MANIPULATION OF TOCOPHEROL LEVELS IN TRANSGENIC PLANTS

摘要

Disclosed is a gene sequence which as been identified as encoding 2-methyl-6-phytylplastoquinol/2-methyl-6-solanylplastoquinol-9 methyltransferase from photosynthetic organisms. The enzyme 2-methyl-6-phytylplastoquinol/2-methyl-6-solanylplastoquinol-9 methyltransferase is a fundamental enzyme in the production of tocopherols and plastoquinols in higher plants. 2-Methyl-6-phytylplastoquinol/2-methyl-6-solanylplastoquinol-9 methyltransferase is believed to be involved in regulating the relative amounts of the various tocopherols present in photosynthetic organisms. By introducing a genetic construct having a 2-methyl-6-phytylplastoquinol/2-methyl-6-solanylplastoquinol-9 methyltransferase coding sequence placed under the control of a plant promoter in a plant, transgenic plants can be made having altered 2-methyl-6-phytylplastoquinol/2-methyl-6-solanylplastoquinol-9 methyltransferase expression, to effect changes in the tocopherol profile of the plant. Transgenic plants can be made that have altered tocopherol levels in their tissues.