn is present in the host plant cells and anti-human vitronectin antibody cross-reacts with a 65-kDa protein from Arabidopsis cells.

Effect of phenolic glycosides on Agrobacterium tumefaciens virH gene induction and plant transformation.

O-Aryl-d-glucoside (4-7) and d-xyloside (8-10) derivatives were synthesized and tested on Agrobacterium virH gene induction and plant transformation. alpha- or beta-Glycosides enhanced vir activity at concentrations above 250 micromicro. The highest vir activity was observed with beta-glucoside derivative 4 at 10 mM.