Lipidomics-based association study reveals genomic signatures of anti-cancer qualities of pigmented rice sprouts.

Introduction: The genetic wealth present in pigmented rice varieties offer abundant variation in different sources of antioxidants to meet nutritional security targets among rice-consuming communities. There is limited knowledge of the dynamic changes in the lipidome of rice during germination and the corresponding genes associated with the antioxidant and anti-cancerous properties of lipophilic fractions of pigmented rice sprouts (PRS).

Methods: In this study, we profiled the lipidome of diverse pigmented rice collections of germinated sprouts. Further, we employed Genome-wide association studies (GWAS), gene-set analysis, and targeted association analysis to identify the candidate genes linked to these lipids.

Results: The genetic analyses revealed 72 candidate genes involved in the regulation of these accumulating lipids in PRS. Marker trait associations (MTA) analysis shown that the combination GGTAAC/ACAAGCTGGGCCC was associated with increased levels of unsaturated lipids and carotenoids, which likely underlie these beneficial effects. This superior MTA combination exhibited potent inhibitory activity against HCT116 and A549 cell lines, with average 1/IC50 values of 0.03 and 0.02 (mL/μg), respectively, compared to the inferior MTAs.

Discussion: Collectively, our findings demonstrate that MTAs linked to selected GDSL esterase/lipase (GELP) genes, OsACP1, and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase significantly enhance antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, potentially through the mobilization of unsaturated lipids and carotenoids during germination. This study offers valuable insights into the health-promoting potential of germinated rice sprouts as a rich dietary source of antioxidants beneficial to human health.