Sequential functioning of Sym-13 and Sym-31 , two genes affecting symbiosome development in root nodules of pea ( Pisum sativum L.)

Two Fix⁻ mutants of pea (Pisum sativum L.) which are unable to fix molecular nitrogen, E135f (sym-13) and Sprint-2Fix⁻ (sym-31), were crossed to create the doubly homozygous recessive line, named RBT (sym-13, sym-31). The ultrastructural organization of nodules of the RBT line was compared with that of each of the two parental mutant lines and with the original wild-type genotypes of the cultivars Sparkle and Sprint-2. It was shown that the RBT line is similar to the mutant line Sprint-2Fix⁻ in having abnormal symbiosome composition and bacteroids with relatively undifferentiated morphology. Because the phenotypic manifestation of the sym-31 mutant allele suppresses the phenotypic manifestation of the sym-13 mutant allele, it is concluded that the function of the gene Sym-31 (which is mutated in the Sprint-2Fix⁻ line) is necessary at an earlier stage of symbiosome development than the gene Sym-13 (which is mutant in the E135f line). Received: 28 October 1996 / Accepted: 22 January 1997     

Anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of root nodules of Sprint-2 Fix-, a symbiotically defective mutant of pea (Pisum sativum L.)

A plant-determined pea mutant Sprint-2 Fix^– and the parentalline Sprint-2 were compared for selected physiological and biochemicalparameters. The Fix^– mutation prevented differentiationof Rhizobium leguminosarum bacteria into bacteroids and producedlarge, white, non-fixing nodules. These lacked nitrogenase-linkedrespiration, but had a background rate of CO₂ evolution similarto the normal Fix⁺ nodules. The cortical structure of the ineffectivenodules suggests the existence of an oxygen diffusion barrierand this was supported by a low oxygen concentration in thecentral region (0.5–3.0%), measured using an O₂ sensitivemicro-electrode. Sucrose and starch contents were similar innormal and ineffective nodules while ononitol content was about15 times lower in the Fix^– nodules. The distribution ofstarch was also different in the two nodule types. The activitiesof glutamine synthetase (GS), sucrose synthase (SS), phosphoenolpyruvatecarboxylase (PEPC) and alanine pyruvate aminotransferase (APAT)were markedly higher in Fix⁺ nodules while the activities ofpyruvate decarboxylase (PDC), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) andglutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) were higher in Fix^– nodules.The data from immunodetection of host nodule proteins confirmedthe reduced levels of sucrose synthase and the almost completeabsence of glutamine synthetase and leghaemoglobin in mutantnodules. There was no significant difference in the amount ofnitrogenase component 1 extracted from the microsymbiont ofnormal and ineffective nodules, but component 2 was hardly detectablein the Fix^– mutant. Key words: Pisum sativum, Fix^– mutant, nodules     

Immunocytological evidence for abnormal symbiosome development in nodules of the pea mutant line Sprint2Fix− (sym31)

Summary Using a series of antibody probes as markers of symbiosome development, we have investigated the impaired development of symbiosomes in nodules formed by the plant mutant line Sprint2Fix⁻ (sym31). In wild-type pea (Pisum sativum L.) nodules, bacteria differentiate into large pleiomorphic, nitrogen-fixing bacteroids and are singly enclosed within a peribacteroid membrane. In thesym31 mutant, several small undifferentiated bacteroids were often enclosed within one peribacteroid membrane, or were found within a vacuole-like compartment. In wild-type nodules, the monoclonal antibody JIM18, which recognizes a plasmalemma glycolipid antigen, bound to the juvenile peribacteroid membrane, and did not recognize the mature peribacteroid membrane. However, in the mutant, the antibody bound to all peribacteroid membranes within the nodule, suggesting that differentiation of the peribacteroid membrane was arrested. Another antibody, MAC266, recognized plant glycoproteins which normally accumulate in symbiosomes at a late stage of nodule development. Binding of this antibody was much reduced within mutant nodules, labelling only a few mature cells. Similarly, MAC301, which normally recognizes a lipopolysaccharide epitope expressed on differentiated bacteroids prior to the induction of nitrogenase, failed to react with rhizobial cell extracts isolated from nodules of thesym31 mutant. On the basis of these developmental markers, the symbiosomes ofsym31 nodules appeared to be blocked at an early stage of development. The distribution of infection structures was also found to be abnormal in the mutant nodules. Models of symbiosome development are presented and discussed in relation to the morphological and developmental lesions observed in thesym31 mutant.     

The pea (Pisum sativum L.) genes sym33 and sym40 control infection thread formation and root nodule function

Two novel non-allelic mutants that were unable to fix nitrogen (Fix^?) were obtained after EMS (ethyl methyl sulfonate) mutagenesis of pea (Pisum sativum L.). Both mutants, SGEFix^?–1 and SGEFix^?–2, form two types of nodules: SGEFix^?–1 forms numerous white and some pink nodules, while mutant SGEFix^?–2 forms white nodules with a dark pit at the distal end and also some pinkish nodules. Both mutations are monogenic and recessive. In both lines the manifestation of the mutant phenotype is associated with the root genotype. White nodules of SGEFix^?–1 are characterised by hypertrophied infection threads and infection droplets, mass endocytosis of bacteria, abnormal morphological differentiation of bacteroids, and premature degradation of nodule symbiotic structures. The structure of the pink nodules of SGEFix^?–1 does not differ from that of the parental line, SGE. White nodules of SGEFix^?–2 are characterised by “locked” infection threads surrounded with abnormally thick plant cell walls. In these nodules there is no endocytosis of bacteria into host-cell cytoplasm. The pinkish nodules of SGEFix^?–2 are characterised by virtually undifferentiated bacteroids and premature degradation of nodule tissues. Thus, the novel pea symbiotic genes, sym40 and sym33, identified after complementation analysis in SGEFix^?–1 and SGEFix^?–2 lines, respectively, control early nodule developmental stages connected with infection thread formation and function.     

Features of expression of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">PsSst1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">PsIgn1</Emphasis> genes in nodules of pea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pisum sativum</Emphasis> L.) symbiotic mutants

The sequences of the PsSst1 and PsIgn1 genes of pea (Pisum sativum L.) homologous to the symbiotic LjSST1 and LjIGN1 genes of Lotus japonicus (Regel.) K. Larsen are determined. The expression level of PsSst1 and PsIgn1 genes is determined by real-time PCR in nodules of several symbiotic mutants and original lines of pea. Lines with increased (Sprint-2Fix^– (Pssym31)) and decreased (P61 (Pssym25)) expression level of both genes are revealed along with the lines characterized by changes in the expression level of only one of these genes. The revealed features of the PsSst1 and PsIgn1 expression allow us to expand the phenotypic characterization of pea symbiotic mutants. In addition, PsSst1 and PsIgn1 cDNA is sequenced in selected mutant lines, characterized by a decreased expression level of these genes in nodules, but no mutations are found.     

Regulation of Nodulation by Rhizobium meliloti 102F15 on Its Mutant Which Forms an Unusually High Number of Nodules on Alfalfa

A mutant (WL3A150) of Rhizobium meliloti 102F51 that elicits an unusually high number of nodules on its host, alfalfa (Medicago sativa), supports the idea that the host may rely on early bacteroid development in the nodule or on metabolites produced in the infection thread as one of the signals to control further nodulation. This mutant was initially isolated because of its Fix⁻ phenotype. It consistently formed many more nodules than all the other Fix⁻ mutants isolated from strain 102F51 (a total of 11 mutants). Nodules formed by this mutant were small and white and were indistinguishable in appearance from nodules formed by the other Fix⁻ mutants. An ultrastructural study of the nodules, however, showed that this mutant, although forming numerous infection threads, failed to develop into bacteroids. The ability of the mutant to form an unusually high number of nodules coulde be suppressed in a time-dependent manner by the presence of the wild type.     

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.     

Isolation and Partial Characterization of Het− Fix− Mutant Strain of the Diazotrophic Cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis Showing Chromatic Adaptation

We propose a model to describe the changes taking place in biochemical processes/events to explain the development of heterocyst and nitrogenase in a diazotrophic cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis. For this purpose, a mutant strain of A. variabilis lacking heterocyst differentiation and incapable of growth with dinitrogen as the sole source of nitrogen has been isolated after nitrosoguanidine (NTG) mutagenesis and selection by penicillin enrichment. The mutant strain (Het⁻ Fix⁻) thus isolated has morphological variation and was incapable of reducing acetylene under anaerobic conditions, indicating its mutational loss of the process of nitrogen fixation. The Het⁻ Fix⁻ mutant strain had reduced glutamine synthetase (transferase) activity compared with its wild-type counterpart, suggesting a link between nif gene expression and the expression of gln A, the structural gene of GS. The Het⁻ Fix⁻ mutant strain compared with its wild-type strain also had an extremely high level of phycobiliprotein and a low level of carotenoids. Furthermore, the coiling of vegetative filaments in the Het⁻ Fix⁻ mutant strain, which reduced the surface area to be exposed to light, was a direct indication of the chromatic adaptation, because the mutant strain was found to be photosensitive, showing bleaching of the cells under high light intensity. Received: 13 December 2000 / Accepted: 9 February 2001     

Physiological alterations and regulation of heterocyst and nitrogenase formation in Het(-) Fix(-) mutant strain of Anabaena variabilis

Physiological alterations and regulation of heterocyst and nitrogenase formation have been studied in Het⁻ Fix⁻ mutant strain of diazotrophic cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis. Het⁻ Fix⁻ mutant strain of A. variabilis has been isolated by N-methyl-N′-nitro-N″-nitrosoguanidine (NTG) mutagenesis and was screened with the penicillin enrichment (500 μg ml⁻¹). Growth, heterocyst differentiation, nitrogenase and glutamine synthetase (biosynthetic and transferase), ¹⁴CO₂-fixation, nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NiR), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) activities, and NO₃ ⁻, NO₂ ⁻, and NH₄ ⁺ uptake and whole cell protein profile in different metabolic conditions were studied in the Het⁻ Fix⁻ mutant strain taking wild-type A. variabilis as reference. Het⁻ Fix⁻ mutant strain was incapable of assimilating elemental nitrogen (N₂) due to its inability to form heterocysts and nitrogenase and this was the reason for its inability to grow in BG-11₀ medium (free from combined nitrogen). In contrast, wild-type strain grew reasonably well in the absence of combined nitrogen sources and also showed heterocyst differentiation (8.5%) and nitrogenase activity (10.8 ηmol C₂H₄ formed μg⁻¹ Chl a h⁻¹) in N₂-medium. Wild-type strain also exhibited higher NR, NiR, and GS activities compared to its Het⁻ Fix⁻ mutant strain, which may presumably be due to acquisition of high uptake of NO₃ ⁻, NO₂ ⁻, and NH₂ ⁺. Wild-type strain in contrast to its Het⁻ Fix⁻ mutant strain also exhibited high level of G6PDH, IDH, and ¹⁴CO₂ fixation activities. Low levels of G6PDH and IDH activities in Het⁻ Fix⁻ mutant strain further confirmed the lack of heterocyst differentiation and nitrogenase activity in the Het⁻ Fix⁻ mutant strain. NR, NiR, and GS activities in both the strains were energy-dependent and the energy required is mainly derived from photophosphorylation. Furthermore, it was found that de novo protein synthesis is necessarily required for the activities of NR, NiR, and GS in both wild-type and its Het⁻ Fix⁻ mutant strain. Received: 21 December 2001 / Accepted: 28 January 2002     

Calcium-dependent phosphorylation of symbiosome membrane proteins from nitrogen-fixing soybean nodules : evidence for phosphorylation of nodulin-26

By using a peptide (CK-15) based on the COOH-terminal sequence of nodulin-26, we have demonstrated the presence of a Ca²⁺-dependent protein kinase in soluble as well as particulate fractions of nitrogen-fixing soybean (Glycine max) root nodules. Substantial enzyme activity was found in symbiosome membranes. The soluble enzyme was purified 1570-fold. The enzyme was fractionated from endogenous calmodulin and yet was fully activated by Ca²⁺ (K_0.5 = 0.4 micromolar) in the absence of exogenous calmodulin, phosphatidylserine and 1,2-dioleylglycerol, oleic acid, and platelet activating factor. CK-15 was used to generate a site-specific antibody to nodulin-26. The antibody reacted with a protein in the symbiosome membrane with an apparent molecular mass of 27,000 daltons, consistent with the molecular mass predicted for nodulin-26 from the deduced amino acid sequence. A symbiosome membrane protein with an identical electrophoretic mobility was phosphorylated in vitro in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner. Additionally, this symbiosome membrane protein was phosphorylated when nodules were incubated with ³²P-phosphate. Overall, the results show the existence of a Ca²⁺-dependent and calmodulin/lipid-independent enzyme in nitrogen-fixing soybean root nodules and suggest that nodulin-26 is a substrate for Ca²⁺-dependent phosphorylation.     

Localized Changes in Flavonoid Biosynthesis in Roots of Lotus pedunculatus after Infection by Rhizobium loti

Two-dimensional paper chromatography in four solvent systems, high-sensitivity spray reagents, and UV absorption spectroscopy were used to separate and characterize flavonoids and isoflavonoids in roots and root nodules of 20-d-old Lotus pedunculatus Cav. Seedlings were grown either under sterile conditions or after inoculation with Fix⁺ or Fix⁻ strains of Rhizobium loti. Flavonoids rather than isoflavonoids predominated in all tissues. Flavonoid profiles in sterile and denodulated root tissues were remarkably similar, both qualitatively and quantitatively. At least 14 partially purified flavonoid aglycones and conjugates were found in root extracts; denodulated root tissues contained no compounds that were not also present in sterile roots. Fix⁺ rhizobia were responsible for major postinfection shifts in plant flavonoid biosynthesis at the sites of nodule morphogenesis. Polymeric flavolans were absent from Fix⁺ nodules but present in all root tissues and in Fix⁻ nodules. Catechin was detected only in Fix⁺ nodules.     

Peculiarities of Mutation Process in X Chromosome of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophila melanogaster</Emphasis> Z<Superscript>3314</Superscript> Line from Zvenigorodka (Ukraine) Natural Population

The Drosophila melanogaster Z³³¹⁴ line isolated from a Zvenigorodka (Ukraine) natural population is characterized by the manifestation and emergence of a wide spectrum of molecular aberrations. Among them, two types (the wing venation anomaly and violation of the leg segmentation) were the most represented. It was demonstrated that the frequency of manifestation (penetrance) and the expressiveness of these phenotypic aberrations increase with an increase in the temperature. When the Z³³¹⁴ line is bred in the laboratory, autosomal visible rase (ra: 3–97.3) mutation, which leads to reduction of a part of dorso-central and scutellaria macrochaetae, was detected (isolated and identified). A number of genetic peculiarities that determined the consistency and prospects of the study were found during the mutation process study in the Z³³¹⁴ line. The Z³³¹⁴ line is characterized by a high frequency of the emergence of visible mutations in the X-Z³³¹⁴ chromosome, which persisted for a long time of the breeding under laboratory conditions (from 2003 to 2011). Locus-specific high genetic instability in the singed locus in the X-Z³³¹⁴ chromosome persisted from the moment of emergence of the first mutant alleles in 2006 until the end of the study. The emergence of mutations was observed both during the line breeding “inside” (in the case of brother–sister crossings) and after the crossings of the X-Z³³¹⁴ chromosome carrier males with females of the С(1)DX,ywf/Y laboratory line with linked X chromosomes.     

The S / M checkpoint at 37°C and the recovery of viability of the mutant polδts3 require the crb2 + /rhp9 + gene in fission yeast

We have isolated a mutant in fission yeast, in which mitosis is uncoupled from completion of DNA replication when DNA synthesis is impaired by a thermosensitive mutation in the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase δ. By functional complementation, we cloned the wild-type gene and identified it as the recently cloned checkpoint gene crb2 ⁺ /rhp9 ⁺ . This gene has been implicated in the DNA damage checkpoint and acts in the Chk1 pathway. Unlike the deleted strain dcrb2, cells bearing the crb2-1 allele were not affected in the DNA repair checkpoint after UV or MMS treatment at 30°?C, but were defective in this checkpoint function when treated with MMS at 37°?C. We analysed the involvement of Crb2 in the S/M checkpoint by blocking DNA replication with hydroxyurea, by using S phase cdc mutants, or by overexpression of the mutant PCNA L68S. Both crb2 mutants were unable to maintain the S/M checkpoint at 37°?C. Furthermore, the crb2 ⁺ gene was required, together with the cds1 ⁺ gene, for the S/M checkpoint at 30°?C. Finally, both the crb2 deletion and the crb2-1 allele induced a rapid death phenotype in the polδts3 background at both 30°?C and 37°?C. The rapid death phenotype was independent of the checkpoint functions.     

The cycHJKL genes of Rhizobium meliloti involved in cytochrome c biogenesis are required for “respiratory” nitrate reduction ex planta and for nitrogen fixation during symbiosis

We report the genetic and biochemical analysis of Rhizobium meliloti mutants defective in symbiotic nitrogen fixation (Fix^?) and “respiratory” nitrate reduction (Rnr^?). The mutations were mapped close to the ade-1 and cys-46 chromosomal markers and the mutated locus proved to be identical to the previously described fix-14 locus. By directed Tn5 mutagenesis, a 4.5 kb segment of the chromosome was delimited in which all mutations resulted in Rnr^? and Fix^? phenotypes. Nucleotide sequence analysis of this region revealed the presence of four open reading frames coding for integral membrane and membrane-anchored proteins. Biochemical analysis of the mutants showed that the four proteins were necessary for the biogenesis of all cellular c-type cytochromes. In agreement with the nomenclature proposed for rhizobial genes involved in the formation of c-type cytochromes, the four genes were designated cycH, cycJ, cycK, and cycL, respectively. The predicted protein product of cycH exhibited a high degree of similarity to the Bradyrhizobium japonicum counterpart, while CycK and CycL shared more than 50% amino acid sequence identity with the Rhodobacter capsulatus Ccll and Cc12 proteins, respectively. cycJ encodes a novel membrane anchored protein of 150 amino acids. We suggest that this gene cluster codes for (parts of) a multi-subunit cytochrome c haem lyase. Moreover, our results indicate that in R. meliloti c-type cytochromes are required for respiratory nitrate reduction ex planta, as well as for symbiotic nitrogen fixation in root nodules.     

1H, 13C and 15N resonance assignments of S114A mutant of UVI31+ from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Almost complete sequence specific ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N resonance assignments of S114A mutant of UVI31+ from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii are reported. The cDNA of S114A mutant of UVI31+ was cloned from a eukaryotic green algae (C. reinhardtii) and overexpressed in E.coli from where the protein was purified to homogeneity. The point mutation S114A in UVI31+ reduces its DNA endonuclease activity substantially as compared with its wild type. As a prelude to the structural characterization of S114A mutant of UVI31+, we report here complete sequence-specific ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N NMR assignments.     

The thymidine-kinase locus of friend erythroleukaemic cells: 1. Mutation rates and properties of mutants

Spontaneous mutation at the thymidine-kinase locus in clone 707 of the Friend cell lines has been examined. The rate of mutation in BrdU resistance was found to be 2.6 × 10^?6 cell^?1 generation^?1. The rate of reversion to HAT resistance was found to vary from 1.1 × 10^?7 to 2.85 × 10^?6 cell^?1 generation^?1 in 4 BrdU-resistant clones. Of 14 mutant clones assayed for thymidine-kinase activity only one had greater than 13% the activity of wild-type cells. Fluctuation analysis showed that mutations occurred spontaneously and were not induced by the selective agent.The mutation rate at the thymidine-kinase locus is several orders of magnitude greater than those reported for several other cell lines. There does not appear to be a general genetic instability in this cell line as the mutation rate at the HGPRT locus is similar to those found in other established cell lines.It is suggested that the high forward mutation rate at the thymidine-kinase locus may be due to only one functional thymidine-kinase allele being present in cells of this alone.     

New topics in familial prion diseases

Major advances have been made in the understanding of the molecular basis of phenotypic variability in human prion diseases over the last few years. Strong evidence indicates that a complex interaction between specific mutations and the polymorphic codon 129 of the prion protein gene (PRNP) underlies the genetic control of phenotypic expression in familial human prion diseases. Fatal familial insomnia (FFI) and a subtype of familial CJD (CJD¹⁷⁸), two prion diseases with different clinico-pathological features, the same mutation at codon 178 ofPRNPbut a different amino acid at codon 129 of the mutantPRNPallele, represent the best characterized example of this complex interplay between thePRNPgenotype and phenotypic variability. Protein studies have subsequently shown that the different genotype of the mutant allele in FFI and CJD¹⁷⁸results in the formation of two different protease-resistant prion proteins (PrP^res) which differ in size and glycosylation. These biochemical characteristics of PrP^resas well as differences among distinct brain regions in the timing and rate of PrP^resdeposition and in the vulnerability to PrP^resalso appear to be major determinants of phenotypic expression in human prion diseases.