Kessarin Tungngoen. Molecular genetic study of genes related to sucrose synthesis in cassava . Master's Degree(Biotechnology). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2005.
Molecular genetic study of genes related to sucrose synthesis in cassava
Abstract:
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz L.) is a prime crop for food, feed, and industrial raw materials. Utilization of cassava starch has currently been expanded, thus creating an increase demand in the global market. This research aims to study the sucrose to starch transition pathway in cassava. Genes encoding for enzymes involving in the synthesis of sucrose, such as sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose-phosphatase (SPP) and 14-3-3 proteins, have been studied in this project. Three partial cDNA clones encoding MeSPS, MeSPP and Me14-3-3 were isolated by RT-PCR. Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the three clones showed significant similarities to SPS, SPP and 14-3-3 protein from other plants. Due to the presence of various isoforms of 14-3-3 protein, a full-length 14-3-3 cDNA was isolated from a leaf cDNA library of cassava. The 1,186-bp Me14-3-3 clone coded for a 264-amino acid polypeptide with a predicted molecular mass of 30 kDa. The deduced amino acid from the Me14-3-3 clone showed homology with 14-3-3 from apple (95% identity) and tobacco isoform e1 (94% identity). Genomic Southern analysis suggested that genes encoding SPS, SPP, and 14-3-3 are present as multiple copies in the cassava genome. Expression patterns showed that MeSPS is expressed in both sink and source organs. However, the levels of MeSPS expression in young leaves were lower than in mature leaf. In tubers, the increase of SPS transcript corresponded to the high rainfall at the time of harvesting. This suggests that MeSPS may be activated by water supply and consequently drived sucrose synthesis for further growth. The overall expression pattern of Me14-3-3 in tuberous root tissue was somewhat similar to that of MeSPS. MeSPP transcript could be detected in the young leaves and tubers, higher level of transcript was observed in tubers from the wet crop than in the dry crop. These results indicated that the levels of SPS, SPP and 14-3-3 transcripts in cassava tubers varied depending on planting season. Although this could be influenced by many factors, the amount of water supply might be one of the most important factors affecting expression of SPS, SPP and 14-3-3 and regulated the starch to sucrose transition in cassava storage roots.