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Control of abscisic acid synthesis
I B Taylor1, A Burbidge, A J Thompson
1Plant Science Division, School of Biosciences, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK. ian.taylor@nottingham.ac.uk
Journal of Experimental Botany
|September 28, 2000
Summary
Abscisic acid (ABA) synthesis is regulated by 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED). A wilty tomato mutant revealed a deletion in the NCED gene, highlighting its role in ABA biosynthesis.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Abscisic acid (ABA) is a crucial plant hormone regulating stress responses and development.
- ABA biosynthesis involves a pathway starting with 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid precursors.
- The enzyme 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) catalyzes a key oxidative cleavage step in ABA synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of NCED in ABA biosynthesis.
- To explore the genetic basis of ABA deficiency in plant mutants.
- To discuss the potential of manipulating ABA biosynthetic genes for agricultural applications.
Main Methods:
- Cloning of the maize NCED gene.
- Mapping and DNA sequencing of a wilty tomato mutant.
- Comparative sequence analysis of plant NCED enzymes.
Main Results:
- Identification of the maize NCED gene.
- Discovery of a deletion in the tomato NCED gene in a wilty mutant.
- Demonstration of high amino acid sequence similarity between maize and tomato NCED.
Conclusions:
- NCED is a critical enzyme in the abscisic acid biosynthetic pathway.
- Mutations in the NCED gene can lead to reduced ABA levels and plant wilting.
- Understanding ABA biosynthetic genes, like NCED, offers potential for crop improvement.