Oily insights
(Technology)
Oily insights: Scientists learn how plants regulate oil
production and composition by Arpita Mukhopadhyay
A group of geneticists from DuPont have found a gene pivotal in
determining the oil content and composition in corn. Termed DGAT1-2,
this gene codes for an enzyme catalyzing the last step of oil production
and is located on chromosome 6. A "high-oil" variant of this gene can up
the oil content of corn kernels by 41%. This variant can also increase
oleic acid content by 107%, oleic acid being a desirable edible
component of corn oil with considerable health benefits.
Corn is a major player in the fast-growing and controversial alternative
energy field of biofuels. The undeniable impact of biofuels in reducing
our dependence on steadily shrinking sources of fossil fuels is tinged
with concerns about resultant hike in food prices and deforestation. One
solution would be to increase efficiency of oil production by plants.
According to the DuPont scientists involved in this study, DGAT1-2 could
be a promising target towards this end.
Reference: Zheng P. et al (2008) A phenylalanine in DGAT is a key
determinant of oil content and composition in maize. Nature Genetics,
doi: 10.1038/ng.85.
About the Author
Arpita is a biomedical scientist with a passion for writing. She
believes in being able to communicate both to the scientific community
at large and to the aficionados of 'popular science'.
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