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Transgenic expression of phytase in wheat endosperm increases bioavailability of iron and zinc in grains

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Abstract

Phytate is a major constituent of wheat seeds and chelates metal ions, thus reducing their bioavailability and so the nutritional value of grains. Transgenic plants expressing heterologous phytase are expected to enhance degradation of phytic acid stored in seeds and are proposed to increase the in vitro bioavailability of mineral nutrients. Wheat transgenic plants expressing Aspergillus japonicus phytase gene (phyA) in wheat endosperm were developed till T3 generation. The transgenic lines exhibited 18–99 % increase in phytase activity and 12–76 % reduction of phytic acid content in seeds. The minimum phytic acid content was observed in chapatti (Asian bread) as compared to flour and dough. The transcript profiling of phyA mRNA indicated twofold to ninefold higher expression as compared to non transgenic controls. There was no significant difference in grain nutrient composition of transgenic and non-transgenic seeds. In vitro bioavailability assay for iron and zinc in dough and chapatti of transgenic lines revealed a significant increase in iron and zinc contents. The development of nutritionally enhanced cereals is a step forward to combat nutrition deficiency for iron and zinc in malnourished human population, especially women and children.

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Acknowledgments

The contributions of PCSIR Laboratories, Lahore, Wheat Research Institute (WRI), Faisalabad and National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad are highly acknowledged for providing their lab facilities, equipment’s and biosafety analysis. We also acknowledge assistance of Dr. Henrik Brinch-Pedersen for allowing training of Dr. Asma Maqbool in his lab in Denmark.

Funding

This study was supported by Punjab Agriculture Research Board (PARB) Project #188.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Armacost Science Building, Forman Christian College (A Chartered University), Lahore, 54600, Pakistan

    Nabeela Abid, Asma Maqbool, Muhammad Irfan, Irsa Asif, Muhammad Shahid & Kauser A. Malik

  2. National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Jhang Road, P.O. Box No. 577, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    Asia Khatoon & Aftab Bashir

  3. Food and Biotechnology Research Centre, PCSIR Laboratories Complex, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, 54600, Pakistan

    Asma Saeed

  4. Department of Plant Biology, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Research Centre Flakkebjerg, 4200, Slagelse, Denmark

    Henrik Brinch-Pedersen

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  1. Nabeela Abid
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  2. Asia Khatoon
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  3. Asma Maqbool
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  4. Muhammad Irfan
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Correspondence to Kauser A. Malik.

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Abid, N., Khatoon, A., Maqbool, A. et al. Transgenic expression of phytase in wheat endosperm increases bioavailability of iron and zinc in grains. Transgenic Res 26, 109–122 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11248-016-9983-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11248-016-9983-z

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