|
Artificial control of starch synthesis in plants come true
Kobe, Japan
March 13, 2015
The research group of Dr. FUKAYAMA Hiroshi (Assistant Professor), Prof. MISOO Shuji, Dr. HATANAKA Tomoko (Associate Professor), Mr. SUGINO Miho (former graduate student), and Mr. MORITA Ryutaro (graduate student), was the first in the world to identify the gene that controls starch synthesis in plants. Their study, entitled “CO2 Responsive CCT protein, CRCT Is a Positive Regulator of Starch Synthesis in Vegetative Organs of Rice”, was published in the American academic journal “Plant Physiology” at 9:00 am on February 25, US Eastern Standard Time (11:00 pm on February 25, Japan Standard Time). The results of their study will be useful not only to increase rice yield, but also to produce high starch containing plants for biofuel.
Reference links
Research background
The rise in carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere has recently become a social issue. In contrast, as CO2 is used to make starch by means of photosynthesis, elevated atmospheric CO2 is beneficial for plants. In fact, when a crop is grown under high CO2 concentration, starch synthesis is promoted, growth becomes more vigorous and plant yield rises. However, it is still unknown how plants adapt to changes in CO2 concentration at the genetic level and how starch synthetic capacity is regulated.
Research Focus
The research group analyzed in detail the expression level of the genes in rice plants grown under high CO2 concentration. By doing so, they discovered that the gene named CO2 Responsive CCT Protein (CRCT), whose exact function is still unknown, is more actively expressed when CO2 concentration is high. The CRCT protein contains a structure called the CCT domain that is commonly found in proteins involved in regulating gene expression. The group decided to pursue this study with the assumption that CRCT contributes to the regulation of genes involved in plant adaptation to changes in CO2 concentration in their environment.
More solutions from: Kobe University
Website: http://www.kobe-u.ac.jp Published: March 17, 2015 |
Species
