African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (8), pp. 752-757, August 2005          
ISSN 1684–5315 © 2005 Academic Journals

Review

Agrobacterium-induced hypersensitive necrotic reaction in plant cells: a resistance response against Agrobacterium-mediated DNA transfer

¹Danladi Dada Kuta* and ²Leena Tripathi

¹Biotechnology Advanced Laboratory, Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO),

P.M.B. 186 Garki-Abuja, Nigeria.

²Biotechnology Research Unit, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nigeria.

C/o L W Lambourn; Carolyn House; 26 Dingwall Rd; Croydon CR9 3EE; UK.

*Corresponding Author E-Mail: drkuta2002@yahoo.com.

Accepted 6 July, 2005

High necrosis and poor survival rate of target plant tissues are some of the major factors that affect the efficiency of Agrobacterium-mediated T-DNA transfer into plant cells. These factors may be the result of, or linked to, hypersensitive defense reaction in plants to Agrobacterium infection, which may involve the recognition of specific signals from the Agrobacterium that triggers the burst of reactive oxygen species at the infection site. Evidences of Agrobacterium-induced necrosis in target plant tissues and its link to reactive oxygen species are presented. Application of antioxidants, addition of acetosyringone and optimization of pre-culture conditions suppress the Agrobacterium-induced hypersensitive necrotic response in target plant tissues, thereby enhancing stable transformation.

Key words: Agrobacterium; hypersensitive reaction; necrosis; signal transduction; oxidative burst; transformation.