Coordinated expression of functionally diverse fructosyltransferase genes is associated with fructan accumulation in response to low temperature in perennial ryegrass

Hiroshi Hisano, Akira Kanazawa, Midori Yoshida, Mervyn O. Humphreys, Masaru Iizuka, Keisuke Kitamura, Toshihiko Yamada

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

70 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Fructan is the major nonstructural carbohydrate reserve in temperate grasses. To understand regulatory mechanisms in fructan synthesis and adaptation to cold environments, the isolation, functional characterization and genetic mapping of fructosyltransferase (FT) genes in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) are described. • Six cDNAs (prft1–prft6) encoding FTs were isolated from cold-treated ryegrass plants, and three were positioned on a perennial ryegrass linkage map. Recombinant proteins were produced in Pichia pastoris and enzymatic activity was characterized. Changes in carbohydrate levels and mRNA levels of FT genes during cold treatment were also analysed. • One gene encodes sucrose-sucrose 1-fructosyltransferase (1-SST), and two gene encode fructan-fructan 6G-fructosyltransferase (6G-FFT). Protein sequences for the other genes (prfts 1, 2 and 6) were similar to sucrose-fructan 6-fructosyltransferase (6-SFT). The 1-SST and prft1 genes were colocalized with an invertase gene on the ryegrass linkage map. The mRNA levels of prft1 and prft2 increased gradually during cold treatment, while those of the 1-SST and 6G-FFT genes first increased, but then decreased before increasing again during a longer period of cold treatment. • Thus at least two different patterns of gene expression have developed during the evolution of functionally diverse FT genes, which are associated in a coordinated way with fructan synthesis in a cold environment.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)766-780
Number of pages15
JournalNew Phytologist
Volume178
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Mar 2008

Keywords

  • carbohydrate
  • cold tolerance
  • fructan synthesis
  • fructosultransferase
  • Lolium perenne (perennial ryegraass)
  • Pichia pastoris

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Coordinated expression of functionally diverse fructosyltransferase genes is associated with fructan accumulation in response to low temperature in perennial ryegrass'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this