Cervantes-Perez, S. A. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2024

Tabula Glycine: The whole-soybean single-cell resolution transcriptome atlas

Soybean (Glycine max) is an essential source of protein and oil with high nutritional value for human and animal consumption. To enhance our understanding of soybean biology, it is essential to have accurate information regarding the expression of each of its 55,897 protein-coding genes. Here, we present "Tabula Glycine", the soybean single-cell resolution transcriptome atlas. This atlas is composed of single-nucleus RNA-sequencing data of nearly 120,000 nuclei isolated from 10 different Glycine max organs and morphological structures comprising the entire soybean plant. These nuclei are grouped into 157 different clusters based on their transcriptomic profiles. Among genes, the pattern of activity of transcription factor genes is sufficient to define most cell types and their organ/morphological structure of origin, suggesting that transcription factors are key determinants of cell identity and function. This unprecedented level of resolution makes the Tabula Glycine a unique resource for the plant and soybean communities.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Identification and characterization of a temperature sensitive chlorotic soybean mutant

Screening a transposon-mutagenized soybean population led to the discovery of a recessively inherited chlorotic phenotype. This "vir1" phenotype results in smaller stature, weaker stems, and a smaller root system with smaller nodules. Genome sequencing identified 15 candidate genes with mutations likely to result in a loss of function. Amplicon sequencing of a segregating population was then used to narrow the list to a single candidate mutation, a single-base change in Glyma.07G102300 that disrupts splicing of the second intron. Single cell transcriptomic profiling indicates that this gene is expressed primarily in mesophyll cells and RNA sequencing data indicates it is upregulated in germinating seedlings by cold stress. Previous studies have shown that mutations to Os05g34040, the rice homolog of Glyma.07G102300, produced a chlorotic phenotype that was more pronounced in cool temperatures. Growing soybean vir1 mutants at lower temperatures also resulted in a more severe phenotype. In addition, transgenic expression of wild type Glyma.07G102300 in the knockout mutant of the Arabidopsis homolog At4930720 rescues the chlorotic phenotype, further supporting the hypothesis that the mutation in Glyma.07G102300 is causal of the vir1 phenotype.

plant biology↗