Abstract

AYALA-VELA, Juan et al. Iron content and ferritin gene expression in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Agric. Téc. Méx [online]. 2008, vol.34, n.4, pp.481-489. ISSN 0568-2517.

An experimental analysis was conducted to determine iron content, ferritin gene activity and ferritin protein content, in different plant organs and growth stages of four common bean cultivars. Ferritin mRNA expression, determined by quantitative PCR, showed differential expression among cultivars and was not stable across growth stages and plant organs. Ferritin protein content was significantly higher in seeds (65.6-271.1 mg kg^-1 fresh weight), whereas pods, roots, stems and leaves had significant lower levels (3.7-26.7 mg kg^-1 fresh weight). Iron content in leaves was found in outstanding amounts (643 mg kg^-1), up to 12 times higher than in seeds (52 mg kg^-1); no relationship was found between ferritin transcriptional levels and ferritin protein contents with iron content. Results indicated that ferritin gene regulation is non-iron dependent in common bean.

Keywords : gene expression; nutritional value; protein; quantitative PCR.

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