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Title: Agrobacterium ‐mediated Cuscuta campestris transformation as a tool for understanding plant–plant interactions
Summary Cuscuta campestris, a stem parasitic plant, has served as a valuable model plant for the exploration of plant–plant interactions and molecular trafficking. However, a major barrier toC. campestrisresearch is that a method to generate stable transgenic plants has not yet been developed.Here, we describe the development of aCuscutatransformation protocol using various reporter genes (GFP, GUS, or RUBY) and morphogenic genes (CcWUS2andCcGRF/GIF), leading to a robust protocol forAgrobacterium‐mediatedC. campestristransformation.The stably transformed and regenerated RUBYC. campestrisplants produced haustoria, the signature organ of parasitic plants, and these were functional in forming host attachments. The locations of T‐DNA integration in the parasite genome were confirmed through TAIL‐PCR. TransformedC. campestrisalso produced flowers and viable transgenic seeds exhibiting betalain pigment, providing proof of germline transmission of the RUBY transgene. Furthermore, RUBY is not only a useful selectable marker for theAgrobacterium‐mediated transformation, but may also provide insight into the movement of molecules fromC. campestristo the host during parasitism.Thus, the protocol for transformation ofC. campestrisreported here overcomes a major obstacle toCuscutaresearch and opens new possibilities for studying parasitic plants and their interactions with hosts.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2348319
PAR ID:
10547160
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley-Blackwell
Date Published:
Journal Name:
New Phytologist
Volume:
245
Issue:
4
ISSN:
0028-646X
Format(s):
Medium: X Size: p. 1774-1786
Size(s):
p. 1774-1786
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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