Howard V. Davies

Antioxidant properties of domesticated and wild Rubus species.

The antioxidative capacities of a number of Rubus species of varied pigmentation have been investigated. In addition, total phenol, anthocyanin and ascorbic acid contents have been determined. Two methods to assess the antioxidant potential of fruit juices have been used. The antioxidant capacities of the fruit ranged from 0 to 25.3 mmol Trolox equivalents g ˇ1 (TEAC) or from 190 to 66000 mmol l ˇ1 ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Ascorbic acid contributes only minimally to the antioxidant potential of Rubus juices (<10%, TEAC). There are apparent linear relationships between antioxidant capacity (assessed as both TEAC and FRAP) and total phenols (r xy = 0.6713 and 0.9646 respectively). Also, anthocyanin content has a minor influence on antioxidant capacity (r xy = 0.3774, TEAC; r xy =0.5883, FRAP). The sample with the highest antioxidant capacity (Rubus caucasicus) had the highest phenol content, but only a low percentage was represented by antho- cyanins. The present study demonstrates the potential of certain wild Rubus species, notably R caucasicus, for improvement of nutritional value through germplasm enhancement programmes. # 2000 Society of Chemical Industry

Comparison of Tuber Proteomes of Potato Varieties, Landraces, and Genetically Modified Lines

Crop improvement by genetic modification remains controversial, one of the major issues being the potential for unintended effects. Comparative safety assessment includes targeted analysis of key nutrients and antinutritional factors, but broader scale-profiling or “omics” methods could increase the chances of detecting unintended effects. Comparative assessment should consider the extent of natural variation and not simply compare genetically modified (GM) lines and parental controls. In this study, potato (Solanum tuberosum) proteome diversity has been assessed using a range of diverse non-GM germplasm. In addition, a selection of GM potato lines was compared to assess the potential for unintended differences in protein profiles. Clear qualitative and quantitative differences were found in the protein patterns of the varieties and landraces examined, with 1,077 of 1,111 protein spots analyzed showing statistically significant differences. The diploid species Solanum phureja could be clearly differentiated from tetraploid (Solanum tuberosum) genotypes. Many of the proteins apparently contributing to genotype differentiation are involved in disease and defense responses, the glycolytic pathway, and sugar metabolism or protein targeting/storage. Only nine proteins out of 730 showed significant differences between GM lines and their controls. There was much less variation between GM lines and their non-GM controls compared with that found between different varieties and landraces. A number of proteins were identified by mass spectrometry and added to a potato tuber two-dimensional protein map.

Leaf Urea Metabolism in Potato. Urease Activity Profile and Patterns of Recovery and Distribution of 15N after Foliar Urea Application in Wild-Type and Urease-Antisense Transgenics

The influence of urease activity on N distribution and losses after foliar urea application was investigated using wild-type and transgenic potato (Solanum tuberosum cv Désirée) plants in which urease activity was down-regulated. A good correlation between urease activity and 15N urea metabolism (NH3accumulation) was found. The general accumulation of ammonium in leaves treated with urea indicated that urease activity is not rate limiting, at least initially, for the assimilation of urea N by the plant. It is surprising that there was no effect of urease activity on either N losses or 15N distribution in the plants after foliar urea application. Experiments with wild-type plants in the field using foliar-applied 15N urea demonstrated an initial rapid export of N from urea-treated leaves to the tubers within 48 h, followed by a more gradual redistribution during the subsequent days. Only 10% to 18% of urea N applied was lost (presumably because of NH3 volatilization) in contrast to far greater losses reported in several other studies. The pattern of urease activity in the canopy was investigated during plant development. The activity per unit protein increased up to 10-fold with leaf and plant age, suggesting a correlation with increased N recycling in senescing tissues. Whereas several reports have claimed that plant urease is inducible by urea, no evidence for urease induction could be found in potato.

Expression and sequence analysis of cDNAs induced during the early stages of tuberisation in different organs of the potato plant (Solanum tuberosum L.)

AbstractcDNA clones of two genes (TUB8 and TUB13) which show a 25–30-fold increase in transcript in the stolon tip during the early stages of tuberisation, have been isolated by differential screening. These genes are also expressed in leaves, stems and roots and the expression pattern in these organs changes on tuberisation. Southern analysis shows homologous sequences in the non-tuberising wild type potato species Solanum brevidens and in Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato). Sequence analysis reveals a high degree of similarity between the TUB13 cDNA, and a human S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase gene. The predicted TUB8 peptide sequence shows several repeats of alanine, glutamate and proline which suggests a structural role for the encoded protein.

Pathways of starch and sucrose biosynthesis in developing tubers of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and seeds of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) : elucidation by 13C-nuclear-magnetic-resonance spectroscopy

Tissue slices from developing potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.) and developing cotyledons of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) were incubated with specifically labelled [13C]glucose and [13C]ribose. Enriched[13C]glucose released from starch granules was analysed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Spectral analyses were also performed on sucrose purified by high-performance liquid chromatography. In both tissues a low degree of randomisation (< 11 % in potato and < 14% in Vicia) was observed between carbon positions 1 and 6 in glucose released from starch when material was incubated with [13C]glucose labelled in positions 6 and 1, respectively. Similarly, with [2-13C]glucose a low degree of randomisation was observed in position 5. These findings indicate that extensive transport of three-carbon compounds across the amyloplast membrane does not occur in storage organs of either species. This is in agreement with previously published data which indicates that sixcarbon compounds are transported into the plastids during active starch synthesis. When [1-13C]ribose was used as a substrate, 13C-NMR spectra of starch indicated the operation of a classical pentose-phosphate pathway. However, with [2-13C]glucose there was no preferential enrichment in either carbon positions 1 or 3 relative to 4 or 6 of sucrose and starch (glucose). This provides evidence that entry of glucose in this pathway may be restricted in vivo. In both faba bean and potato the distribution of isotope between glucosyl and fructosyl moieties of sucrose approximated 50%. The degree of randomisation within glucosyl and fructosyl moieties ranged between 11 and 19.5%, indicating extensive recycling of triose phosphates.

Assessing the potential for unintended effects in genetically modified potatoes perturbed in metabolic and developmental processes. Targeted analysis of key nutrients and anti-nutrients

Targeted compositional analysis was carried out on transgenic potato tubers of either cultivar (cv.) Record or cv. Desirée to assess the potential for unintended effects caused by the genetic modification process. The range of transgenic lines analysed included those modified in primary carbohydrate metabolism, polyamine biosynthesis and glycoprotein processing. Controls included wildtype tubers, tubers produced from plants regenerated through tissue culture (including a callus phase) and tubers derived from transformation with the ‘empty vector’ i.e. no specific target gene included (with the exception of the kanamycin resistance gene as a selectable marker). Metabolite analysis included soluble carbohydrates, glycoalkaloids, vitamin C, total nitrogen and fatty acids. Trypsin inhibitor activity was also assayed. These cover the major compounds recommended by the OECD in their Consensus Document on Compositional Considerations for New Varieties of Potatoes: Key Food and Feed Nutrients, Anti-Nutrients and Toxicants (2002). Data was statistically analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) for individual compounds and, where applicable, principal component analysis (PCA). In general, targeted compositional analysis revealed no consistent differences between GM lines and respective controls. No construct specifically induced unintended effects. Statistically significant differences between wildtype controls and specific GM lines did occur but appeared to be random and not associated with any specific construct. Indeed such significant differences were also found between wildtypes and both tissue culture derived tubers and tubers derived from transformation with the empty vector. This raises the possibility that somaclonal variation (known to occur significantly in potato, depending on genotype) may be responsible for an unknown proportion of any differences observed between specific GM lines and the wildtype. The most obvious differences seen in GC-MS profiles were between the two potato varieties used in the study.

Site-directed nucleases: a paradigm shift in predictable, knowledge-based plant breeding

Conventional plant breeding exploits existing genetic variability and introduces new variability by mutagenesis. This has proven highly successful in securing food supplies for an ever-growing human population. The use of genetically modified plants is a complementary approach but all plant breeding techniques have limitations. Here, we discuss how the recent evolution of targeted mutagenesis and DNA insertion techniques based on tailor-made site-directed nucleases (SDNs) provides opportunities to overcome such limitations. Plant breeding companies are exploiting SDNs to develop a new generation of crops with new and improved traits. Nevertheless, some technical limitations as well as significant uncertainties on the regulatory status of SDNs may challenge their use for commercial plant breeding.

Effects of agricultural production systems and their components on protein profiles of potato tubers

A range of studies have compared the level of nutritionally relevant compounds in crops from organic and nonorganic farming systems, but there is very limited information on the effect of farming systems and their key components on the protein composition of plants. We addressed this gap by quantifying the effects of different farming systems and key components of such systems on the protein profiles of potato tubers. Tuber samples were produced in the Nafferton factorial systems study, a group of long‐term, replicated factorial field experiments designed to identify and quantify the effect of fertility management methods, crop protection practices and rotational designs used in organic, low input and conventional production systems. Protein profiles were determined by 2‐DE and subsequent protein identification by HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS. Principal component analysis of 2‐DE data showed that only fertility management practices (organic matter vs. mineral fertiliser based) had a significant effect on protein composition. Quantitative differences were detected in 160 of the 1100 tuber proteins separated by 2‐DE. Proteins identified by MS are involved in protein synthesis and turnover, carbon and energy metabolism and defence responses, suggesting that organic fertilisation leads to an increased stress response in potato tubers.

Characterisation of the S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) gene of potato

S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) is involved in the biosynthesis of the polyamines, spermidine and spermine. Recently, we reported the isolation of a putative cDNA clone of the SAMDC clone of potato (Plant Mol Biol 20; 641–651). In order to confirm that the potato genes does encode SAMDC, a complementation experiment with a yeast strain that possesses a null mutation in the SAMDC gene was performed. The yeast strain contains a deletion-insertion mutation in the SAMDC gene and has an absolute requirement for the addition of exogenous spermidine for growth. When the full-length potato cDNA was expressed in the mutant yeast strain there was no longer a requirement for exogenous spermidine. Immunoblotting experiments suggest that the potato SAMDC gene product has an apparent molecular mass of 39 kDa. Expression of the SAMDC gene was high in the young and actively dividing tissues and low in the mature and non-dividing tissues of both vegetative and reproductive organs. Additionally, isolation and characterisation of the corresponding genomic clone is reported. The gene has one intron in its 5′-untranslated sequence but otherwise the transcribed portion is identical to the cDNA clone.

Metabolite Profiling of Maize Kernels—Genetic Modification versus Environmental Influence

A metabolite profiling approach based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was applied to investigate the metabolite profiles of genetically modified (GM) Bt-maize (DKC78-15B, TXP 138F) and Roundup Ready-maize (DKC78-35R). For the comparative investigation of the impact of genetic modification versus environmental influence on the metabolite profiles, GM maize was grown together with the non-GM near-isogenic comparators under different environmental conditions, including several growing locations and seasons in Germany and South Africa. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences between GM and non-GM maize grown in Germany and South Africa. For the factor genotype, 4 and 3%, respectively, of the total number of peaks detected by GC-MS showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) in peak heights as compared to the respective isogenic lines. However, ANOVA for the factor environment (growing location, season) revealed higher numbers of significant differences (p < 0.01) between the GM and the non-GM maize grown in Germany (42%) and South Africa (10%), respectively. This indicates that the majority of differences observed are related to natural variability rather than to the genetic modifications. In addition, multivariate data assessment by means of principal component analysis revealed that environmental factors, that is, growing locations and seasons, were dominant parameters driving the variability of the maize metabolite profiles.