Genetic transformation of fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Abstract

The signal metabolite fructose-2:6-bisphosphate (Fru-2:6-P2) interfering a key enzyme (cytosolic fructose-1:6-bisphosphatase (citFBPase)) of sucrose synthesis and allosterically activating the Pi-dependent fructose-6-phosphate kinase (PFP) in plant systems, which has important role in glycolysis. Theoretically, increasing levels of cytosolic Fru-2:6-P2 could lead to retard sucrose synthesis and to stimulate starch accumulation at the same time. Implicitly, the lower concentration of Fru-2:6-P2 could decrease the starch accumulation in chloroplasts and an increased volume of sucrose synthesis can be obtained in cytosol. The aim of our project was to produce fodder beet lines with enhanced sucrose content by lowering the endogenous Fru-2:6-P2 level using special gene transformation methods. These lines could beneficial as raw materials for the production of bioethanol.