 |
|
Plant studies reveal how, where seeds store iron
November 07, 2006Findings address worldwide iron deficiency and malnutrition
Biologists have learned where and how some plant seeds store iron, a valuable discovery for scientists working to improve the iron content of plants. Their research helps address the worldwide problem of iron deficiency and malnutrition in humans.
The team found that iron is stored in the developing vascular system of the seed of Arabidopsis, a model plant used in research. In particular, iron is stored in the vacuole, a plant cell's central storage site. The researchers also learned this localization depends on a protein called VIT1, known to transport iron into the vacuole.
"Iron deficiency is the most common human nutritional disorder in the world today, afflicting more than 3 billion people worldwide," said Mary Lou Guerinot, a biologist at Dartmouth College in N.H. and the principal investigator on the study. "Most of these people rely on plants for their dietary iron, but plants are not high in iron, and the limited availability of iron in the soil can limit plant growth. Our study suggests that iron storage in the vacuole is a promising, and, before now, largely unexplored target for increasing the iron content of seeds. Such nutrient-rich seeds would benefit both human health and agricultural productivity."
The findings were published online in the Nov. 2, 2006, ScienceExpress, the advance publication site for the journal Science.
The researchers combined traditional mutant analysis (turning on and off the VIT1 protein) with a powerful X-ray imaging technique to create a map of where iron is localized in the seed. Guerinot was surprised by the finding because most studies on iron storage focus on another protein called ferritin.
"This project is a wonderful example of the power of using new combinations of tools-in this case, genetics and high-resolution 3-dimensional X-ray fluorescence imaging-to understand gene function," said Jane Silverthorne, a program director in NSF's Division of Biological Infrastructure, which funded the research. "The discovery that iron localizes in specific parts of a seed opens the possibility of developing seed crops such as grains and beans with increased content of this important nutrient."
The findings reveal how essential it is to look beyond ferritin to understand how iron is stored by plants. The researchers say the stored iron in the vacuole is a key source of iron for developing seedlings. Seedlings that do not express the VIT1 protein grow poorly when iron is limited.
National Science Foundation
"Iron deficiency is the most common human nutritional disorder in the world today, afflicting more than 3 billion people worldwide," said Mary Lou Guerinot, a biologist at Dartmouth College in N.H. and the principal investigator on the study. "Most of these people rely on plants for their dietary iron, but plants are not high in iron, and the limited availability of iron in the soil can limit plant growth. Our study suggests that iron storage in the vacuole is a promising, and, before now, largely unexplored target for increasing the iron content of seeds. Such nutrient-rich seeds would benefit both human health and agricultural productivity."
The findings were published online in the Nov. 2, 2006, ScienceExpress, the advance publication site for the journal Science.
The researchers combined traditional mutant analysis (turning on and off the VIT1 protein) with a powerful X-ray imaging technique to create a map of where iron is localized in the seed. Guerinot was surprised by the finding because most studies on iron storage focus on another protein called ferritin.
"This project is a wonderful example of the power of using new combinations of tools-in this case, genetics and high-resolution 3-dimensional X-ray fluorescence imaging-to understand gene function," said Jane Silverthorne, a program director in NSF's Division of Biological Infrastructure, which funded the research. "The discovery that iron localizes in specific parts of a seed opens the possibility of developing seed crops such as grains and beans with increased content of this important nutrient."
The findings reveal how essential it is to look beyond ferritin to understand how iron is stored by plants. The researchers say the stored iron in the vacuole is a key source of iron for developing seedlings. Seedlings that do not express the VIT1 protein grow poorly when iron is limited.
National Science Foundation
Plant Seeds Current Events and Plant Seeds News RSSNew explanation for nature's hardiest life form
Got food poisoning? The cause might be bacterial spores, en extremely hardy survival form of bacteria, a nightmare for health care and the food industry and an enigma for scientists.
Popping the cork on biofuel agriculture
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory have identified a novel enzyme responsible for the formation of suberin - the woody, waxy, cell-wall substance found in cork.
Researchers engineer metabolic pathway in mice to prevent diet-induced obesity
In recent years, obesity has taken on epidemic proportions in developed nations, contributing significantly to major medical problems, early death and rising health care costs.
Global warming linked to European viral epidemic
An epidemic of the viral disease nephropathia epidemica (NE) has been linked to increases in the vole population caused by hotter summers, milder winters and increased seedcrop production by broadleaf trees.
Giant bird poo records pre-human New Zealand
A treasure trove of information about pre-human New Zealand has been found in faeces from giant extinct birds, buried beneath the floor of caves and rock shelters for thousands of years.
Biocontrol Insect Exacerbates Invasive Weed
Biocontrol agents, such as insects, are often released outside of their native ranges to control invasive plants. But scientists in Montana have found that through complex community interactions among deer mice, native plants and seeds, the presence of an introduced fly may exacerbate the effects of the invasive plant it was meant to control.
Reproductive speed protects large animals from being hunted to extinction
The slower their reproductive cycle, the higher the risk of extinction for large grazing animals such as deer and antelope that are hunted by humans.
Producing medicines in plant seeds
Using plants to produce useful proteins could be an inexpensive alternative to current medicine production methods. Researchers from the Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) at Ghent University have succeeded in producing in plant seeds proteins that have a very strong resemblance to antibodies.
Dartmouth study contributes to research addressing malnutrition and iron deficiency
Dartmouth biologists are leading a research team that has learned where and how some plant seeds store iron, a valuable discovery for scientists working to improve the iron content of plants.
Plant studies reveal how, where seeds store iron
Biologists have learned where and how some plant seeds store iron, a valuable discovery for scientists working to improve the iron content of plants. Their research helps address the worldwide problem of iron deficiency and malnutrition in humans.
More Plant Seeds Current Events and Plant Seeds News Articles
 |
Sensitive Plant Heirloom Seeds 80 Seeds by Botanical Interests Sensitive Plant Seeds, also known as Mimosa pudica. This is a really fasinating plant. With the slightest touch the leaves shut and fall towards the stem. It is a tropical plant for containers. Please bring it indoors for the winter. |
 |
Living Stones 10 Seeds by Hirt's Gardens A perfect example of nature's adaptability. Neat little plants that look for all the world like stones. They are actually Succulents, easy to grow and create a great deal of interest. Plus they have spectacular yellow and white daisy like flowers that magically arise from the center of the living stones. |
 |
Venus Fly Trap 20 Seeds by Hirts Gardens Nature provides this remarkable plant with "traps" to lure and capture it's food. The traps are covered inside by tiny hairs and a sticky sweet smelling substance attractive to insects. When an insect touches the trigger hair, the trap is activated and closes around it's victim. After digestion of it's meal (whick takes several days), the trap will open again for a new catch. PLANTING AND CARE: Keep moist at all times, rainwater or distilled water are preferred. Plants should not be fertilized (so therefore should be separated from your other plants). The insects it catches provide natural nourishment. A pinch of hamburg can occasionally be fed to the plant. Select a sunny window for your Venus Flytrap. In replanting only use sphagnum! Peat moss will do in a pinch. Put a plastic saucer... |
 |
Kona Coffee Bean 10 Tree Seeds - Coffea - Gourmet! by Hirts Gardens The Kona is the very popular coffee of Hawaii. Its a heavy bearing variety with excellent quality. One producing tree can provide 1 lb. of coffee. Join the coffee craze and produce your very own coffee beans! Red, pulpy berries produced on an upright shrub, it also has fragrant white blooms against shiny green leaves. Kona Coffee is a small subtropical evergreen tree. It has large, deep green, glossy leaves and white flowers, each lasting a few days, with a scent like jasmine. The berries are green at first, ripening to dark red over a period of eight months. Plants can have flowers and berries at the same time. It can be grown as a houseplant in a bright position or in a conservatory. Fertilize monthly during winter and every 2 weeks throughout the growing season. It is actually very... |
 |
Cider Gum Eucalyptus Tree Herb 20 Seeds - Eucalyptus gunnii by Hirt's Gardens Eucalyptus is an enormous and fascinating genus. It comprises over 700 species, and accounts for more than two-thirds of Australia's vegetation. It is unfortunate that they are frequently regarded as not being reliably hardy outside of the subtropics, because it discourages people from planting them in cooler areas. There are many reasons to plant a eucalyptus--to begin with, they help to control aphids and other insects, most of them will grow rapidly, even in poor soil (12' per year is not out of the question), and most of them are very attractive--eucalyptus have a beauty all their own. And eucalyptus foliage, which shows incredible variety, is excellent for cut foliage in floral arrangements. Unless it is to be grown as a pot plant for its entire life (more on that below), a... |
 |
Everbearing Picnic Strawberry 40 Seeds/Seed by Hirt's Gardens Medium-sized delicious fruits on bushy, compact plants with few short runners. Ideal for baskets, tubs, ground cover or edging. Grows as Annual or Perennial. Ready to start picking about 120 days after sowing. |
 |
Picotee Blue Morning Glory 10 Seeds by Hirt's Gardens Beautiful, deep violet blue double flowers trimmed in white. Truly an exquisite flower. Climbs to approximately 5 feet. May also be used in hanging baskets. Soak seed 24 hours before sowing. If starting indoors, plant 4-8 weeks before last frost. Prefers sun. Proper name: Ipomoea purpurea 'Picotee Blue' |
 |
Ghost Plant Graptopetalum Mix 20 Seeds by Hirt's Gardens Graptopetalum is a small genus of 12 species from Mexico and southwestern USA. They are similar looking to Echeveria, although they are generally considered closer to Sedum. They are attractive rosette plants with thick subtly colored leaves, occasionally speckled. Graptopetalum leaves range in colour from waxy green to lovely pink and grey-green. These plants are fairly delicate. They are tricky primarily in their sensitivity to over-watering, even what seems like insignificant over-watering can be fatal. They are also sensitive to being handled, as skin oil can damage leaves, in particular those with a pearlescent colouration. These plants produce five-petal flowers which range in colour from white to hot pink and can be speckled, and which grow on long inflorescences. They are long... |
 |
Money Plant 20 Seeds by Hirt's Gardens The flowers of Lunaria bloom in the late spring and early summer, followed by the round or oval one inch pods in the early fall. Plants can grow up to 3 feet tall and have large coarsely toothed leaves. To dry the seed pods for winter bouquets, gather them as soon as they start to turn brown. They tend to rot during wet weather if allowed to ripen on the plants. Rub off the outer parts of the pods to expose the central disks. Hang upside down in dry, dark, well ventilated place to cure. HOW TO GROW Sow seed 1/4 inch deep. Will take from10 to 14 days to germinate. Sow indoors for early start or outside in midsummer to bloom the following spring. Select an area in full sun or light shade. Plants will grow in almost any soil that is well-drained. Space plants to stand 12 to 15 inches... |
 |
Pride of Madeira 50 Seeds - Echium fastuosum by Hirt's Gardens General aspect and origins Echium fastuosum, syn. Echium candicans, is also known as pride of Madeira, this plant being native to Madeira. It is an evergreen perennial plant that can reach up to 5 - 8 ft (1.50 m - 2.40 m) tall, with spikes of tiny purple-blue flowers appearing in spring. Leaves - This Echium has evergreen lanceolate leaves, that are about 8 in (20 cm) long. Flowers - Dense 2 ft (60 cm) long spikes of tiny purple-blue flowers appear in spring. Culture Echium fastuosum is a showy and perennial plant, that can withstand negative temperatures down to 26°F to 24°F (-3°C to -5°C). It thus can be grown in USDA zones 9 and warmer. Also, this plant can be grown in coastal and windy conditions. Note that leaves and stems may prove slightly skin irritant. So handle with... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |