Vernonia DGATs increase accumulation of epoxy fatty acids in oil

Vernolic acid (cis‐12‐epoxy‐octadeca‐cis‐9‐enoic acid) is valuable as a renewable chemical feedstock. This fatty acid can accumulate to high levels in the seed oil of some plant species such as Vernonia galamensis and Stokesia laevis which are unsuitable for large‐scale production. A cost‐effective alternative for production of epoxy fatty acids is to genetically engineer its biosynthesis in commercial oilseeds. An epoxygenase cDNA (SlEPX) responsible for vernolic acid synthesis and two acyl‐CoA : diacylglycerol acyltransferase cDNAs (VgDGAT1 and VgDGAT2) catalysing triacylglycerol (TAG) formation were cloned from developing seeds of S. laevis and V. galamensis. Co‐expression of SlEPX and VgDGAT1 or VgDGAT2 greatly increases accumulation of vernolic acid both in petunia leaves and soybean somatic embryos. Seed‐specific expression of VgDGAT1 and VgDGAT2 in SlEPX mature soybean seeds results in vernolic acid levels of ～15% and 26%. Both DGAT1 and DGAT2 increase epoxy fatty acid accumulation with DGAT2 having much greater impact.     

Interaction of native Bowman—Birk soybean protease inhibitor and its hydrophobized derivative with multilamellar vesicles of soybean phospholipids

The interaction of native Bowman-Birk soybean protease inhibitor (BBI) and its hydrophobized derivative with multilamellar vesicles of various soybean phospholipids was investigated. Decrease in pH and introduction of negatively charged components to the lipid mixture increased BBI content in the protein-lipid complex. This suggests a contribution of electrostatic forces in the protein-lipid interaction. Protein hydrophobization insignificantly influenced BBI binding to lipids. In the complex with lipids, both proteins (BBI and its hydrophobized derivative) retained high anti-chymotrypsin activity (75-100%), which was not influenced by the presence of the ionic detergent sodium deoxycholate.     

Effects of different proteins on the metabolism of Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn in rats

Many factors are known to influence trace element metabolism and one of them is dietary protein. The present study examines the effects of casein, soybean protein, and peanut protein on the metabolism of the Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn in growing rats. The results showed that Zn, Fe, and Mn excretions in the feces of peanut protein-fed rats (PPERs) were similar to that of casein-fed rats (CPFRs) (p>0.05), whereas all of the Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn excretions in the urine of PPFRs were significantly higher than that of CPFRs (p<0.05), but its apparent absorption rate (AAR) of Cu, Fe and its apparent retention rate (ARR) of Cu were all higher than that of CPFRs (p<0.05). Hepatic Zn content of soybean protein-fed rats (SPFRs) was higher than that of CPFRs and PPFRs (p<0.05 respectively) and serum, renal, and femoral Cu contents of SPFRs were significantly lower; however, hepatic Cu, and renal Mn contents were significantly higher than that of CPFRs (p<0.05, respectively); The hepatic Fe content of SPFRs was significantly higher than that of CPFRs and PPFRs (p<0.01, respectively). To sum up, compared to casein, soybean protein might be a good dietary source to make up for Zn and Fe deficiency, and also peanut protein to make up for Cu and Fe deficiency.     

Characterization of Bacillus subtilis strains in Thua nao, a traditional fermented soybean food in northern Thailand

AIMS: To clarify the diversity of Bacillus subtilis strains in Thua nao that produce high concentrations of products useful in food manufacturing and in health-promoting compounds. METHOD AND RESULTS: Production of amylase, protease, subtilisin NAT (nattokinase), and gamma-polyglutamic acid (PGA) by the Bacillus subtilis strains in Thua nao was measured. Productivity of protease NAT by these strains tended to be higher than by Japanese commercial natto-producing strains. Molecular diversity of isolated strains was analysed via randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR fingerprinting. The strains were divided into 19 types, including a type with the same pattern as a Japanese natto-producing strain. CONCLUSION: B. subtilis strains that could be a resource for effective production of protease, amylase, subtilisin NAT, or PGA were evident in Thua nao produced in various regions in northern Thailand. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study clearly demonstrated the value of Thua nao as a potential resource of food-processing enzymes and health-promoting compounds.     

大豆开花基因GmCO和GmFT的克隆及表达

为了研究大豆光周期反应是否受开花基因CO(CONSTANS)和FT(FLOWERING LOCUS T)调控,采用同源序列法从大豆中分离了CO和FT的同源物GmCO和GmFT.GmCO和GmFT分别编码151和109个氨基酸,与水稻和拟南芥中相关蛋白的氨基酸序列同源性达到70%以上.通过RT-PCR分析GmCO和GmFT在短日照(short daylength,SD)、自然光照(natural light,NL)和长日照(long daylength,LD)处理大豆不同发育阶段叶片中的表达发现,GmCO在LD处理大豆早期发育的叶片中高丰度表达,GmFT在SD和NL处理大豆开花时期的叶片中高丰度表达.上述结果表明,GmCO和GmFT的表达与大豆开花时间及光照长度密切相关,且GmCO抑制GmFT的表达.     

Crystal structures of vegetative soybean lipoxygenase VLX-B and VLX-D, and comparisons with seed isoforms LOX-1 and LOX-3

The lipoxygenase family of lipid-peroxidizing, nonheme iron dioxygenases form products that are precursors for diverse physiological processes in both plants and animals. In soybean (Glycine max), five vegetative isoforms, VLX-A, VLX-B, VLX-C, VLX-D, VLX-E, and four seed isoforms LOX-1, LOX-2, LOX-3a, LOX-3b have been identified. In this study, we determined the crystal structures of the substrate-free forms of two major vegetative isoforms, with distinct enzymatic characteristics, VLX-B and VLX-D. Their structures are similar to the two seed isoforms, LOX-1 and LOX-3, having two domains with similar secondary structural elements: a beta-barrel N-terminal domain containing highly flexible loops and an alpha-helix-rich C-terminal catalytic domain. Detailed comparison of the structures of these two vegetative isoforms with the structures of LOX-1 and LOX-3 reveals important differences that help explain distinct aspects of the activity and positional specificity of these enzymes. In particular, the shape of the three branches of the internal subcavity, corresponding to substrate-binding and O(2) access, differs among the isoforms in a manner that reflects the differences in positional specificities.     

Genetic Diversity of Soybean and the Establishment of a Core Collection Focused on Resistance to Soybean Cyst Nematode

Soybean cyst nematode （SCN; Heterodera glycines） Is one of the most Important pests affecting soybean production. The best method of control of SCN is through the development of resistant cultlvars. However, limited progress has been made in soybean breeding In China because most modern cultlvars have no resistance to SCN. The distribution and phenotype of 432 immune or highly resistant Chinese accessions were surveyed and a primary core collection was selected as a representative sample for further analyses. Using evenly distributed simple sequence repeat markers, five selection methods were applied to the primary core collection and the optimal method was chosen to establish a core collection, which consisted of 28 accessions. These encompassed 70.8% of the ailelic variation present in the overall resistant collection. The 28 accessions differed from the reference resistant accessions at the genomlc level, Indicating that Chinese resistant accessions are distinct from known resistant accessions. This applied core collection provides a rational framework for undertaking diversity surveys, using genetic variation for the investigation of complex traits and for the discovery of novel traits.     

大豆籽粒大小的发育遗传分析

籽粒大小是大豆产量的一个重要因素。有关大豆籽粒的遗传学和生理生态学研究已有一些研究,而对于籽粒发育过程中的遗传效应却报道很少。文章采用种子广义遗传模型,分析了大豆双列杂交组合3个世代遗传材料8个时期的鲜籽粒大小和干籽粒大小的数据,应用非条件和条件遗传方差及相关方法分析了发育遗传规律。8个时期的亲本、F1、F2的鲜籽粒大小和干籽粒大小的平均数分别在9／6和9／13达到最高值,鲜籽粒大小在9／6后迅速下降,干籽粒大小在9／13后区于稳定。非条件方差分析表明在整个生育期中,胚遗传效应、细胞质遗传效应和母体植株遗传效应对大豆鲜籽粒大小和干籽粒大小有影响。在多数生育阶段中,细胞质和母体植株的遗传效应对鲜籽粒大小和干籽粒大小影响较大。条件方差分析表明,在大豆生育期中,各遗传体系的基因间断性表达。在多数生育阶段中,细胞质和母体植株的净遗传效应高于胚净遗传效应。不同时期的各遗传体系的基因效应可以单独或同时影响鲜籽粒大小和干籽粒大小的最终表现。8／16的胚加性效应、8／9和8／16的胚显性效应、8／2和8／16的母体植株显性效应影响到鲜籽粒大小的最终表现。8／2和9／13的胚加性效应、8／9的细胞质效应、8／2的母体植株显性效应对干籽粒大小的最终表现有影响。     

Population genetic structure of Japanese wild soybean (Glycine soja) based on microsatellite variation

The research objectives were to determine aspects of the population dynamics relevant to effective monitoring of gene flow in the soybean crop complex in Japan. Using 20 microsatellite primers, 616 individuals from 77 wild soybean (Glycine soja) populations were analysed. All samples were of small seed size (< 0.03 g), were directly collected in the field and came from all parts of Japan where wild soybeans grow, except Hokkaido. Japanese wild soybean showed significant reduction in observed heterozygosity, low outcrossing rate (mean 3.4%) and strong genetic differentiation among populations. However, the individual assignment test revealed evidence of rare long-distance seed dispersal (> 10 km) events among populations, and spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed that populations within a radius of 100 km showed a close genetic relationship to one another. When analysis of graphical ordination was applied to compare the microsatellite variation of wild soybean with that of 53 widely grown Japanese varieties of cultivated soybean (Glycine max), the primary factor of genetic differentiation was based on differences between wild and cultivated soybeans and the secondary factor was geographical differentiation of wild soybean populations. Admixture analysis revealed that 6.8% of individuals appear to show introgression from cultivated soybeans. These results indicated that population genetic structure of Japanese wild soybean is (i) strongly affected by the founder effect due to seed dispersal and inbreeding strategy, (ii) generally well differentiated from cultivated soybean, but (iii) introgression from cultivated soybean occurs. The implications of the results for the release of transgenic soybeans where wild soybeans grow are discussed.     

Characterization of the Virulence Phenotypes of Heterodera glycines in Minnesota

Knowledge of the virulence phenotypes of soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines populations is important in choosing appropriate sources for breeding resistant cultivars and managing the nematode. We investigated races of 59 H. glycines populations collected from 1997 to 1998 and races and HG Types of 94 populations collected in 2002 from soybean fields across southern and central Minnesota. In the 1997 to 1998 samples, race 3 was predominant and represented 78% of the populations. The remaining populations were 11.9% race 1, 1.7% race 4, 6.8% race 6, and 1.7% race 14. In the 2002 samples, the populations were classified as 15.3% race 1, 77.6% race 3, 2.4% race 5, 3.5% race 6 and 1.2% race 9. Percentage of 1997 to 1998 populations with female indices (FI) higher than 10 were 10.2% on Pickett 71, 3.4% on Peking, 13.6% on PI 88788, 3.4% on PI 90763, 1.7% on PI 209332, and 1.7% on PI 437654. Percentage of 2002 populations with FI >10 was 1.1% on Peking, 17.0% on PI88788, 14.9% on PI 209332, 33.0% on PI 548316, 11.7% on Pickett 71, and 0% on the other three indicators, PI 90763, PI 437654, and PI 89772. The line PI 548316 was relatively susceptible to the Minnesota H. glycines populations and may not be recommended for breeding resistant cultivars in the state. There was no noticeable change of frequencies of virulence phenotypes in response to the use of resistant cultivars during 1997 to 2002 in Minnesota except that FI increased on the PI 209332.