Method of improving chloroplast function and increasing seed yield
AssigneeArkansas State University—Jonesboro
InventorsArgelia LORENCE, Jessica Patricia YACTAYO-CHANG
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Ascorbate protects tissues against damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced through normal metabolism or generated from stress. The inositol route to AsA involves four enzymes: myo-inositol oxygenase, glucuronate reductase, gluconolactonase (GNL), and L-gulono-1,4-lactone oxidase (GulLO). Eighteen putative GNLs were identified in Arabidopsis, one of which, AtGNL, is interesting because it possesses a chloroplastic signal peptide. Knockouts on this gene had lower foliar AsA and stunted growth compared to controls. The functional gene restored the phenotype of the knockouts, and those plants had higher AsA content, enhanced photosynthetic capacity, and higher seed yield.
Claims20
A method of increasing production of L-ascorbic acid (AsA) in a plant or enhancing the photosynthetic capacity of the plant or enhancing the seed yield of the plant, the method comprising:
- increasing the level of AsA in the plant by expressing gluconolactonase (GNL).
A method for increasing production of L-ascorbic acid (AsA) or enhancing the photosynthetic capacity of the plant or enhancing the seed yield of the plant, the method comprising:
- genetically engineering said plant to over-express a gluconolactonase (GNL) wherein overexpression of said GNL in said genetically engineered plant results in increased vitamin C content in said genetically engineered plant as compared to a control plant of the same species lacking said over-expressing said GNL.
A plant genetically engineered to over-express a gluconolactonase (GNL), the plant comprising:
- Over-expressed GNL wherein said genetically engineered transgenic plant has increased vitamin C content as compared to a control plant of the same species lacking the GNL.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.