Figure 7. Hypothetical model of cyanogen metabolism in cassava roots.

Proposed pathway of linamarin synthesis and breakdown in cassava roots. Transgenic cassava overexpressing HNL leads to decrease in steady state levels of linamarin in roots and reductions in both acetone cyanohydrin and cyanide levels after processing. In addition, there is an increase in total HNL protein which ultimately leads to increase in total protein level in roots. Two small blue arrows indicate either decrease or increase levels in roots.