New Findings in the Amino Acid Profile and Gene Expression in Contrasting Durum Wheat Gluten Strength Genotypes during Grain Filling

Grain protein composition is important
in wheat quality and may
influence the amino acidic sequence of bioactive peptides obtained
from this feedstock. However, the genetic basis modulating the amino
acid profile in durum wheat is not well-understood. Therefore, strong
and weak gluten strength durum wheat genotypes were evaluated for
their amino acid composition along grain filling. Strong gluten strength
lines showed higher expression levels of low-molecular-weight glutenin-related
genes between 21 and 35 days post-anthesis (DPA) and exhibited up
to 43.5% more alanine than the weak lines at 42 DPA, which was supported
by the higher expression levels of putative alanine amino transferase
genes in strong genotypes. Therefore, with the involvement of chemistry
and molecular biology, the results present here may influence the
science of wheat.