Analysis of Phytochemicals in Colored-Grain Wheat (Triticum aestivum. L) and Effects on Gene Expression and Biochemical Responses Under Water Deficit Condition.

Analysis of phytochemicals in colored-grain wheat (Triticum aestivum. L) and effects on gene expression and biochemical responses under water deficit condition

Dae Yeon Kim, Yong Weon Seo*
Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 136-713, Republic of Korea

Nutritious and functional foods from crop have received great attention in recent years. Colored-grain wheat contains high phenolic compound and a large number of flavonoid. One of plant pigments, wheat anthocyanin is increasingly emerging as natural compounds for consumer´s health and condition. Total phenolic compound, flavonoid, and anthocyanin of four wheat groups classified by color degree were measured to examine the biological and physiological effects by phytochemical in colored-grain. Activities of anti-oxidant enzyme and MDA contents in four wheat groups were also determined. In addition, we analyzed genome wide transcripts in seedling of colored-grain wheat response to ABA and PEG treatment. Drought response pathway, such as ABA signaling, water and ion channels, detoxification signaling, enzymes of osmolyte biosynthesis, phospholipid metabolism, signal transduction, and transcription factors related DEGs were selected to explain response mechanism under water deficit condition. Anthocyanin, phenol compound, and DPPH radical scavenging activity were measured and antioxidant activity enzyme assays were conducted to show biochemical adaptation under water deficit condition. The accumulation of total anthocyanin and phenol contents were observed in colored wheat seedlings, and antioxidant capacity was promoted by upregulation of genes involved in maintaining redox state and activation of antioxidant scavengers, such as CAT, APX, POD, and SOD in colored wheat seedlings under water deficit condition. This work may provide valuable and basic information for further investigation of the molecular responses of colored-grain wheat to water deficit stress and for further gene-based studies

Acknowledgements
This study was supported by the Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science & Technology Development (Project No. PJ01102102), Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

*Corresponding author: Tel. +82-2-3290-3005, E-mail. seoag@korea.ac.kr