结瘤因子的研究进展

结瘤因子是由根瘤菌产生的一类信号分子，它们在结瘤的起始阶段发挥着十分重要的作用。新近的研究结果证明结瘤因子大分子骨架上的不同侧链基团是决定细菌与宿主植物间相互识别的关键因素，根瘤菌细胞中一系列结瘤基因编码能够合成Lipo-chio-oligosaccharides(LCOs)的各种酶类，进而确定结瘤信号分子的特定结构。目前，一系列令人兴奋的实验结果表明：LCOs不仅可促进豆科作物的生物固氮作用，对一些非豆科作物的细胞分裂作用等同样具有刺激作用。对根瘤菌结瘤因子的研究显然有助于进一步了解细菌与植物的相互作用机理，并进而为农业生产为直接利益。本文在综述这方面的研究进展同时，还就瘤菌，豆科作用和结瘤信号分子之间的相互作用机理，以及根际促生细菌，水杨酸和结瘤信号分子之间的可能关系进行了理论分析。

Nod Factors (Lipo-Chito-Oligosaccharides) Research Progress

Nod factors are a novel general class of signal molecules produced by rhizobia, which play a key function in the initial steps of nodulation.Research has shown that different substitutions on a lipo chito oligosacchride (LCO) backbone play a role in deciding the specificity between bacteria and the host plants.The nod genes of rhizobia, which contain the genetic basis for this structural variety,include a set of nodulation genes encoding the enzymes that synthesize LCOs.There are promising results that suggest the application of LCOs in leguminous and non leguminous plants can control cell division. Research in this area will pave the way for fully understanding the interactions between bacteria and plants, and eventual application of this information for agronomic benefit.