P0827 Development and Characteristics of FOX-superroots in Lotus corniculatus

Ryo Akashi , University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
Yasuyo Himuro , RIKEN Tsukuba Institute, Tsukuba, Japan
Hidenori Tanaka , University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
Masatsugu Hashiguchi , University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
Using the full-length cDNA overexpressor (FOX) gene-hunting system, we have generated 130 Arabidopsis FOX-superroot lines in bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) for the systematic functional analysis of genes expressed in roots and for the selection of induced mutants with interesting root growth characteristics. We used the Arabidopsis-FOX Agrobacterium library for the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of superroots (SR) and the subsequent selection of gain-of-function mutants with ectopically expressed Arabidopsis genes. The original superroot culture of L. corniculatus is a unique host system displaying fast root growth in vitro, allowing continuous root cloning, direct somatic embryogenesis and mass regeneration of plants under entirely hormone-free culture conditions. Several of the Arabidopsis FOX-superroot lines show interesting deviations from normal growth and morphology of roots from SR-plants, such as differences in pigmentation, growth rate, length or diameter. Some of these mutations are of potential agricultural interest. The Arabidopsis FOX-superroot lines of L. corniculatus, produced in this study, expand the FOX hunting system and provide a new tool for the genetic analysis and control of root growth in a leguminous forage plant. The original SR were provided by the National BioResource Project Lotus and Glycine (Legume Base, web site available at http://www.legumebase.brc.miyazaki-u.ac.jp/) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan. Additively, FOX-superroot lines will also be provided by the NBRP.