Molecular characterization of an isoamylase 1-type starch debranching enzyme (DBEI) in grain amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.)

Digital Absolute Gene Expression Analysis of Essential Starch-Related Genes in a Radiation Developed Amaranthus cruentus L. Variety in Comparison with Real-Time PCR

We investigated the expression pattern of four major starch genes at different seed developmental stages in the radiation-bred amaranth variety “Pribina” (Amaranthus cruentus L.) and corresponding control genotype “Ficha” (Amaranthus cruentus L.). Two platforms were used and compared for the gene expression analysis of GBSSI, SSSI, SBE, and DBE amaranth genes, including a standard quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) technique and relatively novel droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay. In our conditions, both methods showed great accuracy and revealed higher expression of the investigated genes in the mutant variety than in the control genotype. Here we report for the first time, a ddPCR gene expression assay for the cultivated grain amaranth, as the most important group of the species in the genus Amaranthus.

Molecular characterization of genes encoding isoamylase-type debranching enzyme in tuberous root of sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam

Isoamylase (ISA) is a starch debranching enzyme that removes α-1,6-glucosidic linkages in α-polyglucans such as amylopectin. From previous studies, plant isoamylases have been shown to play a crucial role in amylopectin biosynthesis; however, little is known about their function in storage root tissues of plants such as cassava, yam and sweet potato. In this study, we isolated cDNA clones and characterized the cDNA nucleotide sequences of three genes (IbISA1, IbISA2, IbISA3) encoding isoamylase from sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) cv. White Star). Deduced amino acid sequences of the three isolated IbISAs have the specific regions that are highly conserved among the α-amylase family members. The product of IbISA2 is predicted to be enzymatically inactive, like other plant ISA2s, due to replacement of amino acid residues that are important for hydrolytic reaction. qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that expression of IbISA2 was higher than that of the other two IbISAs (IbISA1 and IbISA3) in tuberous root at 109 days after planting, at which stage of tuberous root was at which stage tuberous roots were almost fully developed almost developed. This expression pattern observed in our experiments was different from that in other sink organs, such as seeds (endosperms), indicating that orchestration of ISA gene expression may depend on the differences in sink organ type between tuberous roots and seeds. The molecular characterization of three IbISA genes and their expression analysis in this study will contribute to further studies on starch biosynthesis in sweet potato, especially in storage root.