Enrichment of provitamin A content in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by introduction of the bacterial carotenoid biosynthetic genes CrtB and CrtI

Abstract

SummaryCo-expression of CrtB and CrtI enhanced carotenoid in endosperm through upregulation of the endogenous carotenogenic genes. Our results also indicate important roles of LCYB and HYD in wheat carotenoid biosynthesis.

Carotenoids from fruits and vegetables: Chemistry, analysis, occurrence, bioavailability and biological activities

“…Nowadays, many researches are targeting the staple food crop such as wheat to improve the carotenoid content in wheat grains (Wang et al, 2014). The production of transgenic plants for enhanced production of novel carotenoids and other bioactives is expected to contribute significantly in human health (Davies & Espley, 2013).…”

Carotenoid biofortification in crop plants: citius, altius, fortius

“…Similarly, the combined expression of the bacterial CrtB and CrtI in Canola seeds led to higher increase in carotenoid content, compared to CrtB alone [219]. This combination gave also rise to "Golden Wheat" [220], while the generation of "Golden Potato" Haematococcus β-carotene ketolase) has been successfully employed for stepwise metabolic engineering of astaxanthin in rice endosperm [229]. Most of carotenoid-biofortified crops were produced by directing the transgene(s) into the nucleus.…”

Transgenic Pro-Vitamin A Biofortified Crops for Improving Vitamin A Deficiency and Their Challenges

“…is a major cereal crop in many parts of the world [37] supplying the greatest amount of calories [21]. Durum wheat (T. turgidum) for pasta and couscous was selected for increased yellow pigments [44] of which the main components are carotenoids [37].…”

“…To further increase carotenoids and investigate transgene effects, Cong et al (2014) introduced the bacterial phytoene synthase gene (CrtB) instead of the maize PSY1 gene into bread wheat, Bobwhite [21]. Expression of either CrtB or CrtI alone slightly increased carotenoid contents while co-expression of both genes in transgenic grain significantly enhanced total carotenoids up to 8 folds, pVA contents as a sum of α-, β-carotenes, and β-cryptoxanthin up to 76 folds, and β-carotene alone up to 65 folds [21]. Zeng et al (2015) altered wheat β-carotene with lycopene β-cyclase gene (LCYb) [43].…”