Glucosyltransferase: the gene arrangement and enzyme function.

Glucosyltransferases were isolated and characterised from many plant sources. The enzymes show middle amino acid similarity and broad substrate specificity. The promoter of the potato 5-UGT gene reveals strong environmental induction. The activation of the gene expression by UV radiation, ABA and cold treatments was detected. Overexpression of 5-UGT resulted in the accumulation of the diglucoside derivative of petunidin in transgenic tubers; the latter is most probably the reason for plant resistance to pathogen infection. Overexpressing plants produced more tubers, and the overall yield was higher when compared to nontransformants.