Agrobacterium rhizogenes

Agrobacterium rhizogenes, also known as the hairy root disease bacterium, is a Gram-negative soil bacterium that produces plant hormones causing the formation of roots and hair-like structures on plants. It is a member of the Rhizobiaceae family and is widely used in plant biology and biotechnology due to its unique ability to transfer its DNA into plant cells.

Biology

Agrobacterium rhizogenes is a rod-shaped bacterium that is motile due to its flagella. It is a facultative anaerobe, meaning it can grow in both the presence and absence of oxygen. The bacterium is capable of nitrogen fixation, a process that converts atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use.

Pathogenicity

The pathogenicity of Agrobacterium rhizogenes is due to its ability to transfer a portion of its plasmid DNA, known as the T-DNA, into the genome of the host plant. This process, known as horizontal gene transfer, results in the formation of roots and hair-like structures on the plant, a condition known as hairy root disease. The transferred T-DNA integrates into the plant genome and causes the production of plant hormones, leading to uncontrolled growth of roots.

Use in Biotechnology

Agrobacterium rhizogenes is widely used in plant biotechnology as a tool for genetic engineering. The bacterium's ability to transfer its T-DNA into plant cells is exploited to introduce new genes into plants. This has been used to create transgenic plants with improved traits, such as resistance to pests or diseases, or enhanced nutritional value.

See Also

• Agrobacterium tumefaciens
• Crown gall disease
• Genetic engineering
• Plant pathology

References

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