Transformation of Antirrhinum majus L. by a rol-type multi-auto-transformation (MAT) vector system.

A total of 11 independent beta-glucuronidase (GUS) positive hairy roots were induced following co-cultivation of leaf explants of Antirrhinum majus L. with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain GV2260 containing rol-type multi-auto-transformation (MAT) vector pNPI702. A total of 326 adventitious shoots were regenerated from the hairy root lines on 1/2 MS medium without plant growth regulators at 25 degrees C under a 16 h/day photoperiod condition 4 months after infection of the A. tumefaciens GV2260. The absence of the rol genes in five plants was verified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot analysis. Acclimatized transformants exhibited normal phenotypes in height and in the morphology of leaves and flowers. Furthermore, the GUS gene was strongly expressed in the leaves, inflorescence of the transformed plant, and the progeny. This result demonstrates that the rol-type MAT vector can be used to study gene functions controlling the morphogenesis of Antirrhinum majus plants.