| Journal: | Electronic journal of biotechnology |
| Database: | PERIÓDICA |
| System number: | 000266101 |
| ISSN: | 0717-3458 |
| Authors: | Wang-Pruski, Gefu1 Szalay, Aladar A2 |
| Institutions: | 1Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Department of Plant and Animal Sciences, Truro, Nova Scotia. Canadá 2University of Loma Linda, Department of Biochemistry, Loma Linda, California. Estados Unidos de América |
| Year: | 2002 |
| Season: | Ago |
| Volumen: | 5 |
| Number: | 2 |
| Country: | Chile |
| Language: | Inglés |
| Document type: | Artículo |
| Approach: | Experimental, analítico |
| English abstract | Engineering of higher plants for increased cold tolerance requires a chemical modification of membrane fluidity in both organelles and cytoplasm of plant cells. A small number of microorganisms use branched chain fatty acids as their membrane constituents to maintain membrane fluidity, instead of unsaturated fatty acids. One of the key enzymes facilitating synthesis of branched chain fatty acids in Bacillus subtilis 168s is the branched chain alpha-oxo acid decarboxylase. To examine the role of branched chain fatty acids in plants and the potential for low temperature tolerance, the A and B genes encoding the alpha and beta polypeptides, respectively, of the branched chain alpha-oxo acid decarboxylase were introduced into the genome of tomato plants. The mas promoters in the plant expression vector system facilitated the expression of the A and B genes. Transgenic plants were regenerated and shown to produce both the alpha and beta polypeptides. Comparative analysis of a small number of transgenic tomato plants and non-transformed control plants grown at 4ºC showed enhanced cold tolerance in the transformed plants. These findings, if confirmed by a larger scale analysis, suggest a potential role for branched chain fatty acids as a protective mechanism for growth of plants under sub optimal temperatures |
| Disciplines: | Química, Agrociencias |
| Keyword: | Bioquímica, Hortalizas, Biotecnología, Jitomate, Lycopersicon esculentum, Bacillus, Frío, Resistencia, Plantas transgénicas |
| Keyword: | Chemistry, Agricultural sciences, Biochemistry, Vegetables, Tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum, Bacillus, Cold, Resistance, Transgenic plants |
| Full text: | Texto completo (Ver HTML) |
