In this study, high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs) deletion line was obtained by transgenic technology, and the effects of HMW-GSs deletion on wheat quality were systematically studied. HMW-GSs deficiency significantly affected the content and proportion of gliadins, the synthesis of glutenin macropolymer, dough rheological properties and bread baking quality. The results provide a theoretical basis for analyzing the molecular mechanism of wheat quality and high-quality wheat breeding program.

The results was published in BMC Plant Biology (Quartile rank of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2; Impact factor, 3.930) on December 3, 2018, the title is "Deletion of high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits in wheat significantly reduced dough strength and bread baking quality". Dr. Yingjun Zhang is the first author, Dr. Hui Li is the corresponding author, and the Institute of Cereal and Oil Crops, Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences is the communication unit.

Abstract
Background: High-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) play important roles in the elasticity of dough made from wheat. The HMW-GS null line is useful for studying the contribution of HMW-GS to the end-use quality of wheat.
Methods: In a previous work, we cloned the Glu-1Ebx gene from Thinopyrum bessarabicum and introduced it into the wheat cultivar, Bobwhite. In addition to lines expressing the Glu-1Ebx gene, we also obtained a transgenic line (LH-11) with all the HMW-GS genes silenced. The HMW-GS deletion was stably inherited as a dominant and conformed to Mendel’s laws. Expression levels of HMW-GS were determined by RT-PCR and epigenetic changes in methylation patterns and small RNAs were analyzed. Glutenins and gliadins were separated and quantitated by reversed-phase ultra-performance liquid chromatography. Measurement of glutenin macropolymer, and analysis of agronomic traits and end-use quality were also performed.
Results: DNA methylation and the presence of small double-stranded RNA may be the causes of post-transcriptional gene silencing in LH-11. The accumulation rate and final content of glutenin macropolymer (GMP) in LH-11 were significantly lower than in wild-type (WT) Bobwhite. The total protein content was not significantly affected as the total gliadin content increased in LH-11 compared to WT. Deletion of HMW-GS also changed the content of different gliadin fractions. The ratio of ω-gliadin increased, whereas α/β- and γ-gliadins declined in LH-11. The wet gluten content, sedimentation value, development time and stability time of LH-11 were remarkably lower than that of Bobwhite. Bread cannot be made using the flour of LH-11.
Conclusions: Post-transcriptional gene silencing through epigenetic changes and RNA inhibition appear to be the causes for the gene expression deficiency in the transgenic line LH-11. The silencing of HMW-GW in LH-11 significantly reduced the dough properties, GMP content, wet gluten content, sedimentation value, development time and stability time of flour made from this wheat cultivar. The HMW-GS null line may provide a potential material for biscuit-making because of its low dough strength.

Contact: Dr. Yingjun Zhang: zhangyingjun1977@163.com Dr. Hui Li: zwslihui@163.com


URL：
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12870-018-1530-z