Identification of QTLs and candidate genes for water-soluble protein content in soybean seeds
Xujuan Zhang,
Fengmin Wang,
Qiang Chen,
Qingsong Zhao,
Tiantian Zhao,
Xuejie Hu,
Luping Liu,
Jin Qi,
Yake Qiao,
Mengchen Zhang,
Chunyan Yang,
Jun Qin
Affiliations
Xujuan Zhang
Hebei Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Huang-Huai-Hai Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Cereal and Oil Crops, National Soybean Improvement Center Shijiazhuang Sub-Center, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
Fengmin Wang
Hebei Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Huang-Huai-Hai Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Cereal and Oil Crops, National Soybean Improvement Center Shijiazhuang Sub-Center, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
Qiang Chen
Hebei Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Huang-Huai-Hai Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Cereal and Oil Crops, National Soybean Improvement Center Shijiazhuang Sub-Center, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
Qingsong Zhao
Hebei Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Huang-Huai-Hai Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Cereal and Oil Crops, National Soybean Improvement Center Shijiazhuang Sub-Center, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
Tiantian Zhao
Hebei Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Huang-Huai-Hai Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Cereal and Oil Crops, National Soybean Improvement Center Shijiazhuang Sub-Center, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
Xuejie Hu
Hebei Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Huang-Huai-Hai Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Cereal and Oil Crops, National Soybean Improvement Center Shijiazhuang Sub-Center, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
Luping Liu
Hebei Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Huang-Huai-Hai Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Cereal and Oil Crops, National Soybean Improvement Center Shijiazhuang Sub-Center, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
Jin Qi
Hebei Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Huang-Huai-Hai Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Cereal and Oil Crops, National Soybean Improvement Center Shijiazhuang Sub-Center, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
Yake Qiao
College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology
Mengchen Zhang
Hebei Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Huang-Huai-Hai Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Cereal and Oil Crops, National Soybean Improvement Center Shijiazhuang Sub-Center, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
Chunyan Yang
Hebei Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Huang-Huai-Hai Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Cereal and Oil Crops, National Soybean Improvement Center Shijiazhuang Sub-Center, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
Jun Qin
Hebei Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Huang-Huai-Hai Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Cereal and Oil Crops, National Soybean Improvement Center Shijiazhuang Sub-Center, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
Abstract Soybean represents a vital source of premium plant-based proteins for human nutrition. Importantly, the level of water-soluble protein (WSP) is crucial for determining the overall quality and nutritional value of such crops. Enhancing WSP levels in soybean plants is a high-priority goal in crop improvement. This study aimed to elucidate the genetic basis of WSP content in soybean seeds by identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and set the foundation for subsequent gene cloning and functional analysis. Using 180 F10 recombinant inbred lines generated by crossing the high-protein soybean cultivar JiDou 12 with the wild variety Ye 9, our researcher team mapped the QTLs influencing protein levels, integrating Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and gene expression profiling to identify candidate genes. During the 2020 and 2022 growing seasons, a standard bell-shaped distribution of protein content trait data was observed in these soybean lines. Eight QTLs affecting protein content were found across eight chromosomes, with LOD scores ranging from 2.59 to 7.30, explaining 4.15–11.74% of the phenotypic variance. Notably, two QTLs were newly discovered, one with a elite allele at qWSPC-15 from Ye 9. The major QTL, qWSPC-19, on chromosome 19 was stable across conditions and contained genes involved in nitrogen metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and signaling. Two genes from this QTL, Glyma.19G185700 and Glyma.19G186000, exhibited distinct expression patterns at maturity, highlighting the influence of these genes on protein content. This research revealed eight QTLs for WSP content in soybean seeds and proposed a gene for the key QTL qWSPC-19, laying groundwork for gene isolation and enhanced soybean breeding through the use of molecular markers. These insights are instrumental for developing protein-rich soybean cultivars.
