斜茎黄芪根瘤菌结瘤基因nodA PCR扩增及PCR-RFLP分析

对采自我国北方地区的16株斜茎黄芪根瘤菌代表菌株的共同结瘤基因nodA进行了PCR扩增及PCR-RFLP分析研究。来自Mesorhizobium和Rhizobium系统发育分支的代表菌株都得到了nodA PCR扩增产物;而来自Agrobacterium系统发育分支的代表菌株都没有得到nodA PCR扩增产物。进一步的nodAPCR-RFLP分析结果表明斜茎黄芪根瘤菌具有很大的nodA基因遗传多样性,具有4种不同的16S rDNAPCR-RFLP遗传图谱类型的12株斜茎黄芪根瘤菌具有8种不同的nodA PCR-RFLP遗传图谱类型。但是斜茎黄芪根瘤菌nodA基因遗传多样性随种群而变化,来自M.septentrionale的具有相同的16S rDNA PCR-RFLP遗传图谱类型的4个代表菌株具有4种不同的nodA PCR-RFLP遗传图谱类型;而来自M.tempera-tum的具有相同的16S rDNA PCR-RFLP遗传图谱类型3个代表菌株则具有相同的nodA PCR-RFLP遗传图谱类型。此外,来自不同种的具有不同16S rDNA PCR-RFLP遗传图谱类型的菌株却具有相同的nodA PCR-RFLP遗传图谱类型,说明nodA基因可能在根瘤菌的不同种间发生了水平转移。     

分离自杭子梢等宿主根瘤的30株菌的结瘤特性的研究

对分离自杭子梢、菜豆和决明等宿主根瘤、处于Agrobacterium系统发育分支、DNA-DNA杂交与A.rubi的相似性达到100%的30株土壤杆菌,分属于Agrobacterium、Bradyrhizobium、Mesorhizobium、Rhizobium和Sinorhizobium 5个属的12个参比菌株。nodA PCR的结果表明,30株供试菌中扩增不出nodA,即没有结瘤性。以Sinorhizobium meliloti USDA1002T的nodA做探针对所提取的细菌总DNA进行斑点杂交,在65℃-68℃严谨洗膜条件下,该探针只能与同种的根瘤菌进行杂交,不能与其它属的根瘤菌或土壤杆菌杂交,初步推测共同结瘤基因nodA探针只能对种内根瘤菌的结瘤性进行鉴定。     

桂西北喀斯特常见豆科植物根瘤菌的遗传多样性

调查了桂西北喀斯特24种常见豆科植物的结瘤情况及特征,并从15种宿主植物上获得39份根瘤样品,提取根瘤基因组DNA,扩增16S rDNA和nifH基因,构建系统发育树,对根瘤菌遗传多样性进行了研究.结果表明: 有15种豆科植物是结瘤的,其中14种为蝶形花亚科,1种为含羞草亚科,而云实亚科未发现结瘤.一些本应结瘤的植物未发现根瘤,可能与喀斯特土壤的保水性差有关.BLAST和系统发育分析结果均显示,来源于多种豆科植物的根瘤菌均归属于慢生根瘤菌属,仅有2个亮叶崖豆藤样品的根瘤菌归属于中慢生根瘤菌属.在系统发育树上,来源于同一地点或同一宿主植物的根瘤序列均表现出一定的聚集性,说明共生根瘤菌的种类可能受宿主植物及所处生态环境的共同影响.     

黑木相思根瘤菌的系统发育分析及其结瘤效果研究

【目的】针对采集自福建、广东的34株黑木相思根瘤菌进行分类研究,进一步确定其分类地位,丰富我国黑木相思根瘤菌种质资源。【方法】对选取的34株菌株测定了16S rRNA基因、持家基因atpD和glnII序列,以14株菌为代表菌株分析其系统发育情况。而且选取了部分菌株进行结瘤实验。【结果】16S rRNA基因以及持家基因atpD和glnII的系统发育分析结果与16S rRNA PCR-RFLP分型结果基本一致,14株代表菌株被分为10个不同的类群,其中有2个群组属于中慢生根瘤菌属(Mesorhizobium),其余群组属于慢生根瘤菌属(Bradyrhizobium)。结瘤试验证明,相关的供试根瘤菌能与黑木相思、银合欢、南洋楹和网脉相思结瘤共生,显示出较广的宿主范围,且对黑木相思和银合欢的促生效果较明显。【结论】研究发现黑木相思根瘤菌具有丰富的遗传多样性和共生多样性。     

结瘤基因的表达调控

根瘤菌和豆科植物的共生体系一方面因为它的固氮效应在农业上有重要意义,另一方面因为它可以作为发育生物学的良好模型,所以得到了广泛的研究。通常情况下,一种根瘤菌只能在一种或几种豆科植物上结瘤;而一种豆科植物也只能接纳一种或几种根瘤菌。在根瘤菌方面,结瘤基因及其产物蛋白的活动是决定这种宿主特异性的主要因素。对于结瘤基因表达调控的深人认识将有助于实现人们梦寐以求的扩大根瘤菌宿主范围的愿望。通常所说的根瘤菌实际上包括四个属：（快生型）根瘤菌属（Anlzobium）、慢生型根瘤菌属（Bra41、rhico－bium）、固氮根瘤菌…     

根瘤菌新类群代表菌株的16SrDNA全序列测定及其系统发育地位

用双脱氧法测定了一个根瘤菌新类群代表菌株SH2672的16S rDNA全序列,将此全序列与根瘤菌各已知种及相关种的16S rDNA全序列进行了比较及聚类分析,得到系统发育树状图。在系统发育树状图中,菌株SH2672与百脉根中慢生根瘤菌(Mesorhizobium loti),华癸中慢生根瘤菌(M. huakuii)、天山中慢生根瘤菌(M. tianshanense)、地中海中慢生根瘤菌(M. mediterraneum)、鹰嘴豆中慢生根瘤菌(M. ciceri)共同构成一个分支,与各已知种的模式菌株16S rDNA相似性分别为:96.3％,96.4％,97.2％,95.1％,95.6％,均在95％以上,它们应归属于同一属。且分支内各种间DNA同源性低于70％,表明它们分别为不同的种,菌株SH2672代表着一个新的根瘤菌种。     

陕西太白尾矿废弃地豆科植物根瘤菌16S rDNA PCR-RFLP及全序列分析

应用16S rDNA-RFLP和16S rDNA全序列测定方法,对分离自陕西太白金矿尾矿废弃地的55株根瘤菌和12株参比菌株进行了遗传多样性和系统发育地位研究。采用平均连锁法(UPMGA)对16S rDNA PCR-RFLP聚类,结果显示所有菌株在72%的水平上聚到一起。根据参比菌株的种属关系,将供试菌株初步分成6个遗传发育群。群Ⅰ为根瘤菌属,群Ⅱ为中华根瘤菌属,群Ⅲ是中慢生根瘤菌属,群Ⅳ为土壤杆菌属,群V为一未知群,群Ⅵ为慢生根瘤菌属。分离自天蓝苜蓿的根瘤菌主要分布在群Ⅱ,截叶胡枝子根瘤菌在各个群内均有分布,表现出丰富的遗传多样性。选取群Ⅰ、Ⅱ的代表菌株TB17-1、TB50-1进行16S rDNA全序列测定分析,结果显示TB17-1与Rhizonbium leguminosarumUSDA2370的同源性高达99.7%,TB50-1与Sinorhizobium melilotiLMG6133的同源性为100%。全序列测定结果与RFLP分析结果基本一致。     

根瘤菌结瘤基因研究的新进展

简要综述了目前根瘤菌结癌基因研究的3个热点方向,即结瘤因子、nodlD基因的调控和结瘤基因系统发育分析的新进展。结瘤因子的骨架核心是结瘤基因中的共同性基因nodABC表达的产物,宿主专一性基因则进行骨架结构的修饰,所形成的特异性结瘤因子是根瘤苗宿主范围的主要决定因素。结瘤调控基因nodD的作用方式与其存在的拷贝数目和产物NodD蛋白活性有关,同时NodD的敏感性还影响到根瘤菌的宿主范围。结瘤基因的系统发育揭示出根瘤菌宿主范围与共同性结瘤基因间比其它基荫的相关性更高。结瘤基因与豆科宿主之间存在一定的共进化关系。     

根瘤菌新类群代表菌株的16S rDNA全序列测定及其系统发育地位

用双脱氧法测定了一个根瘤菌新类群代表菌株SH2672的16S rDNA全序列,将此全序列与根瘤菌各已知种及相关种的16S rDNA全序列进行了比较及聚类分析,得到系统发育树状图。在系统发育树状图中,菌株SH2672与百脉根中慢生根瘤菌(Mesorhizobium loti),华癸中慢生根瘤菌(M. huakuii)、天山中慢生根瘤菌(M. tianshanense)、地中海中慢生根瘤菌(M. mediterraneum)、鹰嘴豆中慢生根瘤菌(M. ciceri)共同构成一个分支,与各已知种的模式菌株16S rDNA相似性分别为:96.3％,96.4％,97.2％,95.1％,95.6％,均在95％以上,它们应归属于同一属。且分支内各种间DNA同源性低于70％,表明它们分别为不同的种,菌株SH2672代表着一个新的根瘤菌种。     

一株能在大豆上结瘤的苜蓿中华根瘤菌

苜蓿中华根瘤菌(Sinorhizobium meliloti)XJ96077分离自新疆的苜蓿根瘤中,其原宿主为紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)。交叉结瘤试验发现,它既可在苜蓿上又能在大豆上结瘤固氮。DNA(G C)mol％分析表明,XJ96077的DNA(G C)mol％为61．9％,与已报道的根瘤菌属的DNA(G C)mol％范围(59％-64％)相符。DNA同源性分析表明,XJ96077与苜蓿中华根瘤菌USDA1002^T和042BM的同源性分别达到93％和80％,说明XJ96077归属于苜蓿中华根瘤菌。应用绿色荧光蛋白基因标记XJ96077,得到重组菌株XJ96077(G)。将其接种普通紫花苜蓿,通过激光共聚焦荧光显微镜可以检测到标记基因的表达。接种北引1号大豆上,同样可以清楚地观察到标记基因在根瘤中的表达,从而确证了XJ96077能同时在苜蓿和大豆上结瘤。通过不同品种大豆的结瘤试验,发现XJ96077对大豆品种的结瘤能力不同。     

Phylogenetic analyses of symbiotic nodulation genes support vertical and lateral gene co-transfer within the Bradyrhizobium genus

Symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria-known as rhizobia-harbour a set of nodulation (nod) genes that control the synthesis of modified lipo-chitooligosaccharides, called Nod factors that are required for legume nodulation. The nodA gene, which is essential for symbiosis, is responsible for the attachment of the fatty acid group to the oligosaccharide backbone. The nodZ, nolL, and noeI genes are involved in specific modifications of Nod factors common to bradyrhizobia, i.e., the transfer of a fucosyl group on the Nod factor core, fucose acetylation and fucose methylation, respectively. PCR amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of nodA gene sequences from a collection of diverse Bradyrhizobium strains revealed the monophyletic character with the possible exception of photosynthetic Bradyrhizobium, despite high sequence diversity. The distribution of the nodZ, nolL, and noeI genes in the studied strains, as assessed by gene amplification, hybridization or sequencing, was found to correlate with the nodA tree topology. Moreover, the nodA, nodZ, and noeI phylogenies were largely congruent, but did not closely follow the taxonomy of the strains shown by the housekeeping 16S rRNA and dnaK genes. Additionally, the distribution of nodZ, noeI, and nolL genes suggested that their presence may be related to the requirements of their legume hosts. These data indicated that the spread and maintenance of nodulation genes within the Bradyrhizobium genus occurred through vertical transmission, although lateral gene transfer also played a significant role.     

European origin of Bradyrhizobium populations infecting lupins and serradella in soils of Western Australia and South Africa

We applied a multilocus phylogenetic approach to elucidate the origin of serradella and lupin Bradyrhizobium strains that persist in soils of Western Australia and South Africa. The selected strains belonged to different randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR clusters that were distinct from RAPD clusters of applied inoculant strains. Phylogenetic analyses were performed with nodulation genes (nodA, nodZ, nolL, noeI), housekeeping genes (dnaK, recA, glnII, atpD), and 16S-23S rRNA intergenic transcribed spacer sequences. Housekeeping gene phylogenies revealed that all serradella and Lupinus cosentinii isolates from Western Australia and three of five South African narrow-leaf lupin strains were intermingled with the strains of Bradyrhizobium canariense, forming a well supported branch on each of the trees. All nodA gene sequences of the lupin and serradella bradyrhizobia formed a single branch, referred to as clade II, together with the sequences of other lupin and serradella strains. Similar patterns were detected in nodZ and nolL trees. In contrast, nodA sequences of the strains isolated from native Australian legumes formed either a new branch called clade IV or belonged to clade I or III, whereas their nonsymbiotic genes grouped outside the B. canariense branch. These data suggest that the lupin and serradella strains, including the strains from uncultivated L. cosentinii plants, are descendants of strains that most likely were brought from Europe accidentally with lupin and serradella seeds. The observed dominance of B. canariense strains may be related to this species' adaptation to acid soils common in Western Australia and South Africa and, presumably, to their intrinsic ability to compete for nodulation of lupins and serradella.     

Cowpea and peanut in southern Africa are nodulated by diverse Bradyrhizobium strains harboring nodulation genes that belong to the large pantropical clade common in Africa

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea) in southern Africa are nodulated by a genetically diverse group of Bradyrhizobium strains. To determine the identity of these bacteria, a collection of 22 isolates originating from the root nodules of both hosts in Botswana and South Africa was investigated using the combined sequences for the core genome genes rrs, recA, and glnII. These data separated the majority of the isolates into one of three unique lineages that most likely represent novel Bradyrhizobium species. Some isolates were also conspecific with B. yuanmingense and with B. elkanii, although none grouped with B. japonicum, B. canariense or B. liaoningense. To study the evolution of nodulation genes in these bacteria, the common nodulation gene, nodA, and host-specific nodulation genes, nodZ, noeE, and noeI, were analyzed. The nodA phylogeny showed that the cowpea and peanut Bradyrhizobium isolates represent various locally adapted groups or ecotypes that form part of Clade III of the seven known BradyrhizobiumnodA clades. This large and highly diverse clade comprises all strains from sub-Saharan Africa, as well as some originating from the Americas, Australia, Indonesia, China and Japan. Some similar groupings were supported by the other nodulation genes, although the overall phylogenies for the nodulation genes were incongruent with that inferred from the core genome genes, suggesting that horizontal gene transfer significantly influences the evolution of cowpea and peanut root-nodule bacteria. Furthermore, identification of the nodZ, noeI, and noeE genes in the isolates tested indicates that African Bradyrhizobium species may produce highly decorated nodulation factors, which potentially represent an important adaptation enabling nodulation of a great variety of legumes inhabiting the African continent.     

Diversification of lupine Bradyrhizobium strains: evidence from nodulation gene trees

Bradyrhizobium strains isolated in Europe from Genisteae and serradella legumes form a distinct lineage, designated clade II, on nodulation gene trees. Clade II bradyrhizobia appear to prevail also in the soils of Western Australia and South Africa following probably accidental introduction with seeds of their lupine and serradella hosts. Given this potential for dispersal, we investigated Bradyrhizobium isolates originating from a range of native New World lupines, based on phylogenetic analyses of nodulation (nodA, nodZ, noeI) and housekeeping (atpD, dnaK, glnII, recA) genes. The housekeeping gene trees revealed considerable diversity among lupine bradyrhizobia, with most isolates placed in the Bradyrhizobium japonicum lineage, while some European strains were closely related to Bradyrhizobium canariense. The nodA gene tree resolved seven strongly supported groups (clades I to VII) that correlated with strain geographical origins and to some extent with major Lupinus clades. All European strains were placed in clade II, whereas only a minority of New World strains was placed in this clade. This work, as well as our previous studies, suggests that clade II diversified predominately in the Old World, possibly in the Mediterranean. Most New World isolates formed subclade III.2, nested in a large "pantropical" clade III, which appears to be New World in origin, although it also includes strains originating from nonlupine legumes. Trees generated using nodZ and noeI gene sequences accorded well with the nodA tree, but evidence is presented that the noeI gene may not be required for nodulation of lupine and that loss of this gene is occurring.     

The NodA proteins of Rhizobium meliloti and Rhizobium tropici specify the N-acylation of Nod factors by different fatty acids

Rhizobia synthesize mono- N -acylated chitooligosaccharide signals, called Nod factors, that are required for the specific infection and nodulation of their legume hosts. The biosynthesis of Nod factors is under the control of nodulation ( nod ) genes, including the nodABC genes present in all rhizobial species. The N -acyl substitution can vary between species and can play a role in host specificity. In Rhizobium meliloti , an alfalfa symbiont, the acyl chain is a C16 unsaturated or a (ω-1) hydroxylated fatty acid, whereas in Rhizobium tropici , a bean symbiont, it is vaccenic acid (C18:1). We constructed R. meliloti derivatives having a non-polar deletion of nodA , and carrying a plasmid with either the R. meliloti or the R. tropici nodA gene. The strain with the R. tropici nodA gene produced Nod factors acylated by vaccenic acid, instead of the C16 unsaturated or hydroxylated fatty acids characteristic of R. meliloti Nod factors, and infected and nodulated alfalfa with a significant delay. These results show that NodA proteins of R. meliloti and R. tropici specify the N -acylation of Nod factors by different fatty acids, and that allelic variation of the common nodA gene can contribute to the determination of host range.     

Fucosylation and arabinosylation of Nod factors in Azorhizobium caulinodans: involvement of nolKnodZ as well as noeC and/or downstream genes

The DNA region downstream of the nodABCSUIJ operon of Azorhizobium caulinodans was further characterized and two new genes, nodZ and noeC were identified in the same operon. The A. caulinodans wild-type strain produces a population of Nod factors that, at the reducing end, are either unmodified or carry a D -arabinosyl and/or an L -fucosyl branch. Nod factors produced by Tn 5 -insertion mutants in nodZ noeC , and the separate nolK locus, were analysed by thin-layer chromatography and mass spectrometry. Fucosylation of Nod factors depended on both nodZ and nolK . Arabinosylation depended on noeC and/or downstream genes. Protein extracts of A. caulinodans contained an enzymatic activity for fucose transfer from GDP-fucose to chitooligosaccharides and to Nod factors. By mutant analysis and expression of nodZ in Escherichia coli , the fucosyltransferase activity was ascribed to the protein encoded by nodZ . In addition, a Nod factor fucosyltransferase activity, independent of nodZ or other known nod genes, was detected in A. caulinodans . Finally, on the basis of sequence similarity of the nolK gene product, and mass spectrometric analysis of Nod factors produced by a nolK mutant, we propose that this gene is involved in the synthesis of GDP-fucose.     

The nolL gene from Rhizobium etli determines nodulation efficiency by mediating the acetylation of the fucosyl residue in the nodulation factor

The nodulation factors (Nod factors) of Rhizobium etli and R. loti carry a 4-O-acetyl-L-fucosyl group at the reducing end. It has been claimed, based on sequence analysis, that NolL from R. loti participates in the 4-O-acetylation of the fucosyl residue of the Nod factors, as an acetyl-transferase (D. B. Scott, C. A. Young, J. M. Collins-Emerson, E. A. Terzaghi, E. S. Rockman, P. A. Lewis, and C. E. Pankhurst. Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 9:187-197, 1996). Further support for this hypothesis was obtained by studying the production of Nod factors in an R. etli nolL::Km mutant. Chromatographic and mass spectrometry analysis of the Nod factors produced by this strain showed that they lack the acetyl-fucosyl substituent, having a fucosyl group instead. Acetyl-fucosylation was restored upon complementation with a wild-type nolL gene. These results indicate that the nolL gene determines 4-O-acetylation of the fucosyl residue in Nod factors. Analysis of the predicted NolL polypeptide suggests a transmembranal location and that it belongs to the family of integral membrane transacylases (J. M. Slauch, A. A. Lee, M. J. Mahan, and J. J. Mekalanos. J. Bacteriol. 178:5904-5909, 1996). NolL from R. loti was also proposed to function as a transporter; our results show that NolL does not determine a differential secretion of Nod factors from the cell. We also performed plant assays that indicate that acetylation of the fucose conditions efficient nodulation by R. etli of some Phaseolus vulgaris cultivars, as well as of an alternate host (Vigna umbellata).     

Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 has a truncated nolO gene due to a -1 frameshift mutation that is conserved among other geographically distant S. fredii strains

Strain SVQ121 is a mutant derivative of Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 carrying a transposon Tn5-lacZ insertion into the nolO-coding region. Sequence analysis of the wild-type gene revealed that it is homologous to that of Rhizobium sp. NGR234, which is involved in the 3 (or 4)-O-carbamoylation of the nonreducing terminus of Nod factors. Downstream of nolO, as in Rhizobium sp. NGR234, the noeI gene responsible for methylation of the fucose moiety of Nod factors was found. SVQ121 Nod factors showed lower levels of methylation into the fucosyl residue than those of HH103-suggesting a polar effect of the transposon insertion into nolO over the noel gene. A noeI HH103 mutant was constructed. This mutant, SVQ503, produced Nod factors devoid of methyl groups, confirming that the S. fredii noeI gene is functional. Neither the nolO nor the noeI mutation affected the ability of HH103 to nodulate several host plants, but both mutations reduced competitiveness to nodulate soybean. The Nod factors produced by strain HH103, like those of other S. fredii isolates, lack carbamoyl residues. By using specific polymerase chain reaction primers, we sequenced the nolO gene of S. fredii strains USDA192, USDA193, USDA257, and 042B(s). All the analyzed strains showed the same -1 frameshift mutation that is present in the HH103 nolO-coding region. From these results, it is concluded that, regardless of their geographical origin, S. fredii strains carry the nolO-coding region but that it is truncated by the same base-pair deletion.     

Phaseolus vulgaris recognizes Azorhizobium caulinodans Nod factors with a variety of chemical substituents.

Phaseolus vulgaris is a promiscuous host plant that can be nodulated by many different rhizobia representing a wide spectrum of Nod factors. In this study, we introduced the Rhizobium tropici CFN299 Nod factor sulfation genes nodHPQ into Azorhizobium caulinodans. The A. caulinodans transconjugants produce Nod factors that are mostly if not all sulfated and often with an arabinosyl residue as the reducing end glycosylation. Using A. caulinodans mutant strains, affected in reducing end decorations, and their respective transconjugants in a bean nodulation assay, we demonstrated that bean nodule induction efficiency, in decreasing order, is modulated by the Nod factor reducing end decorations fucose, arabinose or sulfate, and hydrogen.     

Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 NodZ protein is a fucosyltransferase.

Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 produces a large family of lipochitooligosaccharide Nod factors carrying specific substituents. Among them are 3-O- (or 4-O-) and 6-O-carbamoyl groups, an N-methyl group, and a 2-O-methylfucose residue which may bear either 3-O-sulfate or 4-O-acetyl substitutions. Investigations on the genetic control of host specificity revealed a number of loci which directly affect Nod factor structure. Here we show that insertion and frameshift mutations in the nodZ gene abolish fucosylation of Nod factors. In vitro assays using GDP-L-fucose as the fucose donor show that fucosyltransferase activity is associated with the nodZ gene product (NodZ). NodZ is located in the soluble protein fraction of NGR234 cells. Together with extra copies of the nodD1 gene, the nodZ gene and its associated nod box were introduced into ANU265, which is NGR234 cured of the symbiotic plasmid. Crude extracts of this transconjugant possess fucosyltransferase activity. Fusion of a His6 tag to the NodZ protein expressed in Escherichia coli yielded a protein able to fucosylate both nonfucosylated NodNGR factors and oligomers of chitin. NodZ is inactive on monomeric N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and on desulfated Rhizobium meliloti Nod factors. Kinetic analyses showed that the NodZ protein is more active on oligomers of chitin than on nonfucosylated NodNGR factors. Pentameric chitin is the preferred substrate. These data suggest that fucosylation occurs before acylation of the Nod factors.