3. Introduction
WHAT ARE PLASMIDS ?
PLASMIDS are double stranded, closed circular DNA molecules,
which exist in the cell as extra chromosomal units.
Transmitted from one bacterium to another (even of another
species) via horizontal gene transfer.
Engineered plasmids are widely used as vectors in DNA cloning
4. Ti Plasmid
Ti plasmid is a tumor-inducing plasmid
or tumor induction plasmid.
Found in Agrobacterium tumefaciens
bacteria .
5. 1. T-DNA Region :This region has the genes for the Biosynthesis
of Auxin (aux), Cytokinin (cyt), and Opine (ocs)
T-DNA Border : A set of 24 bp sequence present on either side of
T-DNA
2. Virulence Region : The genes responsible for the transfer of T-
DNA into the host plant are located outside
the T-DNA ant the region referred to as vir or
virulence region
3. Opine Catabolism region : Uptake and Metabolism of Opine
Organization of Ti-Plasmid
A B C D E G
7. 1. Signal Induction : Wounded Plant cells release certain phenolic compounds which
are recognized as signals by agrobacterium.
2. Attachment : The Agrobacterium attaches to palnt cells through polysaccharides,
particularly via cellulose fibers
3. Production of Virulance Proteins :
Wound Phenolic compounds Signal Vir A
Plant CellBacteria
Vir A Vir G Vir B,C,D,ESignal
8. 4. Production of T-DNA Strand : The right and left border of T-DNA are recognized by
Vir D1/D2 proteins and these proteins involved in the
production of ss-DNA.
5. Transfer of T-DNA out of Agrobacterium : Vir B form transport apparatus and ss-T-
DNA in association with vir D2 exported from the
bacterial cell.
6. Transfer of T-DNA into plant cells and its Integration : In plant cell ss T-DNA get
covered with vir E2 for its protection. Vir D2 and E2
interact with variety of plants proteins which influences
T-DNA transport and its integration into plant genome.
(illegitimate Recombination)
Transcription Translation Crown GallIntegration
9. virA - Transports acetosyringone into bacterium, activates virG post-
translationally (by phosphorylation)
virG - Promotes transcription of other vir genes
virD2- Endonuclease/integrase that cuts T-DNA at the borders but
only on one strand.
virE2 - Can form channels in membranes
virE1 - Chaperone for virE2
virD2 & virE2 also have NLSs, gets T-DNA to the nucleus of plant cell
virB - Operon of 11 proteins, gets T-DNA through bacterial membranes
Function of Vir genes
10. B
B
A
G
D
2
D
2
B C D E
D1/D2
D1/D2
E2
SS-T DNA
Wounded Plant cell
E2
Ti
1
2
3 4
5 6
Transcription
Translation
Production of
auxin, cytokinin
and opine
Autostimulation of
Cell division
Bacteria