Differential SW16.1 allelic effects and genetic backgrounds contributed to increased seed weight after soybean domestication

Although seed weight has increased following domestication from wild soybean (Glycine soja) to cultivated soybean (Glycine max), the genetic basis underlying this change is unclear. Using mapping populations derived from chromosome segment substitution lines of wild soybean, we identified SW16.1 as the causative gene underlying a major quantitative trait locus controlling seed weight. SW16.1 encodes a nucleus-localized LIM domain-containing protein. Importantly, the GsSW16.1 allele from wild soybean accession N24852 had a negative effect on seed weight, whereas the GmSW16.1 allele from cultivar NN1138-2 had a positive effect. Gene expression network analysis, reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and promoter-luciferase reporter transient expression assays suggested that SW16.1 regulates the transcription of MT4, a positive regulator of seed weight. The natural variations in SW16.1 and other known seed weight genes were analyzed in soybean germplasm. The SW16.1 polymorphism was associated with seed weight in 247 soybean accessions, showing much higher frequency of positive-effect alleles in cultivated soybean than in wild soybean. Interestingly, gene allele matrix analysis of the known seed weight genes revealed that G. max has lost 38.5% of the G. soja alleles and that most of the lost alleles had negative effects on seed weight. Our results suggest that eliminating negative alleles from G. soja led to a higher frequency of positive alleles and changed genetic backgrounds in G. max, which contributed to larger seeds in cultivated soybean after domestication from wild soybean. Our findings provide new insights regarding soybean domestication and should assist current soybean breeding programs.

Automated summary

By studying chromosome segment substitution lines of wild soybean, the SW16.1 gene was identified as the major gene controlling seed weight in soybean. The GsSW16.1 allele in wild soybean had a negative effect on seed weight, while the GmSW16.1 allele in cultivated soybean had a positive effect. The study provides insights into the genetic basis of seed weight increase during soybean domestication.