Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Science 11 December 1998:
Vol. 282. no. 5396, pp. 2098 - 2100
DOI: 10.1126/science.282.5396.2098
Prev | Table of Contents

Reports

Elevating the Vitamin E Content of Plants Through Metabolic Engineering

David Shintani, Dean DellaPenna *

alpha -Tocopherol (vitamin E) is a lipid-soluble antioxidant synthesized only by photosynthetic organisms. alpha -Tocopherol is an essential component of mammalian diets, and intakes in excess of the U.S. recommended daily allowance are correlated with decreased incidence of a number of degenerative human diseases. Plant oils, the main dietary source of tocopherols, typically contain alpha -tocopherol as a minor component and high levels of its biosynthetic precursor, gamma -tocopherol. A genomics-based approach was used to clone the final enzyme in alpha -tocopherol synthesis, gamma -tocopherol methyltransferase. Overexpression of gamma -tocopherol methyltransferase in Arabidopsis seeds shifted oil compositions in favor of alpha -tocopherol. Similar increases in agricultural oil crops would increase vitamin E levels in the average U.S. diet.

Department of Biochemistry, Mail Stop 200, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA.
*   To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: della_d{at}med.unr.edu

Read the Full Text


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Nutritionally Improved Agricultural Crops.
M. Newell-McGloughlin (2008)
Plant Physiology 147, 939-953
   Full Text »    PDF »
{alpha}-Tocopherol Is Essential for Acquired Chill-Light Tolerance in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803.
Y. Yang, C. Yin, W. Li, and X. Xu (2008)
J. Bacteriol. 190, 1554-1560
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Specific Roles of {alpha}- and {gamma}-Tocopherol in Abiotic Stress Responses of Transgenic Tobacco.
A.-R. Abbasi, M. Hajirezaei, D. Hofius, U. Sonnewald, and L. M. Voll (2007)
Plant Physiology 143, 1720-1738
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Biofortification of plant-based food: Enhancing folate levels by metabolic engineering.
D. DellaPenna (2007)
PNAS 104, 3675-3676
   Full Text »    PDF »
Colloquium Paper: Genetic basis for natural variation in seed vitamin E levels in Arabidopsis thaliana.
L. U. Gilliland, M. Magallanes-Lundback, C. Hemming, A. Supplee, M. Koornneef, L. Bentsink, and D. DellaPenna (2006)
PNAS 103, 18834-18841
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Arabidopsis SAMT1 Defines a Plastid Transporter Regulating Plastid Biogenesis and Plant Development.
F. Bouvier, N. Linka, J.-C. Isner, J. Mutterer, A. P.M. Weber, and B. Camara (2006)
PLANT CELL 18, 3088-3105
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Tocopherols Play a Crucial Role in Low-Temperature Adaptation and Phloem Loading in Arabidopsis.
H. Maeda, W. Song, T. L. Sage, and D. DellaPenna (2006)
PLANT CELL 18, 2710-2732
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Genetic and Molecular Analysis of High Gamma-Tocopherol Content in Sunflower.
M. J. Garcia-Moreno, E. M. Vera-Ruiz, J. M. Fernandez-Martinez, L. Velasco, and B. Perez-Vich (2006)
Crop Sci. 46, 2015-2021
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
{alpha}-Tocopherol Plays a Role in Photosynthesis and Macronutrient Homeostasis of the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 That Is Independent of Its Antioxidant Function.
Y. Sakuragi, H. Maeda, D. DellaPenna, and D. A. Bryant (2006)
Plant Physiology 141, 508-521
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Tocopherol Cyclase (VTE1) Localization and Vitamin E Accumulation in Chloroplast Plastoglobule Lipoprotein Particles.
P.-A. Vidi, M. Kanwischer, S. Baginsky, J. R. Austin, G. Csucs, P. Dormann, F. Kessler, and C. Brehelin (2006)
J. Biol. Chem. 281, 11225-11234
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The Arabidopsis vitamin E pathway gene5-1 Mutant Reveals a Critical Role for Phytol Kinase in Seed Tocopherol Biosynthesis.
H. E. Valentin, K. Lincoln, F. Moshiri, P. K. Jensen, Q. Qi, T. V. Venkatesh, B. Karunanandaa, S. R. Baszis, S. R. Norris, B. Savidge, et al. (2006)
PLANT CELL 18, 212-224
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Tocopherols Protect Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803 from Lipid Peroxidation.
H. Maeda, Y. Sakuragi, D. A. Bryant, and D. DellaPenna (2005)
Plant Physiology 138, 1422-1435
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Alterations in Tocopherol Cyclase Activity in Transgenic and Mutant Plants of Arabidopsis Affect Tocopherol Content, Tocopherol Composition, and Oxidative Stress.
M. Kanwischer, S. Porfirova, E. Bergmuller, and P. Dormann (2005)
Plant Physiology 137, 713-723
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Biosynthesis of Very-Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Transgenic Oilseeds: Constraints on Their Accumulation.
A. Abbadi, F. Domergue, J. Bauer, J. A. Napier, R. Welti, U. Zahringer, P. Cirpus, and E. Heinz (2004)
PLANT CELL 16, 2734-2748
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The gene geranylgeranyl reductase of peach (Prunus persica [L.] Batsch) is regulated during leaf development and responds differentially to distinct stress factors.
D. Giannino, E. Condello, L. Bruno, G. Testone, A. Tartarini, R. Cozza, A. M. Innocenti, M. B. Bitonti, and D. Mariotti (2004)
J. Exp. Bot. 55, 2063-2073
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
RNAi-Mediated Tocopherol Deficiency Impairs Photoassimilate Export in Transgenic Potato Plants.
D. Hofius, M.-R. Hajirezaei, M. Geiger, H. Tschiersch, M. Melzer, and U. Sonnewald (2004)
Plant Physiology 135, 1256-1268
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Vitamin E Is Essential for Seed Longevity and for Preventing Lipid Peroxidation during Germination.
S. E. Sattler, L. U. Gilliland, M. Magallanes-Lundback, M. Pollard, and D. DellaPenna (2004)
PLANT CELL 16, 1419-1432
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Enhancement of folates in plants through metabolic engineering.
T. Hossain, I. Rosenberg, J. Selhub, G. Kishore, R. Beachy, and K. Schubert (2004)
PNAS 101, 5158-5163
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Engineering Plant Shikimate Pathway for Production of Tocotrienol and Improving Herbicide Resistance.
P. Rippert, C. Scimemi, M. Dubald, and M. Matringe (2004)
Plant Physiology 134, 92-100
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Engineering Vitamin E Content: From Arabidopsis Mutant to Soy Oil.
A. L. Van Eenennaam, K. Lincoln, T. P. Durrett, H. E. Valentin, C. K. Shewmaker, G. M. Thorne, J. Jiang, S. R. Baszis, C. K. Levering, E. D. Aasen, et al. (2003)
PLANT CELL 15, 3007-3019
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
QTL Associated with Accumulation of Tocopherols in Maize.
J. C. Wong, R. J. Lambert, Y. Tadmor, and T. R. Rocheford (2003)
Crop Sci. 43, 2257-2266
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Highly Divergent Methyltransferases Catalyze a Conserved Reaction in Tocopherol and Plastoquinone Synthesis in Cyanobacteria and Photosynthetic Eukaryotes.
Z. Cheng, S. Sattler, H. Maeda, Y. Sakuragi, D. A. Bryant, and D. DellaPenna (2003)
PLANT CELL 15, 2343-2356
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The Role of Homogentisate Phytyltransferase and Other Tocopherol Pathway Enzymes in the Regulation of Tocopherol Synthesis during Abiotic Stress.
E. Collakova and D. DellaPenna (2003)
Plant Physiology 133, 930-940
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Characterization of Tocopherol Cyclases from Higher Plants and Cyanobacteria. Evolutionary Implications for Tocopherol Synthesis and Function.
S. E. Sattler, E. B. Cahoon, S. J. Coughlan, and D. DellaPenna (2003)
Plant Physiology 132, 2184-2195
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Combining Ability of Maize Inbreds for Carotenoids and Tocopherols.
C. O. Egesel, J. C. Wong, R. J. Lambert, and T. R. Rocheford (2003)
Crop Sci. 43, 818-823
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Genetically Modified Plants for Improved Trace Element Nutrition.
B. Lonnerdal (2003)
J. Nutr. 133, 1490S-1493
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Increasing vitamin C content of plants through enhanced ascorbate recycling.
Z. Chen, T. E. Young, J. Ling, S.-C. Chang, and D. R. Gallie (2003)
PNAS 100, 3525-3530
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Homogentisate Phytyltransferase Activity Is Limiting for Tocopherol Biosynthesis in Arabidopsis.
E. Collakova and D. DellaPenna (2003)
Plant Physiology 131, 632-642
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Isolation of an Arabidopsis mutant lacking vitamin E and identification of a cyclase essential for all tocopherol biosynthesis.
S. Porfirova, E. Bergmuller, S. Tropf, R. Lemke, and P. Dormann (2002)
PNAS 99, 12495-12500
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Crop Genetic Improvement for Enhanced Human Nutrition.
G. H. Toenniessen (2002)
J. Nutr. 132, 2943S-2946
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Food Biotechnology: Benefits and Concerns.
M. C. Falk, B. M. Chassy, S. K. Harlander, T. J. Hoban IV, M. N. McGloughlin, and A. R. Akhlaghi (2002)
J. Nutr. 132, 1384-1390
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Enhancement of Vitamin E Levels in Corn.
T. R. Rocheford, J. C. Wong, C. O. Egesel, and R. J. Lambert (2002)
J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 21, 191S-198
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Isolation and Characterization of Homogentisate Phytyltransferase Genes from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and Arabidopsis.
B. Savidge, J. D. Weiss, Y.-H. H. Wong, M. W. Lassner, T. A. Mitsky, C. K. Shewmaker, D. Post-Beittenmiller, and H. E. Valentin (2002)
Plant Physiology 129, 321-332
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Antisense RNA-Mediated Suppression of Benzophenanthridine Alkaloid Biosynthesis in Transgenic Cell Cultures of California Poppy.
S.-U. Park, M. Yu, and P. J. Facchini (2002)
Plant Physiology 128, 696-706
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Isolation and Functional Analysis of Homogentisate Phytyltransferase from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and Arabidopsis.
E. Collakova and D. DellaPenna (2001)
Plant Physiology 127, 1113-1124
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Enhanced Levels of the Aroma and Flavor Compound S-Linalool by Metabolic Engineering of the Terpenoid Pathway in Tomato Fruits.
E. Lewinsohn, F. Schalechet, J. Wilkinson, K. Matsui, Y. Tadmor, K.-H. Nam, O. Amar, E. Lastochkin, O. Larkov, U. Ravid, et al. (2001)
Plant Physiology 127, 1256-1265
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
An unusual vitamin E constituent (alpha -tocomonoenol) provides enhanced antioxidant protection in marine organisms adapted to cold-water environments.
Y. Yamamoto, A. Fujisawa, A. Hara, and W. C. Dunlap (2001)
PNAS
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Cloning and Characterization of a Coronatine-Regulated Tyrosine Aminotransferase from Arabidopsis.
A. Lopukhina, M. Dettenberg, E. W. Weiler, and H. Hollander-Czytko (2001)
Plant Physiology 126, 1678-1687
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Progress in plant metabolic engineering.
P. Broun and C. Somerville (2001)
PNAS 98, 8925-8927
   Full Text »    PDF »
Diallel Analysis for Tocopherol Contents in Seeds of Rapeseed.
F. D. Goffman and H. C. Becker (2001)
Crop Sci. 41, 1072-1079
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Vitamin e concentration in upland cotton seeds.
C.W. Smith and R. A. Creelman (2001)
Crop Sci. 41, 577-579
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Subcellular Compartmentation of the Diterpene Carnosic Acid and Its Derivatives in the Leaves of Rosemary.
S. Munné-Bosch and L. Alegre (2001)
Plant Physiology 125, 1094-1102
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Plant Metabolic Engineering.
D. DellaPenna (2001)
Plant Physiology 125, 160-163
   Full Text »
A Cyanobacterial Gene, sqdX, Required for Biosynthesis of the Sulfolipid Sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol.
S. Guler, B. Essigmann, and C. Benning (2000)
J. Bacteriol. 182, 543-545
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Nutritional Genomics: Manipulating Plant Micronutrients to Improve Human Health.
D. DellaPenna (1999)
Science 285, 375-379
   Abstract »    Full Text »
1-Deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate Synthase, a Limiting Enzyme for Plastidic Isoprenoid Biosynthesis in Plants.
J. M. Estevez, A. Cantero, A. Reindl, S. Reichler, and P. Leon (2001)
J. Biol. Chem. 276, 22901-22909
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
An unusual vitamin E constituent (alpha -tocomonoenol) provides enhanced antioxidant protection in marine organisms adapted to cold-water environments.
Y. Yamamoto, A. Fujisawa, A. Hara, and W. C. Dunlap (2001)
PNAS 98, 13144-13148
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)