Jing Haiqing, Sun Yan, Wang Bicheng, Ma Juhua, Wan Kun, Li Zhanqian, Zhou Yali, Li Runzhi, Zhang Haiping, Xue Jinai
College of Agronomy, Shanxi Engineering Research Center for Genetics and Metabolism of Specific Crops, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China.
Center for Agricultural Genetic Resources Research, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taiyuan, 030031, China.
BMC Genomics. 2025 Jul 1;26(1):625. doi: 10.1186/s12864-025-11813-5.
Monoglyceride lipase (MAGL) catalyzes the final step of triacylglycerol (TAG) hydrolysis, converting monoacylglycerol (MAG) into glycerol and free fatty acids. Although MAGL is critical for TAG metabolism, its physiological roles in plants remain poorly understood, compared to its functions in mammals.
Eighteen GmMAGL genes were identified from the genome of soybean (Glycine max), a major food and oil crop worldwide, with them being classified into 8 distinct subfamilies. Collinearity analysis indicated that segmental duplication was the only force driving GmMAGL gene family expansion. Multiple sequence alignment demonstrated that all 18 GmMAGLs harbored two typical structural features: the lipase GXSXG (Gly-X-Ser-X-Gly) motif and the catalytic triad consisting of Ser, Asp and His residues. Notably, GmMAGL14 and GmMAGL15 harbored an additional acyltransferase motif, distinguishing them as the only two bifunctional enzymes (hydrolase and acyltransferase) within the GmMAGL family. Additionally, multiple cis-elements associated with development, hormone, and stress response were identified in the promoter regions of GmMAGL genes. RNA-seq data revealed that GmMAGL genes displayed tissue-specific or distinct expression patterns in response to abiotic stresses and hormone treatments. Remarkably, the expression of GmMAGL10 and 14 was negatively related to oil accumulation during seed development while GmMAGL3 exhibited high expressions during seed germination. Particularly, 6 GmMAGL genes (GmMAGL1/3/4/6/8/12) showed significant modulation in response to drought stress in roots and leaves of soybean seedlings.
This study represents the first comprehensive identification of 18 members of GmMAGL gene family in soybean. GmMAGL10 and 14 may impact seed oil content negatively while GmMAGL3 function importantly in seed germination. GmMAGL1/3/4/6/8/12 might confer drought tolerance by activating lipid metabolism in soybean seedlings. The present data establish a foundation for further elucidation of the biological functions of GmMAGL genes and provide valuable target genes for genetic improvement in soybean and other crops.
甘油单酯脂肪酶（MAGL）催化三酰甘油（TAG）水解的最后一步，将单酰甘油（MAG）转化为甘油和游离脂肪酸。尽管MAGL对TAG代谢至关重要，但与其在哺乳动物中的功能相比，其在植物中的生理作用仍知之甚少。
从全球主要粮食和油料作物大豆（Glycine max）的基因组中鉴定出18个GmMAGL基因，它们被分为8个不同的亚家族。共线性分析表明，片段重复是驱动GmMAGL基因家族扩张的唯一力量。多序列比对表明，所有18个GmMAGL都具有两个典型的结构特征：脂肪酶GXSXG（甘氨酸- X -丝氨酸- X -甘氨酸）基序和由丝氨酸、天冬氨酸和组氨酸残基组成的催化三联体。值得注意的是，GmMAGL14和GmMAGL15含有一个额外的酰基转移酶基序，这使它们成为GmMAGL家族中仅有的两种双功能酶（水解酶和酰基转移酶）。此外，在GmMAGL基因的启动子区域鉴定出多个与发育、激素和应激反应相关的顺式元件。RNA测序数据表明，GmMAGL基因在响应非生物胁迫和激素处理时表现出组织特异性或不同的表达模式。值得注意的是，GmMAGL10和14的表达与种子发育过程中的油脂积累呈负相关，而GmMAGL3在种子萌发过程中表达较高。特别是，6个GmMAGL基因（GmMAGL1/3/4/6/8/12）在大豆幼苗的根和叶中对干旱胁迫表现出显著的调节作用。
本研究首次对大豆中GmMAGL基因家族的18个成员进行了全面鉴定。GmMAGL10和14可能对种子油含量产生负面影响，而GmMAGL3在种子萌发中起重要作用。GmMAGL1/3/4/6/8/12可能通过激活大豆幼苗的脂质代谢赋予耐旱性。目前的数据为进一步阐明GmMAGL基因的生物学功能奠定了基础，并为大豆和其他作物的遗传改良提供了有价值的靶基因。
