Inhibition of Plant Transformation by Phytolaccoside B from Phytolacca americana Callus

Abstract

The newly established GUS expression bioassay on the callus extracts of 22 species of plants revealed that the methanol extract of Phytolacca americana callus had the most potent inhibitory activity against agrobacterial plant transformation. A triterpene glycoside phytolaccoside B was isolated from the extract as a genuine plant transformation inhibitor having neither antiagrobacterial nor phytotoxic activity. This compound is promising for use as a biochemical probe for studies on the plant transformation mechanism.

• Agrobacterium tumefaciens
• GUS expression assay
• Ageratum conyzoides
• Phytolacca americana