title: Simultaneous expression of Arabidopsis ρ-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase and MPBQ methyltransferase in transgenic corn kernels triples the tocopherol content.
abstract: 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 ρ-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 γ-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.
authors.affiliation: Departament de Producció Vegetal i Ciència Forestal, Universitat de Lleida, 25198, Lleida, Spain.
authors.forename: Shaista
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naqvi
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Farré
authors.forename: Changfu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sandmann
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Capell
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Christou
mesh_terms: D015111:4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate Dioxygenase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008780:Methyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D015854:Up-Regulation; D003313:Zea mays / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D024504:gamma-Tocopherol; D015111:4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate Dioxygenase; C447422:2-methyl-6-phytylbenzoquinone methyltransferase; D008780:Methyltransferases
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