title: Suppression of C-hordein synthesis in barley by antisense constructs results in a more balanced amino acid composition.
abstract: Barley has for feeding purposes a shortage of essential amino acids, especially lysine, threonine, and methionine, and an excess of proline and glutamine. In the present study, we have introduced into barley an antisense construct against C-hordeins, the storage protein with the lowest nutritional quality. SDS-PAGE and reverse phase HPLC revealed a relative reduction in the amounts of C-hordeins and relative increases in the content of the other storage proteins. The five different lines analyzed had lower amounts of proline, glutamic acid/glutamine, and phenylalanine (up to 12%, 6%, and 9% reductions), while the lysine, threonine, and methionine content was increased with up to 16%, 13% and 11%. It is concluded that antisense mediated suppression of C-hordein synthesis may be a promising approach for improving the nutritional value of barley as a feed crop while at the same time reducing the environmental nitrogen load.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Research Centre Flakkebjerg, University of Aarhus, Forsoegsvej 1, DK-4200 Slagelse, Denmark. mette.lange@agrsci.dk
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vincze
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wieser
authors.forename: Jan K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Schjoerring
authors.forename: Preben B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Holm
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D016373:DNA, Antisense / Q000235:genetics; D005983:Glutens; D001467:Hordeum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D016373:DNA, Antisense; D010940:Plant Proteins; D005983:Glutens