United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture

The United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of

The University of Mississippi

Franck E Dayan

Scott R Baerson

Agnes M Rimando

Zhiqiang Pan

James J Polashock

Charles L Burandt

Daniel Cook

Camilo Canel

Rita M Moraes

Sorghum is considered an allelopathic crop species and sorgoleone likely accounts for much of its allelopathic properties. Prior investigations into the biosynthesis of sorgoleone suggested the participation of one or more alkylresorcinol synthases (ARS), which are type III polyketide synthases (PKS) that produce 5-alkylresorcinols using medium to long-chain fatty acyl-CoA starter units via iterative condensations with malonyl-CoA. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis of PKS-like sequences mined from isolated root hairs revealed that two sequences, designated ARS1 and ARS2, were preferentially expressed. Recombinant enzyme studies demonstrated that both sequences encode ARS enzymes capable of accepting a variety of fatty acyl-CoA starter units. RNA interference (RNAi) experiments directed against ARS1 and ARS2 resulted in the generation of multiple independent transformant events exhibiting dramatically reduced sorgoleone levels. Thus, both ARS1 and ARS2 participate in the biosynthesis of sorgoleone in planta. ARS1 and ARS2 sequences were used to identify rice genes encoding alkylresorcinol synthases.

Two alkylresorcinol synthase genes from sorghum; cloning, expression, transformation and characterization

This invention relates to an O-methyltransferase gene cloned from sorghum, the sorghum O-methyltransferase-3 gene, SbOMT3. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR and recombinant enzyme studies with putative O-methyltransferase sequences obtained from an EST data set from sorghum have led to the identification of the novel root hair-specific O-methyltransferase designated SbOMT3. Transgenic plants which express SbOMT3 can convert resveratrol into pterostilbene in planta. SbOMT3 is also involved in the biosynthesis of sorgoleone.

O-methyltransferase gene from sorghum cloning, expression, transformation and characterization

Enhanced recovery of podophyllotoxin from biological sources is achieved through disruption or permeabilization of the physical integrity of cells and tissues in the presence of sufficient moisture so as to allow endogenous enzymes to convert podophyllotoxin glucosides to podophyllotoxin. Extraction of the podophyllotoxin from the plant material is then achieved by use of an organic solvent. Podophyllotoxin is used as an intermediate in the production of the antitumor agent etoposide and its analogues.

Enhanced yield of podophyllotoxin from natural products through in situ

Growing community of inventors

Oxford, MS, United States of America

Franck E Dayan