Is the CslF6 gene involved in the accumulation of (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan in wheats, their wild relatives and their hybrids?

• Published in: Food chemistry. Molecular sciences 2024-12, Vol.9, p.100212, Article 100212
• Main Authors: Marcotuli, Ilaria, Xing, Xiaohui, Caranfa, Davide, Giove, Stefania L., Hsieh, Yves S.Y., Chang, Shu-Chieh, Wade Abbott, D., Gadaleta, Agata
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aegilops caudata; Chemistry; CslF6 gene; Dasypyrum villosum; Glycomics; Kemi; Mixed-linkage glucan; Wheat
• ISSN: 2666-5662; 2666-5662
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fochms.2024.100212

•Mixed linkage (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan (MLG) is a pivotal bioactive carbohydrate found in cereals, synthesized by Cellulose Synthase-Like genes (Csl). In this study:•MLG, a bioactive carbohydrate, shows potential in food industry applications.•CslF6 gene plays a pivotal role in MLG synthesis in wheat.•Hybrid breeding increases MLG content by up to 43.3% in bread wheat.•High MLG lines identified using advanced glycomics tools. Mixed linkage (1,3;1,4)-β-d-glucan (MLG) is a well-recognized bioactive carbohydrate and dietary fibre with expanding applications in food industry. The MLG are small components of the cell wall of vegetative tissues of cereals synthetized by members of the Cellulose Synthase-Like genes (Csl). Within the family, the CslF6 has been the major contributor in wheat. It is of significant health and economic benefits to enhance MLG content in wheat, a staple grain with naturally low MLG levels. This study investigated the role of CslF6 gene in MLG synthesis and analysed total MLG contents, cell wall monosaccharide, glycosidic linkage composition, and profile of major comprising oligosaccharides of MLG in various wheat genotypes, their wild relatives (Aegilops caudata and Dasypyrum villosum), and hybrids between them. We observed a relationship between CslF6 gene expression and MLG accumulation across the different wheat lines. While Aegilops caudata and Dasypyrum villosum exhibited higher MLG content than other genotypes, hybrid breeding led to an increase in MLG content by 24.4% in durum wheat and 43.3% in T. aestivum. Variations in the ratios of major oligosaccharides released from MLG by lichenase treatment and in the compositions of cell wall monosaccharides and glycosidic linkages were also found. This study demonstrates that HPAEC-PAD and GC–MS-based glycomics are invaluable tools to assist breeders in selecting high MLG lines.