Transformation of Aster sedifolius via Agrobacterium rhizogenes

In recent years, different strategies of metabolic engineering have been adopted to improve the production of phytochemicals useful for different purposes: pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food additives, agrochemicals. In this context, the transformation of plants by Agrobacterium rhizogenes is an important achievement. This paper reports the first evidence of a stable transformation by A. rhizogenes in a member of the genus Aster naturally producing bioactive compounds (triterpenoid saponins). Root number increased in transformed explants as compared to untrasformed control. However, in Aster sedifolius we did not observe the typical traits of hairy roots as in tobacco, where extensive lateral branching of primary roots and profusion of root hairs occurred. Transformation was confirmed in the selected root lines of A. sedifolius by the presence of rolB and rolC genes. The availability of a transformation system in Aster has several implications such as the possibility of using transformed root cultures for triterpenoid saponin production