Transcription profiling by array of potato tubers with altered PME activity

ABSTRACT: Although processed potato tuber texture is an important trait that influences consumer preference, a detailed understanding of tuber textural properties at the molecular level is lacking. Previous work has identified tuber pectin methyl esterase activity (PME) as a potential factor impacting on textural properties and the expression of a gene encoding an isoform of PME (PEST1) was associated with cooked tuber textural properties. In this study a transgenic approach was undertaken to investigate further the impact of the PEST1 gene. Antisense and over-expressing potato lines were generated. In over-expressing lines tuber PME activity was enhanced by up to 2.3 fold whereas in antisense lines PME activity was decreased by up to 38%. PME isoform analysis indicated that the PEST1 gene encoded one isoform of PME. Analysis of cell walls from tubers from the over-expressing lines indicated that the changes in PME activity resulted in a decrease in pectin methylation. Analysis of processed tuber texture demonstrated that the reduced level of pectin methylation in the over-expressing transgenic lines was associated with a firmer processed texture. Thus there is a clear link between PME activity, pectin methylation and processed tuber textural properties.

ORGANISM(S): Solanum tuberosum

SUBMITTER: Pete Hedley 

PROVIDER: E-TABM-1062 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress