Abstract
BackgroundAldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) represent a group of enzymes that detoxify aldehydes by facilitating their oxidation to carboxylic acids, and have been shown to play roles in plant response to abiotic stresses. However, the comprehensive analysis of ALDH superfamily in soybean (Glycine max) has been limited.ResultsIn present study, a total of 53 GmALDHs were identified in soybean, and grouped into 10 ALDH families according to the ALDH Gene Nomenclature Committee and phylogenetic analysis. These groupings were supported by their gene structures and conserved motifs. Soybean ALDH superfamily expanded mainly by whole genome duplication/segmental duplications. Gene network analysis identified 1146 putative co-functional genes of 51 GmALDHs. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis suggested the co-functional genes of these 51 GmALDHs were enriched (FDR < 1e-3) in the process of lipid metabolism, photosynthesis, proline catabolism, and small molecule catabolism. In addition, 22 co-functional genes of GmALDHs are related to plant response to water deprivation/water transport. GmALDHs exhibited various expression patterns in different soybean tissues. The expression levels of 13 GmALDHs were significantly up-regulated and 14 down-regulated in response to water deficit. The occurrence frequencies of three drought-responsive cis-elements (ABRE, CRT/DRE, and GTGCnTGC/G) were compared in GmALDH genes that were up-, down-, or non-regulated by water deficit. Higher frequency of these three cis-elements was observed for the group of up-regulated GmALDH genes as compared to the group of down- or non- regulated GmALDHs by drought stress, implying their potential roles in the regulation of soybean response to drought stress.ConclusionsA total of 53 ALDH genes were identified in soybean genome and their phylogenetic relationships and duplication patterns were analyzed. The potential functions of GmALDHs were predicted by analyses of their co-functional gene networks, gene expression profiles, and cis-regulatory elements. Three GmALDH genes, including GmALDH3H2, GmALDH12A2 and GmALDH18B3, were highly induced by drought stress in soybean leaves. Our study provides a foundation for future investigations of GmALDH gene function in soybean.
Highlights
Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) represent a group of enzymes that detoxify aldehydes by facilitating their oxidation to carboxylic acids, and have been shown to play roles in plant response to abiotic stresses
Each soybean ALDH gene was given an ALDH family name based on criteria established by the ALDH Gene Nomenclature Committee (AGNC) [31], and denominated according to soybean nomenclature, with the ALDH family name followed by a number based on the physical location of the gene on soybean chromosomes (Additional file 1: Table S1)
All 53 putative soybean ALDH proteins possess a conserved ALDH (PF00171) domain (Additional file 2: Table S2), which is a basic characteristic of ALDH families
Summary
Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) represent a group of enzymes that detoxify aldehydes by facilitating their oxidation to carboxylic acids, and have been shown to play roles in plant response to abiotic stresses. Rising global temperatures and decreases in available water resources in the world will exacerbate the negative impact of the drought stress on plants [6, 7] Aldehydes are both intermediates in and byproducts of some fundamental metabolic pathways associated with carbohydrate, amino acid, and lipid metabolism [8, 9]. Abiotic stresses, such as drought, high salinity, and high temperature, lead to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which further promote endogenous aldehyde production via a lipid peroxidation chain reaction [10,11,12]. Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) play an essential role in the detoxification of aldehyde molecules by facilitating the irreversible oxidation of a series of endogenous and exogenous aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes into their corresponding non-toxic carboxylic acids [10, 11, 14]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
