title: Identification and Characterization of the Sucrose Synthase 2 Gene (Sus2) in Durum Wheat.
abstract: Sucrose transport is the central system for the allocation of carbon resources in vascular plants. Sucrose synthase (SUS), which reversibly catalyzes sucrose synthesis and cleavage, represents a key enzyme in the control of the flow of carbon into starch biosynthesis. In the present study the genomic identification and characterization of the Sus2-2A and Sus2-2B genes coding for SUS in durum wheat (cultivars Ciccio and Svevo) is reported. The genes were analyzed for their expression in different tissues and at different seed maturation stages, in four tetraploid wheat genotypes (Svevo, Ciccio, Primadur, and 5-BIL42). The activity of the encoded proteins was evaluated by specific activity assays on endosperm extracts and their structure established by modeling approaches. The combined results of sucrose synthase 2 expression and activity levels were then considered in the light of their possible involvement in starch yield.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "A. Moro" Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariateresa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Volpicella
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "A. Moro" Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Immacolata
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fanizza
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "A. Moro" Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Bari "A. Moro" Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gadaleta
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences Section Genetics and Plant Breeding, University of Bari "A. Moro" Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nigro
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomembranes and Bioenergetics - National Research Council Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gattulli
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences Section Genetics and Plant Breeding, University of Bari "A. Moro" Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mangini
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences Section Genetics and Plant Breeding, University of Bari "A. Moro" Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomembranes and Bioenergetics - National Research Council Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Ceci
keywords: durum wheat; grain; starch; sucrose synthase; thousand kernel weight