LIVE-TRACKING VIRE2 PROTEIN AND MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF YEAST FACTOR PMP3P DURING AGROBACTERIUM-MEDIATED TRANSFORMATION

Abstract

In this study, a bipartite split-GFP system was adopted to track the Agrobacterium delivered VirE2 inside recipient cells, which is important in the entire transformation process inside recipient cells including T-DNA uptake, nucleus import and chromatin integration. Using the split-GFP strategy, the VirE2 was visualized for the first time inside host cells after delivery. This study helps to further understand the mechanism of VirE2 trafficking inside host cells. Using yeast as the model, the role of a host membrane protein Pmp3p in AMT process has been identified. Subsequent studies of yeast PMP3 family revealed the potential role of RCI2 family proteins in Arabidopsis immunity responses. The results from this part help to further understand the host factors in AMT process and also shed light on the complex signaling network of plants in response to both biotic and abiotic stresses.