The Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens is recognized for its involvement in plant diseases. "Ti plasmid" is an abbreviation for "Tumor inducing plasmid." This designation arises from the plasmid's ability to transfer genes into a plant's genetic material, leading to tumor development, a condition also termed crown gall disease. The importance of this plasmid can be summarized as follows:
- Role: The Ti plasmid facilitates the transfer of DNA from Agrobacterium tumefaciens to plant cells, inducing uncontrolled cell proliferation resembling tumor growth.
- Contents: It harbors genes responsible for transferring and integrating a specific DNA fragment (T-DNA) into the plant's genome.
- Biotechnological Application: Researchers leverage Ti plasmids in genetic modification, capitalizing on their inherent capacity for interspecies DNA transfer to introduce novel genes into plants.
The definitive identification is Tumor inducing plasmid.