Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Brahmi [Bacopa monniera (L.) Wettst.], a popular medicinal herb of India

摘要

Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of Brahmi [Bacopa monniera (L.) Wettst.] was standardized using the Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105 that harboured the binary vector pBE2113 containing genes for beta-glucuronidase (GUS) and neomycin phosphotransferase. Putative transformants were selected by the ability of the leaf explants to produce kanamycin-resistant calluses that regenerated into kanamycin-resistant plantlets. Successful transformation was confirmed by histochemical assay for GUS activity, PCR analysis and RT-PCR. The frequency of transformation from the leaf explants was more than 60% and a period of nearly two months was required for the regeneration of transgenic plantlets from the explants. The morphology of the transformed plants resembled that of the parent. The development of an efficient transformation protocol for Brahmi can lead to the genetic improvement of the plant for secondary metabolite content in future.