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Fructan of the inulin neoseries is synthesized in transgenic chicory plants ( Cichorium intybus L.) harbouring onion ( Allium cepa L.) fructan:fructan 6G‐fructosyltransferase
Author(s) -
Vijn I.,
Dijken A.,
Sprenger N.,
Dun K.,
Weisbeek P.,
Wiemken A.,
Smeekens S.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
the plant journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.058
H-Index - 269
eISSN - 1365-313X
pISSN - 0960-7412
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-313x.1997.11030387.x
Subject(s) - fructan , inulin , cichorium , sucrose , biology , allium , prebiotic , biochemistry , botany , food science
Summary Fructan (polyfructosylsucrose) is an important storage carbohydrate in many plant families. fructan:fructan 6G‐fructosyltransferase (6G‐FFT) is a key enzyme in the formation of the inulin neoseries, a type of fructan accumulated by members of the Liliales. We have cloned the 6G‐FFT from onion by screening a cDNA library using barley sucrose:fructan 6‐fructosyltransferase (6‐SFT) as a probe. The deduced amino acid sequence showed a high homology with plant invertases and 6‐SFT. Incubation of protein extracts from transgenic tobacco plants with the trisaccharide 1‐kestose and sucrose resulted in the formation of neokestose and fructans of the inulin neoseries with a degree of polymerization up to six. Introduction of the onion 6G‐FFT into chicory resulted in the synthesis of fructan of the inulin neoseries, in addition to the synthesis of linear inulin.