J Integr Plant Biol. ›› 2023, Vol. 65 ›› Issue (8): 1983-2000.DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13494

• Molecular Physiology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

GmJAZ3 interacts with GmRR18a and GmMYC2a to regulate seed traits in soybean

Yang Hu1,2†, Yue Liu1,2†, Jian‐Jun Tao1, Long Lu1,3, Zhi‐Hao Jiang1,2, Jun‐Jie Wei1,2, Chun‐Mei Wu1,2, Cui‐Cui Yin1, Wei Li4, Ying‐Dong Bi4, Yong‐Cai Lai4, Wei Wei1*, Wan‐Ke Zhang1*, Shou‐Yi Chen1,5 and Jin‐Song Zhang1,2*   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;
    2. College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;
    3. Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, College of Crop Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China;
    4. Crop Tillage and Cultivation Institute, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150086, China;
    5. Qilu Zhongke Academy of Modern Microbiology Technology, Jinan 250000, China
    Yang Hu and Yue Liu contributed equally to this work.
    *Correspondences: Jin‐Song Zhang (jszhang@genetics.ac.cn, Dr. Zhang is fully responsible for the distribution of the materials associated with this article); Wan‐Ke Zhang (wkzhang@genetics.ac.cn); Wei Wei (wwei@genetics.ac.cn)
  • Received:2022-12-03 Accepted:2023-04-12 Online:2023-04-17 Published:2023-08-01

Abstract: Seed weight is usually associated with seed size and is one of the important agronomic traits that determine yield. Understanding of seed weight control is limited, especially in soybean plants. Here we show that Glycine max JASMONATE-ZIM DOMAIN 3 (GmJAZ3), a gene identified through gene co-expression network analysis, regulates seed-related traits in soybean. Overexpression of GmJAZ3 promotes seed size/weight and other organ sizes in stable transgenic soybean plants likely by increasing cell proliferation. GmJAZ3 interacted with both G. max RESPONSE REGULATOR 18a (GmRR18a) and GmMYC2a to inhibit their transcriptional activation of cytokinin oxidase gene G. max CYTOKININ OXIDASE 3-4 (GmCKX3-4), which usually affects seed traits. Meanwhile, the GmRR18a binds to the promoter of GmMYC2a and activates GmMYC2a gene expression. In GmJAZ3-overexpressing soybean seeds, the protein contents were increased while the fatty acid contents were reduced compared to those in the control seeds, indicating that the GmJAZ3 affects seed size/weight and compositions. Natural variation in JAZ3 promoter region was further analyzed and Hap3 promoter correlates with higher promoter activity, higher gene expression and higher seed weight. The Hap3 promoter may be selected and fixed during soybean domestication. JAZ3 orthologs from other plants/crops may also control seed size and weight. Taken together, our study reveals a novel molecular module GmJAZ3-GmRR18a/GmMYC2a-GmCKXs for seed size and weight control, providing promising targets during soybean molecular breeding for better seed traits.

Key words: GmJAZ3, response regulator, seed size, seed weight, soybean

Editorial Office, Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, Institute of Botany, CAS
No. 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing 100093, China
Tel: +86 10 6283 6133 Fax: +86 10 8259 2636 E-mail: jipb@ibcas.ac.cn
Copyright © 2022 by the Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences
Online ISSN: 1744-7909 Print ISSN: 1672-9072 CN: 11-5067/Q
备案号:京ICP备16067583号-22