Suppression of C-hordein synthesis in barley by antisense constructs results in a more balanced amino acid composition.
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.
Lange
Mette
M
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
Vincze
Eva
E
Wieser
Herbert
H
Schjoerring
Jan K
JK
Holm
Preben B
PB
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
D000596:Amino Acids; D016373:DNA, Antisense; D010940:Plant Proteins; D005983:Glutens