Specific Expression of a Novel Nodulin GmN479 Gene in the Infected Cells of Soybean (Glycine max) Nodules

A novel nodulin gene, GmN479 genomic clone composing of 3 630 nucleotides was isolated from mature soybean nodules using GmN479 cDNA as a probe by subtractive hybridization procedure. GmN479 encodes 170 amino acids with 2.09 kb nucleotides promoter region, and contains two important upstream promoter elements, one is a conserved “s-acting sequence motif 5′-AAAGAT-3′ controlling nodulin gene expression, and the other is typical CAAT boxes. GmN479 gene has a single zmc-fmger C2H2 domain YSCAFCQRGFSNAQALLGGHMNIH and a conserved motif, QALGGHMN m the zinc-finger with a short leucine repeat in the LDLELRLGL motif closed to C-terminal. These two conserved motifs share respectively higher identity with those in the floral regulator SUPERMAN gene, indicating that GmN479 may function as a transcriptional regulator, and is a likely candidate for playing a role in nodule-morphogenesis. Blotting data showed that GmN479 is a single copy presenting in the genome of soybean nodule, and its expression profile is similar to that of Lb-a, but it is different from that of ENOD2. GUS staining showed that GmN479 promoter just functions in the infected cells of nodules, indicating that the GmN479 is one of the truly symbiotically induced host genes, and belongs to a late nodulin gene. The expression pattern of GmN479 gene seems to imply that it may be closely related to the development of the nodule. In a sense, it may be a useful marker for identifying the development of the infected cell system in the nodules of soybean.