Rhizobium symbiosis improves amino acid and secondary metabolite biosynthesis of tungsten-stressed soybean ( Glycine max).

Author(s)
Julian Preiner, Irene Steccari, Eva Oburger, Stefanie Wienkoop
Abstract

The industrially important transition metal tungsten (W) shares certain chemical properties with the essential plant micronutrient molybdenum and inhibits the activity of molybdoenzymes such as nitrate reductase, impacting plant growth. Furthermore, tungsten appears to interfere with metabolic processes on a much wider scale and to trigger common heavy metal stress response mechanisms. We have previously found evidence that the tungsten stress response of soybeans (

Glycine max) grown with symbiotically associated N

2-fixing rhizobia (

Bradyrhizobium japonicum) differs from that observed in nitrogen-fertilized soy plants. This study aimed to investigate how association with symbiotic rhizobia affects the primary and secondary metabolite profiles of tungsten-stressed soybean and whether changes in metabolite composition enhance the plant's resilience to tungsten. This comprehensive metabolomic and proteomic study presents further evidence that the tungsten-stress response of soybean plants is shaped by associated rhizobia. Symbiotically grown plants (N fix) were able to significantly increase the synthesis of an array of protective compounds such as phenols, polyamines, gluconic acid, and amino acids such as proline. This resulted in a higher antioxidant capacity, reduced root-to-shoot translocation of tungsten, and, potentially, also enhanced resilience of N fix plants compared to non-symbiotic counterparts (N fed). Taken together, our study revealed a symbiosis-specific metabolic readjustment in tungsten-stressed soybean plants and contributed to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms involved in the rhizobium-induced systemic resistance in response to heavy metals.

Organisation(s)
Functional and Evolutionary Ecology
External organisation(s)
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences
Journal
Frontiers in Plant Science
Volume
15
ISSN
1664-462X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1355136
Publication date
2024
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
106057 Metabolomics, 106037 Proteomics, 106030 Plant ecology
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Plant Science
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/rhizobium-symbiosis-improves-amino-acid-and-secondary-metabolite-biosynthesis-of-tungstenstressed-soybean--glycine-max(00978d8a-7c25-4afc-8162-7bb93781dc96).html