Two soybean seed lipoxygenase nulls accumulate reduced levels of lipoxygenase transcripts

Selection and molecular characterization of a lipoxygenase-free soybean mutant line induced by gamma irradiation

KEY MESSAGE

A lipoxygenase-free soybean mutant line (H70) induced by gamma ray was selected and its detailed information about the lipoxygenase was analyzed by comparison of DNA sequence. Soybean seeds contain three lipoxygenase enzymes, which induce a beany or grassy flavor. The elimination of lipoxygenases can reduce the poor stability and off-flavors of soybean oil and protein products. In this study, we selected a soybean mutant (H70) in which the three lipoxygenases had been mutated using gamma rays. To obtain detailed information about the lipoxygenase, we investigated the sequences of the Lox1, Lox2 and Lox3 genes in H70 compared to the original cultivar, Hwanggum. Comparisons of the sequences of the Lox1 and Lox2 genes in H70 with those in a line with normal lipoxygenase (HG) showed that the mutations in these genes affected a highly conserved group of six histidine residues necessary for enzymatic activity. Lox1 in H70 contained a 74 bp deletion in exon 8, creating a stop codon that prematurely terminates translation. A single point mutation (T-A) in exon 8 of Lox2 changed histidine (H532, one of the iron-binding ligands essential for Lox2 activity) to glutamine. The mutation in the Lox3 gene in H70 was a single-point mutation in exon 6 (A-G), which changed the amino acid from histidine to arginine. This amino acid alteration in Lox3 was located in the N-terminal barrel, which might play a role in molecular recognition during catalysis and/or proteolysis. These results suggest that gene analysis based on DNA sequencing could be useful for elucidating the lipoxygenase content in soybean mutant lines. Additionally, the soybean mutant line selected in this study could be used to develop soybean cultivars with improved flavor.

Sequence mining and transcript profiling to explore differentially expressed genes associated with lipid biosynthesis during soybean seed development

BACKGROUND

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is one of the most important oil crops in the world. It is desirable to increase oil yields from soybean, and so this has been a major goal of oilseed engineering. However, it is still uncertain how many genes and which genes are involved in lipid biosynthesis.

RESULTS

Here, we evaluated changes in gene expression over the course of seed development using Illumina (formerly Solexa) RNA-sequencing. Tissues at 15 days after flowering (DAF) served as the control, and a total of 11592, 16594, and 16255 differentially expressed unigenes were identified at 35, 55, and 65 DAF, respectively. Gene Ontology analyses detected 113 co-expressed unigenes associated with lipid biosynthesis. Of these, 15 showed significant changes in expression levels (log2fold values ≥ 1) during seed development. Pathway analysis revealed 24 co-expressed transcripts involved in lipid biosynthesis and fatty acid biosynthesis pathways. We selected 12 differentially expressed genes and analyzed their expressions using qRT-PCR. The results were consistent with those obtained from Solexa sequencing.

CONCLUSION

These results provide a comprehensive molecular biology background for research on soybean seed development, particularly with respect to the process of oil accumulation. All of the genes identified in our research have significance for breeding soybeans with increased oil contents.

Molecular sequence variations of the lipoxygenase-2 gene in soybean

Soybean lipoxygenase genes comprise a multi-gene family, with the seed lipoxygenase isozymes LOX1, LOX2, and LOX3 present in soybean seeds. Among these, the LOX2 isozyme is primarily responsible for the "beany" flavor of most soybean seeds. The variety, Jinpumkong 2, having null alleles (lx1, lx2, and lx3) lacks the three seed lipoxygenases; so, sequence variations between the lipoxygenase-2 genes of Pureunkong (Lx2) and Jinpumkong 2 (lx2) cultivars were examined. One indel, four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), a 175-bp fragment in the 5'-flanking sequence, and a missense mutation within the coding region were found in Jinpumkong 2. The distribution of the sequence variations was investigated among 90 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross of Pureunkong × Jinpumkong 2 and in 480 germplasm accessions with various origins and maturity groups. Evidence for a genetic bottleneck was observed: the 175-bp fragment was rare in Glycine max, but present in the majority of the G. soja accessions. Furthermore, the 175-bp fragment was not detected in the 5' upstream region of the Lx2 gene on chromosome (Chr) 13 in Williams 82; instead, a similar 175-bp fragment was positioned in the homeologous region on Chr 15. The findings indicated that the novel fragment identified was originally present in the Lx2 region prior to the recent genome duplication in soybean, but became rare in the G. max gene pool. The missense mutation of the conserved histidine residue of the lx2 allele was developed into a single nucleotide-amplified polymorphism (SNAP) marker. The missense mutation showed a perfect correlation with the LOX2-lacking phenotype, so the SNAP marker is expected to facilitate breeding of soybean cultivars which lack the LOX2 isozyme.

Molecular basis of seed lipoxygenase null traits in soybean line OX948

The poor stability and off-flavors of soybean oil and protein products can be reduced by eliminating lipoxygenases from soybean seed. Mature seeds of OX948, a lipoxygenase triple null mutant line, do not contain lipoxygenase proteins. The objective of this study was to determine the molecular basis of the seed lipoxygenase null traits in OX948. Comparisons of the sequences for lipoxygenase 1 (Lx1) and lipoxygenase 2 (Lx2) genes in the mutant (OX948) with those in a line with normal lipoxygenase levels (RG10) showed that the mutations in these genes affected a highly conserved group of six histidines necessary for enzymatic activity. The OX948 mutation in Lx1 is a 74 bp deletion in exon 8, which introduces a stop codon that prematurely terminates translation. A single T-A substitution in Lx2 changes histidine H532 (one of the iron-binding ligands essential for L-2 activity) to glutamine. The mutation in the lipoxygenase 3 (Lx3) gene in OX948 is in the promoter region and represents two single base substitutions in a cis-acting AAATAC paired box. All three mutations would result in the loss of lipoxygenase activity in mature seed. The seed lipoxygenase gene mutation-based molecular markers could be used to accelerate and simplify breeding efforts for soybean cultivars with improved flavor.

Uses of biotechnology in modifying plant lipids

This review discusses fatty acid modification of oilseeds with additional emphasis on production of oxygenated derivatives. In a relatively short period, less than a decade, our understanding of the enzymes involved in plant fatty acid synthesis has increased to the point where we understand how they might be used in oilseed modification. Further, through modern molecular biological techniques, the actual genes for many of these important enzymes have been cloned. Use of genetic transformation systems has allowed us to fundamentally alter the normal biosynthetic pathways in highly specific ways, in manners that would be either difficult or impossible using traditional breeding techniques. Alteration of plant lipid biosynthesis is not restricted to using genes from the plants themselves, but interspecies transfer is possible, either from completely unrelated plant species (often of no commercial value but possessing unusual biochemical properties) or from animals, fungi, and prokaryotic organisms. In this way "designer" plants possessing altered metabolism, tailored to the interests or needs of certain industries, nutritionists, and the consumer can be created.

The complete sequence of the rabbit erythroid cell-specific 15-lipoxygenase mRNA: comparison of the predicted amino acid sequence of the erythrocyte lipoxygenase with other lipoxygenases

We report the complete sequence of the rabbit reticulocyte (RBC) 15-lipoxygenase (LOX) mRNA as deduced from (i) sequencing cDNA recombinants isolated by screening cDNA libraries or polymerase-chain-reactions, and (ii) the sequence originating from the transcription start point obtained by primer extension-sequencing reactions. Like the human leukocyte 5-LOX mRNA, the RBC 15-LOX mRNA contains a very short 5'-untranslated region with a long 3'-untranslated region. But, unlike the human leukocyte 5-LOX mRNA, the RBC 15-LOX mRNA contains an intriguing repeated sequence (ten copies with the consensus sequence C4PuC3TCTTC4AAG) just after the translational stop codon, which may be involved in its regulation during reticulocyte maturation. Comparison of the RBC 15-LOX mRNA sequence with those of the previously published human 5-LOX mRNA and the soybean 3-LOX gene shows only a few short regions of sequence similarity. However, the predicted amino acid sequences of the encoded LOX enzymes show certain conserved regions that are presumably involved in their catalytic activity, in particular a cluster of five conserved histidines that we predict chelate the iron moiety involved in the active site.

Inheritance and mapping of seed lipoxygenase polypeptides in Pisum

Analysis of crosses of Pisum lines showing variation in the apparent molecular weight of seed lipoxygenase polypeptides indicates that the genes encoding the two major pea seed lipoxygenase polypeptides are closely linked. The lipoxygenase locus, designated Lox, maps to a position on linkage group 4 between Np and le.

Pleiotropic soybean mutants defective in both urease isozymes

Two new soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Williams] loci, designated Eu2 and Eu3, were identified in which ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-induced mutation eliminated urease activity. These loci showed no linkage to each other or to the "Sun-Eul" locus described in the accompanying paper (Meyer-Bothling and Polacco 1987). Unlike sun (seed urease-null) mutations those at Eu2 and Eu3 affected both urease isozymes: the embryo-specific (seed) and the ubiquitous (leaf) urease. The eu2/eu2 mutant had no leaf activity and 0.6% normal seed activity. Two mutant Eu3 alleles were recovered, eu3-e1 and Eu3-e3. The eu3-e1/eu3-e1 genotype lacked both activities while Eu3-e3/Eu3-e3 had coordinately reduced leaf (0.1%) and seed (0.1%) activities. Only the Eu3-e3 mutation showed partial dominance, yielding about 5%-10% normal activity for each urease in the heterozygous state. Each homozygous mutant contained normal levels of embryo-specific urease mRNA and protein subunit, both of normal size. However, urease polymerization was aberrant in all three mutants. In all cases where urease could be measured, it was found to be temperature sensitive and, in addition, the embryo-specific urease of Eu3-e3/Eu3-e3 had an altered pH dependence. These mutants may be defective in a urease maturation function common to both isozymes as suggested by the normal levels of urease gene product, coordinately (or nearly so) reduced urease isozyme activities, temperature sensitivity in both ureases (Eu3-e3) and the non-linkage of Eu2 and Eu3 to the locus encoding embryo-specific urease (Sun-Eul). Ubiquitous urease activity is reduced in mutant seed coat and callus culture as well as in leaf and cotyledon tissue. No mutant callus utilized urea (5 to 10 nM0 as sole nitrogen source. However, all mutant cell lines tolerated normally toxic levels of urea (25 to 250 mM) added to medium containing KNO3/NH4No3 as nitrogen source. Urea thus may be used in cell culture as a selection agent for phenotypes either lacking or regaining an active ubiquitous urease.

Mutational analysis of the embryo-specific urease locus of soybean

By a non-destructive urease screen of M2 soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr. cv. Williams) seeds, four true-breeding mutants (n4, n6, n7 and n8) were recovered which lack most (n6, n8) or all (n4, n7) embryo-specific urease activity. This trait was due to a single, recessive lesion at the Sun (seed urease-null) locus identified earlier in an exotic germplasm (PI 229324, Itachi). All sun mutants produced normal ubiquitous urease, the low abundance isozyme found in all soybean tissues examined. Tight mutants n4 and n7 accumulated no detectable embryo-specific urease protein or mRNA; n6 and n8 accumulated normal or near normal levels of urease mRNA but had seed urease protein levels approximately 5% and .05%, respectively, of the progenitor. Mutant n8 appeared to produce a low level of fully active urease (approximately 0.7% activity level, approximately 0.5% protein level) while n6 produced a higher level of an altered, nearly inactive urease (.0.09% activity level, approximately 5% protein level). Urease alterations in n6 were manifested by its increased temperature sensitivity and variation in aggregation state and pH preference. Thus, mutations in the Sun locus affected both the level and the nature of the embryo-specific urease gene products indicating that Sun encodes the embryo-specific urease. We reported earlier that the Eul locus, which controls the aggregation state of the embryo-specific urease, is on mep unit from Sun and that the Eul allele is cis to sun is not expressed (Kloth et al. 1987). That the level of urease gene product, its aggregation state and other enzyme properties can be affected by induced sun mutations, suggests that the Eul and sun alleles are at the same locus.

Recovery of a soybean urease genomic clone by sequential library screening with two synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides

We report the first isolation of a low-copy-number gene from a complex higher plant (soybean) genome by direct screening with synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide (oligo) probes. A synthetic, mixed, 21-nucleotide (nt) oligo (21-1) based on a seven amino acid (aa) sequence from soybean seed urease, was used to screen genomic libraries of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) in the lambda Charon 4 vector. Twenty homologous clones were recovered from a screen of 500,000 plaques. These were counterscreened with embryo-specific cDNA (15-2 cDNA) made by priming with a second, mixed 15-nt oligo (15-2), based on a Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) urease peptide [Takishima et al., J. Natl. Def. Med. Coll. 5 (1980) 19-23]. Five out of 20 clones were homologous to 15-2 cDNA and proved to be identical. Nucleotide sequence analysis of representative clone E15 confirmed that it contained urease sequences. Subclones of E15 homologous to the oligo probes contain a deduced amino acid sequence which matches 108 of 130 aa residues of an amino acid run in a recently published [Mamiya et al., Proc. Jap. Acad. 61B (1985) 359-398] complete protein sequence for Jack-bean seed urease. Using clone E15 as a probe of soybean embryonic mRNA revealed a homologous 3.8-kb species that is the size of the urease messenger. This species is absent from mRNA of embryos of a soybean seed urease-null mutant. However, both urease-positive and urease-null genomes contain the 11-kb DNA fragment bearing urease sequences.

Cloning of a rabbit erythroid-cell-specific lipoxygenase mRNA

We report the isolation of cDNA recombinants representing part of the rabbit reticulocyte (immature red blood cell, RBC) lipoxygenase (LOX) mRNA. One cDNA predicts an amino acid (aa) sequence matching exactly the unique N-terminal 30-aa sequence of the purified enzyme. Further, the reticulocyte mRNA, hybrid-selected by this recombinant, can be translated in vitro to give a polypeptide that comigrates with the purified reticulocyte LOX and is recognized by affinity-purified anti-RBC LOX polyclonal antibodies. Southern blotting experiments hybridising the RBC LOX cDNAs available to total rabbit genomic DNA digested with various restriction enzymes gives a fairly simple hybridisation pattern under moderate stringency conditions: moreover, the same pattern is obtained with a cloned fragment of genomic DNA containing the RBC LOX gene. This indicates that the RBC LOX gene is unique in the genome and seems not to be very closely related to the genes encoding the other tissue LOXs. We also show by Northern transfer/hybridisation experiments that the RBC LOX mRNA is expressed only in the red cell lineage but not in white blood cells (bone marrow or spleen) or in other non-erythroid cells tested (e.g., brain and lung).