Genetic engineering of provitamin A biosynthesis in rice endosperm
1996
Burkhardt, P.K. | Beyer, P. | Terada, R. | Kloti, A. | Wunn, J. | Lintig, J.v. | Armstrong, G.A. | Potrykus, I.
Rice is characterized by a complete absence of provitamin A in its endosperm. Provitamin A, in the form of B-carotene of structurally related compounds, is the essential precursor for the production of vitamin A in animals and man. Vitamin A deficiency causes 1.3-2.5 million deaths annually among young children worldwide. Furthermore, it is estimated that some 5 million preschool children in Southeast Asia become at least partially blind. Here, we present experiments that aim to initiate the first steps of provitamin A biosynthesis in rice endosperm through genetic engineering. Investigation of the biochemical status of immature rice endosperm has revealed the presence of the isoprenoid precursors necessary for carotenoid biosynthesis but no further hydrocarbon intermediates required to produce B-carotene. Subsequently, cDNAs encoding the first two of four specific enzymes of this pathway have been transformed into a japonica rice variety and accumulation of the intermediate phytoene could be demonstrated
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