Molecular characterisation of storage proteins biosynthesis in soybean seeds: assessing the effects of mineral nutrition on protein content and quality

• Grant number: 23/09543-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: November 16, 2023
• End date: November 15, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy
• Principal Investigator: Francisco Scaglia Linhares
• Grantee: Gabriel Sgarbiero Montanha
• Supervisor: Sabrina Sabatini
• Host Institution: Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza, Italy
• Associated to the scholarship: 20/07721-9 - Time-resolved element mapping and characterization of storage proteins during soybean seeds development: a bottom-up strategy to increase protein content and quality, BP.DD

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is one of the most important crops worldwide and plays an important role as a major source of protein and oil for humans and animals, with low or no nitrogen (N) fertiliser input. Most of the proteins in soybean seeds encompass the salt-soluble glycinin (legumin) and beta-conglycinin (vicilin) globulins, which are stowed for nitrogen and sulphur supply during seed germination and early seedling development. Nevertheless, the relative abundance of beta-conglycinin over glycinin leads to a remarkable deficiency in sulphur-amino acids such as methionine and cysteine, which are essential amino acids for many vertebrates, including humans. Since the results of this project revealed the importance of sulphur (S), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) in the biosynthesis of storage proteins in soybean seeds, we suggest that precise supplementation of these nutrients to soybean leaves and pods during the protein accumulation stages might enhance the expression of genes related to glycinin, and hence, the concentration of sulphur amino acids in soybean seeds. Herein, we hypothesised that understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of time and tissue-resolved nutrient supplementation in the biosynthesis of storage protein in soybean seeds can contribute to the development of new fertilisation strategies aimed at improving the nutritional content and quality of soybean proteins. (AU)