Agrobacterium rhizogenes-induced cotton hairy root culture as an alternative tool for cotton functional genomics

Authors: Kim, Hee-Jin

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/8/2012
Publication Date: 1/12/2013
Citation: Kim, H.J. 2012. Agrobacterium rhizogenes-induced cotton hairy root culture as an alternative tool for cotton functional genomics. Book Chapter. 985: 179-187.

Interpretive Summary: Cotton functional genomics scientists have been looking for an alternative molecular tool for functional analyses of cotton genes and promoters because the currently available techniques require lengthy and labor-intensive procedures. Therefore, a quick, simple, and efficient method is suggested as an alternative tool to study functions of cotton genes and their promoters. In the book chapter, advantages and disadvantages of the new technique over other established techniques were described and detailed procedures of the new technique were introduced for characterizing a cotton promoter activity. The procedure and information presented in the book chapter will be useful to cotton functional genomics scientists for accelerating functional analyses of cotton genes and promoters.

Technical Abstract: Although well-accepted as the ultimate method for cotton functional genomics, Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated cotton transformation is not widely used for functional analyses of cotton genes and their promoters since regeneration of cotton in tissue culture is lengthy and labor intensive. In certain cases, A. rhizogenes-induced hairy root culture has been a suitable molecular tool for functional analyses of genes and promoters for plants that are difficult to regenerate by A. tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Similarly, A. rhizogenes-induced hairy root cultures are an alternative tool for cotton functional genomics. In this chapter, the advantages and disadvantages of using A. rhizogenes-induced cotton hairy root culture over A. tumefaciens-mediated cotton transformation are discussed. The procedures for transformation, generation, selection, and molecular analyses of transgenic cotton hairy roots are introduced by describing the functional analysis of a cotton promoter in cotton hairy roots generated by A. rhizogenes-mediated transformation.