Simultaneous expression of Arabidopsis ρ-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase and MPBQ methyltransferase in transgenic corn kernels triples the tocopherol content
Issue date
2011Author
Naqvi, Shaista
Sandmann, Gerhard
Suggested citation
Naqvi, Shaista;
Farré Martinez, Gemma;
Zhu, Changfu;
Sandmann, Gerhard;
Capell Capell, Teresa;
Christou, Paul;
.
(2011)
.
Simultaneous expression of Arabidopsis ρ-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase and MPBQ methyltransferase in transgenic corn kernels triples the tocopherol content.
Transgenic Research, 2011, vol. 20, núm. 1, p. 177-181.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11248-010-9393-6.
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Show full item recordAbstract
The quantity and composition of tocopherols
(compounds with vitamin E activity) vary widely
among different plant species reflecting the expression,
activity and substrate specificity of enzymes in the
corresponding metabolic pathway. Two Arabidopsis
cDNA clones corresponding to q-hydroxyphenylpyruvate
dioxygenase (HPPD) and 2-methyl-6-phytylplastoquinol
methyltransferase (MPBQ MT) were
constitutively expressed in corn to further characterize
the pathway and increase the kernel tocopherol content.
Transgenic kernels contained up to 3 times as
much c-tocopherol as their wild type counterparts
whereas other tocopherol isomers remained undetectable.
Biofortification by metabolic engineering offers a
sustainable alternative to vitamin E supplementation
for the improvement of human health.