Abstract
Humic substances are known to affect plant metabolism at different levels. We characterized humic substances extracted from earthworm feces by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy and used them to treat corn, Zea mays L., seedlings to investigate changes in patterns of root protein expression. After root plasma membrane extraction and purification, proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and differential spot intensities were evaluated by image analysis. Finally, 42 differentially expressed proteins were identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The majority of them were downregulated by the treatment with humic substances. The proteins identified included malate dehydrogenase, ATPases, cytoskeleton proteins, and different enzymes belonging to the glycolytic/gluconeogenic pathways and sucrose metabolism. The identification of factors involved in plant responses to humic substances may improve our understanding of plant-soil cross-talk, and enable a better management of soil resources.
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
