Increased expression of fructan 1-exohydrolase in rhizophores of Vernonia herbacea during sprouting and exposure to low temperature.

Rhizophores of Vernonia herbacea, an Asteraceae found in the Brazilian Cerrado, store high amounts of fructans that vary in composition over the phenological cycle. Fructan 1-exohydrolase (1-FEH) activity is detectable during the sprouting phase, mainly in the proximal regions of rhizophores, of plants induced to sprout by defoliation and/or cold storage. We found an increase in 1-FEH gene expression during natural and induced sprouting and further enhancement through low-temperature treatment.

Cloning, characterization and functional analysis of a 1-FEH cDNA from Vernonia herbacea (Vell.) Rusby.

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 for this carbohydrate as a reserve compound. 1-Fructan exohydrolase (1-FEH) is the enzyme responsible for inulin depolymerization, and its activity has been detected in rhizophores of sprouting plants.

Fructan metabolising enzymes in rhizophores of Vernonia herbacea upon excision of aerial organs.

The activities of fructan metabolising enzymes and fructan contents are reported for rhizophores of Vernonia herbacea (Vell.) Rusby induced to sprouting by shoot excision. The activities of fructan exohydrolase (1-FEH), sucrose: sucrose fructosyltransferase (1-SST), fructan: fructan fructosyltransferase (1-FFT) and invertase (INV) and the fructan contents were analysed every 3-4 days for 1 month by colorimetric and chromatographic methods.