New Advances in Soybean Molecular Biology

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Breeding and Genetics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 9118

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. National Center for Transgenic Research in Plants, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
2. Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Soybean Biology (Beijing), Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Interests: soybean molecular biology and breeding

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. National Center for Transgenic Research in Plants, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
2. Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Soybean Biology (Beijing), Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Interests: soybean molecular biology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Revealing the genetic basis of important agronomic traits of soybean is an important research topic in soybean breeding applications. Soybean biotechnology applications and gene molecular biology have been cutting-edge research in recent decades.

For this Special Issue, the aim and scope include mapping, expression characteristics, genetic effects and breeding applications of regulatory genes for important agronomic traits in soybean.

We highly welcome scholars to contribute papers (article/review/communication) including but not limited to the following topics: Gene mapping, expression analysis, functional analysis, regulatory networks and breeding applications in soybean.

Prof. Dr. Wensheng Hou
Dr. Li Chen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • soybean
  • gene
  • functional analysis
  • new germplasm
  • transgene
  • genome editing

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1919 KiB  
Article
Overexpression of Chalcone Isomerase-like Genes, GmCHI4A and GmCHI4B, Enhances Salt Tolerance of Cotyledon Hairy Roots and Composite Plant in Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.)
by Jinhao Zhang, Ying Wang, Jingwen Li, Youcheng Zhu, Le Wang, Zhiqi Li, Yajing Liu, Fan Yan and Qingyu Wang
Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 731; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040731 - 01 Apr 2024
Viewed by 546
Abstract
Chalcone isomerase (CHI) is an important enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of flavonoids, one that is crucial in both plant defense and human health. Although many CHI genes have been previously identified, the function of CHI-like genes in soybean remains unclear. In this [...] Read more.
Chalcone isomerase (CHI) is an important enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of flavonoids, one that is crucial in both plant defense and human health. Although many CHI genes have been previously identified, the function of CHI-like genes in soybean remains unclear. In this study, we cloned the CHI-like genes GmCHI4A and GmCHI4B (GmCHI4s) in soybean. The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that GmCHI4s were expressed primarily in soybean root, but were also present in other tissues, including the stem, leaf, and seed with a low expression level. Overexpression of GmCHI4s was able to significantly improve some beneficial traits of the transformed hair roots of cotyledon or composite plants under salt stress conditions. Root length, root wet weight, and the underground biomass was increased, and the elevation of MDA content was inhibited under 100 mmol L−1 or 150 mmol L−1 NaCl treatment. Leaf chlorophyll content was elevated in overexpressed GmCHI4A composite plants under 150 mmol L−1 NaCl treatment. The expression levels of salt-stress-related genes GmSOD1, GmAPX1, GmSOS1, and GmNHX1 were significantly upregulated in overexpressed GmCHI4 hairy roots compared to that in empty-vector-expressed hairy roots. The above results indicated GmCHI4s’ potential action against salt stress. Furthermore, overexpression of GmCHI4A and GmCHI4B increased the total isoflavone content by six times and three times, respectively. Glycitin and glycitein levels were significantly elevated in the overexpressed GmCHI4A hairy roots, while glycitin, genistin, daidzein, and genistein were significantly increased in overexpressed GmCHI4B hairy roots. This study identified a new function of the CHI-like gene, as well as providing a new selected gene for salt tolerance and isoflavone improvement using biotechnological approaches in soybean. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Soybean Molecular Biology)
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12 pages, 2045 KiB  
Article
QTL Mapping by Chromosome Segment Substitution Lines (CSSLs) Reveals Candidate Gene Controlling Leaf Sucrose Content in Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.)
by Yuheng Wu, Chenyu He, Changheng Sun, Xiangran Wang, Zhaoming Qi, Qingshan Chen, Mingzhe Zhao, Xindong Yao and Dayong Zhang
Agronomy 2023, 13(6), 1592; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13061592 - 13 Jun 2023
Viewed by 926
Abstract
Understanding the genetic basis of leaf sucrose content can provide a novel way in improving soybean yields. To identify the related QTLs, 190 materials of chromosome fragment substitution lines (CSSLs) were used in this study. The CSSLs were developed from the cross between [...] Read more.
Understanding the genetic basis of leaf sucrose content can provide a novel way in improving soybean yields. To identify the related QTLs, 190 materials of chromosome fragment substitution lines (CSSLs) were used in this study. The CSSLs were developed from the cross between the cultivated soybean Suinong 14 (SN14) and wild soybean ZYD00006. Only one QTL with a high logarithm of odds (LOD) score was detected in 2021 and 2022 among 3780 bin markers (combined by 580,524 SNPs) distributed in 20 chromosomes. Nine candidate genes were screened and Glyma.14G029100 was considered as the hub gene. A promoter difference and CDS mutant was found among the parents and the reference genome, which lead to the relative transcriptional level difference.. Our results lay the groundwork for further research into its genetic mechanism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Soybean Molecular Biology)
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15 pages, 4305 KiB  
Article
Cytosolic Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate Aldolases Modulate Primary Metabolism and Phytohormone Homeostasis in Soybean
by Zhimin Qiu, Mengyan Bai, Huaqin Kuang, Xin Wang, Xiaomin Yu, Xiangbin Zhong and Yuefeng Guan
Agronomy 2023, 13(5), 1383; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13051383 - 16 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1585
Abstract
Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA) is an important catalytic enzyme in carbon metabolism and plays an important role in plant growth and development. Currently, the biological functions of FBA in soybean (Glycine max) remain unknown. In this study, we conducted research on FBA [...] Read more.
Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA) is an important catalytic enzyme in carbon metabolism and plays an important role in plant growth and development. Currently, the biological functions of FBA in soybean (Glycine max) remain unknown. In this study, we conducted research on FBA in soybean and identified 14 GmFBA genes. Among them, GmFBAc1 and GmFBAc2 are broadly expressed in different tissues. Double mutant lines of GmFBAc1 and GmFBAc2 were obtained by CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology. Compared with the wild type, the double-gene homozygous mutant gmfbac1gmfbac2 exhibited dwarf seedlings and narrow leaflets, indicating that GmFBAc1 and GmFBAc2 are critical for soybean growth and development. The gmfbac1gmfbac2 metabolomic analysis revealed that compared to the wild type, carbohydrate metabolism was reduced and amino acid metabolism was enhanced in gmfbac1gmfbac2 mutant leaves. Transcriptomic analysis showed that genes in IAA signaling and JA signaling were downregulated and upregulated, respectively. Our study demonstrates an important role of GmFBAc1 and GmFBAc2 in modulating carbon metabolism and phytohormone homeostasis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Soybean Molecular Biology)
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12 pages, 3608 KiB  
Communication
GmSTK12 Participates in Salt Stress Resistance in Soybean
by Yang Liu, Jingwen Zhou, Yun Chen, Xue Yang, Shuang Jiao, Huimin Zhang, Xiaofei Ma, Hong Zhai and Xi Bai
Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 613; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020613 - 20 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1573
Abstract
Soybean (Glycine max (Linn.) Merr.) is a widely-cultivated crop, the yield of which is markedly affected by adverse environmental conditions. Soil salinization, in particular, has led to the degradation of agricultural land, resulting in poor plant growth and decreased crop yields. In [...] Read more.
Soybean (Glycine max (Linn.) Merr.) is a widely-cultivated crop, the yield of which is markedly affected by adverse environmental conditions. Soil salinization, in particular, has led to the degradation of agricultural land, resulting in poor plant growth and decreased crop yields. In plants, serine/threonine protein kinases (STKs) are involved in the plant response to a variety of abiotic stresses. Our previous study identified a transcription factor (GmWRKY20) involved in plant stress resistance, which can directly regulate the expression of GmSTK12. Here, we investigated the effect of the stress-responsive gene GmSTK12 (Glyma.12g198200), which encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase, on soybean salt tolerance. Overall, the overexpression of GmSTK12 (GmSTK12-OE) resulted in increased salt tolerance. Under salt stress, GmSTK12-OE soybeans exhibited significantly increased chlorophyll and proline (PRO) contents; decreased relative electrical conductivity; decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide anion (O2) contents; and increased activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD). The nitroblue tetrazolium chloride (NBT) staining experiment further confirmed the reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in GmSTK12-OE soybean leaves. We further determined the Na+ and K+ contents in soybean leaves and roots and found that the Na+ content and Na+/K+ ratio in GmSTK12-OE soybean leaves and roots were significantly lower than those of WT (williams82) soybeans. Furthermore, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed that the expression of three SOS pathway genes (GmSOS1, GmSOS2a, and GmSOS2b) was upregulated in GmSTK12-OE soybeans under salt stress. Taken together, the results indicate that GmSTK12 is involved in the mechanism of soybean response to salt stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Soybean Molecular Biology)
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17 pages, 4953 KiB  
Article
Soybean GmVIT1 Gene Confers Plant Tolerance to Excess Fe/Mn Stress
by Tong Li, Xue-Meng Zhang, Jia-Lu Gao, Ling Wang, Liang Si, Yong-Jun Shu, Chang-Hong Guo, Yong-Cai Lai, Ying-Dong Bi and Dong-Lin Guo
Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 384; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020384 - 28 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1413
Abstract
Iron (Fe) and (Mn) are essential for the plant but are toxic when in excess. Vacuolar iron transporters (VITs) are involved in plant metal storage and detoxication. In this study, we screened two soybean cultivars (HN51 and SN37) with different responses to iron [...] Read more.
Iron (Fe) and (Mn) are essential for the plant but are toxic when in excess. Vacuolar iron transporters (VITs) are involved in plant metal storage and detoxication. In this study, we screened two soybean cultivars (HN51 and SN37) with different responses to iron stress. From HN51 and SN37, we identified a new gene GmVIT1, for which expression is closely related to iron stress response by transcriptomic and quantitative analysis. We obtained GmVIT1 and GmVIT1 promoter from the iron deficiency-tolerant soybean variety Heinong51. Sequence analysis showed that GmVIT1 contained a conserved 170-residue VIT domain and localized at the tonoplast. Moreover, GmVIT1 is expressed in soybean leaves, stems, and roots. The expression of GmVIT1 was significantly induced by excessive Fe/Mn in leaves and stems. GUS assay showed that excess Fe/Mn enhanced GmVIT1 promoter activity. Furthermore, overexpression of GmVIT1 in Arabidopsis seedlings showed reduced phytotoxic effects induced by excess Fe/Mn stress, including yellowing in leaves, decreased chlorophyll content, and accumulated MDA. GmVIT1 overexpression in Arabidopsis showed relatively higher soluble sugar content and SOD, POD, and CAT activity. In addition, the ferric reductase activity in GmVIT1 overexpression in Arabidopsis decreased under excess Fe, while it increased under excess Mn. By integrating all these results, we found that GmVIT1 plays a vital role in plant response to excess Fe/Mn. The results showed that GmVIT1 was worthy of metal homeostasis mechanism research in plants and could be applied in the metal toxic-tolerance improvement in crops. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Soybean Molecular Biology)
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11 pages, 1723 KiB  
Communication
CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Mutagenesis of GmFAD2-1A and/or GmFAD2-1B to Create High-Oleic-Acid Soybean
by Mingxue Fu, Li Chen, Yupeng Cai, Qiang Su, Yingying Chen and Wensheng Hou
Agronomy 2022, 12(12), 3218; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12123218 - 19 Dec 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2018
Abstract
Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) oil is an important source of vegetable oil for supporting the human diet. However, the high level of polyunsaturated fatty acids in natural soybean oil renders the oil unstable and thus susceptible to the development of unpalatable [...] Read more.
Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) oil is an important source of vegetable oil for supporting the human diet. However, the high level of polyunsaturated fatty acids in natural soybean oil renders the oil unstable and thus susceptible to the development of unpalatable flavors and trans fatty acids. Therefore, reducing the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and increasing the content of monounsaturated fatty acids is a longstanding and important target for soybean breeding. However, soybean varieties with a high oleic acid content are rare in soybean germplasm resources, which introduces substantial difficulties in the cultivation of high-oleic-acid soybeans. In this study, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene-editing technology was used to create targeted knockout of the soybean fatty acid desaturase encoding genes GmFAD2-1A and GmFAD2-1B that contribute to the formation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. We obtained fad2-1a, fad2-1b, and fad2-1a/fad2-1b homozygous mutants using two sgRNAs. We found that the oleic acid content increased from 11% to 40-50% in the fad2-1a and fad2-1b mutants and to 85% in the fad2-1a/fad2-1b mutants. We also generated transgene-free double mutants that conferred higher oleic acid, and the fad2-1a/fad2-1b mutant had no adverse phenotyping compared with the wild type. Our study provided new materials for the selection and breeding of high-oleic-acid soybean varieties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Soybean Molecular Biology)
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