Genetic Transformation of Cryptococcus Species with Agrobacterium Transfer DNA

Nicholas F Chong; Alexander Idnurm; Bridgit C Nugent

doi:10.1007/978-1-0716-3722-7_6

Genetic Transformation of Cryptococcus Species with Agrobacterium Transfer DNA

Methods Mol Biol. 2024:2775:81-90. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3722-7_6.

Authors

Nicholas F Chong¹, Alexander Idnurm², Bridgit C Nugent¹

Affiliations

¹ School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
² School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia. alexander.idnurm@unimelb.edu.au.

PMID: 38758312
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3722-7_6

Abstract

Transformation of foreign DNA into Cryptococcus species is a powerful tool for exploring gene functions in these human pathogens. Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (AtMT) has been used for the stable introduction of exogenous DNA into Cryptococcus for over two decades, being particularly impactful for insertional mutagenesis screens to discover new genes involved in fungal biology. A detailed protocol to conduct this transformation method is provided in the chapter. Scope for modifications and the benefits and disadvantages of using AtMT in Cryptococcus species are also presented.

Keywords: Agrobacterium; Complementation; Cryptococcus; Forward genetics; Genetic modification; Mutant screens.

MeSH terms

Agrobacterium tumefaciens* / genetics
Cryptococcus* / genetics
DNA, Bacterial / genetics
Gene Transfer Techniques
Genetic Vectors / genetics
Transformation, Genetic*