Soybean Fe–S cluster biosynthesis regulated by external iron or phosphate fluctuation

Key message Iron and phosphorus are essential for soybean nodulation. Our results suggested that the deficiency of Fe or P impairs nodulation by affecting the assembly of functional iron–sulfur cluster via different mechanisms. Iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P) are important mineral nutrients for soybean and are indispensable for nodulation. However, it remains elusive how the pathways of Fe metabolism respond to the fluctuation of external Fe or P. Iron is required for the iron–sulfur (Fe–S) cluster assembly in higher plant. Here, we investigated the expression pattern of Fe–S cluster biosynthesis genes in the nodulated soybean. Soybean genome encodes 42 putative Fe–S cluster biosynthesis genes, which were expressed differently in shoots and roots, suggesting of physiological relevance. Nodules initiated from roots of soybean after rhizobia inoculation. In comparison with that in shoots, iron concentration was three times higher in nodules. The Fe–S cluster biosynthesis genes were activated and several Fe–S protein activities were increased in nodules, indicating that a more effective Fe–S cluster biosynthesis is accompanied by nodulation. Fe–S cluster biosynthesis genes were massively repressed and some Fe–S protein activities were decreased in nodules by Fe deficiency, leading to tiny nodules. Notably, P deficiency induced a similar Fe-deficiency response in nodules, i.e, certain Fe–S enzyme activity loss and tiny nodules. However, distinct from Fe-deficient nodules, higher iron concentration was accumulated and the Fe–S cluster biosynthesis genes were not suppressed in the P-deficiency-treated nodules. Taken together, our results showed that both Fe deficiency and P deficiency impair nodulation, but they affect the assembly of Fe–S cluster maybe via different mechanisms. The data also suggested that Fe–S cluster biosynthesis likely links Fe metabolism and P metabolism in root and nodule cells of soybean.