Visual evidence of horizontal gene transfer between plants and bacteria in the phytosphere of transplastomic tobacco.

ABSTRACT: Plant surfaces, colonized by numerous and diverse bacterial species, are often considered hot spots for horizontal gene transfer (HGT) between plants and bacteria. Plant DNA released during the degradation of plant tissues can persist and remain biologically active for significant periods of time, suggesting that soil or plant-associated bacteria could be in direct contact with plant DNA. In addition, nutrients released during the decaying process may provide a copiotrophic environment conducive for opportunistic microbial growth. Using Acinetobacter baylyi strain BD413 and transplastomic tobacco plants harboring the aadA gene as models, the objective of this study was to determine whether specific niches could be shown to foster bacterial growth on intact or decaying plant tissues, to dev

SUBMITTER: Pontiroli A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2681637 | biostudies-literature | 2009 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature