title: Seed-specific expression of a lysine-rich protein gene, GhLRP, from cotton significantly increases the lysine content in maize seeds.
abstract: Maize seed storage proteins are a major source of human and livestock consumption. However, these proteins have poor nutritional value, because they are deficient in lysine and tryptophan. Much research has been done to elevate the lysine content by reducing zein content or regulating the activities of key enzymes in lysine metabolism. Using the naturally lysine-rich protein genes, sb401 and SBgLR, from potato, we previously increased the lysine and protein contents of maize seeds. Here, we examined another natural lysine-rich protein gene, GhLRP, from cotton, which increased the lysine content of transgenic maize seeds at levels varying from 16.2% to 65.0% relative to the wild-type. The total protein content was not distinctly different, except in the six transgenic lines. The lipid and starch levels did not differ substantially in Gossypium hirsutum L. lysine-rich protein (GhLRP) transgenic kernels when compared to wild-type. The agronomic characteristics of all the transgenic maize were also normal. GhLRP is a high-lysine protein candidate gene for increasing the lysine content of maize. This study provided a valuable model system for improving maize lysine content.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China. yuejinglove@126.com.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yue
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China. lnlicong_123@163.com.
authors.forename: Cong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China. zhaoqian@cau.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China. zhudy@cau.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Dengyun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China. yujj@cau.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Jingjuan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D003368:Gossypium / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008239:Lysine / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009753:Nutritive Value; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000378:metabolism; D055314:Seed Storage Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D012639:Seeds / Q000378:metabolism*; D014170:Transformation, Genetic; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D055314:Seed Storage Proteins; D008239:Lysine