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Research Interests
Currently two research projects are pursued. 1) Proanthocyanidins or condensed tannins are major compounds in the seed coat of barley and other plants. Using knockout mutations in a transcription factor required for the transription of all genes encoding the enzymes leading to these dimers and trimers of flavan-3-ols, we wish to clone the genes for the enzymes carrying out the last steps in the synthesis of these condensed tannins, which have defied purification by biochemical methods. Microarray technology is used to identify and clone the genes expressed in the wild type but not in the mutants. Candidate genes are then expressed in E. coli or yeast and the enzymes tested for their activity with appropriate substrates.
2) Transgenic barleys expressing high levels of recombinant proteins in the storage protein bodies of the barley grain are tested in the green house and field. Proteins successfully expressed are a thermotolerant (1,3-1,4)-_-glucanase --providing the basis for a high-energy barley chicken feed--, human lactoferrin and lysozyme. A project to produce procollagen (gelatin) in the developing grain has been initiated.

Publications (1997 - Current)

Nirmala, J., S. Dahl, B.J. Steffenson, C.G. Kannangara, D. von Wettstein, X. Chen & A. Kleinhofs (2007) Proteolysis of the barley receptor-like protein kinase RPG1 by a proteasome pathway is correlated with Rpg1-mediated stem rust resistance. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 104, in press.

Pollman, S., A. Springer, F.Buhr, A.Lahroussi, I.Samol, J-M Bonneville, G.Tichtinsky, D. von Wettstein, C. Reinbothe & S. Reinbothe (2007) A plant porphyria related to defects in plastid import of protochloropyllide oxidoreductase A. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 104, 2019-2023.

von Wettstein, D. (2007) From Analysis of Mutants to Genetic Engineering. Annu.Rev. Plant Biol. 58, 1-19.”

Wu, Y-C., D. von Wettstein, C. G. Kannangara, J. Nirmala & R.J.Cook (2006) Growth inhibition of the cereal root pathogens Rhizoctonia solani AG8, R. oryzae and Gaeumannomyces graminis var.tritici by a recombinant endochitinase from Trichoderma harzianum. Biocontrol Sci. Technol. 16 (6), 631-646.

Nirmala, J., R.Brueggeman, C. Maier, C. Clay, N. Rostoks, C. G. Kannangara, D. von Wettstein, B.J. Steffenson & A. Kleinhofs (2006) Subcellular localization and functions of the barley stem rust resistance receptor-like serine/threonine-specific protein kinase RPG1. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA103, 7518-7523.

Wettstein, D. von (2006) Fascinations with Chloroplasts and Chromosome Pairing. Introductory Review; Progress in Botany Vol. 67, 2-28.

Jansen, C., D. von Wettstein, W. Schäfer, K-H. Kogel, A. Felk & F.J. Maier (2005) Infection patterns in barley and wheat inoculated with wild-type and trichodiene synthase gene disrupted Fusarium graminearun. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102, 16892-16897.

Waller, F., B. Achatz, H. Baltruschat, J. Fodor, K.Becker, M. Fischer, T.Heier, R.Hückelhoven, C. Neumann, D. von Wettstein, P. Franken & K.-H. Kogel (2005) The endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica reprograms barley to salt-stress tolerance, disease resistance, and higher yield. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102, 13386-13391.

Rzeznicka, K., C.J.Walker, T. Westergren, C.G. Kannangara, D.von Wettstein, S. Merchant, S.P. Gough & M. Hansson (2005) Xantha-l encodes a membrane protein subunit of the aerobic Mg-protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester cyclase in the chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102: 5886-5891.

Wettstein, D. von (2004) Transgenic Barley. In: Proc. 9th Internat. Barley Genetics Symposium, Brno, Czech Republ. Czech J. Genet. Plant Breed. 40: 79.

Wettstein, D. von, J.S. Cochran, S.E. Ullrich, C.G. Kannangara, V.A. Jitkov, J.W. Burns, P.E. Reisenauer, X. Chen, and B.L. Jones. (2004) Registration of ‘Radiant’ Barley. Crop Science 44 1859-1860.

Wettstein, D.von, J. Warner & C.G. Kannangara (2003) Supplements of transgenic malt or grain containing (1,3-1,4)-ß-glucanase to barley based broiler diets lift their nutritive value to that of corn. Brit. J. Poultry Sci. 44, 438-449.

Druka A., D. Kudrna, N. Rostoks, R. Brueggeman, D. von Wettstein & A. Kleinhofs (2003) Chalcone isomerase gene from rice (Oryza sativa) and barley (Hordeum vulgare): physical, genetic and mutation mapping. Gene 302, 171-178.

Horvath H., N. Rostoks, R. Brueggeman, B. Steffenson, D.von Wettstein & A.Kleinhofs (2003) Genetically engineered stem rust resistance in barley using the Rpg1 gene. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 100, 364-369.

Zakhrabekova S., C.G. Kannangara, D.von Wettstein & M. Hansson (2002) A microarray approach for identifying mutated genes. Plant. Physiol. Biochem. 40, 189-197.

Ullrich, S., D.von Wettstein & J. Burns (2002) WSU releases and prereleases new barley varieties. Wheat Life 45, 26-28.

Druka A., D. Kudrna, C.G. Kannangara, D.von Wettstein & A. Kleinhofs (2002) Physical and genetic mapping of barley (Hordeum vulgare) germin-like cDNAs. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99, 850-855.

Stahl R., H.Horvath, J. Van Fleet, M.Voetz, D. von Wettstein & N.Wolf (2002) T-DNA integration into the barley genome from single and double cassette vectors. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99, 2146-2151.

Horvath H., J.Huang, O.T. Wong & D.von Wettstein (2002) Experiences with genetic transformation of barley and characteristics of transgenic plants. In: Barley Science.G.A. Slafer, J.L. Molina-Cano, R. Savin, J.L. Araus & J. Romagosa eds. The Harworth Press, New York 2002 pp. 143-176.

Wettstein D. von (2001) Discovery of a protein required for photosynthetic membrane assembly. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 98, 3633-3635.

Horvath H., L.G. Jensen, O.T. Wong, E. Kohl, S.E. Ullrich, J. Cochran, C.G. Kannangara & D. von Wettstein (2001) Stability of transgene expression, field performance and recombination breeding of transformed barley lines. Theor. Appl. Genet. 102, 1-11.

Wettstein D. von, G. Mikhaylenko, J.A. Froseth & C.G. Kannangara (2000) Improved barley broiler feed with transgenic malt containing heat-stable (1,3-1,4)-ß-glucanase. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97, 13512-13517.

Wu S., A.Druka, H. Horvath, A. Kleinhofs, C. G. Kannangara & D.von Wettstein (2000) Functional characterization of seed coat specific members of the barley germin gene family. Plant Physiol. Biochem.38, 685-698.

Horvath H., J. Huang, O.T. Wong, E. Kohl, T. Okita, C.G. Kannangara & D.von Wettstein (2000) The production of recombinant proteins in transgenic barley grains. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97, 1914-1919.

Wettstein D. von (2000) Chlorophyll Biosynthesis II: Adventures with native and recombinant enzymes. In: Discoveries in Plant Biology. S-D. Kung & S-F Yang eds. (World Scientific, Singapore) Vol. 3, 95-139.

Wettstein D. von (2000) Chlorophyll Biosynthesis I: From analysis of mutants to genetic engineering of the pathway. In: Discoveries in Plant Biology. S-D. Kung & S-F Yang eds. (World Scientific, Singapore) Vol.3, 75- 93, 2000.

Gruber M.Y., H.Ray, P.Auser, B. Skadhauge, J.Falk, K.K. Thomsen, J. Stougaard, A. Muir, G. Lees, B.Coulman, B. McKersie, S. Bowley & D. von Wettstein (1999) Genetic systems for condensed tannin biotechnology. In: Plant Polyphenols 2: Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacology, Ecology. G.G. Gross et al. eds. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publ., New York, pp. 315-341.

Hansson A., C.G. Kannangara, D.von Wettstein & M. Hansson (1999) Molecular basis for semi- dominance of missense mutations in the XANTHA-H (42kDa) subunit of magnesium chelatase. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96,1744 -1749.

Jensen L.G., O. Politz, O. Olsen, K. K.Thomsen & D. von Wettstein (1998) Inheritance of a codon optimized transgene expressing heat stable (1,3-1,4)-?-glucanase in scutellum and aleurone of germinating barley. Hereditas 129, 215-225.

Hansson M., S.P. Gough, C.G. Kannangara & D. von Wettstein (1998) Chromosomal locations of six barley genes encoding enzymes of chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis and the sequence of the ferrochelatase gene identify two regulatory genes. Plant Physiol. Biochem.36, 545-554.

Vothknecht U., C.G. Kannangara & D. von Wettstein (1998) Barley glutamyl tRNAGlu reductase: Mutations affecting haem inhibition and enzyme activity. Phytochemistry 47, 513-519.

Hansson M., S.P.Gough, C.G.Kannangara & D. von Wettstein (1997) Analysis of RNA and enzymes of potential importance for regulation of 5-aminolevulinic acid synthesis in the protochlorophyllide accumulating barley mutant tigrina-d12. Plant Physiol. Biochem. 35, 827-836.

Skadhauge B., K.K.Thomsen & D.von Wettstein (1997) The role of the barley testa layer and its flavonoid content in resistance to Fusarium infections. Hereditas 126, 147-160.

Skadhauge, B., M.Y.Gruber, K.K.Thomsen & D.von Wettstein (1997) Leucocyanidin reductase activity and accumulation of proanthocyanidins in developing legume tissues. Am. J. Botany 84,494-503.

Kannangara, C.G., U.C.Vothknecht, M. Hansson & D. von Wettstein (1997) Magnesium chelatase: association with ribosomes and mutant complementation studies identify barley subunit Xantha-G as a functional counterpart of Rhodobacter subunit BchD. Mol. Gen. Genet. 254, 85-92.