need information on agrobacterium tumefaciens

[Charles S Buer]

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a soil borne bacterium.  This microorganism 
is nature`s answer to genetic engineering, and has been accomplishing the 
feat for many years.  The bacterium harbors a Ti plasmid which transfers 
a section of DNA called T-DNA to the host plant, into its nuclear 
genome.  The infected cell then begins producing auxins and cytokinins 
causing a tumoric growth.  Since the bacterium is soil-borne, the tumor 
usually forms at the plant crown, hence the name crown gall.  This 
bacterium has no function whatsoever with nitrogen fixation, which is 
accomplished by Rhizobium spp. and others.

Charles Buer
Dept. of Biology/Biology
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA 0160

On Thu, 8 Feb 1996, JMdS.96 wrote:

> 
>    The person who wrote this "Need help !" thing, is probably out
> of primary school ... and doesn't know that the microorganism in
> question is actually benefic to the plant !
>    Agrobacterium tumefaciens, produces nodules on plant roots, and 
> may be very useful in capturing atmospheric Nitrogen !
> 
>    Or am I worng ?
> 
> 
>    JMdS.96
> 
>