AUTHOR=Volpicella Mariateresa , Fanizza Immacolata , Leoni Claudia , Gadaleta Agata , Nigro Domenica , Gattulli Bruno , Mangini Giacomo , Blanco Antonio , Ceci Luigi R. 

TITLE=Identification and Characterization of the Sucrose Synthase 2 Gene (Sus2) in Durum Wheat

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2016

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2016.00266

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2016.00266

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>Sucrose transport is the central system for the allocation of carbon resources in vascular plants. Sucrose synthase (SUS), which reversibly catalyzes sucrose synthesis and cleavage, represents a key enzyme in the control of the flow of carbon into starch biosynthesis. In the present study the genomic identification and characterization of the <italic>Sus2-2A</italic> and <italic>Sus2-2B</italic> genes coding for SUS in durum wheat (cultivars Ciccio and Svevo) is reported. The genes were analyzed for their expression in different tissues and at different seed maturation stages, in four tetraploid wheat genotypes (Svevo, Ciccio, Primadur, and 5-BIL42). The activity of the encoded proteins was evaluated by specific activity assays on endosperm extracts and their structure established by modeling approaches. The combined results of sucrose synthase 2 expression and activity levels were then considered in the light of their possible involvement in starch yield.</p>