Protein profiling of fast neutron soybean mutant seeds reveal differential accumulation of seed and iron storage proteins

Authors: ISLAM, NAZRUL - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE); Krishnan, Hari; Natarajan, Savithiry - Savi

Submitted to: Phytochemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/19/2022
Publication Date: 4/22/2022
Citation: Islam, N., Krishnan, H.B., Natarajan, S.S. 2022. Protein profiling of fast neutron soybean mutant seeds reveal differential accumulation of seed and iron storage proteins. Phytochemistry. 200. Article 113214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113214.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113214

Interpretive Summary: Soybean seeds are not only a vital source of protein and oil, but also contain several micronutrients, such as iron, that yield higher biological value as a source of food or feed. Soybeans have been genetically altered through fast neutrons (FN) irradiation to produce value-added nutritional traits. Scientists at USDA-ARS have conducted in-depth proteomic analysis of a FN mutant using a high throughput and sensitive mass spectrometry analytical technique. Through this analysis, a total of 4,338 proteins were identified in the FN mutant. This mutant showed higher contents of storage and iron-containing proteins, which enhances the nutritive value of the soybean meal. Our data provides useful information that can be utilized by soybean breeders and biotechnologists to alter the pathways and produce iron and storage protein rich soybeans.

Technical Abstract: A fast neutron (FN) radiated mutant (F10) displaying large duplications (encompassing a total of 1743 genes) exhibited a 16% increase in total seed protein content when compared to the wild-type parent. A tandem mass tag (TMT) based protein profiling of matured seeds resulted in the identification of 4,338 proteins. Gene duplication resulted in a significant increase in several seed storage proteins and protease inhibitors. Among the storage proteins, basic 7S globulin, glycinin G4, and beta-conglycinin showed higher abundance in matured FN mutant seeds. In addition, higher amounts of protease inhibitors, Kunitz trypsin inhibitor and Bowman-Birk proteinase inhibitor were predominantly observed. A significantly higher abundance of several L-ascorbate peroxidases, acid phosphatases, and iron storage proteins were also observed. A higher amount of albumin, sucrose synthase, iron storage, and ascorbate family proteins in the mutant seeds were observed at the mid stage of seed filling. We anticipate that the duplicated genes might have a cascading effect on the genome constituents and, thus, resulting in increased storage and iron-containing protein content in the mutant seeds. This study reveals that non-targeted gene duplication could affect seed storage and iron-containing proteins. Understanding the cascaded effect of gene duplication in developing mutant seed will enable engineering value-added soybeans with improved protein and iron content.