Genotype-specific changes in vitamin B6 content and the PDX family in potato

Abstract

Vitamin B6 is one of the most versatile cofactors in plants and an essential phytonutrient in the human diet that benefits a variety of human health aspects. Although biosynthesis of the vitamin has been well resolved in recent years, the main research is currently based on Arabidopsis thaliana with very little work done on major crop plants. Here we provide the first report on interactions and expression profiles of PDX genes for vitamin B6 biosynthesis in potato and how vitamin B6 content varies in tubers of different genotypes. The results demonstrate that potato is an excellent resource for this vitamin and that strong natural variation in vitamin B 6 content among the tested cultivars indicates high potential to fortify vitamin B6 nutrition in potato-based foods. © 2013 Sutton Mooney et al.