Agrobacterium in the Genomics Age

Members of the genus Agrobacterium cause the neoplastic diseases crown gall, hairy root, and cane gall on numerous plant species. Extensive genetic analyses conducted in the 1980s identified key bacterial genes involved in virulence. During the past decade, however, genomic technologies have revealed numerous additional bacterial genes that more subtly influence transformation. The results of these genomic analyses allowed scientists to develop a more integrated view of how Agrobacterium interacts with host plants. In a similar manner, genomic technologies have identified numerous plant genes important for Agrobacteriummediated genetic transformation. Knowledge of these genes and their roles in transformation has revealed how Agrobacterium manipulates its hosts to increase the probability of a successful transformation outcome. In this article, I review our current knowledge of Agrobacterium-plant interactions and how genomic and proteomic technologies have increased our understanding of this unique plant-microbe interaction.