1. Wounded plant tissues release signalling molecules (low-molecular-weight phenolic compounds + sugar compounds). 2. Signalling molecules recognised by bacterial VirA/VirG2-component signal transduction system.3. Agrobacterium attaches to healthy, susceptible plant cell.4. Following attachment, vir genes activate, VirD1/VirD2 border-specific endonucleases target T-DNA border sequences VirD1/VirD2 process T-DNA from Ti plasmid and release ssT-DNA by strand replacement mechanism.5. VirD2 protein attaches to 5 end of T-strand (formation of immature T-complex).6. VirB & VirD4 proteins forms type 4 secretion system (T4SS) for transfer of VirD2/T-strand conjugate to plant cytoplasm. The conjugate passes 3 membranes, plant cell wall and cellular spaces. Independently, other bacterial virulence proteins (VirE2, VirE3, VirF & Vir D5) involved in transformation process are exported to host via the same route. 7. Mature T-complex (VirD2/T-strand conjugate + VirE2) assembled in host cell. VirD2 & VirE2 proteins have nuclear localisation signals guides mature T-complex to plant nucleus.8. Inside nucleus, escorting proteins released via proteolysis. Uncoated ssT-DNA dst-DNA. Integration into host genome.9. Successful integration expression of T-DNA-encoded genes tumour formation.

Opines: food source for Agrobacterium.