Cloning, characterisation and comparative analysis of a starch synthase IV gene in wheat: functional and evolutionary implications.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Starch is of great importance to humans as a food and biomaterial, and the amount and structure of starch made in plants is determined in part by starch synthase (SS) activity. Five SS isoforms, SSI, II, III, IV and Granule Bound SSI, have been identified, each with a unique catalytic role in starch synthesis. The basic mode of action of SSs is known; however our knowledge of several aspects of SS enzymology at the structural and mechanistic level is incomplete. To gain a better understanding of the differences in SS sequences that underscore their specificity, the previously uncharacterised SSIVb from wheat was cloned and extensive bioinformatics analyses of this and other SSs sequences were done.

Results

The wheat SSIV cDNA is most similar to rice SSIVb with whi

SUBMITTER: Leterrier M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2576272 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature