Wheat granule-bound starch synthase I and II are encoded by separate genes that are expressed in different tissues

Studies of waxy mutations in wheat and other cereals have shown that null mutations in genes encoding granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI) result in amylose-free starch in endosperm and pollen grains, whereas starch in other tissues may contain amylose. We have isolated a cDNA from waxy wheat that encodes GBSSII, which is thought to be responsible for the elongation of amylose chains in non-storage tissues. The deduced amino acid sequences of wheat GBSSI and GBSSII were almost 66% identical, while those of wheat GBSSII and potato GBSSI were 72% identical. GBSSII was expressed in leaf, culm, and pericarp tissue, but transcripts were not detected in endosperm tissue. In contrast, GBSSI expression was high in endosperm tissue. The expression of GBSSII mRNA in pericarp tissue was similar at the midpoints of the day and night periods. The GBSSII genes were mapped to chromosomes 2AL, 2B, and 2D, whereas GBSSI genes are located on group 7 chromosomes. Gel-blot analysis indicated that genes related to GBSSII also occur in barley, rice, and maize. The possible role of GBSSII in starch synthesis is discussed.