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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Development of Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes (TILLING) Populations in Small Grain Crops by Ethyl Methanesulfonate Mutagenesis
Published on: July 16, 2019
Sweet wheat.
Toshiki Nakamura1, Tomoya Shimbata, Patricia Vrinten
1Tohoku National Agriculture Research Center, Morioka, Japan. tnaka@affrc.go.jp
Researchers created a novel wheat variety by combining mutations for both amylose-free and high-amylose starch. This "sweet wheat" exhibits unique traits, including a shrunken seed and significantly higher sugar content.
Area of Science:
- Plant genetics and molecular biology
- Agricultural science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Wheat storage starch comprises amylose and amylopectin.
- Previous research produced single mutants: amylose-free (lacking granule-bound starch synthase I) and high-amylose (lacking starch synthase IIa).
Purpose of the Study:
- To produce and characterize an amylose-free/high-amylose double mutant in wheat.
- To investigate the combined effects of these mutations on kernel and carbohydrate profiles.
Main Methods:
- Genetic engineering to create a double mutant lacking both granule-bound starch synthase I and starch synthase IIa.
- Phenotypic analysis of kernel morphology and composition.
- Carbohydrate profiling to quantify sugar and starch components.
Main Results:
- Successful production of an amylose-free/high-amylose double mutant wheat.
- The double mutant displayed a dramatically shrunken seed shape, distinct from single mutants.
- Significantly elevated levels of maltose and sucrose were observed, earning it the nickname 'sweet wheat'.
Conclusions:
- The double mutant exhibits unique and commercially relevant characteristics.
- This novel wheat variety holds potential for specialized food applications due to its altered starch and high sugar content.
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