Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of engineering plants to modulate galactan content. Specifically, the disclosure provides methods for engineering a plant to increase the galactan content in a plant tissue by inducing expression of beta-1,4-galactan synthase (GALS), modulated by a heterologous promoter. Further disclosed are the methods of modulating expression level of GALS under the regulation of a transcription factor, as well as overexpression of UDP-galactose epimerse in the same plant tissue. Tissue specific promoters and transcription factors can be used in the methods are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of engineering plants to modulate galactan content. Specifically, the disclosure provides methods for engineering a plant to increase the galactan content in a plant tissue by inducing expression of beta-1,4-galactan synthase (GALS), modulated by a heterologous promoter. Further disclosed are the methods of modulating expression level of GALS under the regulation of a transcription factor, as well as overexpression of UDP-galactose epimerse in the same plant tissue. Tissue specific promoters and transcription factors can be used in the methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a genetically modified eukaryotic host cell comprising (a) a gene encoding a first nucleotide sugar transporter (NST) operably linked to a promoter, wherein the gene and/or the promoter is heterologous to the cell, and/or (b) a native gene encoding a second NTS is disrupted and/or a promoter of the native gene is disrupted. Such modified cells can be altered in the production of polysaccharide and/or glycopeptides. The present invention also provides for methods of making or using such modified cells.