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Metabolite Profiling to Evaluate Metabolic Changes in Genetically Modified Protopanaxadiol-Enriched Rice
Ji-Eun Sim1, Sung-Dug Oh2, Kiyoon Kang1
1Division of Life Sciences and Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 25, 2023
Summary
Genetically engineered rice (DS rice) producing protopanaxadiol (PPD) showed altered metabolite levels. Metabolomics revealed reduced tocotrienols, tocopherols, and phytosterols in DS rice seeds due to precursor competition.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Plant Science
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Development of genetically modified (GM) rice to produce valuable compounds like protopanaxadiol (PPD).
- Previous engineering involved inserting Panax ginseng dammarenediol-II synthase (PgDDS) and PPD synthase (CYP716A47) genes.
- Understanding metabolic consequences of such genetic modifications is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify metabolic alterations in DS rice resulting from genetic engineering.
- To compare metabolite profiles of DS rice with non-genetically modified (GM) rice.
- To investigate the impact of genetic modification on seed and leaf metabolomes.
Main Methods:
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolomics was employed.
- Quantification of 65 metabolites in seeds and 63 metabolites in leaves.
- Multivariate analysis and one-way ANOVA were used for statistical comparison.
Main Results:
- DS rice seeds accumulated significantly lower levels of tocotrienols, tocopherols, and phytosterols compared to non-GM rice.
- This reduction is hypothesized to result from precursor competition between PPD biosynthesis and phytosterol pathways.
- Rice leaf metabolomes showed variations primarily due to growth stage, not genetic modification.
Conclusions:
- Metabolomics is a powerful tool for assessing metabolic changes induced by genetic engineering in plants.
- Genetic modification for PPD production in rice impacts other metabolic pathways, particularly in seeds.
- Further research is needed to optimize metabolic flux and yields in engineered crops.
