Nodulin gene expression in effective root nodules of white sweetclover (Melilotus alba Desr.) and in ineffective nodules elicited by mutant strains of Rhizobium meliloti

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-1996

Abstract

Fifteen nodulins and several nodule-stimulated gene products were expressed in effective, nitrogen-fixing root nodules of white sweetclover (Melilotus alba Desr. cv. U389), as determined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of in vitro translation products. The number and gel position of eight leghaemoglobin (Lb) products, as well as a product tentatively identified as nodule-stimulated glutamine synthetase (GS), was similar to previous reports of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Iroquois) nodulins. Three mutants of Rhizobium meliloti, including an exoH mutant, a lipopolysaccharide mutant, and a nifH mutant, elicited ineffective sweetclover nodules blocked at empty (bacteria-free), partially infected, or fully infected stages of nodule development, respectively. In these ineffective nodules, the nodulin Nma30 and nodule-stimulated NSTma42 were expressed early in development, while a group of four nodulins and two nodule-stimulated products were intermediate in order of expression. Lb, GS and the late nodulin Nma12a were expressed later, following infection. The exoH mutant, Rm7154, appeared to be a leaky mutant, as a small percentage of the plants developed nitrogen-fixing nodules about 4 weeks after inoculation. The sequential expression of a large number of nodulins and nodule-stimulated products, as well as the availability of sweetclover nodulation mutants indicates that sweetclover is a useful diploid system for analysis of host genes essential to the Rhizobium/legume symbiosis.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Journal of Experimental Botany

Volume

47

Issue

295

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