Genome sequence of the plant pathogen and biotechnology agent Agrobacterium tumefaciens C58

Science. 2001 Dec 14;294(5550):2323-8. doi: 10.1126/science.1066803.

Abstract

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a plant pathogen capable of transferring a defined segment of DNA to a host plant, generating a gall tumor. Replacing the transferred tumor-inducing genes with exogenous DNA allows the introduction of any desired gene into the plant. Thus, A. tumefaciens has been critical for the development of modern plant genetics and agricultural biotechnology. Here we describe the genome of A. tumefaciens strain C58, which has an unusual structure consisting of one circular and one linear chromosome. We discuss genome architecture and evolution and additional genes potentially involved in virulence and metabolic parasitism of host plants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Agrobacterium tumefaciens / classification
  • Agrobacterium tumefaciens / genetics*
  • Agrobacterium tumefaciens / pathogenicity
  • Agrobacterium tumefaciens / physiology
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / chemistry
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle
  • Chromosomes, Bacterial / genetics
  • DNA Replication
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Genome, Bacterial*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Plant Tumors / microbiology
  • Plants / microbiology
  • Plasmids
  • Replicon
  • Rhizobiaceae / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sinorhizobium meliloti / genetics
  • Synteny
  • Telomere
  • Virulence / genetics

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins