A natural non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism in GmbHLH113 negates its inhibitory effect on root hair elongation in soybean.

Root hair length (RHL) is an important character that affects nutrient acquisition in plants. The regulatory network in soybean controlling RHL is yet to be fully understood. In this study, we identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) regulating RHL. One candidate causal gene in this QTL (GmbHLH113), preferentially expressed in root hairs, was annotated as encoding a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor. In wild soybeans, the allelic type of GmbHLH113 with a glycine in the 13th residue, which was associated with a reduction in RHL, was shown to localize in the nucleus and activate gene transcription. Another allelic type with a single nucleotide polymorphism that resulted in a glutamate in the 13th residue is fixed in cultivated soybeans, and it lost the ability to localize to the nucleus or negatively regulate RHL. The ectopic expression of GmbHLH113 from W05 in Arabidopsis root hairs resulted in shorter RHL and reduced phosphorus (P) accumulation in shoots. Hence, a loss-of-function allele in cultivated soybeans might have been selected during domestication due to its association with a longer RHL and improved nutrient acquisition.

Whole egg consumption in relation to bone health of the US population: a cross-sectional study.

Osteoporosis, a condition that is characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD), is a serious health concern worldwide. This study aims to explore the relationship between whole egg consumption and BMD levels in the US population. This study involves 19 208 participants with valid BMD and egg consumption data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 2005-2006, 2007-2008, 2009-2010, 2013-2014 and 2017-2018. Linear regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between whole egg consumption and BMD levels. Mediation analysis was used to investigate the role of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the above relationship. After multivariate adjustment, participants consuming whole eggs over 3.53 ounce per day in their diet were found to have elevated BMD levels in the femur (0.013 g cm-2 with 95% CI: 0.004, 0.022) and lumbar spine (0.013 g cm-2 with 95% CI: 0.002, 0.024) (Ptrend < 0.05). The additive interaction of egg consumption and body mass index (BMI) on the BMD of both the femur and lumbar spine (Pinteraction < 0.05) was also analyzed. The association between whole egg consumption and BMD of both the femur and lumbar spine were significantly mediated by ALP with 71.8% and 83.3% mediation proportion, respectively. In general, higher whole egg consumption is positively related to an increase in the BMD scores of both the femur and lumbar spine among the US population.

Effects of genotype, environment and their interaction on protein and amino acid contents in soybeans.

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is an important source of protein and oil. Genotype, environment and the interaction of genotype × environment influence the protein composition in soybean seeds. The main objectives of this study were to i) study the influence of genotype, environment and their interaction on soybean protein and amino acid contents; ii) evaluate the stability of soybean genotype across various environments, with a focus on soybeans grown in a northern latitude; and iii) identify the correlation between crude protein and critical amino acid value (CAAV). Twenty-three soybean genotypes were grown at four locations in Manitoba, Canada for two years (2018 and 2019). Soybean seeds were analyzed for protein and amino acids (nine essential amino acids and cysteine). The effects of genotype, environment and genotype × environment interaction on all traits were significant (P < 0.05). Genotype and environments explained the main part of variation for all traits. G13 and G15 cultivars performed better in favorable environments (bi > 1), and G22 cultivar showed greater resistance to environmental change. Protein and amino acids responded differently to various environments, but the optimal environments for greater soybean protein and amino acid remains to be established. The CAAV had a negative linear relationship with protein content in soybean (k = -0.17). This work expands our knowledge of the factors impacting the protein quality of soybeans grown in northern latitudes.