Characterization of high protein soybean using mass spectrometry based proteomic and metabolomic analyses

We have created several high protein (HPBL) and low protein breeding lines (LPBL) by crossing between NC-Raleigh and PI407228. The NC-Raleigh is a low protein cultivar widely grown in North Carolina with excellent yield potential and a high protein wild soybean ( Glycine soja ) with low yield. We analyzed the F6 generation of this cross for protein and oil compositions using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR). Two soybean lines HPBL and LPBL were selected for biochemical analysis using mass spectrometry-based proteomic and metabolomic techniques. We identified 4,538 proteins and 267 metabolites in these lines. The HPBL showed the enrichment of proteins associated with protein synthesis, processing, and storage in addition to higher content of primary and secondary metabolites. The mapping of metabolites on the global metabolic pathways revealed the increased protein content in the HPBL that may have resulted from increased arginine content routed from citrulline-argininosuccinic acid. This information will be useful for breeders and biotechnologists to produce a value-added soybean trait. The arginine content routed from citrulline-argininosuccinic acid pathway of increased protein biosynthesis. • We have developed several high-protein and low-protein breeding lines by conventional crossing. • Two soybean lines were selected for mass spectrometry-based proteomic and metabolomic profiling, and the data were used for metabolic pathways of protein biosynthesis. • The arginine content routed from citrulline-argininosuccinic acid was identified as a possible pathway of increased protein biosynthesis.