Expression of the Legume-Specific Nod Factor Receptor Proteins Alters Developmental and Immune Responses in Rice

Plant Molecular Biology Reporter - Legumes form symbiosis with rhizobia, which fix nitrogen for the benefit of host plant in return for carbon resources. Development of this unique symbiosis in...     

The central role of the host cell in symbiotic nitrogen metabolism

Symbiotic nitrogen recycling enables animals to thrive on nitrogen-poor diets and environments. It traditionally refers to the utilization of animal waste nitrogen by symbiotic micro-organisms to synthesize essential amino acids (EAAs), which are translocated back to the animal host. We applied metabolic modelling and complementary metabolite profiling to investigate nitrogen recycling in the symbiosis between the pea aphid and the intracellular bacterium Buchnera, which synthesizes EAAs. The results differ from traditional notions of nitrogen recycling in two important respects. First, aphid waste ammonia is recycled predominantly by the host cell (bacteriocyte) and not Buchnera. Host cell recycling is mediated by shared biosynthetic pathways for four EAAs, in which aphid transaminases incorporate ammonia-derived nitrogen into carbon skeletons synthesized by Buchnera to generate EAAs. Second, the ammonia substrate for nitrogen recycling is derived from bacteriocyte metabolism, such that the symbiosis is not a sink for nitrogenous waste from other aphid organs. Host cell-mediated nitrogen recycling may be general among insect symbioses with shared EAA biosynthetic pathways generated by the loss of symbiont genes mediating terminal reactions in EAA synthesis.     

Symbiosis specificity in the legume: rhizobial mutualism

Legume plants are able to engage in root nodule symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria, collectively called rhizobia. This mutualistic association is highly specific, such that each rhizobial species/strain interacts with only a specific group of legumes, and vice versa. Symbiosis specificity can occur at multiple phases of the interaction, ranging from initial bacterial attachment and infection to late nodule development associated with nitrogen fixation. Genetic control of symbiosis specificity is complex, involving fine-tuned signal communication between the symbiotic partners. Here we review our current understanding of the mechanisms used by the host and bacteria to choose their symbiotic partners, with a special focus on the role that the host immunity plays in controlling the specificity of the legume - rhizobial symbiosis.     

菌根真菌促进植物吸收利用氮素机制的研究进展

作为自然界最为普遍的一种植物共生体,菌根能够极大地促进植物对氮素的吸收和利用,其中菌根真菌在共生结构功能中发挥了重要作用。本文分别从菌根解剖构造、生理生化和分子生物学方面系统总结了菌根真菌促进植物吸收和利用氮素的研究现状。重点介绍了菌根真菌可利用的氮素形态及影响其利用的主要因素、菌根真菌的氮代谢途径GS-GOGAT以及菌根真菌中存在的鸟氨酸循环途径,指出精氨酸是菌丝内氮转运的主要形式,NH3可能为菌根真菌和植物界面质外体的主要转运形式。     

一氧化氮对豆科植物结瘤及固氮的影响机制

豆科植物-根瘤菌共生过程受双方基因复杂且精细的调控, 能够产生特异的根瘤结构并可将大气中的惰性氮气(N₂)转化为可被植物直接利用的氨态氮。结瘤与固氮受多种因素影响, 其中, 一氧化氮(NO)作为一种自由基反应性气体信号分子, 可参与调节植物的许多生长发育过程, 如植物的呼吸、光形态建成、种子萌发、组织和器官发育、衰老以及响应各种生物及非生物胁迫。在豆科植物中, NO不仅影响寄主与菌共生关系的建立, 还参与调控根瘤菌对氮气的固定并提高植株氮素营养利用效率。该文主要从豆科植物及共生菌内NO的产生、降解及其对结瘤、共生固氮的影响和对环境胁迫的响应, 阐述了NO调控豆科植物共生体系中根瘤形成和共生固氮过程的作用机制, 展望了NO信号分子在豆科植物共生固氮体系中的研究前景。     

丛枝菌根共生体中碳、氮代谢及其相互关系

丛枝菌根共生体(arbuscular mycorrhiza, AM)是丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, AMF)与宿主植物之间形成的互惠共生形式.共生体中的碳、氮交换和代谢影响着宿主植物和共生真菌之间的营养平衡和资源重新分配,在物质和能量循环中发挥着重要作用.宿主植物光合固定的碳输送到真菌内,并且分解和释放真菌所需的生命物质和能量,包括促进孢子萌发、菌丝生长和提高氮等营养元素的吸收;而菌根真菌利用宿主植物提供的碳骨架和能量,发生氮的转化和运输,最终传递给宿主植物供其利用.本文综述了丛枝菌根共生体中碳、氮传输和代谢的主要模式,碳、氮的交互影响和调控机制,以促进丛枝菌根在可持续农业和生态系统中的应用.     

Nitrogen deposition decreases the benefits of symbiosis in a native legume

Aims

Anthropogenic nitrogen deposition can provide legumes with a cheap source of nitrogen relative to symbiotic nitrogen fixation, leading to the potential breakdown of this critical symbiosis. Here, the effects of nitrogen deposition were tested on a native symbiosis between legumes and rhizobia.

Methods

Deposition rates, soil nitrogen concentration, and plant nitrogen isotopic composition were quantified along a predicted deposition gradient in California. Acmispon strigosus seedlings were exposed to fertilization spanning nitrogen concentrations observed in the plant’s California range. Both wild and experimental plants from pristine and nitrogen polluted sites were tested using rhizobial strains that varied in nitrogen fixation.

Results

Deposition intensity was tightly correlated with nitrogen concentration in soils. The growth benefits of rhizobial nodulation were dramatically reduced by even modest levels of mineral nitrogen, and all Acmispon lines failed to form root nodules at high nitrogen concentrations.

Conclusions

Our dataset suggests that anthropogenic deposition has greatly increased soil nitrogen concentrations in Southern California leading to significantly reduced benefits of rhizobial symbiosis. If nitrogen deposition increases continue, plant host mortality and a total collapse of the symbiosis could result.

     

丛枝菌根形成过程及其信号转导途径

丛枝菌根是由一类土壤中古老的丛枝菌根真菌与植物根系形成的互利互惠共生体。通过共生作用丛枝菌根真菌帮助宿主植物提高水和矿质营养（特别是磷）的吸收效率。作为回报,大约20%的光合作用产物被转移到丛枝菌根真菌中,供其完成自身的生活史。丛枝菌根形成的过程中,需要植物与丛枝菌根真菌之间进行一系列信号分子的识别、交换以及信号转导作用,这一过程由一系列植物和菌根真菌的基因控制。首先,植物会分泌一种植物激素——独角金内酯来诱导菌根真菌加速分支,而菌根真菌也会分泌脂质几丁寡糖促进植物与其形成菌根。加速分支的菌根真菌接触到植物根部以后,会附着在植物根的表皮并形成附着胞,通过附着胞穿透植物根的表皮,最后进入维管组织附近的皮层细胞并在其中不断进行二叉分支,形成特有的丛枝结构。通过对模式植物共生现象的研究,已经发现很多植物基因参与到共生形成的信号转导过程中,包括早期植物反应的基因、菌根与根瘤共生共同需要的转导因子以及菌根特异的信号分子等。本文对菌根的形成过程及信号转导途径进行详细的介绍,为人们深入研究菌根关系提供参考。     

Inactivation of the nodH gene in Sinorhizobium sp. BR816 enhances symbiosis with Phaseolus vulgaris L

Sulfate modification on Rhizobium Nod factor signaling molecules is not a prerequisite for successful symbiosis with the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). However, many bean-nodulating rhizobia, including the broad host strain Sinorhizobium sp. BR816, produce sulfated Nod factors. Here, we show that the nodH gene, encoding a sulfotransferase, is responsible for the transfer of sulfate to the Nod factor backbone in Sinorhizobium sp. BR816, as was shown for other rhizobia. Interestingly, inactivation of nodH enables inoculated bean plants to fix significantly more nitrogen under different experimental setups. Our studies show that nodH in the wild-type strain is still expressed during the later stages of symbiosis. This is the first report on enhanced nitrogen fixation by blocking Nod factor sulfation.     

Pods and Nods: a new look at symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria

How can growing a crop plant make a field more fertile? With legumes, this is precisely what happens. Working in partnership with symbiotic bacteria that can create root nodules on their chosen host, legumes can fix atmospheric nitrogen and enhance the nitrogen status of soils. How does this symbiosis develop? And how did it evolve? Bacterial and plant genomics are beginning to provide the answers.     

Legume growth-promoting rhizobia: An overview on the Mesorhizobium genus

The need for sustainable agricultural practices is revitalizing the interest in biological nitrogen fixation and rhizobia-legumes symbioses, particularly those involving economically important legume crops in terms of food and forage. The genus Mesorhizobium includes species with high geographical dispersion and able to nodulate a wide variety of legumes, including important crop species, like chickpea or biserrula. Some cases of legume-mesorhizobia inoculant introduction represent exceptional opportunities to study the rhizobia genomes evolution and the evolutionary relationships among species. Complete genome sequences revealed that mesorhizobia typically harbour chromosomal symbiosis islands. The phylogenies of symbiosis genes, such as nodC, are not congruent with the phylogenies based on core genes, reflecting rhizobial host range, rather than species affiliation. This agrees with studies showing that Mesorhizobium species are able to exchange symbiosis genes through lateral transfer of chromosomal symbiosis islands, thus acquiring the ability to nodulate new hosts. Phylogenetic analyses of the Mesorhizobium genus based on core and accessory genes reveal complex evolutionary relationships and a high genomic plasticity, rendering the Mesorhizobium genus as a good model to investigate rhizobia genome evolution and adaptation to different host plants. Further investigation of symbiosis genes as well as stress response genes will certainly contribute to understand mesorhizobia-legume symbiosis and to develop more effective mesorhizobia inoculants.     

Rhizobien in der Pflanzenmikrobiota

Rhizobia in the plant microbiota The plant microbiota is of critical importance for plant growth and survival in soil. To explore mechanisms underlying plant‐microbiota interactions, defined commensal communities can be composed from microbiota culture collections and co‐cultivated with germ‐free plants to determine their impact on plant growth and health. The order Rhizobiales belongs to the core microbiota and includes nitrogen‐fixing bacteria that are known to engage in symbiotic interactions with legumes. Compatible host‐symbiont pairs are needed for a functional symbiosis, which involves the activation of highly specialized and interdependent signaling pathways between the two partners. Comparative genome analysis of more than 1,300 legume symbionts and rhizobial root commensals from non‐leguminous plants revealed that the most recent common ancestor of rhizobia lacked the gene repertoire needed for symbiosis and was able to colonize roots of a wide variety of plants. During evolution, key symbiosis genes were acquired multiple independent times by commensals belonging to different families of the Rhizobiales order.     

丛枝菌根利用氮素研究进展

氮素是植物需求量最大的元素,丛枝菌根真菌与植物形成共生体后能从土壤中获取无机氮、简单的氨基酸,还能利用一些复杂的有机态氮.考虑到NH+4在土壤中的移动性低及丛枝菌根真菌的专性共生菌的特点,丛枝菌根真菌吸收NH+4对植物的贡献较大.近年来的研究发现丛枝菌根真菌内存在与氮素代谢有关的鸟氨酸循环,而精氨酸则是菌丝内氮素转移的主要形式.综述最近的AMF对氮素的吸收、转运、同化、交换等方面的文献,旨在揭示丛枝菌根真菌氮素利用特点,阐明丛枝菌根真菌在氮循环系统中的重要作用.     

Plant hormones as signals in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are non-specific symbionts developing mutual and beneficial symbiosis with most terrestrial plants. Because of the obligatory nature of the symbiosis, the presence of the host plant during the onset and proceeding of symbiosis is necessary. However, AM fungal spores are able to germinate in the absence of the host plant. The fungi detect the presence of the host plant through some signal communications. Among the signal molecules, which can affect mycorrhizal symbiosis are plant hormones, which may positively or adversely affect the symbiosis. In this review article, some of the most recent findings regarding the signaling effects of plant hormones, on mycorrhizal fungal symbiosis are reviewed. This may be useful for the production of plants, which are more responsive to mycorrhizal symbiosis under stress.     

Contribution of NFP LysM domains to the recognition of Nod factors during the Medicago truncatula/Sinorhizobium meliloti symbiosis

The root nodule nitrogen fixing symbiosis between legume plants and soil bacteria called rhizobia is of great agronomical and ecological interest since it provides the plant with fixed atmospheric nitrogen. The establishment of this symbiosis is mediated by the recognition by the host plant of lipo-chitooligosaccharides called Nod Factors (NFs), produced by the rhizobia. This recognition is highly specific, as precise NF structures are required depending on the host plant. Here, we study the importance of different LysM domains of a LysM-Receptor Like Kinase (LysM-RLK) from Medicago truncatula called Nod factor perception (NFP) in the recognition of different substitutions of NFs produced by its symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti. These substitutions are a sulphate group at the reducing end, which is essential for host specificity, and a specific acyl chain at the non-reducing end, that is critical for the infection process. The NFP extracellular domain (ECD) contains 3 LysM domains that are predicted to bind NFs. By swapping the whole ECD or individual LysM domains of NFP for those of its orthologous gene from pea, SYM10 (a legume plant that interacts with another strain of rhizobium producing NFs with different substitutions), we showed that NFP is not directly responsible for specific recognition of the sulphate substitution of S. meliloti NFs, but probably interacts with the acyl substitution. Moreover, we have demonstrated the importance of the NFP LysM2 domain for rhizobial infection and we have pinpointed the importance of a single leucine residue of LysM2 in that step of the symbiosis. Together, our data put into new perspective the recognition of NFs in the different steps of symbiosis in M. truncatula, emphasising the probable existence of a missing component for early NF recognition and reinforcing the important role of NFP for NF recognition during rhizobial infection.     

Bacterial leaf nodule symbiosis in angiosperms with emphasis on Rubiaceae and Myrsinaceae

Over 400 species of three genera of Rubiaceae and one genus of Myrsinaceae reportedly have bacterial leaf nodules. Light and/or electron microscope studies of a few species have shown that bacteria exist in spaces within buds filled with mucilage secreted by glands. These bacteria enter substomatal chambers (Rubiaceae) or marginal hydathodes (Myrsinaceae) and establish short-lived colonies, in intercellular spaces, that die out almost before full leaf expansion. Bacteria occur in seeds between endosperm and embryo, but only two studies have followed bacteria into flowers and ovules. Previous work on the physical relations of bacteria and host plants is discussed critically. Reviewing work done on isolation and identification of presumed endophytes leads to the conclusion that there is no agreement whether one or several bacterial taxa are the endophyte, and no unambiguous identifications, although four genera are suggested as possibilities. Nitrogen fixation was considered as the bacterial contribution until quite recently, but a review of such studies reveals that fixation has been detected almost exclusively in isolated presumed endophytes, whereas almost all studies involving the bacterium in intact leaves have failed to detect nitrogen fixation. Studies of particular substances (besides combined nitrogen) contributed by the endophyte have been inconclusive, although the most recent works suggest that cytokinins are involved. Host plants lacking the endophyte have been reportedly produced many times, either spontaneously or by seed treatment. Such “cripples”, used for several aspects of symbiosis study, frequently revert to a nodulated condition, and a more reliable method of producing them is needed. Tissue culture may offer the best potential, but this approach has not yet produced whole bacteria-free plants. A proposed scheme for the evolution of the symbiosis suggests that a variety of bacteria entered buds first, and only in rare instances were compatible with the host bud mucilage. In a few of these cases, specific bacteria, compatible with the microenvironment, contributed a useful substance to the host, and bud mucilage and those bacteria co-evolved until large numbers of bacteria thrived in the buds. Nodules may have resulted from accidental entry of bacteria into leaves, with the possibility that some host plant nodules are merely pathogenic responses, whereas in others the bacteria are beneficial and further selection has resulted in numerous, regularly produced nodules. This review deals with taxonomy of host plants and endophytes, morphology of the symbiosis, its physiology, and speculation on the evolution of the symbiosis.     

Heat stress reduces the contribution of diazotrophs to coral holobiont nitrogen cycling

Efficient nutrient cycling in the coral-algal symbiosis requires constant but limited nitrogen availability. Coral-associated diazotrophs, i.e., prokaryotes capable of fixing dinitrogen, may thus support productivity in a stable coral-algal symbiosis but could contribute to its breakdown when overstimulated. However, the effects of environmental conditions on diazotroph communities and their interaction with other members of the coral holobiont remain poorly understood. Here we assessed the effects of heat stress on diazotroph diversity and their contribution to holobiont nutrient cycling in the reef-building coral Stylophora pistillata from the central Red Sea. In a stable symbiotic state, we found that nitrogen fixation by coral-associated diazotrophs constitutes a source of nitrogen to the algal symbionts. Heat stress caused an increase in nitrogen fixation concomitant with a change in diazotroph communities. Yet, this additional fixed nitrogen was not assimilated by the coral tissue or the algal symbionts. We conclude that although diazotrophs may support coral holobiont functioning under low nitrogen availability, altered nutrient cycling during heat stress abates the dependence of the coral host and its algal symbionts on diazotroph-derived nitrogen. Consequently, the role of nitrogen fixation in the coral holobiont is strongly dependent on its nutritional status and varies dynamically with environmental conditions.Subject terms: Microbial ecology, Climate-change ecology