Abstract
The goal of this project is to find ways to improve the nutritional value of legumes by identifying genes and proteins important for iron and zinc regulation in the model legume Lotus japonicus.
Legumes are important staples in the developing world and are a major source of nutrients in many areas. Legumes are frequently grown in soil with limited nutrient availability.
Plants use finely tuned mechanisms to keep appropriated levels of iron and zinc in each of their organs. Several genes involved in iron and zinc homeostasis have been described in yeast, and a few orthologs have been studied in plants. We have used these sequences to search for L. japonicus ESTs and genomic loci that are likely to be involved in iron and zinc metabolism. We have identified sequences corresponding to ferritins, ferric reductases, metal transport proteins of the ZIP family, and cation transporters of the NRAMP family.
Furthermore, we are trying to map genes involved in metal homeostasis. We found significantly different levels of several micronutrients between Lotus filicaulis and L. japonicus Gifu. These differences will be used to map genes important for iron and zinc homeostasis using L. filicaulis x L. japonicus Gifu recombinant inbred lines.
Legumes are important staples in the developing world and are a major source of nutrients in many areas. Legumes are frequently grown in soil with limited nutrient availability.
Plants use finely tuned mechanisms to keep appropriated levels of iron and zinc in each of their organs. Several genes involved in iron and zinc homeostasis have been described in yeast, and a few orthologs have been studied in plants. We have used these sequences to search for L. japonicus ESTs and genomic loci that are likely to be involved in iron and zinc metabolism. We have identified sequences corresponding to ferritins, ferric reductases, metal transport proteins of the ZIP family, and cation transporters of the NRAMP family.
Furthermore, we are trying to map genes involved in metal homeostasis. We found significantly different levels of several micronutrients between Lotus filicaulis and L. japonicus Gifu. These differences will be used to map genes important for iron and zinc homeostasis using L. filicaulis x L. japonicus Gifu recombinant inbred lines.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 2007 |
| Publication status | Published - 2007 |
| Event | 7th European Nitrogen Fixation Conference - Aarhus, Denmark Duration: 22 Jul 2006 → 26 Jul 2006 |
Conference
| Conference | 7th European Nitrogen Fixation Conference |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Denmark |
| City | Aarhus |
| Period | 22/07/2006 → 26/07/2006 |