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The potato (Solanum tuberosum L. ) tuber is a major food source in many countries of the world, and subsequently potato has been the target of a good deal of effort directed at engineering disease and herbicide tolerance, and improvements in various crop characteristics. Consequently investigations into the regulation of gene expression in tubers is relevant to these endeavours, as tubers are the main target organ for modification of gene expression. We have been interested in the regulation of genes in tubers for these reasons. Morphologically tubers are modified stems, which have enlarged radially by limited cell division and substantial expansion. At the molecular level, tuber development is characterised by a massive increase in starch deposition and the synthesis of a limited number of abundant proteins. These include proteinase inhibitors and a 40kd group of proteins called patatin, which are acyl hydrolases. Together these proteins account for over 50% of tuber proteins (reviewed by Bevan, 1991). The synthesis of these proteins has parallels to the synthesis of other somatic storage proteins, especially the VSP proteins of soybean. In both potato and soybean, removal of the sink for these proteins (tubers and pods, respectively) causes deposition in other tissues (Staswick, 1990). It is hypothesised that transcriptional control of the genes encoding these proteins is regulated in part by source-sink relationships of metabolites or other factors. In the case of VSPs, both amino acid levels and jasmonic acid play a major regulatory role (Staswick et aI.
List of contents
Broadening the Basis of Plant Resource Conservation.- Scientific Issues Affecting Gene Conservation and Exploitation of Some Tropical Perennials.- The Naranjilla (Solanum quitoense), The Cocona (Solanum sessliflorum) and Their Hybrids.- The Conservation and Utilization of Genes From Endangered and Extinct Plants: DNA Bank-Net.- The Exploitation of Genetic Resources.- Molecular Evaluation of Plant Genetic Resources.- Exploiting the Diploid 'D' Genome Chromatin For Wheat Improvement.- Understanding and Exploiting the Transcriptional Control Mechanisms of Plant Cells.- Expression of Transferred Genes in Transgenic Rice (Tissues) and Tobacco.- Enhancement of Plant Productivity by Manipulation of ADPglucose Pyrophosphorylase.- Gene Introgression For Cotton Improvement: Contrast of Traditional With Biotechnologies.
Summary
Together these proteins account for over 50% of tuber proteins (reviewed by Bevan, 1991). The synthesis of these proteins has parallels to the synthesis of other somatic storage proteins, especially the VSP proteins of soybean.
