Transcriptome analysis of two soybean cultivars identifies an aluminum respon-sive antioxidant enzyme GmCAT1

This study investigated the antioxidant defense system involved in the tolerance of soybean (Glycine max) to aluminum (Al) stress. Physiological assays showed that the amount of superoxide free radicals (O-2(-)), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly lower in an Al-resistant soybean cultivar (cv. PI416937) than in an Al-sensitive soybean cultivar (cv. Huachun18). Comparative analysis of microarray data from both genotypes following Al-stress treatment revealed that the expression of a series of antioxidant enzymes genes was induced in the Al-resistant cultivar. The quantitative real time-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay showed that the transcript levels of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes, including GmCAT1, GmPOD1, GmGST1, GmAPX, GmGSH1, and GmSOD, were higher in the Al-resistant cultivar than in the Al-sensitive cultivar in Al-stress conditions. Furthermore, GmCAT1-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants had improved tolerance to Al-stress and lower O-2(-), H2O2, and MDA contents than wild-type plants. Therefore, providing evidence that the antioxidant defense system is essential for Al tolerance in soybean.