Scientists have identified a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) that is responsible for controlling the levels of sulfate in Aribidopsis thaliana and results in a strong interaction with nitrogen availability in the soil. This particular plant species belongs to the Brassica species and has been determined to be an exceptional model for the crops with the highest demand for sulphur.
An underlying gene was discovered and cloned to indicate how a single amino acid base substitution in a key enzyme of the assimilatory sulfate reduction pathway can increase the level of sulfate accumulation in the plant. Therefore, changes to a single protein lead to the unearthing of the relationships between sulfate reduction and accumulation, as the scientists discovered that naturally occurring variation at one of the main sulfate assimilation enzymes directly affects sulfate homeostasis in the plant. This successful result was achieved through combining genetic and biochemical results and using a candidate gene approach.
The identification of a modulation in APR2 activity as responsible for controlling sulfate accumulation is an outstanding step toward increasing the efficiency of sulfur use in crop plants. Therefore, the development of this QTL is a huge step forward in the field of agricultural science and would benefit the agricultural industry dramatically.
Just click on the following link: http://www.nature.com.ezproxy.library.uq.edu.au/ng/journal/v39/n7/abs/ng2050.html
Primary Reference:
Loudet, O., Saliba-Colombani, V., Camilleri, C., Calenge, F., Gaudon, V., Koprivova, A., North, K., Kopriva, S., & Daniel-Vedele, F. (2007). Nature Genetics 39, 896 – 900. http://www.nature.com.ezproxy.library.uq.edu.au/ng/journal/v39/n7/abs/ng2050.html
Secondary Reference:
Mackay, T. (2004). Complementing complexity. Nature Genetics,36, 1145-47.
http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/genetics/mackay/tfm5.pdf
Written by: 41202982
