2026/03/30 by Mao Suganami, Soichi Kojima, Masato Kamakura +15 · 1 voice
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Plant Gene Expression Analysis #Soybean genetics and cultivation #Light effects on plants
paper · doi:10.1016/j.plaphy.2026.111251
openalex publication_date 2026/03/30 · openalex created_date 2026/03/31 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Color variations in the seed coat and other organs of the soybean emerged during the domestication process. Most of the known genes involved in the pigmentation of each organ are involved in flavonoid synthesis. In this study, we investigated the coloration in each organ of soybean using the FUKUSHIMAPanel of 333 soybean varieties. We analyzed the expression of genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis pathways in each organ and found that the activities of specific branches of the flavonoid pathway differ among organs, explaining the organ-specific differences in color determination. Combinations of four known color-related genes ( I, R, W1 , and T ) altered functional pathways and seed coat pigmentation in the seed coat, resulting in diverse seed coat colors. In this context, we found that the reddish seed coat pigment is a pelargonidin-3-glucoside (Pg3G) anthocyanin, and its causative gene is a combination of non-functional haplotypes of W1 and T , previously unidentified. Finally, the process of colorlessness in domestication and breeding was investigated. The i i or I locus was selected in the domestication and early breeding process. In contrast, a combination of non-functional R and T haplotypes was selected in the modern breeding process to completely inactivate the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway to produce seeds with good appearance.