| abstract |
The gene encoding the enzyme ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase has been isolated from wheat leaf and wheat endosperm tissue. The enzyme is essential to the biosynthesis of starch in plants. Addition of extra copies of the gene to a plant by transformation enhances starch production, increasing the food value of the crop. Conversely, insertion of a gene encoding mRNA antisense to the mRNA encoded by the endogenous ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene will reduce starch production. cDNA sequences are provided which may be used to identify homologous sequences in other tissue and in other plants. |