High molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs) are important components of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) gluten proteins that affect the processing quality of wheat dough. However, the contributions of individual HMW-GS to sponge cake quality still remain unclear. To investigate the effects of 1Bx7 and 1By9 at Glu-B1 on wheat gluten properties and sponge cake quality, we screened an ethylmethanesulfonate (EMS)-mutagenized wheat population and obtained two independent mutants that lack 1Bx7 and another two mutants that lack 1By9. The absence of 1Bx7 or 1By9 significantly affects the accumulation levels of gluten proteins and the formation of a gluten network. Quality testing indicated that the lack of 1Bx7 or 1By9 leads to weaker dough strength and inferior sponge cake performance. These results demonstrate that 1Bx7 and 1By9 make important contributions to gluten functionality and sponge cake quality.

Along with increasing demands for high yield, elite processing quality and improved nutrient value in wheat, concerns have emerged around the effects of gluten in wheat-based foods on human health. However, knowledge of the mechanisms regulating gluten accumulation remains largely unexplored.Here we report the identification and characterization of a wheat low gluten protein 1 (lgp1) mutant that shows extremely low levels of gliadins and glutenins.The lgp1 mutation in a single c-gliadin gene causes defective signal peptide cleavage, resulting in the accumulation of an excessive amount of unprocessed c-gliadin and a reduced level of gluten, which alters the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) structure, forms the autophagosome-like structures, leads to the delivery of seed storage proteins to the extracellular space and causes a reduction in starch biosynthesis. Physiologically, these effects trigger ER stress and cell death.This study unravels a unique mechanism that unprocessed c-gliadin reduces gluten accumulation associated with ER stress and elevated cell death in wheat. Moreover, the reduced gluten level in the lgp1 mutant makes it a good candidate for specific diets for patients with diabetes or kidney diease.

BackgroundKetamine is a quick acting antidepressant drug, and an accurate detection method is lacking. Ketamine's effects in a rat depression model have not previously been well explored using glutamate chemical exchange saturation transfer (GluCEST).PurposeTo investigate the GluCEST changes of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rats after receiving either ketamine or saline injection.Study TypeRandomized animal model trial.Animal Model12 CUMS and 6 Sprague–Dawley rats. Divided into three groups: ketamine (N = 6), saline (N = 6), and control (N = 6).Field Strength/Sequence7.0 T/the sequence is GluCEST and 1H MR spectroscopy (MRS).AssessmentThe CUMS rats were exposed to different stress factors for 8 weeks. The glutamate concentration in the hippocampus was assessed by the GluCEST,1H MRS, and the high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Statistical TestsThe t‐test, Mann–Whitney U test, and Pearson's correlation.ResultsIn depression conditions, GluCEST signals were lower in the bilateral hippocampus than in control group. Thirty minutes after ketamine injection, the GluCEST signals in the bilateral hippocampus were higher compared with the saline group (left: 2.99 ± 0.34 [Control] vs. 2.44 ± 0.20 [Saline] vs. 2.85 ± 0.11 [Ketamine]; right: 2.97 ± 0.28 [Control] vs. 2.49 ± 0.25 [Saline] vs. 2.86 ± 0.19 [Ketamine]). In 1H MRS, significant changes were only observed in the left hippocampus (2.00 ± 0.16 [Control] vs. 1.81 ± 0.09 [Saline] vs. 2.04 ± 0.14 [Ketamine]). Furthermore, HPLC results showed similar trends to those observed in the GluCEST results (left: 2.32 ± 0.22 [Control] vs. 1.96 ± 0.11 [Saline] vs. 2.18 ± 0.11 [Ketamine]; right: 2.35 ± 0.18 [Control] vs. 1.87 ± 0.16 [Saline] vs. 2.09 ± 0.08 [Ketamine]).Data ConclusionGluCEST can sensitively evaluate the ketamine's antidepressant effects by detecting the fast increase in glutamate concentration.Level of Evidence1Technical Efficacy Stage1