Important proteins in soybean infections identified

Scientists have used quantitative analysis processes to study the changes seen in soybean lines that are resistant and sensitive to Phytophthora sojae.

P.sojae causes soybean root and stem rot which results in an annual loss of between $1 billion (£631million) and $2 billion in worldwide soybean production, the report published in Proteome Science claimed.

Using two-dimensional electrophoresis and other quantitative analysis methods, the team from China identified 46 differentially expressed proteins in soybean hypocotyls infected with P. Sojae.

The expression of 26 proteins were significantly affected in the tolerant soybean line, while in the sensitive line only 20 proteins were significantly affected, with 11 up-regulated and 9 down-regulated.

Among these proteins, a quarter were related to energy regulation, 15 per cent to protein destination and storage, just 11 per cent to defence against disease, 11 per cent to metabolism, nine per cent to protein synthesis, four per cent to secondary metabolism and a further quarter were of unknown function.

The report claimed that the figures provide important insight into the mechanisms used by P. sojae during its infection and colonisation of a host.