ZmSBEIIb involves in resistant starch formation in maize seeds

Lijun Wang and Xue Bai

Abstract

Resistant starch(RS) has various functions in controlling the glycemic index (GI), lowering concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides, inhibiting fat accumulation, preventing colonic cancer, reducing gall stone formation, maintaining intestinal tract healthy and enhancing the absorption of minerals. Elevated RS in food is an important and effective approach for public health. RS is also an important material for industries. The mechanism of RS formation is largely unknown. SBEIIb plays a central role in amylopectin biosynthesis and involves in regulating the branching profiles of starches in maize endosperm. Maize mutant ae1 is generated using a Mutator transposon I insertion in SBEIIb. In this paper, we found amylose content (AC) and RS in seeds of ae1are increased significantly than that of wild type. This show ae1 involves in RS formation in maize seeds. Novel maize lines with high RS content provide potential benefits for high RS content maize breeding. High RS content maize varieties possess high health care and industrial application value.