Correlation between AS1 gene expression and seed protein contents in different soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) cultivars.

In higher plants, asparagine synthetase (AS) plays an important role in regulating the nitrogen sink-source relationship. We studied the expression of AS genes in five Chinese soybean cultivars exhibiting contrasting seed protein contents. We found that only the AS2 but not the AS1 gene was induced by dark treatment. On the other hand, the expression of AS1 in leaves (especially in trifoliate leaves of young seedlings) showed a positive correlation with seed protein contents in the soybean cultivars tested. Therefore, in spite of the fact that the principle transporting compounds in soybean plants for nitrogen acquired via symbiotic fixation are ureides, AS may still play an important role in the process of nitrogen assimilation.