The broad host range pathogenic bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens has been widely studied as a model system to understand horizontal gene flow, secretion of effector proteins into host cells, and plant-pathogen interactions. Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation also is the major method for generating transgenic plants for research and biotechnology purposes. Agrobacterium species have the natural ability to conduct interkingdom genetic transfer from bacteria to eukaryotes, including most plant species, yeast, fungi, and even animal cells. In nature, A. tumefaciens causes crown gall disease resulting from expression in plants of auxin and cytokinin biosynthesis genes encoded by the transferred (T-) DNA. Gene transfer from A. tumefaciens to host cells requires virulence (vir) genes that reside on the resident tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmid. In addition to T-DNA, several Virulence (Vir) effector proteins are also translocated to host cells through a bacterial type IV secretion system. These proteins aid in T-DNA trafficking through the host cell cytoplasm, nuclear targeting, and T-DNA integration. A recently discovered bacterial type VI secretion system may also export bacterial proteins and impact transformation. Genes within native T-DNAs can be replaced by any gene of interest, making Agrobacterium species important tools for plant research and genetic engineering. Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation is easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and generally results in a low copy number of transgene insertions when compared to other means of plant transformation, such as particle bombardment. In this research topic, we shall provide updated information on several important areas of Agrobacterium biology and its use for biotechnology purposes. Original research and review articles covering topics of basic bacterial physiology and virulence, plant defense responses against Agrobacterium, plant genes involved in Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, and improved transformation technologies are welcome. We also welcome other article types, such as Methods, Commentaries, and Opinions.

Research fields identified for this topic:
1. Agrobacterium genes involved in bacterial physiology and virulence
Genomic, proteomic, and phylogenetic studies
Regulatory and small non-coding RNAs
Quorum sensing
Two-component system regulation
Type IV and type VI secretion system structure and function
Type IV and type VI secretion system effectors
2. Plant genes involved in transformation and defense against Agrobacterium
The role of plant proteins in T-DNA and Virulence protein trafficking and T-DNA integration
Plant defense responses to Agrobacterium
Phytohormone function in Agrobacterium biology
3. Improved technologies and methods for genetic transformation

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Frontiers in Plant Science

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