Cysteine protease and cystatin expression and activity during soybean nodule development and senescence.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Nodules play an important role in fixing atmospheric nitrogen for soybean growth. Premature senescence of nodules can negatively impact on nitrogen availability for plant growth and, as such, we need a better understanding of nodule development and senescence. Cysteine proteases are known to play a role in nodule senescence, but knowledge is still fragmented regarding the function their inhibitors (cystatins) during the development and senescence of soybean nodules. This study provides the first data with regard to cystatin expression during nodule development combined with biochemical characterization of their inhibition strength.

Results

Seventy nine non-redundant cysteine protease gene sequences with homology to papain, belonging to different subfamilies, and s

SUBMITTER: van Wyk SG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4243279 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature