Evaluation of Total Protein Profiles Using 1-D and 2-D Gel Electrophoresis on Cotyledonary Node Explants Infected with Agrobacterium tumefaciens in Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

The establishment of an efficient protocol for successful in vitro genetic transformation in soybean depends upon an effective interaction between cotyledonary node explants developed from germinated seeds and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This study, therefore, evaluated the amenability of cotyledonary explants to Agrobacterium infection and co-cultivation, through total protein profiling using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Results showed that, germination of seeds on MS medium supplemented with 4.0 mgL^-1 BA produced stout seedlings used to prepare competent explants. Protein lysates derived from these explants contained a combination of high and low molecular weight proteins, in which predominant polypeptides ranged between 10 to 120 kDa. Thus, findings made showed varied protein profiles and intensity of protein spots detected on infected explants compared to the control, possibly as a result of explant co-cultivation with Agrobacterium.