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The sub-cellular localisation of the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) carotenoid biosynthetic enzymes, CrtRb2 and PSY2

Protoplasma volume 250, pages 1381–1392 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Carotenoids are isoprenoids with important biological roles both for plants and animals. The yellow flesh colour of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers is a quality trait dependent on the types and levels of carotenoids that accumulate. The carotenoid biosynthetic pathway is well characterised, facilitating the successful engineering of carotenoid content in numerous crops including potato. However, a clear understanding concerning the factors regulating carotenoid accumulation and localisation in plant storage organs, such as tubers, is lacking. In the present study, the localisation of key carotenoid biosynthetic enzymes was investigated, as one of the unexplored factors that could influence the accumulation of carotenoids in potato tubers. Stable transgenic potato plants were generated by over-expressing β-CAROTENE HYDROXYLASE 2 (CrtRb2) and PHYTOENE SYNTHASE 2 (PSY2) genes, fused to red fluorescent protein (RFP). Gene expression and carotenoid levels were both significantly increased, confirming functionality of the fluorescently tagged proteins. Confocal microscopy studies revealed different sub-organellar localisations of CrtRb2-RFP and PSY2-RFP within amyloplasts. CrtRb2 was detected in small vesicular structures, inside amyloplasts, whereas PSY2 was localised in the stroma of amyloplasts. We conclude that it is important to consider the location of biosynthetic enzymes when engineering the carotenoid metabolic pathway in storage organs such as tubers.

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Abbreviations

CrtRb:

β-Carotene hydroxylase

DiOC6 :

3,3′-Dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide

GFP:

Green fluorescent protein

HPLC:

High-performance liquid chromatography

PG:

Plastoglobuli

PSY:

PHYTOENE SYNTHASE

RFP:

Red fluorescent protein

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the Scottish Government Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division and EU-FP7 METAPRO 244348.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cell and Molecular Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA, UK

    Stefania Pasare, Kathryn Wright, Raymond Campbell, Wayne Morris, Laurence Ducreux, Sean Chapman, Alison Roberts & Mark Taylor

  2. School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey, TW20 OEX, UK

    Stefania Pasare, Peter Bramley & Paul Fraser

Authors
  1. Stefania Pasare
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  2. Kathryn Wright
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  3. Raymond Campbell
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  4. Wayne Morris
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  5. Laurence Ducreux
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  6. Sean Chapman
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  7. Peter Bramley
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  8. Paul Fraser
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  10. Mark Taylor
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Correspondence to Mark Taylor.

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Pasare, S., Wright, K., Campbell, R. et al. The sub-cellular localisation of the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) carotenoid biosynthetic enzymes, CrtRb2 and PSY2. Protoplasma 250, 1381–1392 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-013-0521-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-013-0521-z

Keywords

  • Amyloplast
  • Carotenoid
  • Localisation
  • Plastid
  • Potato
  • Tuber