Construction of an RNAi vector for knockdown of GM-ACS genes in the cotyledonary nodes of soybean

Background: Ethylene plays an important role in the regulation of floral organ development in soybean, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase (ACS) is a rate-limiting enzyme for ethylene biosynthesis. However, whether ACS also regulates floral organ differentiation in soybean remains unknown. To address this, we constructed an RNAi vector to inhibit ACS expression in cotyledonary nodes. Linear DNA cassettes of RNAi-ACS obtained by PCR were used to transform soybean cotyledonary nodes. Results: In total, 131 of 139 transiently transformed plants acquired herbicide resistance and displayed GUS activities in the new buds. In comparison to untransformed seedling controls, a greater number of flower buds were differentiated at the cotyledonary node; GM-ACS1 mRNA expression levels and ethylene emission in the transformed buds were reduced. Conclusion: These results indicate that the cotyledonary node transient transformation system may be suitable for stable transformation and that the inhibition of ACS expression may be an effective strategy for promoting floral organ differentiation in soybean.

Pedalitin from isodon japonica, an inactivation of soybean lipoxygenase-1 / Pedalitina de isodon japonica, un inactivador de la lipo oxigenasa-1 de poroto de soya

Pedalitin, isolated from the aerial part of Rabdosia japonica (Labiatae), inhibited soybean lipoxygenase-1 (EC 1.13.11.12, Type I) with an IC50 of 152.5 uM. The progress curves for an enzyme reaction, pedalitin inactivate the lipoxygenase-1 in a time dependent, irreversible manner, exhibiting kinetics with a kinact/KI of 59.6 +/- 10 mM-1min-1. In the pseudoperoxidase activity, pedalitin is very slowly oxidized by the soybean lipoxygenase-1 catalyzed decomposition of lipid hydroperoxides.

Pedalitina, aislada de las partes aereas de Rabdosia japonica inhibió a la lipooxigenasa-1 (EC 1.13.11.12 tipo I) con un IC50 de 152.5 uM. La curva de progreso para una acción enzimática, pedalitina inactivó a la lipooxigenasa-1 de una manera dependiente del tiempo, de una manera irreversible, exhibiendo una cinética con una kinact/KI de 59.6 +/- mM-1min-1. En la actividad pseudoperoxidasa, pedalitina es oxidada lentamente por la descomposición de la lípido hidroperóxido de la lipooxigenasa-1 de poroto de soya.

Produção de lacase de Pycnoporus sanguineus em meio de cultivo à base de melaço soja / Laccase production by Pycnoporus sanguineus in culture media with soybean molasses / Producción de lacasa de Pycnoporus sanguineus en medio de cultivo con melaza de soja

Lacases são polifenol oxidases que utilizam a capacidade redox de íons cobre para reduzir oxigênio a água e oxidar um substrato fenólico. A síntese e secreção de lacases de basidiomicetos dependem de vários fatores como os nutrientes presentes no meio de cultura. Visando à produção de lacase, Pycnoporus sanguineus foi cultivado em meio contendo melaço de soja como única fonte de carbono, ureia como fonte de nitrogênio suplementar em diferentes concentrações (0,6; 1,2; 2,4; 4,8 e 9,6 g/L de nitrogênio) e diferentes concentrações de CuSO4 (0, 150, 200, 250 e 300 µM). O extrato enzimático produzido nas melhores condições de cultivo foi utilizado para a descoloração dos corantes remazol azul brilhante R (antraquinona), amarelo 145, preto 5, vermelho 195 (azo) e verde malaquita (trifenilmetano). As concentrações de nitrogênio não afetaram a produção de lacase, exceto a maior concentração (9,6 g/L) que reduziu a atividade enzimática. A adição de cobre ao meio de cultivo (150 µM) aumentou a atividade de lacase em 112%. A maior atividade de lacase (~34300 U/L) promoveu a descoloração dos corantes remazol azul brilhante R (67,5%) e verde malaquita (28,3%) em 24h, sendo os corantes azo descoloridos apenas parcialmente. Concluiu-se que o melaço de soja é um resíduo agroindustrial adequado para produção de lacase de P. sanguineus com potencial para degradação de corantes.

Laccases are multicopper oxidases using the redox ability from copper ions to reduce oxygen to water, while oxidizing a phenolic substrate. Laccase synthesis and secretion in basidiomycetes depend on the conditions provided and on the nutrients present in the culture medium. Pycnoporus sanguineus was cultivated in medium containing soybean molasses as the sole carbon source, with urea as the source of supplemental nitrogen at different concentrations (0.6, 1.2, 2.4, 4.8 and 9.6 g/L nitrogen), and different CuSO4 concentrations (0, 150, 200, 250 and 300 µM). The enzymatic extract produced under the best cultivation conditions was used for the depigmentation of remazole brilliant blue R (anthraquinone), yellow 145, black 5, red 195 (azo) and malachite green (triphenylmethane). Nitrogen concentrations did not affect laccase production, except for the higher concentration (9.6 g/L) reducing enzymatic activity. The addition of copper to the culture medium (150 µM) increased laccase activity by 112%. The highest laccase activity (~34300 U/L) promoted the depigmentation of remazol brilliant blue R (67.5%) and malachite green (28.3%) dyes in 24 hours. Azo dyes were only partially discolored. Therefore, it can be considered that soybean molasses is an agro-industrial byproduct suitable for the production of P. sanguineus laccase with potential for dye degradation.

Lacasas son polifenoles oxidasas que utilizan la capacidad redox de iones de cobre para reducir el oxígeno del agua y oxidar un sustrato fenólico. La síntesis y secreción de lacasas de basidiomicetos dependen de las condiciones como los nutrientes presentes en el medio de cultura. Buscando la producción de lacasa, se cultivó Pycnoporus sanguineus en medio que contenía melaza de soja como única fuente de carbono, urea como fuente de nitrógeno suplementar a diferentes concentraciones (0,6, 1,2, 2,4, 4,8 y 9,6 g/L de nitrógeno) y diferentes concentraciones de CuSO4 (0, 150, 200, 250 y 300 µM). El extrato enzimático producido en mejores condiciones de cultivo ha sido utilizado para la decoloración de los colorantes remazol azul brillante R (antraquinona), amarillo 145, negro 5, rojo 195 (azoico) y verde malaquita (trifenilmetano). Las concentraciones de nitrógeno no afectaron la producción de lacasa, excepto la mayor concentración (9,6 g/L) que redujo la actividad enzimática. La adición de cobre al medio de cultivo (150 µM) aumentó la actividad de la lacasa en un 112%. La mayor actividad de lacasa (~34300 U/L) promovió la decoloración de los colorantes remazol azul brillante R (67,5%) y verde malaquita (28,3%) en 24h, siendo que los colorantes azoicos fueran parcialmente decolorados. Se concluye que la melaza de soja es un desecho agroindustrial adecuado para la producción de lacasa de P. sanguineus con potencial para degradación de colorantes.

Characterization and expression of codon optimized soybean phytase gene in E. coli.

Phytic acid, the major storage form of phosphorus in plant seeds is degraded by the phytases to yield inositol and free phosphate, contributing thereby to the improved bioavailability of phytate phosphorus and essential minerals in plant foods and simultaneous reduction in phosphorus pollution of the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. As a possible strategy for altering seed phytate levels, the approach involving reduction of phytate content by ectopically expressing endogenous phytase gene during seed development of soybean (Glycine max L. cv. Pusa-20) was attempted in the present study. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR revealed the maximum expression of phytase gene transcripts in germinating cotyledons (~10 days after germinations), compared to other vegetative tissues. A full-length phytase cDNA was amplified from the germinating seedlings by splicing by overlap extension (SOE)-PCR and its sequence analysis revealed an open-reading-frame of 1644 bp, including an N terminal signal peptide of 28 amino acids. Predicted amino acid sequence (547-aa) of molecular mass 62 kDa on alignment with related purple acid phosphatases in other plants shared five conserved domains and seven invariant amino acids involved in coordination of the metals in the binuclear center of purple acid phosphatases. Owing to a large number of E. coli low-usage codons in soybean phytase gene, the modified gene was cloned into a prokaryotic expression vector pET-28a (+) and its expression in E. coli was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. Bioassay of the crude expression product in E. coli revealed a functional phytase gene, showing a great potential for developing low phytate transgenic soybean through its seed-specific overexpression in the early stages of seed development.

Influence of pulsed magnetic field on soybean (Glycine max L.) seed germination, seedling growth and soil microbial population.

The effects of pulsed magnetic field (PMF) treatment of soybean (Glycine max L. cv CO3) seeds were investigated on rate of seed germination, seedling growth, physico-chemical properties of seed leachates and soil microbial population under laboratory conditions. Seeds were exposed to PMF of 1500 nT at 0.1, 1.0 10.0 and 100.0 Hz for 5 h per day for 20 days, induced by enclosure coil systems. Non-treated seeds were considered as controls. All PMF treatments significantly increased the rate of seed germination, while 10 and 100 Hz PMFs showed the most effective response. The 1.0 and 10 Hz PMFs remarkably improved the fresh weight of shoots and roots, leaf area and plant height from seedlings from magnetically-exposed seeds compared to the control, while 10 Hz PMF increased the total soluble sugar, total protein and phenol contents. The leaf chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll were higher in PMF (10 and 100 Hz) pretreated plants, as compared to other treatments. In addition, activities of α-amylase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, nitrate reductase, peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase were increased, while β-amylase and protease activities were declined in PMF (10 Hz)-exposed soybean plants. Similarly, the capacity of absorbance of water by seeds and electrical conductivity of seed leachates were significantly enhanced by 10 Hz PMF exposure, whereas PMF (10 Hz) pretreated plants did not affect the microbial population in rhizosphere soil. The results suggested the potential of 10 Hz PMF treatment to enhance the germination and seedling growth of soybean.

Molecular cloning, characterization and expression of lipoxygenase 2 (lox-2) isozyme from Indian soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] cv. Pusa 16.

The consumption of soybean is limited worldwide, despite being highly nutritious and having versatile uses, due to the presence of grassy, beany and rancid off-flavour. The lipoxygenase-2 (LOX-2) is the key enzyme responsible for the production of volatiles released from the beans, which cause off-flavour in soy products. In this study, a 2.6-kb full-length lox2 gene (NCBI accession No. JQ929619.1) was isolated and cloned from soybean (Glycine max L. Merril) cv. Pusa 16. The cloned cDNA sequence of lox2 gene showed the complete open reading frame (ORF) of a putative protein, having 866 amino acids with start codon present at the foremost position and stop codon at the end. The theoretical pI of predicted protein was 6.22. A hydropathy profile calculated from the amino acid sequence resembled those of dicot LOXs, suggesting conservation of the secondary structure of these enzymes. The LOX-2 showed conserved six Histidine residues within a span of 520 to 590 amino acid position, a signature element for the enzyme activity. The lox2 gene was expressed using pET vector in prokaryotic expression system. The recombinant LOX-2 protein was purified after induction with IPTG (isopentyl thiogalactoside). A prominent band of 97 kDa was observed, when affinity purified fractions were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The purified protein was characterized for the enzyme activity, substrate preference and Km. Inhibitor studies with natural antioxidant molecules present in soybean revealed α-tocopherol to be the most effective inhibitor of LOX-2.

Medium optimization of protease production by Brevibacterium linens DSM 20158, using statistical approach

Various cultivation parameters were optimized for the production of extra cellular protease by Brevibacterium linens DSM 20158 grown in solid state fermentation conditions using statistical approach. The cultivation variables were screened by the Plackett-Burman design and four significant variables (soybean meal, wheat bran, (NH4)2SO4 and inoculum size were further optimized via central composite design (CCD) using a response surface methodological approach. Using the optimal factors (soybean meal 12.0g, wheat bran 8.50g, (NH4)2SO4) 0.45g and inoculum size 3.50%), the rate of protease production was found to be twofold higher in the optimized medium as compared to the unoptimized reference medium.

Avaliação de equivalência substancial e potencial de alergenicidade de cultivares de soja tolerantes ao herbicida glifosato / Evaluation of substantial equivalence and potential of allergenic reactions of soybean cultivars tolerant to the glyphosate herbicide

Os parâmetros de avaliação de segurança de alimentos geneticamente modificados fundamentam-se na comparação de equivalência substançial entre as variedades e pela inocuidade de proteínas da planta GM com as proteínas encontradas nas plantas convencionais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a segurança alimentar de três cultivares de sojas geneticamente modificadas para tolerarem o herbicida glifosato através da determinação da equivalência substancial e do potencial alergênico das mesmas quando comparadas às suas respectivas parentais isogênicas. Seis amostras de soja foram analisadas, sendo três convencionais parentais e três GM, referentes ao cultivo de 2004-2005, em Goiás. Para a composição química foram realizadas análises em triplicata de proteínas, lipídeos, umidade, minerais e fibra alimentar. Análises complementares para determinação de aminoácidos, ácidos graxos, isoflavonas e ácido fítico também foram realizadas. O potencial de alergenicidade foi avaliado em extratos protéicos brutos de três cultivares convencionais e suas correspondentes GM. Os mesmos extratos protéicos foram fracionados para obter as globulinas 7S e 11S por precipitação e posterior purificação em coluna de bioafinidade Sepharose 4B...

Isolation and characterization of microsomal omega-6-desaturase gene (fad2-1) from soybean.

A genomic DNA sequence (fad2-1) encoding seed specific microsomal 0-6 desaturase was isolated from soybean (Glycine max. L cv. Pusa-9702). A positive genomic clone of 1852 nucleotides containing a single uninterrupted 3' end exonic region with an ORF of 1140 bp encoding a peptide of 379 amino acids, a complete 3' UTR of 206 bp and 86 bp of 5' UTR interrupted by a single intron of 420 bp was obtained on screening the sub-genomic library of soybean. Southern blots revealed at least two copies of the gene per haploid genome. Analysis of the translated product showed the presence of three histidine boxes, with the general sequence HXXXH and five probable transmembrane segments reported to be involved in substrate specificity.

Qualidade protéica de linhagens de soja com ausência do Inibidor de Tripsina Kunitz e das isoenzimas Lipoxigenases / Protein quality of soy lines lacking Kunitz's Trypsin Inhibitor and Lipoxygenase isozymes

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade protéica de farinhas de soja, que diferem entre si com relação à presença de lipoxigenases e/ou Inibidor de Tripsina Kunitz. MÉTODOS: Procedeu-se aos ensaios biológicos com ratos, em que foram avaliados a Razão da Eficiência Protéica, Razão Protéica Líquida, Utilização Protéica Líquida e a digestibilidade. Determinou-se a composição aminoacídica das farinhas e cálculo do Escore Químico Corrigido pela Digestibilidade. RESULTADOS: Os valores de Razão da Eficiência Protéica, Razão Protéica Líquida, Utilização Protéica Líquida para as variedades de soja foram inferiores aos valores obtidos para caseína. Para as farinhas sem Inibidor de Tripsina Kunitz foram obtidos valores de digestibilidade maiores que para as farinhas com Inibidor de Tripsina Kunitz, e esses foram bem próximos aos da caseína. Com relação ao teor aminoacídico, constatou-se que o aminoácido limitante dessa soja é lisina e não metionina, ao contrário do que aponta a literatura. CONCLUSAO: A eliminação genética do Inibidor de Tripsina Kunitz melhora consideravelmente a digestibilidade da proteína de soja. Os resultados do Escore Químico Corrigido pela Digestibilidade não indicaram diferença entre as farinhas sem Inibidor de Tripsina Kunitz das farinhas derivadas de linhagens com Inibidor de Tripsina Kunitz, como foi observado pelos resultados da digestibilidade in vivo.

Degradação da clorofila durante a maturação e secagem de sementes de soja / Chlorophyll degradation during maturation and drying of soybean seeds

A presença de clorofila em óleos provenientes da extração de grãos verdes reduz sua qualidade oxidativa, confere coloração escura indesejável e diminiui a velocidade do processo de hidrogemação, sendo que sua remoção eleva o custo da refinação. Da mesma forma, a presença do pigmento reduz o valor comercial dos grãos, levando a prejuízos na comercialização, frente ao enorme volume de exportação brasileira. A retenção da clorofila em sementes oleaginosas ocorre em condições de colheita prematura acoplada a estresse hídrico no campo, ou secagem rápida em estufa, porém, o mecanismo de degradação ainda não foi bem esclarecido. Neste trabalho investigou-se a degradação da clorofila e o aparecimento...

Actividad ureásica en productos de soja. Propuesta de un nuevo método / Ureasic activity in soy products. Proposal of a new method

The evaluation of residual ureasic activity in soy products is usually employed as an indicator of the efficiency of the inhibition treatments. The purpose of this study is to compare the AACC method (22-90), based on differences of pH, with an assay where ureasic activity is measured by its hydrolytic action on urea and quantification of the ammonium produced with Berthelot reaction. Twenty different samples of soy bean flour with and without thermal inactivation treatments were assessed with the two methods. The new method has a good correlation with that of the AACC--r = 0.9416 (p < 0.0001). It also presents a better specificity because it measures the concentration of the reaction product and shows a more amplified answer than the increase of pH.

Inactivación de lipoxigenasas e inhibidoeres de tripsina en un proceso de obtención de leche de soja por molienda directa y ultra alta temperatura (MD-UAT) / Lipoxygenases and trypsin inhibitors inactivation in a soymilk processing by direct milling and ultra high temperature (DM-UHT)

La elaboración de leche de soja mediante un nuevo proceso de Molienda Directa de sémola de soja y Ultra Alta Temperatura (MD-UAT), ha sido objeto de estudios de laboatorio en sus etapas de molienda y tratamientos térmicos, a los efectos de evaluar la extracción de sólidos y proteínas, como así también la inactivación de lipoxigenasas e inhibidores de tripsina (IT). Para la determinación de IT en extractos y leche de soja se modificó el método clásico de Kakade (17). Los mayores rendimientos de extracción en la molienda se obtienen a 70 grados Celsius durante 2 minutos. La inactivación de lipoxigenasas es notablemente más eficiente durante la molienda si se utiliza solución de carbonato de sodio 0,01 M en lugar de agua como medio dispersante (actividad residual de 14 por ciento en carbonato frente a 46 por ciento en agua), reduciéndose así la generación de sustancias indeseables. Se completa la destrucción de lipoxigenasas con un breve calentamiento de 30 segundos con vapor desde 70 grados Celsius hasta la temperatura de ebullición a 96 grados Celsius. Por otra parte, los inhibidores de tripsina no son adecuadamente inactivados en la molienda ni tampoco en el tratamiento con vapor a 96 degrees Celsius durante varios minutos. Posteriormente, en la etapa de UAT a 139 grados Celsius durante dos minutos se logra la inactivación de los IT hasta los valores considerados aceptables, posibilitando la destrucción simultánea de microorganismos. Estas condiciones se logran sin dificuldad en el proceso MD-UAT, cuya flexibilidad permite adecuar temperaturas y tiempos a requerimentos específicos.

Effect of pix on growth, pigments and productivity of soybean plants

The object of this study was to investigate the Effect of foliar application of pix [at 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm], at flowering and fruiting stages throughout the two successive seasons 1990 and 1991, on the growth criteria, pigment contents and yield of soybean [Glycine max. var Crawford] plants. During the harvest, the yield and yield attributes were determined in the pix-treated and untreated plants. Pix at all doses applied resulted insignificant decreases in the plant height, leaf area, number of nodes and flowers as well as the fresh and dry weights of treated plants as compared with the control. Pix at the highest concentration [2000 ppm] appeared to inhibit the formation of pigments. Meanwhile, the relatively low concentrations of pix [500 and 1000 ppm] induced a marked increase in pigments content of soybean leaves. The seeds weight per plant and weight of 100 seeds which were used as two measurements for soybean yield showed a marked increase in response to the different levels of pix. The increase in these parameters was accompanied by significant increases in plant weight, crop weight, number of pods and straw weight. Also, simple correlation coefficients either for seeds weight per plant or for weight of 100 seeds and each of yield attributes in pix-treated plants were studied

Inhibition of aminopeptidase activity by aromatic and other cyclic compounds

The effect of 2-naphthylamine, p-nitroaniline, o-phenanthroline, sodium deoxycholate and hydrocortisone succinate on the activity of human urine aminopeptidase, rat kidney methionyl and arginyl aminopeptidase, soybean and Enterolobium contortisiliquum seed aminopeptidase was studied using aminoacyl-2-naphthylamide and L-Leu-p-nitroanilide as substrates. Ki values ranged from 10 microM to 2.7 mM. On the basis of Ki and Km values, and catalytic efficiency for each enzyme, it is clear that the aminopeptidases from human urine and from soybean seed should be assayed with both substrates, whereas L-Leu-p-nitroaniline is a more appropriate substrate for the rat kidney aminopeptidases. Sodium deoxycholate is a better inhibitor than hydrocortisone succinate. Non-competitive inhibition was observed in all cases except for E. contortisiliquum seed aminopeptidase

ELISA na determinaçäo quantitativa e análise genética nas lipoxigenases L1 e L2 em soja / ELISA in the quantification and genetic analysis of lipoxygenases L1 and L2 from soybeans

A soybean breeding program has been undertaken at the Federal University of Viçosa aiming to reduce lipoxygenase lelvels ib the seeds of commercial varieties. A direct ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) procedure has been developed to quantify lipoxygenases L1 and L2 in soybean seeds. Polyclonal antibodies were reised in rabbits against pure L1 and L2 and purified further by affinity chromatography. The best conditions to perform the analaysis were determined as foloow: coating antibody dilution 1:100, crude soybean protein extract 1:2 x 105 and conjugate 1:100 for both L1 and L2 isozymes. The method proved to be sensible enough to identify homozygous and heterozygous genotypes in the breeding program performing single non destructive analysis of seeds or even cotileldones right after germination. Besides, L1 was quantified in about 120 soybean Brazilian cultivars an L2 in some of them. The results showed a significant variability in the level of lipoxygenase-1 among the cultivars analysed. With respect to L2, it was found that the level of this isozyme was significantly greater in the seeds than observed for L1, in spite of its lower "in vitro" specific activity

Dupla difusäo radial na análise genética das lipoxigenases L1 e L2 em soja / Double gel immunodiffusion in the genetic analysis of lipoxygenases L1 and L2 from soybeans

In the effort to genetically manipulate soybean seeds aiming to improve flavor quality toward human consuption, lipoxygenase null alleles are being transferred to a brazilian commercial variety. Immunochemical approach has been taken to perform analysus of hundred of seeds derived from the breeding program. For that reason lipoxygenases L1 and L2 were puridied to hemogeneity by gel filtration and affinity chromatography. Policlonal antibodies were prepared in rabbits and purified further by affinity chromatogrphy. By using the purified anti-L1 and anti-L2 an Ouchterlony double immunodifusion method has been developed in our lab to detect the presence/absence of the isozymes simultaneously in soybean seeds. The method proved to be highly specific and efficient enought to perform single non destructive seed analysis