Transformation efficiency of calcium phosphate nanoparticles for genetic manipulation of <i>Cichorium intybus</i> L.

Abstract

The production of transgenic plants is a valuable tool in plant research and this technology is extensively applied in phytomedicines and agricultural sciences. Encapsulation of gene into biocompatible carriers enhances the biotransformation process and related outcomes by providing protection to the cell, gene and enzymes. The efficacy of calcium phosphate (CaP) nanoparticles with respect to <i>Agrobacterium tumefaciens</i> for genetic manipulation of <i>Cichorium intybus</i> L. plants, using pBinAR containing <i>trans-hmgr</i> gene, was observed in the present study. The CaP nanoparticle-based genetic transformation resulted in the transformation frequency of 9.6%. The transgenic plants were also found to accumulate higher levels of chlorophyll, soluble protein and esculin contents when compared with non-transformed <i>C</i>. <i>intybus</i> plants, which could be due to higher expression of the <i>hmgr</i> transgene and the higher activity of the HMGR enzyme. The CaP nanoparticle gene delivery system based on ultra-size inorganic nanoparticles showed great potential to mediate gene transfer into plants. These particles being nonspecific and smaller in size can deliver gene(s) into dicots, monocots and sub-cellular organelles of the plant cells. Therefore, they could be used in genetic engineering of crops to develop new improved varieties having higher yields and pharmacrops to produce therapeutic molecules including vaccines.