Altaf Muhammad Tanveer, Nadeem Muhammad Azhar, Ayten Sefa, Aksoy Emre, Mansoor Sheikh, Karunathilake E M B M, Chung Yong Suk, Baloch Faheem Shehzad
Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Rize/Pazar, Turkey.
Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey.
Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 1;15(1):21503. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-07965-9.
Micronutrient malnutrition is a global health concern, highlighting the importance of essential micronutrients like zinc in human diet, and enhancing zinc concentration in staple crops like common beans is a promising strategy. In this study, we performed genome-wide association studies to identify genetic loci associated with Zn accumulation in a diverse panel of 177 Turkish common bean landraces and six commercial varieties. Field trials were conducted across two locations over two years to assess Zn concentration variation. The results revealed significant genetic variability, with Zn concentrations ranging from 11.6 to 105.3 mg/kg. Two significant marker-trait associations (MTAs) were identified on chromosomes Pv06 and Pv08, with loci linked to Zn translocation and brassinosteroid-mediated cell-wall remodeling. Candidate genes, Vacuolar Iron Transporter 1 (VIT1) and Wall-Associated Kinase-Like 4 (WAKL4), were implicated in Zn homeostasis and distribution. In silico transcriptomics analysis further validated the role of these genes under Zn-deficient conditions in Arabidopsis. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis identified key regulatory pathways, including ZIP transporters, heavy metal ATPases, and cell-wall modification enzymes. These findings provide valuable genetic insights for biofortification strategies, facilitating the development of Zn-enriched common bean cultivars to enhance nutritional security. The study underscores the potential of GWAS in identifying stable genetic markers for Zn biofortification, paving the way for future breeding efforts aimed at improving dietary Zn intake through staple crops.
微量营养素营养不良是一个全球健康问题，凸显了人类饮食中锌等必需微量营养素的重要性，提高像普通豆这样的主粮作物中的锌含量是一个有前景的策略。在本研究中，我们进行了全基因组关联研究，以在由177个土耳其普通豆地方品种和6个商业品种组成的多样化群体中鉴定与锌积累相关的基因座。在两年内于两个地点进行了田间试验，以评估锌浓度的变化。结果显示出显著的遗传变异性，锌浓度范围为11.6至105.3毫克/千克。在第Pv06和Pv08号染色体上鉴定出两个显著的标记-性状关联（MTA），其基因座与锌转运和油菜素内酯介导的细胞壁重塑有关。候选基因液泡铁转运蛋白1（VIT1）和类壁相关激酶4（WAKL4）与锌稳态和分布有关。电子转录组学分析进一步验证了这些基因在拟南芥缺锌条件下的作用。蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用（PPI）网络分析确定了关键调控途径，包括ZIP转运蛋白、重金属ATP酶和细胞壁修饰酶。这些发现为生物强化策略提供了有价值的遗传见解，有助于开发富含锌的普通豆品种以增强营养安全。该研究强调了全基因组关联研究在鉴定锌生物强化稳定遗传标记方面的潜力，为未来旨在通过主粮作物改善膳食锌摄入量的育种工作铺平了道路。
