背景回顾：Seed protein, oil content and yield are highly correlated agronomically important traits that essentially account for the economic value of soybean. 

提出问题：The underlying molecular mechanisms and selection of these correlated seed traits during soybean domestication are, however, less known. 

主要发现：Here, we demonstrate that a CCT gene, POWR1, underlies a large-effect protein/oil QTL. 

结果1-POWR1基因突变：A causative TE insertion truncates its CCT domain and substantially increases seed oil content, weight, and yield while decreasing protein content.  

结果2-POWR1作用机制：POWR1 pleiotropically controls these traits likely through regulating seed nutrient transport and lipid metabolism genes. 

结果3-POWR1在驯化中被固定：POWR1 is also a domestication gene. We hypothesize that the TE insertion allele is exclusively fixed in cultivated soybean due to selection for larger seeds during domestication, which significantly contributes to shaping soybean with increased yield/seed weight/oil but reduced protein content. 

结论：This study provides insights into soybean domestication and is significant in improving seed quality and yield in soybean and other crop species.

 摘 要 

种子蛋白、油含量以及产量是高度相关的重要农艺性状，对于大豆的经济价值来说具有重要意义。目前，我们对于控制这些相关种子性状的分子机制及其在驯化过程中的选择所知甚少。本文中，作者发现一个CCT基因POWR1是一个控制蛋白/油主效QTL的关键基因。一个TE的插入截断了POWR1蛋白的CCT结构域，显著增加了种子的油含量、重量及产量，同时降低了蛋白含量。POWR1基因可能通过调控种子养分转运和脂质代谢基因的表达，从而具备该多效性功能。POWR1同时还是一个驯化基因。作者认为，在大豆驯化过程中，由于对大粒种子的选择，导致了含TE插入的等位基因在大豆栽培种中被大范围固定，从而显著增加了大豆种子的产量、重量及油含量，同时又降低了种子的蛋白含量，最终塑造了如今的栽培种大豆种子。本文的研究结果为大豆的驯化提供了新的视野，同时为大豆及其他作物关于种子质量和产量的遗传改良提供参考。