Plant and Cell Physiology Advance Access published online on June 20, 2008
Plant and Cell Physiology, doi:10.1093/pcp/pcn094
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cloning, characterization and functional analysis of a 1-FEH cDNA from Vernonia herbacea (Vell.) Rusby
1Seção de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Plantas, Instituto de Botânica, C.P. 3005, 01061-970, São Paulo, SP - Brazil. 2Laboratório de Química, Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Alimentos, Departamento de Alimentos e Nutrição Experimental, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Lineu Prestes 580, Bloco 14, CEP 05508-900, São Paulo, SP. Brazil. 3Department of Biology, Laboratory for Molecular Plant Physiology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, K.U. Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR. Dr. Amanda F. Asega. C.P. 3005, 01061-970, São Paulo, SP - Brazil. Tel: 55 11 5073-6300, Fax: 55 11 5073-3678, email: amandaasega{at}yahoo.com.br
| Abstract |
|---|
Variations in the inulin contents have been detected in rhizophores of Vernonia herbacea during the phenological cycle. These variations indicate the occurrence of active inulin synthesis and depolymerization throughout the cycle and a role of reserve compound for this carbohydrate. 1-FEH is the enzyme responsible for inulin depolymerization and its activity has been detected in rhizophores of sprouting plants. Defoliation and low temperature are enhancer conditions of this 1-FEH activity. The aim of the present work was the cloning of this enzyme. Rhizophores were collected from plants induced to sprouting, followed by storage at 5 °C. A full length 1-FEH cDNA sequence was obtained by PCR and iPCR techniques and expressed in Pichia pastoris. Cold storage enhances FEH gene expression. The Vh1-FEH showed to be a functional 1-FEH, hydrolyzing predominantly β-2,1 linkages, sharing high identity to chicory FEH sequences and its activity was inhibited by 81 % in the presence of 10 mM sucrose. In V. herbacea, low temperature and sucrose play a role in the control of fructan degradation. This is the first study concerning the cloning and functional analysis of a 1-FEH cDNA of a native species from the Brazilian Cerrado. Results will contribute to understand the role of fructans in the establishment of a well succeeded fructan flora of the Brazilian Cerrado, subjected to water limitation and low temperature during winter.
Keywords: 1-FEH cloning - Asteraceae - Brazilian Cerrado - functional analysis - underground reserve organs - Vernonia herbacea
(Received March 20, 2008; Accepted June 17, 2008)
![]()
CiteULike
Connotea
Del.icio.us What's this?