Characterization of Transgenic Maize Containing Iron-Rich Proteins in Grain.

Iron is a nutritionally limiting nutrient in human diets in many parts of the world.  Improving the content of highly bioavailable iron in crop plants with genetics is an attractive solution to this problem.   Transgenic maize plants that accumulate high levels of iron-rich proteins in grain have been produced.  We characterized plants containing maize hemoglobin and soybean ferritin.  In both cases, the transgene product was detectable in grain.  Transgenic kernels were compared to non-transgenic sibling kernels for accumulation of mRNA encoding seed storage proteins and proteins involved in mineral metabolism, as well as mineral content.   Taken together, our results suggest strategies for increasing the iron sink strength of maize grain and may facilitate production of nutritionally improved varieties.