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Over‐expression of the Lignan Biosynthesis Enzyme in Transgenic Wheat
Author(s) -
Ayella Allan Klara,
Essig Juliane S,
Schapaugh Melissa A,
Trick Harold N,
Wang Weiqun
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.a572-a
Subject(s) - lignan , phenylpropanoid , transgene , gene , biology , genetically modified crops , pinoresinol , genetics , biosynthesis , biochemistry , botany
Our previous studies have demonstrated that increased contents of lignans in various wheat cultivars were associated with greater anti‐tumor activities in APC Min mice. Phytochemical lignans are biosynthesized via the phenylpropanoid pathway, in which pinoresinol lariciresinol reductase (PLR) catalyzes the last steps specifically for lignan production. To enhance lignan biosynthesis, wheat cultivars (‘Bobwhite’, ‘Madison’, and ‘Fielder’) were transformed with the Forthysia intermedia PLR gene under the regulatory control of the maize ubiquitin promoter. Of the total 217 transgenic wheat lines, we successfully obtained 7 transformants with the inserted ubiquitin‐PLR gene as screened by PCR. Southern blotting further demonstrated that multiple copies of the PLR gene were carried in these wheat genomes. Furthermore, real‐time PCR indicated 109–115% over‐expression of PLR gene in 3 of the 7 transformants in the F1 generation. The new wheat line(s) with over‐expressed PLR gene may enhance lignan contents and thus provide a novel approach for cancer prevention (supported in part by a USDA cooperative project KS680‐0199184).