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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #183514
Title: REGULATION OF STORAGE PRODUCT ACCUMULATION IN SOYBEAN SEED

Author
item MARSOLAIS, FRÉDÉRIC - AG AND AGRI-FOOD CANADA
item HERNÁNDEZ-SEBASTIÀ, CINTA - CROP PROTECTION CANADA
item Huber, Steven

Submitted to: Society for Experimental Biology Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/15/2005
Publication Date: 8/15/2005
Citation: Marsolais, F., Hernández-Sebastià, C., Huber, S.C. 2005. Regulation of storage product accumulation in soybean seed. In: Comp. Biochem. Physiol. A141, S289 (P7.89). Abstracts of the Annual Main Meeting of the Society for Experimental Biology, 11-15th July 2005, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In grain legumes, seed protein content (SPC) is an important trait directly related to the economic value of the crop. A study was conducted on the biological mechanisms regulating SPC in soybean. Free amino acid pools were analyzed in two genetically related lines with low and high seed protein. High protein content was associated with increased levels of Asn in developing cotyledons, whereas in the seed coat and apoplast both lines were similar. In the dark, the low protein line accumulated Gln, Arg and its precursors, suggesting a reduced availability of organic acids required for amino acid interconversions, while the high protein line maintained higher levels of the pyruvate-derived amino acids Val, Leu and Ile. Differences in seed composition were reflected in steady-state transcript levels of storage proteins and the lipogenic enzyme multi-subunit acetyl CoA carboxylase. A positive correlation (p ' 0.05) between free Asn in developing cotyledons and SPC at maturity was confirmed in a comparison of five unrelated field-grown cultivars. In embryos grown in vitro, light was required to sustain sucrose uptake and anabolic processes under conditions of elevated nitrogen supply. The results open new directions for research on seed composition, not only in soybean but perhaps also in related pulses.