Activation of Rice nicotianamine synthase 2 (OsNAS2) enhances iron availability for biofortification.
Because micronutrients in human diets ultimately come from plant sources, malnutrition of essential minerals is a significant public health concern. By increasing the expression of nicotianamine synthase (NAS), we fortified the level of bioavailable iron in rice seeds. Activation of iron deficiency-inducible OsNAS2 resulted in a rise in Fe content (3.0-fold) in mature seeds. Its ectopic expression also increased that content. Enhanced expression led to higher tolerance of Fe deficiency and better growth under elevated pH. Mice fed with OsNAS2-D1 seeds recovered more rapidly from anemia, indicating that bioavailable Fe contents were improved by this increase in OsNAS2 expression.
Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, USA.
Sichul
S
Lee
You-Sun
YS
Kim
Un Sil
US
Jeon
Yoon-Keun
YK
Kim
Jan K
JK
Schjoerring
Gynheung
G
An
D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy; D000818:Animals; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000378:metabolism; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D005260:Female; D030841:Food, Genetically Modified; D015870:Gene Expression; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012275:Oryza / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000201:enzymology; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development; D012639:Seeds / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*
D010940:Plant Proteins; D002734:Chlorophyll; D007501:Iron; D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases