A NAC Gene regulating senescence improves grain protein, zinc, and iron content in wheat

Science. 2006 Nov 24;314(5803):1298-301. doi: 10.1126/science.1133649.

Abstract

Enhancing the nutritional value of food crops is a means of improving human nutrition and health. We report here the positional cloning of Gpc-B1, a wheat quantitative trait locus associated with increased grain protein, zinc, and iron content. The ancestral wild wheat allele encodes a NAC transcription factor (NAM-B1) that accelerates senescence and increases nutrient remobilization from leaves to developing grains, whereas modern wheat varieties carry a nonfunctional NAM-B1 allele. Reduction in RNA levels of the multiple NAM homologs by RNA interference delayed senescence by more than 3 weeks and reduced wheat grain protein, zinc, and iron content by more than 30%.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Frameshift Mutation
  • Genes, Plant*
  • Iron / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism*
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Quantitative Trait Loci
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Plant / genetics
  • RNA, Plant / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / physiology
  • Triticum / chemistry
  • Triticum / genetics*
  • Triticum / metabolism*
  • Triticum / physiology
  • Zinc / metabolism*

Substances

  • Plant Proteins
  • RNA, Plant
  • Transcription Factors
  • Iron
  • Zinc

Associated data

  • GENBANK/DQ869672
  • GENBANK/DQ869673
  • GENBANK/DQ869674
  • GENBANK/DQ869675
  • GENBANK/DQ869676
  • GENBANK/DQ869677
  • GENBANK/DQ869678
  • GENBANK/DQ869679
  • GENBANK/DQ871219