摘要
类胡萝卜素是人类所需要的重要营养成分之一,不仅具有抗氧化、预防肿瘤和心血管等疾病的作用,而且还是人体合成维生素A的前体。全球大约有280万～330万学龄前儿童出现维生素缺乏(vitamin A deficiency,VAD)的临床症状;近2亿儿童处于半缺乏状态。通过对植物类胡萝卜素生物合成途径的解析,以及对参与这一代谢过程的酶及其调控机制的深入了解,目前已经可以通过基因工程在主要农作物中组织特异性地促进类胡萝卜素的合成与积累。从理论上已经可以利用转基因植物来减少VAD的出现。该文简要回顾近年来这一领域的研究进展。
Carotenoids are essential nutrients for human beings. In addition to their antioxidant properties and their functions in preventing cancer and cardiovascular diseases, some carotenoids are also precursors of vitamin A, which our bodies cannot de novo synthesize, There are globally about 2.8-3.3 million preschool children with clinical vitamin A deficiency （VAD）, with another -200 million in subclinical VAD situation. With the deciphering of plant carotenoid metabolic pathway and the characterization of enzymes, genes and regulatory mechanisms functioning in this pathway, it is now feasible to promote the biosynthesis and accumulation of carotenoids in specific tissues of staple crops by means of metabolic engineering and gene transformation. Theoretically, it is ready to relief, at least in part, VAD with transgenic crops. Major progresses in this field are briefly summarized here.
出处
《生命科学》
CSCD
北大核心
2011年第2期205-211,共7页
Chinese Bulletin of Life Sciences
基金
国家转基因生物新品种培育重大专项(2009ZX08001-032B)
关键词
类胡萝卜素
维生素A
生物合成
代谢工程
转基因
carotenoids
vitamin A
biosynthesis
metabolic engineering
transgenic crops
