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Identification And Characterization Of The Isoflavonoid-Specific Prenyltransferase Gene Family To Prevent Stem And Root Rot In Soybean, Arjun Sukumaran

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Soybean is one of the most predominantly grown legumes worldwide, however, one deterrent to maximizing its yield is the pathogen, Phytophthora sojae, which causes stem and root rot disease. Many strategies have been implemented to combat this pathogen such as use of pesticides and certain agricultural practices. However, these have been largely ineffective in completely preventing P. sojae infection. An alternative strategy would be to improve the innate resistance of soybean by promoting increased glyceollin production. Glyceollins are soybean-specific antimicrobial agents which are derived from the isoflavonoid branch of the general phenylpropanoid pathway. Soybeans produce 3 forms of glyceollin: …

Soybean Isoflavonoid Biosynthesis: Constituents And Circumstance At The Transcriptomic And Molecular Levels, Mehran Dastmalchi

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Isoflavonoids are specialized metabolites, almost exclusive to the legume family of plants. They are actors in symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and in plant stress response. Isoflavonoids are noted for their human health benefits. Isoflavonoid content in legumes has proven to be a complex trait. The goal of the present research is to determine the mechanisms underlying isoflavonoid biosynthesis in soybean.

The first approach was to unravel the genetic factors of isoflavonoid biosynthesis. A branch-point enzyme of the phenylpropanoid pathway, chalcone isomerase (CHI), catalyzes the reaction producing flavanones, the nucleus for many downstream metabolites such as isoflavonoids. I identified twelve soybean …