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Research Article

Transgenic potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers synthesize the full spectrum of inulin molecules naturally occurring in globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus) roots

Elke M. Hellwege, Sylvia Czapla, Anuschka Jahnke, Lothar Willmitzer, and Arnd G. Heyer
PNAS July 18, 2000 97 (15) 8699-8704; https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.150043797
Elke M. Hellwege
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Sylvia Czapla
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Anuschka Jahnke
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Lothar Willmitzer
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Arnd G. Heyer
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  1. Edited by Diter von Wettstein, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, and approved May 17, 2000 (received for review February 1, 2000)

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Abstract

The ability to synthesize high molecular weight inulin was transferred to potato plants via constitutive expression of the 1-SST (sucrose:sucrose 1-fructosyltransferase) and the 1-FFT (fructan: fructan 1-fructosyltransferase) genes of globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus). The fructan pattern of tubers from transgenic potato plants represents the full spectrum of inulin molecules present in artichoke roots as shown by high-performance anion exchange chromatography, as well as size exclusion chromatography. These results demonstrate in planta that the enzymes sucrose:sucrose 1-fructosyltransferase and fructan:fructan 1-fructosyltransferase are sufficient to synthesize inulin molecules of all chain lengths naturally occurring in a given plant species. Inulin made up 5% of the dry weight of transgenic tubers, and a low level of fructan production also was observed in fully expanded leaves. Although inulin accumulation did not influence the sucrose concentration in leaves or tubers, a reduction in starch content occurred in transgenic tubers, indicating that inulin synthesis did not increase the storage capacity of the tubers.

Footnotes

    • ↵* To whom reprint requests should be addressed. E-mail: heyer{at}mpimp-golm.mpg.de.

    • This paper was submitted directly (Track II) to the PNAS office.

    • Article published online before print: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 10.1073/pnas.150043797.

    • Article and publication date are at www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.150043797

  • Abbreviations

    1-SST,
    sucrose:sucrose 1-fructosyltransferase;
    1-FFT,
    fructan:fructan 1-fructosyltransferase;
    HPAEC,
    high-performance anion exchange chromatography;
    SEC,
    size exclusion chromatography;
    DP,
    degree of polymerization
    • Received February 1, 2000.
    • Copyright © The National Academy of Sciences
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    Transgenic potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers synthesize the full spectrum of inulin molecules naturally occurring in globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus) roots
    Elke M. Hellwege, Sylvia Czapla, Anuschka Jahnke, Lothar Willmitzer, Arnd G. Heyer
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Jul 2000, 97 (15) 8699-8704; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.150043797

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    Transgenic potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers synthesize the full spectrum of inulin molecules naturally occurring in globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus) roots
    Elke M. Hellwege, Sylvia Czapla, Anuschka Jahnke, Lothar Willmitzer, Arnd G. Heyer
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Jul 2000, 97 (15) 8699-8704; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.150043797
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