Phytophthora root and stem rot caused by Phytophthora sojae is one of the
destructive pests of
<[www.isaaa.org]
load/biotech-crop-annual-update-soybean-2018.pdf> soybean worldwide.
Scientists from Northeast Agricultural University in China investigated the
molecular mechanism of soybean's enzyme 4-coumarate: CoA ligase (4CL) in
response to P. sojae.

The researchers isolated the full length expressed sequenced tag and
designated as GmPI4L (P.sojae-inducible 4CL gene) which is a novel member of
the soybean 4CL gene family. When GmPI4L was overexpressed in soybean,
resistance to P. sojae was observed. More analyses showed that the contents
of daidzein, genistein, and the relative content of glyceollins are
significantly increased in overexpressed GmPI4L gene in soybeans.

The findings suggest that GmPI4L has a significant role in response to P.
sojae infection, probably through the building up of glyceollins, daidzein,
and genistein in soybean.

[www.publish.csiro.au]