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Rhizobial nod gene-inducing activity in pea nodulation mutants: dissociation of nodulation and flavonoid response.

The root exudates of 24 pea (Pisum sativum L.) non-nodulating mutants, originating from cv. 'Finale', were tested for Rhizobium nodulation (nod) gene-inducing activity to reveal potential differences from the wild type. The interaction with flavonoid receptor NodD of R. leguminosarum bv. viciae strain 248 was monitored as the activity of the regulated operon nodABC fused to the reporter gene lacZ. In the uninoculated plants, the only decreased exudate activity was found in the line Risnod17 and ascribed to the impaired root growth in this line. Consequently, constitutive deficiency in the flavonoid nod gene inducers is not a cause of the asymbiotic phenotypes in the studied set. On the other hand, line Risnod5 had constitutively higher nod gene-inducing activity which might be responsible for its conditional nodulation and Fix(-) phenotype when the nodules are present. Monitoring of the response of wild-type plants to inoculation revealed an increase in nod gene-inducing activity (Ini response) starting first day after inoculation. The chosen mutant lines Risnod22 (putative locus sym9) and Risnod25 (putatively sym8) showed Ini as well indicating that the flavonoid burst can be mutationally dissociated from nodule initiation. On the other hand, absence of Ini in Risnod20 (assumed sym19) suggests branching of the signal transduction pathway downstream of this mutation and places it upstream of the two former mutations in the transduction of the bacterial Nod factor signal. More intense Ini response observed in the supernodulating mutant RisfixC, included in the study for its contrasting symbiotic phenotype, suggests common regulation of nodulation and Ini response via systemic shoot factor. The time shift in the exudation of isoflavonoid phytoalexin pisatin compared to Ini, its increased level in Risnod25 and lowered level in RisfixC are consistent with the regulatory role of plant defence in nodule initiation, which might be mediated directly by isoflavonoids as negative regulators.

Journal Article↗

Agrobacterium strains isolated from root nodules of common bean specifically reduce nodulation by Rhizobium gallicum.

In a previous work, we showed that non-nodulating agrobacteria strains were able to colonize root nodules of common bean. Both rhizobia and agrobacteria co-existed in the infected nodules. No impact on symbiosis was found in laboratory conditions when using sterile gravel as a support for growth. In this study, soil samples originating from different geographic and agronomic regions in Tunisia were inoculated with a mixture of agrobacteria strains isolated previously from root nodules of common bean. A significant effect on nodulation and vegetal growth of common bean was observed. Characterization of nodulating rhizobia and comparison with non-inoculated controls showed a biased genetic structure. It seemed that Rhizobium gallicum was highly inhibited, whereas nodulation by Sinorhizobium medicae was favored. Co-inoculation of non-sterile soils with R. gallicum and agrobacteria confirmed these findings. In vitro antibiosis assays indicated that agrobacteria exercised a significant antagonism against R. gallicum.

Antibiosis↗

A new root-nodulating symbiont of the tropical legume Sesbania, Rhizobium sp. SIN-1, is closely related to R. galegae, a species that nodulates temperate legumes.

Rhizobium sp. SIN-1, isolated in India from root nodules on the tropical legume Sesbania aculeata, also induces nitrogen-fixing nodules on roots of S. macrocarpa, S. speciosa, S. procumbens, S. punicea, S. rostrata, and Vigna unguiculata. Unlike Azorhizobium caulinodans, SIN-1 does not induce stem nodules on S. rostrata. The nodules induced by SIN-1 develop exclusively at the bases of secondary roots. Electron microscopic studies of mature nodule sections revealed rhizobia within intercellular spaces, indicating a 'crack entry' mechanism of root infection. SIN-1 is a fast-growing, acid-producing, salt-tolerant Rhizobium that utilizes a wide variety of carbon sources. The nodulation (nod) genes of this strain are located on a 300-MDa symbiosis (sym) plasmid. Fatty acid profile and sequence comparison of a 260-bp conserved region of the 16S rRNA gene demonstrated that SIN-1 is phylogenetically closely related to R. galegae, a species that nodulates temperate legumes.

Base Sequence↗

The Sesbania Root Symbionts Sinorhizobium saheli and S. teranga bv. sesbaniae Can Form Stem Nodules on Sesbania rostrata, although They Are Less Adapted to Stem Nodulation than Azorhizobium caulinodans.

Sesbania species can establish symbiotic interactions with rhizobia from two taxonomically distant genera, including the Sesbania rostrata stem-nodulating Azorhizobium sp. and Azorhizobium caulinodans and the newly described Sinorhizobium saheli and Sinorhizobium teranga bv. sesbaniae, isolated from the roots of various Sesbania species. A collection of strains from both groups were analyzed for their symbiotic properties with different Sesbania species. S. saheli and S. teranga bv. sesbaniae strains were found to effectively stem nodulate Sesbania rostrata, showing that stem nodulation is not restricted to Azorhizobium. Sinorhizobia and azorhizobia, however, exhibited clear differences in other aspects of symbiosis. Unlike Azorhizobium, S. teranga bv. sesbaniae and S. saheli did not induce effective stem nodules on plants previously inoculated on the roots, although stem nodulation was arrested at different stages. For Sesbania rostrata root nodulation, Sinorhizobium appeared more sensitive than Azorhizobium to the presence of combined nitrogen. S. saheli and S. teranga bv. sesbaniae were effective symbionts with all Sesbania species tested, while Azorhizobium strains fixed nitrogen only in symbiosis with Sesbania rostrata. In a simple screening test, S. saheli and S. teranga bv. sesbaniae were incapable of asymbiotic nitrogenase activity. Thus, Azorhizobium can easily be distinguished from Sinorhizobium among Sesbania symbionts on the basis of symbiotic and free-living nitrogen fixation. The ability of Azorhizobium to overcome the systemic plant control appears to be a stem adaptation function. This last property, together with its host-specific symbiotic nitrogen fixation, makes Azorhizobium highly specialized for stem nodulation of the aquatic legume Sesbania rostrata.

Journal Article↗

Biosynthesis and degradation of nodule-specific Rhizobium loti compounds in Lotus nodules.

Two nodule-specific Rhizobium loti compounds were identified in Lotus tenuis and Lotus pedunculatus nodules induced by strain NZP2037. One, a silver nitrate-positive cation called rhizolotine, has been characterized as the riboside of a novel alpha-hydroxyimino acid containing a 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine ring (G. J. Shaw, R. D. Wilson, G. A. Lane, L. D. Kennedy, D. B. Scott, and G. J. Gainsford, J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun., p. 180-181, 1986), and the other, yellow-1, stains yellow with ninhydrin. Both compounds were degraded by R. loti NZP2037 but not by strains of Rhizobium meliloti, Rhizobium trifolii, or Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Under the conditions tested neither compound was able to serve as a sole source of C or N for growth of R. loti NZP2037. Rhizolotine and yellow-1 were found in nodules from a range of different legumes inoculated with NZP2037, suggesting that the Rhizobium and not the host plant determines their synthesis. Neither compound was found in nodulelike structures of L. pedunculatus induced by transposon Tn5-induced noninfectious (Inf-) mutants of NZP2037 or in similar structures induced by a transconjugant of NZP2037 containing the symbiotic (Sym) cointegrate plasmid pPN1 of R. trifolii. Both compounds were also absent in the ineffective nodules induced by the bacterial-release-negative (Bar-) mutant, strain PN239. However, both compounds were present in nodules induced by the fixation-negative (Fix-) mutant PN235 and in Fix+ nodules formed by a plasmid-cured derivative of NZP2037. These results would suggest that infection and bacterial release from the infection thread are necessary for nodule (symbiotic) synthesis of these compounds.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Exopolysaccharide mutants of Rhizobium loti are fully effective on a determinate nodulating host but are ineffective on an indeterminate nodulating host.

By Tn5 mutagenesis of Rhizobium loti PN184 (NZP2037 str-1) and selection for nonfluorescence of colonies on Calcofluor agar, eight independently generated expolysaccharide (EPS) mutants (three smooth and five rough) were isolated. The parent strain, PN184, was found to produce an acidic EPS. This EPS was produced. with reduced O acetylation, by the smooth EPS mutants but not by the rough EPS mutants. Lipopolysaccharide was isolated from all mutants and was identical to that of PN184 as defined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. All mutants were resistant to lysis by R. loti bacteriophage phi 2037/1. Cosmids that complemented the mutations in the rough EPS mutants were isolated from a pLAFR1 gene library of NZP2037 by complementation of the nonfluorescent phenotype. The genes identified were shown to be unlinked and located on the chromosome. All mutants were fully effective when inoculated onto Lotus pedunculatus, a determinate nodulating host, but were ineffective, inducing the formation of very small nodules or tumorlike growths, when inoculated onto Leucaena leucocephala, an indeterminate nodulating host. These results, obtained in an isogenic Rhizobium background, support suggestions that acidic EPS is required for effective nodulation of indeterminate nodulating legumes but is not required for effective nodulation of determinate nodulating legumes.

Cosmids↗

nodZ, a unique host-specific nodulation gene, is involved in the fucosylation of the lipooligosaccharide nodulation signal of Bradyrhizobium japonicum.

The nodulation genes of rhizobia are regulated by the nodD gene product in response to host-produced flavonoids and appear to encode enzymes involved in the production of a lipo-chitose signal molecule required for infection and nodule formation. We have identified the nodZ gene of Bradyrhizobium japonicum, whose product is required for the addition of a 2-O-methylfucose residue to the terminal reducing N-acetylglucosamine of the nodulation signal. This substitution is essential for the biological activity of this molecule. Mutations in nodZ result in defective nodulation of siratro. Surprisingly, although nodZ clearly codes for nodulation function, it is not regulated by NodD and, indeed, shows elevated expression in planta. Therefore, nodZ represents a unique nodulation gene that is not under the control of NodD and yet is essential for the synthesis of an active nodulation signal.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Large regenerative nodules and dysplastic nodules in cirrhotic livers: a histopathologic study.

In order to reveal the precursor lesion of hepatocellular carcinoma, a histopathologic study was performed on 141 cases of liver cirrhosis with or without hepatocellular carcinoma. Exclusive of primary or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma nodules, 94 nodular lesions (greater than 5 mm) were detected in 53 cirrhotic livers. They consisted of 83 large regenerative nodules and 11 dysplastic nodules. Besides some common features with those observed in the former type, the dysplastic nodules presented increased cytoplasmic basophilia, nuclear and nucleolar enlargement, nuclear crowding, occasional microacinar formation and proliferation of the hepatocytes within fibrous septa. These changes were not substantial enough to allow the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. In one case, however, malignant transformation of hepatocytes was suspected because of their pattern of extranodular outgrowth. It is important to recognize these subtle abnormalities in order to define premalignant hepatic lesions. A possible connection between benign large regenerative nodules and dysplastic nodules is also discussed.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Chromosomal alterations in hepatocellular nodules by comparative genomic hybridization: high-grade dysplastic nodules represent early stages of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Data from experimental hepatocarcinogenesis and recent studies in humans have suggested that the emergence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a stepwise process. However, despite abundant experimental data, the precise molecular mechanisms and genetic alterations involved in human liver carcinogenesis are still unclear. Comparative genomic hybridization was used to analyze 26 hepatocellular nodules obtained from patients undergoing liver transplantation or surgical resection for HCC. According to the criteria proposed by the International Working Party, 16 nodules were classified as multiacinar regenerative nodules (MRN), 4 as low-grade dysplastic nodules (LG-DN), and 6 as high-grade dysplastic nodules (HG-DN). Our aim was to investigate the possible genetic differences between MRN, LG-DN, and HG-DN. The whole group of nodules showed only a few aberrations (mean 1.1/case), without any significant pattern. This finding is comparable to what happens in non-neoplastic tissue. On the contrary, in three of six HG-DN, we found deletions of 8p and gains of 1q. LG-DN and MRN did not show these chromosomal imbalances. These results confirm the important role of allelic losses on 8p as well as of gains of 1q in HCC. We conclude that the genes that are important in early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis are probably located on these chromosomal arms.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Genetics of promiscuous nodulation in soybean: nodule dry weight and leaf color score.

The symbiotic relationship between the soybean plant and rhizobium results in fixation of atmospheric nitrogen (N(2)) in the root nodules, with the result that nitrogenous fertilization of the soybean is unnecessary. The effectiveness of nodule formation and N(2) fixation with rhizobial strains is under genetic control with two general categories identified: (1) promiscuous, which produces functional nodules with cowpea-type rhizobial strains; and (2) nonpromiscuous, which forms no or nonfunctional nodules with these strains. The segregation pattern of this promiscuity trait was studied using nodule dry weight (NDW) and leaf color score (LCS) as indicators of N(2) fixation effectiveness. Individual plants in each of six populations [P(1) = nonpromiscuous, P(2) = promiscuous, F(1) = P(1) x P(2) (and the reciprocal cross), BC(1)(P(1)) = F(1) (female) x P(1), BC(1)(P(2)) = F(1) (female) x P(2), F(2)] were scored for these characters after inoculation with a rhizobial strain that would distinguish between both types. For NDW, nonpromiscuity was found to be partially dominant (h/d = 0.37), controlled by four loci. For LCS, nonpromiscuity was shown to be almost completely dominant (h/d = 0.74), controlled by two loci. LCS was a more meaningful estimate of N(2) fixation because it represented the total effectiveness of nodulation to provide nitrogen for the plant.

Analysis of Variance↗

Glypican-3 expression distinguishes small hepatocellular carcinomas from cirrhosis, dysplastic nodules, and focal nodular hyperplasia-like nodules.

Distinguishing small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from other types of small focal lesions that occur in a cirrhotic liver can be difficult on the basis of morphologic features alone. We investigated whether the expression of glypican-3 (GPC3) could be an ancillary tool in the histopathologic diagnostic process. We performed immunohistochemistry for GPC3 on 16 low-grade dysplastic nodules, 33 high-grade dysplastic nodules, 13 focal nodular hyperplasia-like nodules, and 59 HCCs with a diameter less or equal to 3 cm present in the cirrhotic liver of 66 patients. Both resected lesions and lesions biopsied by needle were included and nonlesional cirrhotic parenchyma was also stained. In a subset of cases (23 samples of cirrhosis, 4 low-grade dysplastic nodules, 5 high-grade dysplastic nodules, 2 focal nodular hyperplasia-like nodules, and 18 HCCs), real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for GPC3 was performed. GPC3 expression was, both on immunohistochemistry and by real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, much higher in small HCCs than in cirrhosis and other types of small focal lesions, indicating that the transition from premalignant lesions to small HCC is associated with a sharp increase of GPC3 expression in a majority of cases. The sensitivity and specificity of a positive GPC3-staining for the diagnosis of HCC in small focal lesions was 0.77 and 0.96, respectively, in resected cases, and 0.83 and 1, respectively, for needle biopsies. Because the result of the staining was easily interpretable, immunohistochemistry for GPC3 is valuable ancillary tool in the histopathologic diagnosis of small focal lesions in cirrhosis.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Nitrate Effects on Nodule Oxygen Permeability and Leghemoglobin (Nodule Oximetry and Computer Modeling).

Two current hypotheses to explain nitrate inhibition of nodule function both involve decreased O2 supply for respiration in support of N2 fixation. This decrease could result from either (a) decreased O2 permeability (PO) of the nodule cortex, or (b) conversion of leghemoglobin (Lb) to an inactive, nitrosyl form. These hypotheses were tested using alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv Weevlchek) and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L. cv Fergus) plants grown in growth pouches under controlled conditions. Nodulated roots were exposed to 10 mM KNO3 or KCI. Fractional oxygenation of Lb under air (FOLair), relative concentration of functional Lb, apparent PO, and O2-saturated central zone respiration rate were all monitored by nodule oximetry. Apparent PO and FOLair in nitrate-treated nodules decreased to <50% of values for KCI controls within 24 h, but there was no decrease in functional Lb concentration during the first 72 h. In nitrate-treated alfalfa, but not in birdsfoot trefoil, FOLair, apparent PO, and O2-saturated central zone respiration rate decreased during each light period and recovered somewhat during the subsequent dark period. This species difference could be explained by greater reliance on photoreduction of nitrate in alfalfa than in birdsfoot trefoil. Computer simulations extended the experimental results, showing that previously reported decreases in apparent PO of Glycine max nodules with nitrate exposure cannot be explained by hypothetical decreases in the concentration or O2 affinity of Lb.

Journal Article↗

Two Isoenzymes of NADH-dependent Glutamate Synthase in Root Nodules of Phaseolus vulgaris L: Purification, Properties and Activity Changes during Nodule Development.

The specific activity of plant NADH-dependent glutamate synthase (NADH-GOGAT) in root nodules of Phaseolus vulgaris L. is over threefold higher than the specific activity of ferredoxin-dependent GOGAT. The NADH-GOGAT is composed of two distinct isoenzymes (NADH-GOGAT I and NADH-GOGAT II) which can be separated from crude nodule extracts by ion-exchange chromatography. Both NADH-GOGAT isoenzymes have been purified to apparent homogeneity and shown to be monomeric proteins with similar M(r)s of about 200,000. They are both specific for NADH as reductant. An investigation of their kinetic characteristics show slight differences in their K(m)s for l-glutamine, 2-oxoglutarate, and NADH, and they have different pH optima, with NADH-GOGAT I exhibiting a broad pH optimum centering at pH 8.0 whereas NADH-GOGAT II has a much narrower pH optimum of 8.5. The specific activity of NADH-GOGAT in roots is about 27-fold lower than in nodules and consists almost entirely of NADH-GOGAT I. During nodulation both isoenzymes increase in activity but the major increase is due to NADH-GOGAT II which increases over a time course similar to the increase in nitrogenase activity. This isoenzyme is twice as active as NADH-GOGAT I in mature nodules. The roles and regulation of these two isoenzymes in the root nodule are discussed.

Journal Article↗

A nodule-specific gene encoding a subtilisin-like protease is expressed in early stages of actinorhizal nodule development.

To identify genes specifically expressed during early stages of actinorhizal nodule development, a cDNA library made from poly(A) RNA from root nodules of Alnus glutinosa was screened differentially with nodule and root cDNA, respectively. Seven nodule-enhanced and four nodule-specific cDNA clones were isolated. By using in situ hybridization, two of the nodule-specific cDNAs were shown to be expressed at the highest levels in infected cells before the onset of nitrogen fixation; one of them, ag12 (A. glutinosa), was examined in detail. Sequencing showed that ag12 codes for a serine protease of the subtilisin (EC 3.4.21.14) family. Subtilisins previously appeared to be limited to microorganisms. However, subtilisin-like serine proteases have recently been found in archaebacteria, fungi, and yeasts as well as in mammals; a plant subtilisin has also been sequenced. In yeast and mammals, subtilases are responsible for processing peptide hormones. A homolog of ag12, ara12, was identified in Arabidopsis; it was expressed in all organs, and its expression levels were highest during silique development. Hence, our study shows that subtilases are also involved in both symbiotic and nonsymbiotic processes in plant development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nodulation and Competition for Nodulation of Selected Soybean Genotypes among Bradyrhizobium japonicum Serogroup 123 Isolates.

Twenty recently obtained field isolates of Bradyrhizobium japonicum serogroup 123 were tested for their nodule mass production on the standard commercial soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Williams) and on two soybean plant introduction (PI) genotypes previously determined to restrict nodulation by strain USDA 123. Four of the field isolates showed similar restricted nodulation on the two genotypes, while all 20 isolates produced a normal amount of nodules on G. max cv. Williams. Serological analyses with adsorbed fluorescent antibodies showed that members of the 123 serotype ranked low in nodulation of the two PIs, in contrast to members of serotypes 127 and 129. Competition studies on the PIs indicated that isolates which were restricted were not competitive for nodule occupancy against strain USDA 110. However, unrestricted isolates of serogroup 123 were very competitive against USDA 110. On G. max cv. Williams, all serogroup 123 isolates tested were very competitive against USDA 110.

Journal Article↗

Genetic Analysis of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. Phaseoli Mutants Defective in Nodulation and Nodulation Suppression.

Nodulation-defective rhizobia and their nodule-forming derivatives containing cloned DNA from the wild type were used to study nodulation suppression in Phaseolus vulgaris L. Non-nitrogen-fixing derivatives which formed rhizobia-containing white nodules induced partial suppression. Comparison of this with the complete suppression by Fix derivatives and a Fix mutant which formed rhizobia-containing pink nodules suggests that the extent of suppression may be related to successive stages of nodule development.

Journal Article↗

Two gene clusters of Rhizobium meliloti code for early essential nodulation functions and a third influences nodulation efficiency.

A pLAFR1 cosmid clone (pPP346) carrying the nodulation region of the symbiotic plasmid pRme41b was isolated from a gene library of Rhizobium meliloti 41 by direct complementation of a Nod- deletion mutant of R. meliloti. Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Rhizobium species containing pPP346 were able to form ineffective nodules on alfalfa. The 24-kilobase insert in pPP346 carries both the common nodulation genes and genes involved in host specificity of nodulation. It was shown that these two regions are essential and sufficient to determine the early events in nodulation. A new DNA region influencing the kinetics and efficiency of nodulation was also localized on the symbiotic megaplasmid at the right side of the nif genes.

DNA, Bacterial↗