Genome-wide identification and analysis of genes involved in vitamin E biosynthesis pathway in Soybean

Vitamin E is a lip soluble vitamin synthesized only by photosynthetic organisms. Five key enzymes involved in this pathway, including HPPD, HPT, MPBQMT, TC and γ-TMT. To better understand the genetic control of vitamin E biosynthesis pathway in soybean, we searched the whole genome sequence of soybean by using Arabidopsis vitamin E biosynthesis enzyme as query sequences. A total of 24 genes were retrieved, including 6 incomplete open reading frame genes. Chromosome location, gene structure, promoter region and expression profile of these genes were comprehensively analyzed by bioinformatics. Compared with Arabidopsis and rice, soybean has at least two duplicated vitamin E biosynthesis pathways, as each catalytic step enzymes encoded by two or more copy genes. These results support that soybean is a paleopolyploid species. In summary, this study provides fundamental information of vitamin E biosynthesis pathway for soybean improvement by pathway engineering.