Leaf cDNA-AFLP analysis reveals novel mechanisms for boron-induced alleviation of aluminum-toxicity in Citrus grandis seedlings

•B alleviated Al-toxicity in C. grandis seedlings.•We investigated the ameliorative mechanisms of B on Al-toxicity at gene level.•We obtained 127 differentially expressed genes from leaves subjected to B and Al interactions.•Genes related to various biological processes played a role in B-induced alleviation of Al-toxicity.•We revealed some novel mechanisms on B-induced alleviation of Al-toxicity.

Little information is available on the molecular mechanisms of boron (B)-induced alleviation of aluminum (Al)-toxicity. ‘Sour pummelo’ (Citrus grandis) seedlings were irrigated for 18 weeks with nutrient solution containing different concentrations of B (2.5 or 20 μM H3BO3) and Al (0 or 1.2 mM AlCl3·6H2O). B alleviated Al-induced inhibition in plant growth accompanied by lower leaf Al. We used cDNA-AFLP to isolate 127 differentially expressed genes from leaves subjected to B and Al interactions. These genes were related to signal transduction, transport, cell wall modification, carbohydrate and energy metabolism, nucleic acid metabolism, amino acid and protein metabolism, lipid metabolism and stress responses. The ameliorative mechanisms of B on Al-toxicity might be related to: (a) triggering multiple signal transduction pathways; (b) improving the expression levels of genes related to transport; (c) activating genes involved in energy production; and (d) increasing amino acid accumulation and protein degradation. Also, genes involved in nucleic acid metabolism, cell wall modification and stress responses might play a role in B-induced alleviation of Al-toxicity. To conclude, our findings reveal some novel mechanisms on B-induced alleviation of Al-toxicity at the transcriptional level in C. grandis leaves.