Binary and Shuttle Vectors

For the purpose of gene transfer in higher plants, a number of binary vectors were developed. These were based on the pPCV (plant cloning vector) series of plasmids. These vectors contain a conditional mini-RK2 replicon, and are maintained and mobilized by trans-acting functions derived from the plasmid RK2 replicon (origins-oriv and oriT).

The plasmid RK2 was introduced into both E. coli as well as Agrobacterium (GC 3101, which contains a Ti plasmid lacking T DNA) to facilitate replication of binary vectors in both these hosts, so that the vector can be maintained and shuttled between both-hence the name shuttle vector also. Similar binary or shuttle vectors for maintenance and transfer between E. coli and yeast cells have also been designed.