PONE-D-23-07065Functional characterization of Cinnamate 4-hydroxylase gene family in soybean (Glycine max)PLOS ONE

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Additional Editor Comments (if provided):

Dear collegues

I have received the reports from 2 experts in this field. As you can see it needs revisions before final acceptance.

Please answer the comments and sent back the revised version. Please also recheck the English by a native person.

Regards

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Reviewers' comments:

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: N/A

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: “Functional characterization of Cinnamate 4-hydroxylase gene family in soybean (Glycine max)” is a massive piece of work and it has provided good information. I thank the authors for this work. The introduction provides comprehensive informations on the background. The research was properly planned and performed. Methods and results are well described. I recommend this manuscript for publication.

Reviewer #2: Khatri et. al characterized the soybean C4H genes and confirmed cinnamate hydroxylation activity by enzymatic assay with heterologously expressed protein. The authors also provided a cloning strategy for the coexpression of a plant CPR with P450 for future functional study. The authors claimed they have identified the C4H genes across the manuscript, which have already been reported previously. They should take less credits on that or just claim the locus ID following reannotated of soybean genome was updated.

Line 275&line 365 The docking was done for GmC4H10 and the authors reported docking energy. Thus, instead of saying “not observed”, it is better to claim the docking position is impossible for hydroxylation.

Line 308 Specifically, only class II P450 requires CPR.

Line 322 It could be fairer to compare the catalytic efficiency (Vmax/Km). The full kinetic assay (Michaelis–Menten fitting) with three C4Hs is more informative than figure 7, and figure 7 can be moved to supplementary figure.

Line 392 Has the catalytic efficiency been compared to that with soybean CPR?

Line 387 There is an underlined o in coumaric acid.

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

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Functional characterization of Cinnamate 4-hydroxylase gene family in soybean (Glycine max)

PONE-D-23-07065R1

Dear Dr. Dhaubhadel,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Mojtaba Kordrostami, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Dear authors,

I am pleased to inform you that your manuscript titled "Functional characterization of Cinnamate 4-hydroxylase gene family in soybean (Glycine max)" has been accepted for publication in PLOS One.

Your study provides valuable insights into the functional characterization of the Cinnamate 4-hydroxylase gene family in soybean, which will undoubtedly contribute to our understanding of soybean genetics and ultimately benefit the agricultural industry.

We appreciate your contribution to our journal and look forward to publishing your article.

Thank you for choosing PLOS One as the platform for sharing your research.

Best regards,

Reviewers' comments: