Location: Plant Genetics Research
Project Number: 5070-21000-043-15-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Oct 1, 2019
End Date: Nov 30, 2020
Objective:
The over-arching objective of this proposal is to understand the changes in metabolism that lead to enhanced soybean protein quality, particularly sulfur-containing amino acid biosynthetic pathways for improvement in amino acid composition of soybeans in multiple growing regions within different maturity zones.
Approach:
The focus is on central carbon metabolism and those steps associated with sulfur-based amino acid metabolism. Isotopic labeling pulse-chase experiments will be used to study the flow of carbon during the phases of seed development. Cooperators will perform detailed mass spectrometry evaluations based on isotopic labeling experiments. The project will result in descriptions of pinch points for sulfur amino acid production and similarly the turnover of these amino acids during development. Studies will be used to guide metabolic engineering efforts aimed at improving sulfur amino acid composition in protein.
