PDF file: Annual Report 2002/2003 - Scottish Crop Research Institute

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Genes to Products sequence. These resulting observations are important because they show that such studies are feasible in barley. As a result, LD will be a key approach to candidate gene identification and validation via haplotype analysis. QTL mapping in barley based on composite populations from small progenies from a number of elite crosses has also been initiated. An ongoing objective is the development of SNP and EST-SSR based molecular markers to streamline molecular mapping via population based studies and association genetics. Two significant contributions have been made towards realising functional genomics studies in barley. Firstly, collaboration with the global barley genomics community has been implemented to exploit the EST collections developed at the SCRI and elsewhere to commission the fabrication of an AFFYMETRIX GeneChip microarray (23,000 unique barley genes). Secondly, to facilitate functional studies on a genomic scale, large, structured mutant EMS and sodium azide populations of cv. Optic and cv. Golden Promise, respectively, have been constructed, evaluated and used for the first time to identify mutations in target barley genes by reverse genetics. There is great potential for using mutants to understand developmental or biochemical processes. Therefore, in addition to the mutant populations, we have developed a series of populations segregating for major morphological mutations as a resource for future gene isolation projects. 108
Genes to Products Carotenogenesis in potato tubers W.L. Morris, L. Ducreux, S. Millam, D. Stewart, D.W. Griffiths, C. Lacomme, H.V. Davies & M.A. Taylor Plant carotenoids are 40-carbon isoprenoids with polyene chains that may contain up to 15 conjugated double bonds. In photosynthesis certain carotenoids have essential functions, acting as accessory pigments in light-harvesting and also as quenchers of triplet excited states in chlorophyll molecules, preventing free radical damage. Due to their bright distinct colours, carotenoids also function as animal attractants and are found in the chromoplasts of fruits and flowers. Plant-derived carotenoids are important in human health. All of the carotenoids that contain a β-ring (most notably β-carotene) can be converted to retinol and, thus are precursors of vitamin A. Additional health benefits of carotenoids are the subject of a growing area of research. For example, zeaxanthin (a relatively rare dietary carotenoid) in combination with lutein are essential components of the macular pigment of the eye and a low dietary intake of these carotenoids increases the risks of agerelated macular degeneration. Lycopene, the major carotenoid found in tomato fruit, protects against prostate cancer. Relative ZEP expression level 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 2 4 6 8 Tuber carotenoid content Figure 1 Quantitative real-time PCR reveals an inverse relationship between total tuber carotenoid content and the transcript level of the zeaxanthin epoxidase gene across a range of potato germplasm. Over the past decade many of the genes encoding the enzymes of carotenogenesis have been cloned from plants. Transgenic manipulation of the carotenoid biochemical pathway has led to notable increases in the carotenoid content and the types of carotenoids produced in a range of crop plants most significantly rice, tomato and canola. Despite these successes however, there is still much to be learnt about the control of carotenoid content in crop plants. In potato germplasm for example, tuber flesh colour ranges from white to yellow to orange, depending on the tuber carotenoid content. The aim of our work at SCRI is to understand the molecular basis for this variation. We then wish to harness this knowledge and explore the limits of how much carotenoid can be produced in a potato tuber and the extent to which we can control the types of carotenoid that are produced. Longer-term we wish to be able to produce significant nutritional benefits in a major staple food. Our approach has been to carry out a detailed comparison of carotenogenesis in a range of potato germplasm. Tuber carotenoid content is particularly high in a S. phureja accession (DB375\1). These tubers accumulate high levels of zeaxanthin and also contain significant levels of antheroxanthin, lutein and violaxanthin. We have demonstrated that tuber carotenoids accumulate during tuber development and the levels of carotenoids remain high during tuber maturation and are stable during six months of tuber storage at 4°C. During this storage phase however, there are changes in individual tuber carotenoid components possibly indicating carotenoid interconversions during storage. In parallel the transcript levels of 14 of the genes encoding carotenogenic activities have been pro<strong>file</strong>d in a range of tuber germplasm during tuber development. Surprisingly we have discovered an inverse relationship between the zeaxanthin epoxidase transcript level and tuber carotenoid content. The molecular basis of this relationship is being pursued in collaboration with the Genome Dynamics Programme. A transgenic approach to manipulating tuber carotenoid content is also in progress. New protocols for the transformation of S. phureja have been developed. In collaboration with Cell-Cell Communication Programme we have been successful in developing a VIGS protocol for rapid determination of gene function in potato tubers and this is being used to determine the roles of the genes involved in potato carotenogenesis. 109
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Scottish Crop Research Institute ®
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The Scottish Crop Research Institut
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Contents Biomathematics and Statist
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Introduction upon the Commissioner
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Introduction ® Scottish Crop Resea
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Report of the Director John R. Hill
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Director’s Report tion from dismi
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Director’s Report paper A revised
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Director’s Report and the relatio
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Director’s Report Member States A
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Director’s Report US subsidies fr
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Director’s Report regions of the
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Director’s Report of silver and m
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Director’s Report tions. Obscenel
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Director’s Report participation.
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Director’s Report heads of state
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Director’s Report Philippines (2.
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Director’s Report Food Aid Famine
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Director’s Report adoption of unh
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Director’s Report economy propose
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Director’s Report (herbicides, in
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Director’s Report by a combinatio
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Director’s Report mended a study
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Director’s Report notes, bulletin
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Director’s Report research instit
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Director’s Report Ireland. Also i
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Director’s Report tats, most nota
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Director’s Report shares of total
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Page 59 and 60: Director’s Report Relative Import
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Page 67 and 68: Director’s Report minimum input s
Page 69 and 70: Director’s Report organic farming
Page 71 and 72: Viruses - evolving organisms ? Viru
Page 73 and 74: Viruses - evolving organisms ? CLCu
Page 75 and 76: Viruses - evolving organisms ? a) b
Page 77 and 78: Barley Crop Development formation o
Page 79 and 80: Barley Crop Development Year Total
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Page 83 and 84: GM herbicide-tolerant crops Some pe
Page 85 and 86: GM herbicide-tolerant crops and som
Page 87 and 88: GM herbicide-tolerant crops mitted
Page 89 and 90: GM herbicide-tolerant crops 12 Squi
Page 91 and 92: Mechanisms & Processes Peronospora
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Page 95 and 96: Mechanisms & Processes High-through
Page 97 and 98: Mechanisms & Processes Studying pla
Page 99 and 100: Mechanisms & Processes Phytoene pea
Page 101 and 102: Mechanisms & Processes New discover
Page 103 and 104: Mechanisms & Processes in these cel
Page 105 and 106: Mechanisms & Processes d). This dat
Page 107: Genes to Products ic enzymes (use o
Page 111 and 112: Genes to Products accumulation in s
Page 113 and 114: Genes to Products Retrotransposons
Page 115 and 116: SH43 SL03 SH44 SH12 B20 SL22 B47 B0
Page 117 and 118: Management of genes and organisms i
Page 119 and 120: Environment Functional diversity in
Page 121 and 122: Environment Plant root biomechanics
Page 123 and 124: Environment Microbial and microfaun
Page 125 and 126: Environment The role and importance
Page 127 and 128: Environment duced from barley mixtu
Page 129 and 130: Environment IOBC GMO Guidelines Pro
Page 131 and 132: Environment Mathematical modelling
Page 133 and 134: Biomathematics and Statistics Scotl
Page 135 and 136: Research services Analytical facili
Page 137 and 138: Research services Division of Finan
Page 139 and 140: Research services Information Techn
Page 141 and 142: Research services Estate, Glasshous
Page 143 and 144: Research services Engineering and M
Page 145 and 146: Research services MRS will: strengt
Page 147 and 148: Research services Health and Safety
Page 149 and 150: Publications Blok, V.C. 2002. Progr
Page 151 and 152: Publications Phenotype/genotype ass
Page 153 and 154: Publications for virus-transmitting
Page 155 and 156: Publications Muckenschnabel, I., Go
Page 157 and 158: Publications rich grassland. Procee
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Publications Woodford, J.A.T., Fent
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Statement of health & safety policy
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The Governing Body The Governing Bo
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The Governing Body development and
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Staff Theme 2 - Genes to Products T
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Staff Division of Finance and Admin
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Staff Resignations Name Unit Band M
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Staff Editorial Duties Name Positio
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Staff Name Position Committee or Or
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SCRI Research Programme 2002-2003 S
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Research Projects SCR/587/02 SCR/58
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Meteorological Records D. Petrie &
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List of Abbreviations AAB ACRE ADAS
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