title: Expression of bacterial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) synthesis genes in hairy roots of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.).
abstract: Three genes from Ralstonia eutropha necessary for poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) synthesis were introduced into the hairy roots of sugar beet. Transformation of a vector construct harbouring the PHB genes, each fused to the coding region of the pea ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase plastid targeting sequence, resulted in 20 transgenic hairy-root clones, producing up to 55 mg high molecular PHB/g dry weight, as identified by gas chromatography, gel permeation chromatography and HPLC. Accumulation of PHB polymer in sugar beet root leucoplasts was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Thus, for the first time, plastidic PHB production was demonstrated for roots of a carbohydrate-storing crop plant.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Pflanzenbau und Pflanzenzüchtung, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Olshausenstrasse 40, 24098 Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Menzel
authors.forename: H-J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Harloff
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jung
mesh_terms: D027461:Beta vulgaris / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003470:Culture Media; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D010539:Permeability; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011091:Polyesters / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D011091:Polyesters; C003182:poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates