Suppression of C-hordein synthesis in barley by antisense constructs results in a more balanced amino acid composition

J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Jul 25;55(15):6074-81. doi: 10.1021/jf0709505. Epub 2007 Jun 20.

Abstract

Barley has for feeding purposes a shortage of essential amino acids, especially lysine, threonine, and methionine, and an excess of proline and glutamine. In the present study, we have introduced into barley an antisense construct against C-hordeins, the storage protein with the lowest nutritional quality. SDS-PAGE and reverse phase HPLC revealed a relative reduction in the amounts of C-hordeins and relative increases in the content of the other storage proteins. The five different lines analyzed had lower amounts of proline, glutamic acid/glutamine, and phenylalanine (up to 12%, 6%, and 9% reductions), while the lysine, threonine, and methionine content was increased with up to 16%, 13% and 11%. It is concluded that antisense mediated suppression of C-hordein synthesis may be a promising approach for improving the nutritional value of barley as a feed crop while at the same time reducing the environmental nitrogen load.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / analysis*
  • DNA, Antisense / genetics
  • Glutens
  • Hordeum / chemistry*
  • Hordeum / metabolism
  • Plant Proteins / analysis
  • Plant Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Plant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics
  • Seeds / chemistry
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • DNA, Antisense
  • Plant Proteins
  • Glutens