Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MANAN (Mannan-related enzymes of wheat endosperm)
Période du rapport: 2016-11-01 au 2018-10-31
To discover how mannan are synthesized and to gain knowledge on their biological function, and based on endosperm-targeted gene expression survey (transcriptomics and proteomics data), we selected four genes that are believed to be involved in the mannan synthesis. We produced RNAi transformants of wheat or obtained mutagenized wheat lines for these genes. Unfortunately, these procedures that started before the beginning of MANAN had not been a success. We did not obtain enough transformed lines in our third generation of transformants and our genes of interest were not or barely downregulated. As an alternative, we expressed our genes in other species. Their expression in tobacco showed that our genes of interest produced proteins located in the Golgi apparatus. Using a fungus, we have been able to show a mannan synthase activity for one of our gene candidate. We have also expressed our genes of interest in Arabidopsis, a plant model, and are currently working on the third generation to confirm the activity observed in the fungus. We have carried out histochemical analysis of wheat grain that shows mannan start to be synthesized at an early stage of endosperm development. Studying the Arabidopsis transformants should tell us more about how mannan contribute to plant life.
In terms of dissemination, our results have been presented at one national and three international conferences. We have published one methodology article, the writing of a second manuscript is in progress and two additional manuscripts should follow it. Moreover, a summary of the project has been presented to a broad audience using several social media.
This work has been made possible through collaborations with our partners from the Rothamsted Research (UK), The University of Leeds (UK), the University of Dusseldorf (Ger) and the Joint BioEnergy Institute (US).
Overall, our project contributes to fundamental progress needed to adapt crops to climate change, to improve the production of biofuels, and to increase the productivity of food and feed.