Abstract
Introduction of the Dof1 gene was shown to yield augmentation of nitrogen assimilation in Arabidopsis (1). The Dof1-introduced Arabidopsis plants showed the improved growth in the nitrogen-deficiency environment. To evaluate effects of Dof1 in another plant species, we generated Dof1-introduced potato plants and established eight independent transgenic lines. In leaves of these transgenic plants, increased amounts of free amino acids, especially asparagine and glutamine, were detected. In addition, transgenic potato plants also showed the increased number and weight of tubers and the elevated starch content in tubers. Approximately a double amount of starch appeared to be synthesized in each potato plant. These results implicated that Dof1 could function and enhance nitrogen assimilation in potato as well as in Arabidopsis. Enhanced biosynthesis in source organs might stimulate material deposition in sink organs of transgenic potato plants. (1) Yanagisawa, Akiyama, Kisaka, Uchimiya, Miwa (2004) PNAS, 101, 7833-7838.
