GmACP expression is decreased in GmNORK knockdown transgenic soybean roots

NORK and soybean acyl carrier protein (ACP) both play important roles in nodulation. However, the relationship between Nod factor signaling and fatty acid (FA) biosynthesis during symbiotic development is unknown. In this study, an RNAi plasmid of GmNORK was constructed and transformed into soybean roots by Agrobacterium rhizogene-mediated hairy-root transformation. The nodule number decreased substantially in GmNORK knockdown soybean transgenic roots. To investigate the relationship between GmACP and Nod factor signaling, we measured GmACP expression levels in GmNORK RNAi soybean transgenic roots and found that rhizobia inoculation led to substantially reduced GmACP expression. Thus, FA biosynthesis was affected by Nod factor signaling during nodule development in soybean, a finding that provides valuable information that improves our understanding of the functions of GmNORK and GmACP in symbiotic signaling and nodule development.