METHOD OF INCREASING THE IRON CONTENT OF PLANT CELLS

摘要

The present invention provides a method of increasing the bioavailable iron content of a non-animal cell, tissue or organ comprising introducing a genetic sequence which encodes an iron-binding protein, preferably a genetic sequence which encodes a hem-binding protein such as hemoglobin or ferritin, to said non-animal cell, tissue or organ and expressing said genetic sequence therein for a time and under conditions sufficient for the level of said iron-binding protein to be increased. The transformed non-animal cells, tissues and organs produced using the inventive method are of improved nutritive value to animals and humans, particularly in respect of overcoming anaemia and the effects of anaemia. The invention further provides a novel genetic sequence derived from rice which encodes a ferritin polypeptide, amongst others, for use in performing the inventive method.