Soybeans having high germination rates and ultra-low raffinose and stachyose content
Inventors
Schillinger, John A. • DIERKING, EMILY C. • Bilyeu, Kristin D.
Assignees
Cw Brand Holdings Inc • US Department of Agriculture USDA • Benson Hill Seeds Inc
Publication Number
US-8471107-B2
Publication Date
2013-06-25
Expiration Date
2030-04-16
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Abstract
Soybean seeds having an ultra-low raffinose and stachyose phenotype. Also disclosed is a mutant allele of soybean designated SG-ULRFO which results in an ultra-low raffinose and stachyose phenotype. The present invention also relates to a soybean seed, a soybean plant and parts of a soybean plant and a soybean hybrid which comprises the mutant allele. Also disclosed are ultra-low raffinose and stachyose soybean seeds having unexpectedly increased germination rates when compared with soybean lines not having a low raffinose and stachyose seed content. Also disclosed are mutant RS3 and RS4 genes with polymorphisms which contribute to the ultra-low raffinose and stachyose phenotype as described in the present invention. The present invention also relates for method of using the soybean seeds and plants of the present invention, to plants parts derived from the present invention, to methods of producing transgenic plants using the plants and seeds of the present invention.
Core Innovation
The invention provides soybean seeds and plants having an ultra-low raffinose and stachyose seed content, characterized by the presence of a mutant allele designated SG-ULRFO. This mutant allele results in the ultra-low raffinose and stachyose phenotype and is associated with unexpectedly increased germination rates compared to soybean lines lacking such low levels of these oligosaccharides. The invention also pertains to mutant raffinose synthase genes RS3 and RS4 with polymorphisms contributing to this ultra-low raffinose and stachyose phenotype.
The problem addressed by the invention concerns the anti-nutritional effects of raffinose and stachyose in soybean meal for monogastric animals, where these oligosaccharides are indigestible due to the lack of α-galactosidase activity. These oligosaccharides reduce the nutritional quality of soybean protein products and increase feed processing costs. Prior art had difficulty combining ultra-low raffinose and stachyose phenotypes with commercially acceptable germination rates, resulting in limited use of low RFO soybean varieties.
The invention enables the development of soybean varieties with ultra-low raffinose (less than about 0.13%) and stachyose (less than about 1.6%) seed contents by introgressing the SG-ULRFO mutant allele into various soybean backgrounds. It provides methods for producing such soybeans and reproductive and tissue culture parts capable of regeneration. Furthermore, the invention identifies specific polymorphisms in RS3 and RS4 raffinose synthase genes responsible for the ultra-low RFO phenotype and high germination, thus allowing targeted breeding and transformation approaches.
Claims Coverage
The patent claims cover multiple inventive features centered on the soybean seeds and plants exhibiting an ultra-low raffinose and stachyose phenotype, associated mutant alleles, nucleic acid sequences, vectors, and methods related to production and use.
Soybean seed containing combined mutant RS2, RS3, and RS4 alleles
The soybean seed comprises mutant alleles of raffinose synthase genes RS2, RS3, and RS4, linked to the ultra-low raffinose and stachyose content and a deposited seed sample (ATCC Accession No. PTA-10830).
Soybean plant or part derived from ultra-low raffinose and stachyose seed
A soybean plant or plant part produced by growing seeds containing the combined RS2, RS3, and RS4 mutant alleles, expressing the ultra-low raffinose and stachyose phenotype.
High germination rate of soybean seed
The soybean seed exhibits a germination rate of at least 83%, despite the ultra-low raffinose and stachyose content.
Isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding mutant raffinose synthase polypeptides
Nucleic acid sequences, including SEQ ID NO:5 and others encoding mutant RS2, RS3, and RS4 polypeptides (SEQ ID NO:2, NO:4, and NO:6 respectively) that confer the ultra-low raffinose and stachyose seed content.
Vectors comprising mutant raffinose synthase nucleic acid sequences
Vectors comprising the nucleic acid sequences of the mutant RS2 (SEQ ID NO:1), RS3 (SEQ ID NO:3), and RS4 (SEQ ID NO:5), facilitating genetic transformation.
Method of producing commodity plant products from ultra-low raffinose and stachyose soybean plants
A method of producing commodity products such as protein concentrate, protein isolate, soybean hulls, meal, flour, or oil from plants grown from seeds containing the mutant alleles conferring the ultra-low raffinose and stachyose phenotype.
The claims comprehensively cover the mutant soybean seeds and plants characterized by ultra-low raffinose and stachyose content combined with high germination rates, the mutant alleles and genes responsible, associated nucleic acid sequences and polypeptides, vectors for transformation, and methods of producing soybean-derived commodity products from these plants.
Stated Advantages
Soybean seeds with ultra-low raffinose and stachyose content exhibit unexpectedly increased germination rates compared to conventional lines.
Reduction of anti-nutritional raffinose and stachyose enhances the nutritional quality of soybean-derived protein products.
Lower raffinose and stachyose content reduces processing costs associated with removal of these oligosaccharides from soybean meal.
The invention enables the stable introgression of the ultra-low raffinose and stachyose phenotype into various soybean genetic backgrounds while maintaining agronomically viable traits.
Documented Applications
Use of the ultra-low raffinose and stachyose soybean seeds and plants as improved feed for monogastric animals and humans due to enhanced nutritional quality.
Production of soybean-derived commodity products including protein concentrates, protein isolates, soybean hulls, meal, flour, and oil from plants containing the mutant alleles.
Use in breeding programs to develop soybean varieties with reduced raffinose and stachyose content and high germination rates by crossing plants containing the SG-ULRFO mutant allele with other soybean plants.
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