mGWAS Uncovers Gln-Glucosinolate Seed-Specific Interaction and its Role in Metabolic Homeostasis
Marianne L. Slaten, Abou Yobi, Clement Bagaza, Yen On Chan, Vivek Shrestha, Samuel Holden, Ella Katz, Christa Kanstrup, Alexander E. Lipka, Daniel J. Kliebenstein, Hussam Hassan Nour‐Eldin, Ruthie Angelovici
Abstract
) diversity panel using all potential ratios between Gln and the other members of the Glu family as traits. This semicombinatorial approach yielded multiple candidate genes that, upon further analysis, revealed an unexpected association between the aliphatic glucosinolates (GLS) and the Gln-related traits. This finding was confirmed by an independent quantitative trait loci mapping and statistical analysis of the relationships between the Gln-related traits and the presence of specific GLS in seeds. Moreover, an analysis of Arabidopsis mutants lacking GLS showed an extensive seed-specific impact on Gln levels and composition that manifested early in seed development. The elimination of GLS in seeds was associated with a large effect on seed nitrogen and sulfur homeostasis, which conceivably led to the Gln response. This finding indicates that both Gln and GLS play key roles in shaping the seed metabolic homeostasis. It also implies that select secondary metabolites might have key functions in primary seed metabolism. Finally, our study shows that an mGWAS performed on dry seeds can uncover key metabolic interactions that occur early in seed development.