Cytological study of the introduction of Agrobacterium tumefaciens spheroplasts into Vinca rosea protoplasts

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The process of the introduction of Agrobacterium tumefaciens spheroplasts into Vinca rosea protoplasts was examined by transmission electron microscopy. Shortly after the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) the spheroplasts adhered tightly to the surface of the protoplasts and after 10 min they were engulfed by endocytosis. The engulfed spheroplasts then lost their integrity and their components seemed to disperse into the cytoplasm of the protoplasts. Although the treatment with PEG or PVA was indispensable in this process, these polymers had slightly different effects. The cytoplasm of the protoplasts treated with PEG looked darker and thinner than that treated with PVA. The uptake of spheroplasts by protoplasts was also examined quantitatively by 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining and fluorescence microscopy. About 70–80% of protoplasts incorporated the spheroplasts after PEG or PVA treatment. Usually about 10 DAPI-stained spheroplasts were observed in a protoplast. These observations are discussed in relation to our previous report on the transformation of V. rosea protoplasts by A. tumefaciens spheroplasts.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: