Proteomic Analysis of High Protein Soybean (Glycine max) Accessions Demonstrates the Contribution of Novel Glycinin Subunits

Limited biochemical information is available on soybean accessions that have seed protein content greater than 45% of the seed dry weight. SDS-PAGE analysis of seed proteins from nine soybean accessions revealed significantly higher amount of seed storage proteins in these accessions when compared with that of soybean cultivar Williams 82. High-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoretic analysis of seed proteins revealed significant differences among several seed storage protein components in these accessions. A total of 51 protein spots were identified using peptide mass fingerprinting (MALDI-TOF MS). The contribution of these proteins to the overall protein content of the accessions was quantified using Delta2D image analysis software. Results showed that among the majority of the nine accessions, the largest difference in higher protein quantity was within the seed 11S storage globulins. The high protein trait from PI407788A was successfully transferred to an experimental line, LG99-469, demonstrating that this trait was transferable and robust.