Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2005; 7(5): 469-475
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-865894
Research Paper

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart KG · New York

Expression of a Plant Cell Wall Invertase in Roots of Arabidopsis Leads to Early Flowering and an Increase in Whole Plant Biomass

C. von Schweinichen1 , M. Büttner1
  • 1Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstraße 5, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

Received: January 11, 2005

Accepted: May 23, 2005

Publikationsdatum:
15. September 2005 (online)

Abstract

In order to enhance sink strength, we expressed a heterologous plant cell wall invertase (CrCIN1) under the control of a root-specific promoter (ppyk10) in Arabidopsis thaliana. Slightly elevated apoplastic invertase activity resulted in apparent phenotypic changes. Transgenic plants developed more secondary roots and subsequently, possibly because of a higher capacity to acquire nutrients, a higher shoot and whole plant biomass. Furthermore, an early flowering phenotype was detected. The data presented here demonstrate that it is possible to modulate carbohydrate metabolism by ectopic expression of cell wall invertases and thereby influence sink organ size and whole plant development.

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M. Büttner

Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie
Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

Staudtstraße 5

91058 Erlangen

Germany

eMail: mbuettne@biologie.uni-erlangen.de

Editor: A. Weber

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