Biotech Updates

Identification and Characterization of Nicotianamine Synthase Genes in Bread Wheat

June 22, 2016

Nicotianamine (NA) is an amino acid involved in metal uptake, transport and homeostasis in plants. Nicotianamine synthase (NAS) genes, which encode enzymes that synthesize NA, are regulated by iron status in most plant species, and plant genomes have been found to contain anywhere from 1 to 9 NAS genes.

A study by researchers from the University of Melbourne and the University of Adelaide in Australia describes the identification of 21 NAS genes in the hexaploid bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genome. The TaNAS genes were found to be highly expressed during germination, seedling growth and reproductive development. Fourteen NAS genes were also found to be upregulated in root tissues under iron deficiency.

The results expand knowledge of NAS genes in plants as well as the genetics underlying iron nutrition in bread wheat.

For more on this study, read the article in Plant Biotechnology Journal.