Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of lettuce (Lactucae sativa)

Lettuce cultivars, Diana and Cobham Green were used for transformation using the binary vector system of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. A ß-1,3-glucanase gene from Arthrobacter driven by the 35 S promoter and NPT II gene expressed from Nos promoter were involved as scorible and selectable genes, respectively. Transformations were obtained at a high frequency particulary with cultivar Cobham Green (80%). Transformation was confirmed by using Southern and Northern blot analysis. NPT II enzyme assay and segregation of resistance to kanamycin. Our results showed that this protocol can be efficiently used for transforming lettuce