In vivo modification of galactomannans in guar by expression of udp-galactose epimerase antisense rna

摘要

In vivo modification of a plant that is capable of producing mannose/galactose compounds in order to change the mannose to galactose ratio is disclosed. This is achieved by causing the plant to express a nucleotide that is antisense to the sequence of the UDP-galactose epimerase enzyme, or to a sequence that is 75% homologous to the sequence of the UDP-galactose epimerase enzyme. Also disclosed are transgenic plants comprising an antisense UDP-galactose epimerase antisense nucleotide, and compounds produced by this type of modification. Particular embodiments include adapting guar plants to produce galactomannans that have a reduced mannose to galactose ratio, giving guar gum properties more similar to that of locust bean gum such as being able to form firm gels with other polysaccharides.