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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Plant Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #291376
Title: Proteomic analysis of the testa from developing soybean seeds

Author
item Miernyk, Jan
item Johnston, Mark

Submitted to: Journal of Proteomics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/13/2013
Publication Date: 7/22/2013
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/57077
Citation: Miernyk, J.A., Johnston, M.L. 2013. Proteomic analysis of the testa from developing soybean seeds. Journal of Proteomics. 89:265-272.

Interpretive Summary: Most previous analyses of seed coats have either targeted individual enzymes or used the results from high-throughput transcript profiling to infer biological function. Because there is seldom a linear correlation between transcript and protein levels, we have undertaken a shotgun proteomics-based description of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv Jack) seed coats, as a function of development, in order to bridge this gap and to establish the baseline for a more comprehensive understanding of seed biology. Results from this study will be useful to both breeders and molecular biologists in their efforts to develop a line of soybeans that have a modified biochemical composition. They will additionally be useful to scientists who study the effects of organ and tissue specialization in plant biology.

Technical Abstract: Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv Jack) seed development was separated into nine defined stages (S1 to S9). Testa (seed coats) were removed from developing seeds at stages S2, 4, 6, 8, and 9, and subjected to shotgun proteomic profiling. For each stage "total proteins” were isolated from 150 mg dry weight of seed coat using a phenol-based method, then reduced, alkylated, and digested with trypsin. The tryptic peptides were separated using a C18-reversed phase matrix with a continuous gradient of acetonitrile in 0.1% formic acid, then analyzed using an LTQ Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer. Following a high-resolution FTMS scan of the eluting peptides, each second the 9 most abundant peptides were fragmented by CID in the ion-trap. Spectra were searched against the Phytozome G. max DB using the Sorcerer 2 IDA Sequest-based search algorithm. Identities were verified using Scaffold 3. A total of 451 (S2), 558 (S4), 455 (S6), 347 (S8), and 409 (S9) proteins were identified, and sorted into 11 functional groups: Primary Metabolism, Secondary Metabolism, Cellular Structure, Stress Responses, Nucleic Acid metabolism, Protein Synthesis, Protein Folding, Protein Targeting, Hormones and Signaling, Seed Storage Proteins, and Proteins of Unknown Function. In selected instances, individual seed coat proteins were quantified by spectral counting. The abundance of proteins involved in intermediary metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis, protein folding and degradation are discussed as they relate to seed coat function.