The biochemistry of headgroup exchange during triacylglycerol synthesis in canola.

Many pathways of primary metabolism are substantially conserved within and across plant families. However, significant differences in organization and fluxes through a reaction network may occur, even between plants in closely related genera. Assessing and understanding these differences is key to appreciating metabolic diversity, and to attempts to engineer plant metabolism for higher crop yields and desired product profiles.

Identification, characterization and field testing of Brassica napus mutants producing high-oleic oils.

Producing healthy, high-oleic oils and eliminating trans-fatty acids from foods are two goals that can be addressed by reducing activity of the oleate desaturase, FAD2, in oilseeds. However, it is essential to understand the consequences of reducing FAD2 activity on the metabolism, cell biology and physiology of oilseed crop plants. Here, we translate knowledge from studies of fad2 mutants in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) to investigate the limits of non-GMO approaches to maximize oleic acid in the seed oil of canola (Brassica napus), a species that expresses three active FAD2 isozymes.

Reduction of antinutritional glucosinolates in Brassica oilseeds by mutation of genes encoding transporters.

The nutritional value of Brassica seed meals is reduced by the presence of glucosinolates, which are toxic compounds involved in plant defense. Mutation of the genes encoding two glucosinolate transporters (GTRs) eliminated glucosinolates from Arabidopsis thaliana seeds, but translation of loss-of-function phenotypes into Brassica crops is challenging because Brassica is polyploid. We mutated one of seven and four of 12 GTR orthologs and reduced glucosinolate levels in seeds by 60-70% in two different Brassica species (Brassica rapa and Brassica juncea).

Type 1 diacylglycerol acyltransferases of Brassica napus preferentially incorporate oleic acid into triacylglycerol.

DGAT1 enzymes (acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1, EC 2.3.1.

A novel isoform of sucrose synthase is targeted to the cell wall during secondary cell wall synthesis in cotton fiber.

Sucrose (Suc) synthase (Sus) is the major enzyme of Suc breakdown for cellulose biosynthesis in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fiber, an important source of fiber for the textile industry. This study examines the tissue-specific expression, relative abundance, and temporal expression of various Sus transcripts and proteins present in cotton. A novel isoform of Sus (SusC) is identified that is expressed at high levels during secondary cell wall synthesis in fiber and is present in the cell wall fraction.

The quantitative and qualitative difference between a F1 hybrid of maize and its F2 generation.

The majority of modern maize varieties are single F1 hybrids. The yield performance of the F2 generation is known to be inferior to the F1 yield performance. We crossed several F1 hybrids and compared these crossings, together with true F2 generations, with the original F1s.