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Research Project: ENHANCE WHEAT QUALITY, FUNCTIONALITY AND MARKETABILITY IN THE WESTERN U.S.

Location: Wheat Genetics, Quality Physiology and Disease Research

Title: The ectopic expression of the wheat puroindoline genes increase germ size and seed oil content in transgenic corn

Authors
item Zhang, Jinrui -
item Martin, John -
item Beecher, Brian
item Lu, Chaofu -
item Hannah, L. Curtis -
item Wall, Michael -
item Altosaar, Illimar -
item Giroux, Michael -

Submitted to: Plant Molecular Biology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: August 10, 2010
Publication Date: August 20, 2010
Repository URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10113/49991
Citation: Zhang, J., Martin, J.M., Beecher, B.S., Lu, C., Hannah, L., Wall, M.L., Altosaar, I., Giroux, M.J. 2010. The ectopic expression of the wheat puroindoline genes increase germ size and seed oil content in transgenic corn. Plant Molecular Biology. 74:353-365.

Interpretive Summary: Improvement of seed oil content and composition is an important consideration for many crop breeding efforts. The PINA and PINB proteins, which are present in wheat kernels, interact with the oily constituents of the developing wheat kernel. In this study, we introduced and produced PINA and PINB in transgenic corn seed to assess their effects on oil content and composition. The results showed that the transgenic seeds producing PINA and PINB had significantly larger germ sizes than their non-transgenic counterparts. Germ yield increased 33.8% while total seed oil content was increased by 25.23%. This work indicates that higher oil content corn hybrids having increased food or feed value could be produced via puroindoline expression.

Technical Abstract: Plant oil content and composition improvement is a major goal of plant breeding and biotechnology. The Puroindoline a and b (PINA and PINB) proteins together control whether wheat seeds are soft or hard textured and share a similar structure to that of plant non-specific lipid-transfer proteins. Here we transformed corn (Zea mays L.) with the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) puroindoline genes (Pina and Pinb) to assess their effects upon seed oil content and quality. Pina and Pinb coding sequences were introduced into corn under the control of a corn Ubiquitin promoter. Three Pina/Pinb expression positive transgenic events were evaluated over two growing seasons. The results showed that Pin expression increased germ size significantly without negatively impacting seed size. Germ yield increased 33.8% while total seed oil content was increased by 25.23%. Seed oil content increases were primarily the result of increased germ size. This work indicates that higher oil content corn hybrids having increased food or feed value could be produced via puroindoline expression.

   

 
Project Team
Morris, Craig
Beecher, Brian
Skinner, Daniel - Dan
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products (306)
 
Related Projects
   Whole Grains: Processing, Fiber, Color, and Phytonutrients
   KRAFT-NABISCO SOFT WHITE WHEAT QUALITY
   MOLECULAR GENETICS OF WHEAT GRAIN QUALITY
 
 
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