Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Western Sydney, 2002. / "A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy" Bibliography: leaves 161-189.

Thesis (MSc (Plant Biotechnology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sutherlandia frutescens (L.) R. Br., also regarded as Lessertia frutescens, is a leguminous, perennial shrub indigenous to South Africa. Extracts prepared from the leaves have traditionally been used for the treatment of various diseases. Reports have also indicated that S. frutescens provides certain health benefits to cancer and HIV/AIDS patients. Analysis of extracts indicated the presence of several compounds (bitter triterpenoid glycosides, several flavonoids, amino acids, small amounts of saponins (no alkaloids though), asparagine, Larginine, canavanine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and pinitol) which contribute to the medicinal properties of this plant. The first part of this study involved testing the effect of six treatments (light, dark, soaking of seeds, physical scarification, chemical scarification and flaming of seeds) on the in vitro germination of Sutherlandia seeds to elucidate the factors which control seed germination. Those treatments which removed the seed coat were most successful for germination with physical scarification being the most efficient method, resulting in 98.6% of the seeds germinating after 21 days. Although the organogenesis of Sutherlandia explants (cotyledons and hypocotyls) in vitro were investigated (results not included in this thesis), omitting plant growth regulators (PGR) in the cultivation medium was best for shoot multiplication. However, this PGR-free system successfully provided a continuous supply of plant material for further studies. It would be possible to successfully adopt it for commercial production of plants to assist with cultivation of Sutherlandia as a field crop. Another advantage of this system is spontaneous rooting with 85% of the in vitro microshoots rooting in PGR-free medium. These rooted plants were acclimated in the glasshouse using vented lids to harden off the shoots and this method resulted in 100% survival of plants. The second part of this study investigated the induction of hairy root cultures of S. frutescens using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The efficiency of three Agrobacterium strains (A4T, LBA9402 and C58C1) to transform different S. frutescens explants (cotyledons and hypocotyls) was analyzed. All three strains were equally efficient at inducing hairy roots in both hypocotyls and cotyledons. However, transformation of S. frutescens was dependent on the type of explant used with the hypocotyls being more efficiently transformed than the cotyledons. Overall the transformation of both the hypocotyl (93%) and cotyledon (47%) was highest when the strain A4T was used. Four hairy root clones were selected and their cultivation in a liquid system was optimized by investigating their growth in four different types of media (Gamborg B5 (Gamborg et al., 1968), White’s (White, 1934; White, 1954), MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) and half strength MS medium). All the growth of hairy root clones was best in the B5 and MS medium, with White’s medium being the least effective cultivation medium. Molecular analysis of hairy roots was used to prove the transgenic status of these four putative transgenic clones. This was achieved using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of rol A (320 bp), B (780 bp) and C (600 bp) genes to determine the presence of the TL-DNA in the plant genome. During Southern hybridization a radioactively labeled rol A probe was used to determine the copy number of the rol A gene. The three rol genes were present in all four hairy root clones. The third part of this study focused on the effect of three abiotic stress factors (nitrogen availability, salinity and drought) on the synthesis of four metabolites (gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), asparagine, arginine and canavanine). The effect of nitrogen availability on metabolite synthesis and the morphology was determined using in vitro shoot cultures as well as the hairy root clone C58C1-g. Nitrogen availability studies were conducted by cultivating the microshoots or root tips on modified MS medium. The MS medium contained either the normal amount of nitrogen (1.9 g L-1 KNO3 and 1.65 g L-1 NH4NO3) in the MS medium (1x nitrogen), half the normal nitrogen concentration in MS medium (0.5x nitrogen) or twice the normal nitrogen concentration in MS medium (2x nitrogen). The arginine and asparagine levels in the roots and shoots and the canavanine level in the shoots were directly correlated with the amount of nitrogen in the medium (as the nitrogen level increased, the metabolite levels increased). The GABA level in the shoots was inversely correlated with the amount of nitrogen in the medium. Several reasons may explain these metabolic changes including the assimilation of extra nitrogen into asparagine, canavanine and arginine in the shoots. The reduced GABA levels may indicate the preferential flux of the free GABA into other nitrogen assimilatory pathways such as protein synthesis as well as its rapid utilization to replenish the tricarboxilic acid cycle intermediates. The effect of water (induced by including 3% (w/v) PEG in the medium) and salt stress (induced by including either 50 or 100 mM NaCl in the medium) was only investigated in the shoot cultures as the root cultures lacked the synthesis of canavanine. Water stress did not significantly alter the metabolite levels, but resulted in a significant decrease in the growth (fresh weight and total shoot length) and the rooting response of these microshoots. Salt stress only resulted in a significant increase in arginine levels with increasing salinity and also caused a reduction in the rooting and growth response. Lowered plant vigour may be the first visual sign of water stress. Addition of NaCl may lead to ion toxicity and requires osmotic adjustment resulting in changes at the metabolic level concomitant to physiological growth changes. Finally, the anti-bacterial activity and the phytochemistry of transgenic root cultures and untransformed in vitro and ex vitro plant material was examined. Only the extracts prepared from the wild harvested leaf material exhibited moderate anti-bacterial activity (1.25 mg ml-1) against all the bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) tested. Changes to the secondary metabolism of hairy roots were investigated using TLC and LC-MS analysis. Several of the compounds in the hairy root extracts were present in higher levels than in the control root extracts. Transformation also increased the complexity of the phytochemical pattern of the hairy roots, either due the synthesis of novel compounds or upregulated synthesis of existing metabolic pathways. The production of hairy roots and the establishment in a liquid system during this study was an important step towards upscaling these cultures to a bioreactor. In future these roots can assist in developing cultures which produce a high yield of the desired metabolites. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sutherlandia frutescens (L.) R. Br., ook bekend as Lessertia frutescens is ‘n peulagtige meerjarige struik, inheems tot Suid Afrika. Ekstrakte wat van die blare voorberei word, is tradisioneel gebruik vir die behandeling van verskeie siektes. Berigte het ook daarop gedui, dat S. frutescens sekere gesondheidsvoordele vir kanker en HIV/VIGS pasiënte inhou. ‘n Ontleding van die ekstrakte, dui op die teenwoordigheid van verskeie verbindings (bitter triterpenoïed glikosiede, verskeie flavonoïede, aminosure, klein hoeveelhede saponiene (alhoewel geen alkaloïede), asparagien, L-arginien, canavanien, gamma-aminobottersuur (GABS) en pinitol) wat tot die medisinale eienskappe van hierdie plant bydrae. Die eerste deel van die studie het die effek van ses behandelings (lig, donker, week van sade, fisiese skarifikasie, chemiese skarifikasie en die vlam van sade) op die in vitro ontkieming van Sutherlandia sade getoets met die doel om die faktore wat saadontkieming beheer, te identifiseer. Die beste behandeling vir saadontkieming was dié behandelings wat die saadhuid verwyder het. Die mees effektiewe metode van saadhuidverwydering was die fisiese skarifikasie van sade, wat gelei het tot ‘n 98.6% ontkieming van sade na 21 dae. Alhoewel in vitro organogenese van Sutherlandia eksplante (kotiel en hipokotiel) ondersoek was (resultate nie ingesluit in die tesis nie), was plant groei reguleerders (PGR) uitgesluit in die groeimedium om stingelvermeerdering te bevorder. Nie te min was die PGR-vrye sisteem suksesvol om ‘n voortdurende bron van plant material vir verder studies te verskaf. Dit sou egter moontlik wees om die PGR-vrye sisteem suksesvol te kon aanpas vir die kommersiële produksie van plante met die doel om Sutherlandia as ‘n landbougewas te bevorder. ‘n Verdere voordeel van dié sisteem, is die spontane wortelvorming, met 85% van die in vitro mikrostingels wat wortels in die PGR-vrye medium produseer het. Hierdie bewortelde plante was in die glashuis geakklimatiseer met behulp van geventileerde deksels (vir stingel afharding) en het tot ‘n 100% oorlewing gelei. Die tweede deel van die studie het die induksie van S. frutescens harige wortelkulture met behulp van Agrobacterium-bemiddelde transformasie ondersoek. Die effektiwiteit van drie Agrobacterium stamme (A4T, C58C1 en LBA9402) om verskillende S. frutescens eksplante (kotiel en hipokotiele) te transformeer, was geanaliseer. Al drie stamme was ewe effektief om harige wortels op beide hipokotiel en kotiele te induseer. S. frutescens transformasie blyk egter tog van die tipe eksplant afhanklik te wees, aangesien die hipokotiele meer effektief as die kotiele getransformeer kon word. Met inagneming van beide die hipokotiel (93%) en kotiel vii (47%), was transformasie optimaal met die gebruik van die A4T stam. Vier harige wortelklone was geselekteer en hulle produksie in ‘n vloeibare sisteem was geoptimiseer deur hulle groei in vier verskillende tipe media (Gamborg B5 (Gamborg et al., 1968), White’s (White, 1934; White, 1954), MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) en half-sterkte MS medium) te ondersoek. B5 en MS medium was beskou as die beste vir alle die harige wortelklone se groei, terwyl White’s medium die minste doeltreffende groeimedium was. Molekulêre analise van die harige wortels was gebruik ten einde die transgeniese status van die vier vermoedelike transgeniese klone te bewys. Dit was behaal deur polimerase kettingreaksie amplifisering (PKR) van die rol A, B en C gene ten einde die teenwoordigheid van die TL-DNS in die plant genoom aan te toon. Tydens Southern hibridisasie was ‘n radioaktief gemerkte peiler gebruik om die aantal rol A geen kopieë te bepaal. Die drie rol gene was teenwoordig in al vier harige wortelklone. Die derde deel van die studie het gefokus op die effek van drie abiotiese stress faktore (stikstof beskikbaarheid, sout- en droogte stres) op die produksie van vier metaboliete (GABS, asparagien, canavanien en arginien). Die effek van stikstof beskikbaarheid op die metaboliet produksie asook die morfologie was bestudeer deur gebruik te maak van in vitro mikrostingels asook die harige wortel kloon C58C1-g. Stikstof beskikbaarheidstudies was uitgevoer deur die mikrostingels of wortelpunte in ‘n gewysigde MS medium te groei. Die MS medium was aangepas om die normale hoeveelheid stikstof (1.9 g L-1 KNO3 en 1.65 g L-1 NH4NO3) in MS medium (1x stikstof), of die helfte van die normale stikstof konsentrasie (0.5x stikstof) of twee keer die normale stikstof konsentrasie in MS medium (2x stikstof) te bevat. Die arginien en asparagien vlakke in die wortels en stingels, asook die canavanien vlak in die stingels was positief gekorreleerd aan die stikstof konsentrasie in die medium. Die GABS vlak in die stingels was egter omgekeerd eweredig aan die stikstof konsentrasie in die medium. Verskeie redes kan aangevoer word om die metaboliet veranderinge te verduidelik, insluitende die assimilasie van addisionele stikstof in asparagien, canavanien en arginien in die stingels. Die verlaagde GABS vlakke kan dui op die voorkeur van vrye GABS vloei na ander stikstofassimilerende metaboliese paaie soos proteïen sintese, asook die snelle benutting van GABS ten einde die Trikarboksielsuursiklus intermediêre produkte aan te vul. Die effek van droogte (geïnduseer deur die byvoeging van 3% (m/v) PEG tot die medium) en sout stres (geïnduseer deur 50 of 100 mM NaCl byvoeging tot die medium) was slegs in die stingel kulture ondersoek weens die afwesigheid van canavanien produksie in die wortel kulture. Water stres het nie ‘n betekenisvolle verandering in die metaboliet vlakke meegebring nie, maar dit het wel tot ‘n beduidende afname in groei (vars massa en totale stingel lengte) en bewortelingsreaksie in die mikrostingels gelei. Sout stres het slegs tot ‘n betekenisvolle viii toename in arginien vlakke asook ‘n afname in die wortelvorming en groeireaksie tydens die toenemende sout vlakke gelei. ‘n Verlaging in plant groeikragtigheid mag ‘n eerste visuele teken van water stres wees. Die toevoeging van NaCl tot die medium kan tot ioontoksisiteit lei en plante reageer deur middel van osmotiese aanpassing wat tot veranderinge in die metaboliet vlakke asook veranderinge in fisiologiese groei, lei. Die finale deel van die studie het die anti-bakteriële aktiwiteit en die fitochemie van die transgeniese wortel kulture asook die ongetransformeerde in vitro en ex vitro plant materiaal ondersoek. Slegs die ekstrakte verkry vanaf blaar materiaal geoes uit die natuur, het matige anti-bakteriële aktiwiteit (1.25 mg ml-1) teen al die bakterië (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis en Staphylococcus aureus) wat ondersoek is, getoon. Aanpassings in die sekondêre metabolisme van die harige wortels is deur middel van dunlaag chromatografie (DLC) en vloeibare chromatografie-massa spektroskopiese (VC-MS) analise ondersoek. Verskeie verbindings was in hoër vlakke in die harige wortels teenwoordig, as in die kontrole wortel ekstrakte. Transformasie het ook die kompleksiteit van die harige wortels se fitochemiese patroon verhoog, moontlik weens die produksie van nuwe verbindings of weens die opregulasie van bestaande metaboliese paaie. Die produksie van harige wortels en die vestiging daarvan in ‘n vloeibare sisteem tydens hierdie studie word beskou as ‘n belangrike stap na die opskalering van die kulture na bioreaktore. Hierdie wortels kan toekomstig tot die ontwikkeling van kulture met ‘n hoë produksie van gewenste metaboliete lei.

O melhoramento do alho (Allium sativum L.) está limitado à seleção clonal de genótipos mutantes, uma vez que a quase totalidade do germoplasma da espécie é sexualmente estéril, não florescendo nas condições padrões de cultivo. A esterilidade do alho tem implicações não somente no melhoramento da espécie, mas também influi diretamente nos custos de produção. A necessidade de propagação vegetativa utilizando-se bulbilhos (\"dentes\") como material propagativo facilita a transmissão de doenças por vírus e pragas. A manipulação genética do alho com genes associados ao florescimento via Agrobacterium tumefaciens poderia permitir o desenvolvimento de um sistema mais eficaz para propagação da cultura e habilitar novas combinações genéticas. Portanto, o objetivo desse trabalho foi estabelecer protocolos de regeneração para cultivares comerciais brasileiras de alho, bem como de transformação genética mediada por A. tumefaciens de calos oriundos de segmentos radiculares. Foram utilizadas oito cultivares de alho, divididas em três grupos: semi-nobres de ciclo médio (\'Amarante-Embrapa\'; \'Roxinho 5063\'; \'IAC 75 - Gigante de Curitibanos\'; \'IAC 63 - Mexicano Br\'; e \'Lavínia 1632\'); comum, de ciclo médio (\'Cateto Roxo\') e de ciclo precoce (\'Cajuru 2315\'); e nobre vernalizado (\'Jonas\'). Para cada cultivar, foram isolados segmentos radiculares de bulbilhos cultivados in vitro. Esses explantes foram mantidos em cultura durante 60 dias em meio MS, adicionado de 4,5 \'mü\'M 2,4-D e 0,5 \'mü\'M iP para obtenção de calos. Os calos obtidos foram transferidos para meio MS suplementado com 8,8 \'mü\'M BAP e 0,1 \'mü\'M ANA, e avaliados quanto à freqüência de regeneração. Inicialmente, foram analisados diversos fatores durante a introdução dos bulbilhos e na obtenção de calo para cada cultivar. Esses resultados permitiram realizar testes para avaliar o potencial de regeneração dos calos obtidos, e a cultivar \'Jonas\' apresentou a melhor taxa de regeneração via organogênese indireta (84%), seguida da cultivar \'Amarante\' (52%), \'IAC 63\' e \'Cajuru\' (47%) e a cultivar que apresentou a menor taxa foi a \'Lavínia\' (30%). Foi analisada a dose letal de higromicina ou canamicina, testando concentrações crescentes visando identificar os níveis ótimos de uso como agentes seletivos para a transformação. As doses acima de 50 mg/L de higromicina ou 200 mg/L de canamicina foram letais ao cultivo de calos de todas cultivares. A cultivar \'Jonas\' foi utilizada para o estabelecimento do procedimento de transformação via A. tumefaciens LBA4404(pCAMBIA1303), empregando como repórter o gene uidA (\'beta\'-glucuronídase) para determinação da eficiência da transformação. Foi demonstrado que a cultivar foi a \'Jonas\' apresentou o melhor potencial de calogênese e de regeneração, sendo o meio de cultura proposto por Kondo, Hasegawa e Suzuki (2000) o melhor para regeneração das cultivares brasileiras. Além disso, as cultivares brasileiras de alho parecem ser passíveis de transformação via A. tumefaciens / Garlic (Allium sativum L.) breeding has been limited to clonal selection of mutant genotypes, since almost all the species germplasm is sterile, not flowering under standard culture conditions. Garlic sterility affects not only breeding but also directly influences production costs. Further, the requirement of vegetative propagation using small bulbs as propagules increases the risk of pest and viral disease transmission. Genetic manipulation of garlic introducing genes associated with flowering by Agrobacterium tumefaciens would allow the development of an efficient system for propagation and enable new genetic recombination. Thus, the objective of this work was to establish an in vitro regeneration protocol for commercial Brazilian cultivars of garlic, as well as genetic transformation by A. tumefaciens using calli derived from root segments. Eight garlic cultivars were used, derived from three groups: medium cycle semi-noble (\'Amarante-Embrapa\'; \'Roxinho 5063\'; \'IAC 75 - Gigante de Curitibanos\'; \'IAC 63 - Mexicano Br\'; and \'Lavínia 1632\'); common garlic with medium (\'Cateto Roxo\'), or early cycle (\'Cajuru 2315\'); and from vernalized noble (\'Jonas\'). From each cultivar, root segments from small bulbs cultivated in vitro were isolated. These explantes were maintained in MS media supplemented with 4,5 \'mü\'M 2,4-D e 0,5 \'mü\'M iP for 60 days to develop callus. The calli were then transferred to fresh MS media containing 8,8 \'mü\'M BAP e 0,1 \'mü\'M ANA, and evaluated for regeneration frequency. Initially, diverse factors were analyzed for each cultivar during the introduction of the small bulbs and during calli development. These results enabled to conduct test of callus regeneration potential, with \'Jonas\' showing the best regeneration rate via indirect organogenesis (84%), followed by cultivar \'Amarante\' (52%), \'IAC 63\' and \'Cajuru\' (47%). The cultivar with less regeneration was \'Lavínia\' (30%). The lethal dosis of hygromycin or kanamycin were estimated, testing increasing concentrations to establish optimum levels to be adopted as selective agents for transformation. Doses above 50 mg/L hygromycin or 200 mg/L kanamycin were lethal to callus of all cultivars. Cultivar \'Jonas\' was chosen for the establishment of the genetic transformation protocol via A. tumefaciens LBA4404 (pCAMBIA1303), using uidA as a reporter gene (\'beta\'-glucuronídase) to determine the transformation efficiency. \'Jonas\' was the best cultivar in terms of callus and regeneration potential using the regeneration media proposed by Kondo, Hasegawa and Suzuki (2000). Moreover, the Brazilians garlic cultivars appeared to be amenable to transformation via A. tumefaciens

Embora a citricultura seja uma importante atividade econômica no Brasil, nos últimos anos houve uma redução significativa da produção nacional. A baixa rentabilidade que o setor citrícola vem enfrentando, devido ao alto custo de produção, é decorrente principalmente dos problemas fitossanitários, com destaque para as doenças, que afetam diretamente a produtividade dos pomares. Atualmente, o huanglongbing (HLB) é a doença mais grave que afeta a citricultura mundial, sendo que os danos são severos em todas as variedades de citros. Diante desse fato, a transformação genética de plantas é uma alternativa para a obtenção de plantas transgênicas, com genes que estimulem o sistema de defesa das plantas, tornando-as resistentes a doenças. Apesar da eficácia dos protocolos existentes para a transformação genética de citros, uma desvantagem característica de plantas perenes é o ciclo reprodutivo lento, tornando difícil e demorado a validação de novos genes de interesse. Por isso, uma importante estratégia é o uso de plantas modelos, como o tomateiro, que possui ciclo curto e boa eficiência de transformação genética. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi obter plantas transgênicas de Solanum lycopersicum cv. \'Micro-Tom\' e Citrus sinensis, contendo a construção gênica com o gene Csd1 (superóxido dismutase do cobre e do zinco), isolado de Poncirus trifoliata. A proteína codificada pelo gene Csd1, também conhecido como Sod1 (superoxide dismutase 1), é o mais potente antioxidante na natureza e é um importante constituinte de defesa celular contra o estresse oxidativo causado pela infecção bacteriana. O tomateiro Micro-tom foi utilizado como modelo de patogenicidade para validação do gene. Porém, devido a sua baixa eficiência de transformação genética, os experimentos de inoculação com o patógeno não foram realizados. Posteriormente, a caracterização da função do gene Csd1 em relação ao HLB será realizada com as plantas transgênicas de citros. A identificação de plantas transgênicas, de tomate e de laranja doce, foi realizada por meio da análise de PCR, utilizando primers para a detecção do gene Csd1. As plantas PCR+ foram aclimatizadas e transferidas para casa-de-vegetação. A eficiência de transformação genética do tomateiro \'Micro-Tom\' e das cultivares de laranja doce, \'Hamlin\' e \'Pineapple\', foram respectivamente: 0,34%, 4,74% e 3,65%. A caracterização molecular pelas análises de Southern blot e RT-qPCR foi realizada apenas em plantas de citros. Foi possível confirmar a integração do transgene em 32 eventos obtidos. O número de eventos de inserção variou de 1 - 5, sendo a presença do gene endógeno Csd1, localizada em 3 locais distintos no genoma das plantas. O nível de mRNA do transgene foi verificada em 21 plantas que tiveram apenas uma única inserção do transgene no genoma. Os resultados obtidos mostram que houve transcrição do gene Csd1 nas plantas transgênicas, assim como, na testemunha não transgênica. A relação do nível de transcrição do transgene com a resistência das plantas ao patógeno será definida após a inoculação com Candidadus Liberibacter. / Although the citrus industry is an important economic activity in Brazil, in recent years there has been a significant reduction in the national citrus production. The low profitability of the citrus sector has faced due to the high production cost is mainly attributed to phytosanitary problems, particularly diseases that directly affect productivity of orchards. Currently, huanglongbing (HLB) is the most serious disease that affects the global citrus industry and the damage is severe in all citrus varieties. Genetic transformation of plants is an alternative to obtain transgenic plants with genes that stimulate the plant defense system, making it resistant to diseases. Despite the effectiveness of protocols for genetic transformation of citrus, a characteristic disadvantage of perennial plants is the slow reproductive cycle, hindering validation of new genes of interest. Therefore, an important strategy is the use of model plants, such as the tomato, which has a short cycle and good genetic transformation efficiency. The objective of this study was to obtain transgenic plants of Solanum lycopersicum cv. \"Micro-Tom \'and Citrus sinensis, containing the gene construct with Csd1 gene (copper/zinc superoxide dismutase), isolated of Poncirus trifoliata. The protein encoded by the gene Csd1, also known as SOD1 (superoxide dismutase 1), is the most powerful antioxidant in nature and is important constituent of cellular defense against oxidative stress caused by bacterial infection. \'Micro-tom\' tomato was used as a model for pathogenic gene validation. However, due to its low efficiency of genetic transformation, the inoculation experiments with the pathogen were not realized. Posteriorly, the characterization of gene function Csd1 in relation to the HLB disease will be realize with citrus transgenic plants. The objective of this study was to obtain transgenic plants of Solanum lycopersicum cv. \'Micro-Tom\' and of Citrus sinensis, containing the gene construction with Csd1 gene (copper/zinc superoxide dismutase), isolated of Poncirus trifoliata, for validation and for future study of this gene for resistance to HLB. Proteins encoded by the Csd1 gene, also known as SOD1 (superoxide dismutase 1), are the most powerful antioxidants in nature and are important constituents of cellular defense against oxidative stress caused by bacterial infection. The identification of transgenic plants of tomato and sweet orange was performed by the PCR analysis using primers for the detection of Csd1 gene. The PCR+ plants were acclimatized and transferred to a greenhouse. The genetic transformation efficiency of tomato \'Micro-Tom\' and sweet orange cultivars, \'Hamlin\' and \'Pineapple\', were 0.34%, 4.74% and 3.65%, respectively. The molecular characterization with the Southern blot and RT-qPCR analyses was performed only in citrus plants. The transgene integration was confirmed in 32 plants. The number of insertion events ranged from 1-5 and the presence of Csd1 endogenous gene is found in three distinct locations in the plants genome. The mRNA level of the transgene was verified in 21 plants that had only a single transgene insertion into the plant genome. The results show that there was transcription of Csd1 gene in transgenic plants as well as in non-transgenic plants. The relation between the transgene transcript level with the resistance of plants to pathogens is set after inoculation with Candidadus Liberibacter.

O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar uma forma alternativa para o controle do endurecimento dos frutos do maracujazeiro, pela produção de plantas transgênicas contendo o gene da proteína capsidial do Passionfruit woodness virus - PWV. O vetor de expressão foi construído utilizando-se os plasmídeos pCambia 2300 e pCambia 2301, que contêm o gene de seleção nptII, para resistência ao antibiótico canamicina. O plasmídeo pCambia 2301 contém também o gene repórter uidA (GUS). Os plasmídeos foram introduzidos em Agrobacterium tumefaciens, estirpes EHA 105 e LBA 4404, pelo método do choque térmico. Os explantes para transformação genética constituíram-se de discos de folhas jovens (6 mm de diâmetro), das variedades IAC 275 e IAC 277, coletados de plantas mantidas em sob fotoperíodo de 16 h luz, a 27 °C. Os explantes foram inoculados com suspensão bacteriana (5x108 UFC/mL) por 20 min e transferidos para placa de Petri contendo o meio de cultura MS + thidiazuron (TDZ - 0,25 mg/L) + nitrato de prata (AgNO3 - 4 mg/L) + acetoseringona (1 µM/L). O co-cultivo foi realizado à temperatura de 24 °C, em ausência de luz, por um período de 3 dias. Para seleção e regeneração de plantas os explantes foram transferidos para meio de cultura de seleção MS + TDZ (0,25 mg/L) + AgNO3 (4 mg/L) + canamicina (100 mg/L) + cefotaxime (500 mg/L). A incubação foi realizada a 27 °C, em ausência de luz, por um período de 4 - 6 semanas. As gemas adventícias desenvolvidas foram transferidas para o meio de cultura MSM + 10% de água de coco e incubadas sob fotoperíodo de 16 h de luz. A transformação genética foi identificada pelo teste histoquímico GUS e por PCR. Obteve-se um total de 22 plantas PCR positivas. Destas, 8 foram analisadas por Southern blot para confirmação da integração do transgene. A transcrição e expressão do transgene foram analisadas por Northern e Western blot, respectivamente. As plantas transgênicas avaliadas foram multiplicadas e inoculadas com 3 diferentes estirpes do PWV. A linhagem T2 apresentou resistência a infecção dos três isolados utilizados. / The main purpose of this work was to study an alternative way to control the Passionfruit woodiness virus - PWV through the production of transgenic plants which contained the Passionfruit woodness virus coat protein gene. The binary vector was built by using pCambia 2300 and pCambia 2301 plasmids, which contain the selection gene nptII. The pCambia 2301 plasmid also contains the reporter gene uidA (GUS). The plasmids were introduced into Agrobacterium tumefaciens, EHA 105 and LBA 4404 strains, via thermal shock method. The explants for the genetic transformation were young leaf disks (6 mm of diameter) of IAC 275 and IAC 277 varietys, extracted from plants kept under 16 h photoperiod, at 27 °C. The explants were inoculated with a bacterial suspension (5x108 UFC/mL) for 20 min and then transferred to Petri dishes containing cocolture medium MS + thidiazuron (TDZ - 0,25 mg/L) + silver nitrate (AgNO3 - 4 mg/L) + acetosyringone (1 µM/L). The co-culture was performed at 24 °C t, in the dark, for a three-day period. For the selection and regeneration of plants, the explants were transferred to the selection culture medium MS + TDZ (0,25 mg/L) + AgNO3 (4 mg/L) + kanamycin (100 mg/L) + cefotaxime (500 mg/L). The incubation was performed at 27 °C, in dark, for 4 - 6 weeks. The adventitious buds developed were then transferred to the culture medium MSM + 10% coconut water and kept incubated under 16 h photoperiod. The genetic transformation was identified through GUS and PCR tests. There were 22 PCR positive plants. Out of those, 8 were Southern blot analyzed for the confirmation of transgenc integration. The transgene transcription and expression were determined by Northern and Western blot respectively. The transgenic plants were then multiplied and inoculated with 3 different strains of PWV, and the line 2 showed resistance to the three strains used.

O trabalho teve como objetivo otimizar a metodologia de transformação de plantas de Eucalyptus grandis; uma importante espécie florestal amplamente cultivada no Brasil. Foram estudadas a transformação por agrobiobalística de explantes com acúmulo de gemas axilares e do SAAT ('sonication-assisted Agrobacterium mediated transformation'). Ambas as técnicas causam microferimentos nos explantes aumentando a penetração da Agrobacterium nos tecidos vegetais. Na agrobiobalística o explante é submetido ao bombardeamento com micropartículas seguida por inoculação com a bactéria; enquanto que no SAAT o explante é submetido à sonicação por breves períodos de tempo na presença da bactéria. Os experimentos de transformação foram avaliados pela analise da expressão transitória do gene repórter uidA. Os parâmetros estudados na transformação por agrobiobalística foram: pressão de disparo ( pressão do gás hélio), distância de vôo das micropartículas, estabilidade da expressão do gene uidA e temperatura de co-cultivo. As freqüências mais elevadas da expressão da ß-glucuronidase foram observadas utilizando 1350 PSI de gás hélio, 9,5 cm de distância de vôo dos microprojéteis e temperatura de 26ºC durante o co-cultivo. Para otimizar a transformação de explantes com acúmulo de gemas axilares foi realizado um estudo histológico, o qual permitiu constatar que as áreas meristemáticas estão localizadas na superfície do explante. O meristema é formado pela rediferenciação de células da epiderme e das primeiras camadas do parênquima cortical caracterizando sua origem exógena. A localização histológica do produto da expressão do gene repórter uidA mostrou que esta expressão ocorre apenas em células já diferenciadas, não sendo encontrada durante os tratamentos com células meristemáticas. Para realizar os ensaios com SAAT foi selecionado previamente um clone com características favoráveis à transformação: alta taxa de regeneração, susceptibilidade a agentes seletivos e à transformação por Agrobacterium. A maior taxa de plantas que apresentaram atividade da ß-glucuronidase foram observadas utilizando-se 60 segundos de sonicação; tempos superiores a este causaram um comprometimento da regeneração do explante. A sonicação adicional, após a sonicação preliminar do explante, juntamente com a bactéria, melhora a eficiência do processo de transformação. Os resultados demonstram que o uso de SAAT é viável na transformação de eucalipto com Agrobacterium. / The research project aimed the establishment of a method for genetic transformation of Eucalyptus grandis; an important and widely planted forestry tree in Brazil. Two techniques of transformation were tested: agrobiolistic of explants with accumulation of meristematic cells and SAAT ('sonication-assisted Agrobacterium mediated transformation'). Both systems of transformation aim to produce micro wounds in the explants in order to increase the Agrobacterium penetration in the tissues. In the case of agrolistica the explant was previously submitted to micro projectile bombardment, followed by bacteria inoculation. On the other hand in the SAAT technique the explante is submitted to short periods (few seconds) of sonication together with the bacteria. Transformation was evaluated by measuring the expression of the reporter gene uidA which codes the ß-glucuronidase enzyme. Several parameters were tested for agrobiolistic such as, gas pressure (helium), flight distance of micro projectiles, gene expression of the uidA, co-cultivation temperature. The highest values of ß-glucuronidase were observed for 1350 PSI, 9.5 cm from target and 26O C for co-cultivation. A histological analyze was carried out to check it the meristematic tissues were being transformed. The results showed that the meristematic tissues were localized in the surface of the explante. The meristem is formed by the dedifferentiation of epidermal cells and the first layers of the cortical parenchyma indicating its exogenous origin. The histological location of the reporter gene uidA showed that the expression occurs only in cells already differentiated, and not in meristematic cells. For SAAT experiments a clone was previously selected for favorable characteristic of transformation: high rate of regeneration, susceptibility of selective agents and to Agrobacterium transformation. The highest rate of ß-glucuronidase activity were observed for 60 s of sonication; higher sonication time reduced the efficiency of regeneration. Additional sonication, following a preliminary sonication of explante , in the presence of the bacteria, improved the efficiency of transformation. The results provided evidence the SAAT is a viable technique for Eucalyptus transformation via Agrobacterium.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-06-29T11:33:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 nataliadosanjospinto.pdf: 1701558 bytes, checksum: a1c89a03566132430636ade1b70b0e04 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Diamantino Mayra (mayra.diamantino@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-07-05T14:36:36Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 nataliadosanjospinto.pdf: 1701558 bytes, checksum: a1c89a03566132430636ade1b70b0e04 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-05T14:36:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 nataliadosanjospinto.pdf: 1701558 bytes, checksum: a1c89a03566132430636ade1b70b0e04 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-08-31 / O morango é produzido e consumido nas mais variadas regiões do mundo, sendo a espécie do grupo de pequenos frutos de maior apreciação e grande retorno econômico. Um dos principais problemas na cultura do morangueiro é a incidência de doenças, que podem aparecer em várias fases do ciclo da cultura, atacando desde as mudas recém plantadas até os frutos na fase final de produção. Devido a susceptibilidade às doenças e pragas, o uso de pesticidas é usual no cultivo de morangos. Nesse sentido, o uso de variedades resistentes a fungos e bactérias pode ser uma importante alternativa visando a melhoria da qualidade dos frutos e um menor custo de produção dos mesmos, uma vez que os consumidores exigem cada vez mais, frutos com menor nível residual de agrotóxicos. No presente estudo, plantas de Nicotiana tabacum foram transformadas com os genes OxDc de Flammulina velutipes e Pg-AMP1 de Psidium guajava com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da enzima Oxalato Descarboxilase, produzida pelo gene OxDc, na resistência das plantas a fatores que induzem a morte celular de tecidos infectados pelo fungo Fusarium oxysporum, assim como os efeitos in vitro do extrato bruto contendo o peptídeo Pg-AMP1 extraído das folhas de tabaco contra a bactéria Gram-negativa Xanthomonas fragarie. Experimentos de transformação genética mediada por Agrobacterium permitiram a obtenção de 8 linhagens transgênicas de N. tabacum OxDc e 7 linhagens transgênicas de N. tabacum Pg-AMP1, representando eventos de transformação distintos. As plantas foram caracterizadas molecular e bioquimicamente a fim de se confirmar a inserção, expressão e funcionalidade dos genes inseridos nas linhagens obtidas tanto para o gene OxDc quanto para o Pg-AMP1. Os testes de resistência ao ácido oxálico mostraram danos menos severos nas linhagens transformadas de X tabaco OxDc do que nas plantas não transformadas. No que se refere à resistência das folhas ao ataque pelo fungo Fusarium Oxysporum, o gene OxDc também se mostrou capaz de conferir resistência às linhagens transgênicas. Através da técnica de Western blot, foi possível detectar a presença do peptídeo Pg-AMP1 no extrato bruto extraído das folhas transformadas de tabaco Pg-AMP1. O bioensaio realizado in vitro utilizando-se o extrato bruto contendo o peptídeo Pg-AMP1 demonstrou a ação bactericida desse peptídeo contra a bactéria fitopatogênica Xanthomonas Fragarie. Em conjunto os resultados indicam a viabilidade da utilização dos genes OxDc e Pg-AMP1 transformação genética de morangueiro visando à redução nos danos causados por fitopatógenos que acometem suas lavouras, assim como a redução no uso de pesticidas. / The strawberry is produced and consumed in a variety of regions in the world, being the group of small fruits’ species of greater appreciation and high economic returns. A major problem in strawberry culture is the disease incidence that can appear in several stages of the cycle, attacking from the newly planted seeding to the fruit in the final stage of production. Due to this susceptibility to diseases and pests, the pesticide use is common in strawberries cultivation. Regarding this, the use of varieties resistant to fungi and bacteria may be a good alternative in order to improve fruit quality and to lower production cost, since consumers are increasingly demanding fruits with a lower level of pesticides. In the present study, Nicotiana tabacum plants were transformed with Flammulina velutipes OxDc gene and Psidium guajava Pg-AMP1 aiming to evaluate the effect of the enzyme Oxalate Decarboxylase produced by the gene OxDc in plant resistance to factors that induce cell death in tissues infected by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum, and the effect of raw extract containing the Pg-AMP1 peptide extracted from tobacco leaves against gram-negative bacterium Xanthomonas fragarie in vitro. Genetic transformation Agrobacterium-mediated experiments allowed the production of 8 transgenic lines N. tabacum OxDc and 7 transgenic lines of N. tabacum Pg-AMP1, representing different transformation events. The plants were biochemically and molecular characterized to confirm the integration, expression and function of the genes inserted in the lines obtained both for the gene OxDc and Pg-AMP1. Tests for resistance to 20 mM oxalic acid had less severe symptoms in OxDc transformed tobacco lines than the non-transformed plants. Concerning the strength of the leaves against Fusarium oxysporum attack, OxDc gene has also shown to confer resistance to the transgenic lines. It was possible to detect the presence of Pg-AMP1 peptide in the raw extract from Pg-AMP1 tobacco leaves through Western blot. Thus, the in vitro bioassay carried out using the raw extract containing the Pg-AMP1 peptide showed bactericidal activity against the phyto-pathogenic bacteria Xanthomonas Fragarie. Together these results XII determine the viability of OxDc and Pg-AMP1 genes in the use of strawberry genetic transformation aiming the reduction in the damage caused by pathogens that attack the crop.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-06-22T12:13:15Z No. of bitstreams: 1 daniellelucianaaurorasoaresdoamaral.pdf: 933775 bytes, checksum: ab2892397c2895f9047b1f683dec1351 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-08-07T19:20:42Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 daniellelucianaaurorasoaresdoamaral.pdf: 933775 bytes, checksum: ab2892397c2895f9047b1f683dec1351 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-07T19:20:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 daniellelucianaaurorasoaresdoamaral.pdf: 933775 bytes, checksum: ab2892397c2895f9047b1f683dec1351 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-07 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / Desde a domesticação das plantas para a utilização humana, as doenças vêm causando grandes perdas na produção. Fungos fitopatogênicos tais como Sclerotium rolfsii, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum e Sclerotinia sclerotiorum são capazes de infectar diferentes espécies de plantas. A infecção por estes fungos leva a perdas consideráveis na época da colheita. A fase inicial da infecção envolve a produção e o acúmulo de grande quantidade de ácido oxálico (AO), que parece ser um dos maiores determinantes da patogenicidade. Fusarium oxysporum é a espécie mais comum do gênero e causa murcha vascular em diferentes espécies de plantas. Esse fungo causa perdas severas em muitas lavouras, como algodão, fumo, banana, café, morango e cana de açúcar. Genes que conferem resistência a fitopatógenos tornam-se de importância agronômica como recursos para melhoramento. Dentre esses, destacamos o da enzima oxalato descarboxilase (OXDC), capaz de catalizar a degradação do AO em ácido fórmico e dióxido de carbono, diminuindo a capacidade de infecção do fungo. Na geração T0 de fumo transformado com gene da OXDC, foram obtidas quatro linhagens resistentes ao fungo, estas foram analisadas na T1. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a segregação do transgene OXDC para a geração T1 de fumo e avaliar se a geração T1 de plantas transformadas é capaz de resistir ao fitopatógeno Fusarium oxysporum. Trinta plantas de cada linhagem T1 de fumo transformado com OXDC foram avaliadas, por PCR, quanto a presença do HPTII. Estas quatro linhagens foram analisadas apresentaram proporção de segregação de 3:1. Uma planta PCR positiva de cada linhagem foi submetida a bioensaios para verificar a resistência ao fungo e ao AO. No ensaio de resistência ao fungo Fusarium oxysporum, este não foi capaz de infectar as linhagens transgênicas, mostrando um aumento da resistência da T1 em relação a T0 quando os resultados foram comparados. Os níveis de expressão do transgene foram avaliados por RT-PCR. As linhagens T1, T4 e T6 mostraram níveis de expressão semelhantes, já a linhagem T2 apresentou menor nível de expressão que as demais linhagens, de maneira que este resultado pode ser correlacionado com menor resistência ao AO. Com base nestes resultados pode-se concluir que a enzima Oxalato Descarboxilase demonstrou ser eficiente no combate ao patógeno Fusarium oxysporum e potencialmente eficiente no combate a outros fungos que também utilizem AO no processo de infecção. / Since the domestication of plants for human use, the diseases are causing major production losses. Pathogenic fungi such as Sclerotium rolfsii, Botrytis cinerea, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Fusarium oxysporum are capable of infecting various plant species. Infection by these fungi leads to considerable losses at harvest. The initial phase of the infection involves the production and accumulation of large amounts of oxalic acid (OA), which seems to be one of the biggest determinants of pathogenicity. Fusarium oxysporum is the most common species of the genus and causes vascular wilt in different plant species. This fungus causes severe losses in many crops such as cotton, tobacco, bananas, coffee, strawberry and sugar cane. Genes that confer resistance to pathogens become of agronomic importance as resources for improvement. Among these we highlight the enzyme oxalate decarboxylase (OXDC) capable of catalyzing the degradation of OA in formic acid and carbon dioxide, decreasing the infectivity of the fungus. In the T0 generation of tobacco transformed with OXDC gene four resistant fungal strains were obtained, they were analyzed in T1. The objective of this study was to evaluate the segregation of the transgene OXDC for T1 generation of smoke and assess whether the T1 generation of transformed plants are able to resist the pathogen Fusarium oxysporum. Thirty T1 plants of each line of tobacco transformed with OXDC were evaluated by PCR for the presence of HPTII. These four strains were analyzed showed a segregation ratio of 3:1. A positive PCR plant of each strain was subjected to bioassays to verify resistance to the fungus and the OA. In the test of resistance to the fungus Fusarium oxysporum, this was not able to infect the transgenic lines , showing an increase of the resistance of T1 relative to T0 when the results were compared. The levels of transgene expression were assessed by RT-PCR. T1, T4 and T6 strains showed similar levels of expression, the T2 strain showed lower expression level than other strains , so that this result can be correlated with lower resistance to OA. Based on these results it can be concluded that the enzyme Oxalate Descarboxylase demonstrated to be effective in combating the pathogen Fusarium oxysporum and potentially efficient against other fungi which also use OA in the infection process.

Orientador: Nelson Arno Wulff / Coorientador: Leandro Antonio Peña Garcia / Banca: Maria Celia Bertolini / Banca: Douglas Silva Domingues / Banca: Andrea Soares da Costa Fuentes / Banca: Rodrigo Facchini Magnani / Resumo: As citriculturas brasileira e mundial têm sido assolada pelo huanglongbing (HLB), doença associada às bactérias Candidatus Liberibacter spp., transmitidas pelo psilídeo Diaphorina citri. Não há cura para a doença e o manejo do HLB é feito com plantio de mudas sadias, erradicação de plantas sintomáticas e controle do inseto vetor. Pomares de citros intercalados com goiabeiras no Vietnã, tiveram menor ocorrência de psilídeos e de plantas com HLB. O composto volátil β-cariofileno, emitido por goiabeiras foi caracterizado como repelente ao psilídeo. Laranjeiras das variedades Pera e Valência foram geneticamente modificadas (GM) com genes da terpeno sintase (TPS) e da farnesil difosfato sintase (FPPS) de Arabidopsis thaliana, com a expectativa de aumentar a produção e emissão de β-cariofileno, tornando estas plantas repelentes. Em testes biológicos e químicos foram selecionadas plantas transgênicas que apresentaram incremento no acúmulo e emissão de β-cariofileno, fazendo com que o efeito repelente deste sesquiterpeno, superasse a atração que laranjeiras exercem sobre D. citri. De maneira similar, foram geradas Arabidopsis thaliana GM para superexpressar TPS de laranjeira doce. As plantas GM foram caracterizadas quanto à expressão do transgene e dos genes da via biossintética dos terpenos com 1-deoxixilulose 5-fosfato sintase (DXS), geranil difosfato sintase (GDPS) e farnesil difosfato sintase (FPPS) e quanto ao acúmulo e emissão de β-cariofileno. Foi demonstrada a viabilidade da ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Citrus in Brazil and around the world has been devastated by Huanglongbing (HLB), a disease which is associated to Candidatus Liberibacter spp. bacteria and transmitted by the psyllid Diaphorina citri. There is no cure to such disease and the HLB management is done by planting healthy seedlings, eradicating symptomatic plants and controlling the insect vector. Citrus orchards interspersed with guava trees in Vietnam had less occurrence of psyllids and fewer plants with HLB. The volatile compound β-caryophyllene, emitted by guava trees, has been considered a repellent to the psyllid. Pera and Valencia sweet oranges varieties were genetically modified (GM) with Arabidopsis thaliana's terpene synthase and with farnesyl dyphosphate synthase (FPPS) genes, expecting to raise the production and emission of β- caryophyllene, turning such plants into repellents. In biological and chemical trials, transgenic plants with incremental β- caryophyllene accumulation and emission were selected, leading to a sesquiterpene repellent effect stronger than the attraction that citrus trees exert over D. citri. Similarly, genetically modified Arabidopsis thaliana were generated to overexpress sweet orange TPS. Such genetically modified plants were characterized regarding the transgene expression and to the genes of terpene biosynthesis pathway with 1-deoxyxyllulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXS), geranyl diphosphate synthase (GDPS) and farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS) and to the accumulation and em... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

L'utilisation des plantes pour décontaminer les sols pollués par les métaux est une solution respectueuse de l'environnement. Mais le développement de cette technique à grande échelle est encore limité en raison de l'indisponibilité de plantes avec les caractéristiques souhaitées (hyperaccumulation, biomasse élevée et croissance rapide). Les objectifs de ce travail étaient d'évaluer le potentiel de plusieurs cultivars de Pélargonium odorants pour l'extraction du Pb au champ, étudier la disponibilité du plomb en relation avec l'activité rhizosphérique et développer un protocole de transformation génétique. Parmi les six cultivars de Pélargonium odorants testés au champ, trois : Attar of Roses, Clorinda et Atomic Snowflake ont accumulé plus de 1000 mg kg-1 Pb, avec une forte biomasse. Pendant les expérimentations en conditions contrôlées, Attar of roses (le cultivar hyperaccumulateur) acidifie sa rhizosphère et augmente la concentration en COD significativement plus par rapport Concolor Lace (le cultivar non hyperaccumulateur), sans doute en réponse à la pollution métallique. Les concentrations en plomb dans les deux cultivars sont corrélées avec l'extraction au CaCl2. Les analyses par EXAFS et ESEM-EDS ont montré que le plomb présent dans les racines était principalement sous forme de complexes organiques alors que les sulfates de plomb prédominent dans le sol. Parallèlement à ces essais, un protocole de transformation génétique a été mis au point en vue de mieux comprendre les processus biochimiques impliqués dans l'hyperaccumulation et la fonction des gènes, Le système de régénération optimisé se base sur la pré-culture d'explants sur un milieu contenant 10 μM TDZ + 1 mg L-1 de chacun de BAP et NAA suivie par l'enlèvement de TDZ du milieu de culture. La kanamycine et l'hygromycine se sont avérés être de bons marqueurs sélectifs pour le Pélargonium. Deux souches d'Agrobacterium, C58 et EHA105 contenant des vecteurs binaires avec des gènes marqueurs hpt et nptII ont été choisis pour des expériences de transformation. Ils ont également le gène codant uidA séquence du gène rapporteur. Après l'infection avec C58, 4 et 107 plantes enracinées sur hygromycine ont été obtenues pour Attar of Roses et Atomic Snowflake, respectivement. Parmi ces plantes enracinées, les quatre plantes d'Attar et 82 d'Atomic Snowflake ont exprimé le Gus dans les feuilles, pétioles, les tiges et les racines comme prévu avec une séquence sous contrôle du promoteur constitutif CaMV 35S. De 20 plantes qui expriment le Gus, 7 plantes se sont avérées être positives après criblage par PCR. Après infection par EHA105, 23 et 133 plantes enracinées ont été obtenues après sélection sur kanamycine, mais aucune n'a démontré d'activité GUS. Seule des expériences d'empreintes par Southern blotting permettront de corréler le nombre d'insertions et niveau de l'expression dans ces différents événements de transformation. / Metal removal from contaminated soils using plants can provide an environment friendly solution. However, its successful application on a large scale is still limited due to unavailability of plants with desired set of characteristics i.e. hyperaccumulation, high biomass and rapid growth. The objective of this work was to assess the potential of scented Pelargonium cultivars for lead (Pb) extraction under field conditions, plant induced rhizosphere changes, soil factors influencing availability of Pb and to develop an efficient genetic transformation protocol for the selected cultivars. Of the six scented Pelargonium cultivars field-tested, three cultivars (Attar of Roses, Clorinda and Atomic Snowflake) accumulated more than 1000 mg Pb kg-1 DW, with high biomass reaching up to 45 tons ha-1 y-1 dry matter. During assays in controlled conditions, Attar of roses (Pb hyperaccumulator) significantly acidified its rhizosphere and increased Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) concentration as compared to Concolor Lace (non-accumulator), probably due to enhanced exudation in response to the metal stress. Lead concentrations in both cultivars were best correlated with CaCl2 extracted Pb. Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) and Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive x-ray Spectroscopy (ESEM-EDS) demonstrated that Pb was mainly complexed to organic acids within plant tissues whereas the dominant form in soil was PbSO4. Parallel to the soil-plant Pb transfer assays, a genetic transformation protocol was optimized in view of better understanding biochemical processes involved in lead hyperaccumulation and gene function, in the future. The best regeneration scheme was based on the pre-culture of explants on 10 μM TDZ (Thidiazuron) in addition to 1 mg L-1 each of N6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and α- naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), followed by removal of TDZ from the culture medium. Kanamycin and hygromycin proved to be efficient selectable markers for genetic transformation. Two Agrobacterium strains, C58 and EHA105 harboring binary vectors carrying the selectable marker genes hpt and nptII were chosen for transformation experiments. They also contained the uidA gene coding sequence as reporter gene. After infecting with C58, 4 and 107 rooted plants on hygromycin-containing medium were obtained for Attar and Atomic cultivars, respectively. The four Attar plants and 82 Atomic plants expressed Gus in leaves, petioles, stems and roots as expected with a sequence driven by the 35S constitutive promoter. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) screening was performed on Gus positive plants and 2 and 20 plants of Attar and Atomic were screened as PCR positive, respectively. After infection with EHA105, 23 and 133 rooted plants were obtained on kanamycin selection medium but none of these expressed Gus. Southern hybridization patterns will enable to correlate gene copy numbers to expression levels in these different events. The optimized protocols could be used for understanding molecular mechanisms of Pb accumulation and improvement in phytoextraction technique.