Pp6-FEH1 encodes an enzyme for degradation of highly polymerized levan and is transcriptionally induced by defoliation in timothy (Phleum pratense L.).

ABSTRACT: The ability of grasses to regrow after defoliation by cutting or grazing is a vital factor in their survival and an important trait when they are used as forage crops. In temperate grass species accumulating fructans, defoliation induces the activity of a fructan exohydrolase (FEH) that degrades fructans to serve as a carbon source for regrowth. Here, a cDNA from timothy was cloned, named Pp6-FEH1, that showed similarity to wheat fructan 6-exohydrolase (6-FEH). The recombinant enzyme expressed in Pichia pastoris completely degraded fructans that were composed mainly of β(2,6)-linked and linear fructans (levan) with a high degree of polymerization (DP) in the crown tissues of timothy. The substrate specificity of Pp6-FEH1 differed from previously characterized enzymes with 6-FEH activity in

SUBMITTER: Tamura KI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3130170 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature