Enhancement of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation efficiency of model plant using quorum sensing molecule, N-3-oxo-octanoyl-l-homoserine-lactone

Limitations of genetic transformation through Agrobacterium tumefaciens infection have been reported in many plant species, mainly due to low virulence of Agrobacterium to plant host and inefficient integration of T-DNA into plant genome. In this study, we investigated the effect of quorum sensing molecules, N -acylhomoserine-lactones (AHLs), on Agrobacterium -mediated transformation of leaf explants of Nicotiana tabacum cv. SR1. Our results revealed that AHLs significantly influenced the transformation frequency in N. tabacum . The highest percentage of transformation (92.2 %) was recorded when leaf explants infected with Agrobacterium were co-cultivated for 3 days on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 100 µM N -3-oxo-octanoyl- l -homoserine-lactone. The presence of reporter genes in regenerated plants was determined by GUS histochemical staining, gfp visualization and PCR analysis. Our results indicated the promotive effect of AHLs in facilitating the transfer of desirable genes into N. tabacum . This improved protocol could be applicable to various species for functional genomics studies and biotechnological applications including crop improvement programs.