转座子挽救法对苜蓿中华根瘤菌与耐盐有关基因的定位

用含Tn5转座子的质粒pRL1063a诱变苜蓿中华根瘤菌(Sinorhizobium meliloti)042BM,得到盐敏感突变株042BML-2。采用转座子挽救法对Tn5插入位点两边的序列进行克隆与测序,获得了1179bp的转座子插入位点侧翼DNA序列。在GenBank中进行序列同源性和基因定位分析,结果表明：转座子插入在一个功能未知的基因内部,此基因长6270bp。研究证明：该基因与042BM的耐盐性有关,并定名为rtsC。氨基酸疏水性分析表明,在RtsC蛋白的N端有两个跨膜区,该蛋白与细菌趋化性相关蛋白的功能域有同源性。并对RtsC蛋白在苜蓿中华根瘤菌042BM耐盐性中的作用进行了讨论。     

苜蓿中华根瘤菌042BM noeAB基因的转录调控

对苜蓿中华根瘤菌(Sinorhizobiummeliloti) 0 4 2BMnoeAB基因的表达调控进行研究。结果发现,葫芦巴碱不能使noeAB的表达水平提高,证明它们的转录不受nodD2的调控。当nodD3和syrM同时存在时,noeAB的表达水平没有明显的变化,表明它们也不受nodD3 syrM系统的调控。在FY基本培养基上,毛地黄黄酮的诱导使noeAB基因的表达水平提高16倍,而在不添加该诱导物的TY培养基上,noeAB基因的表达水平也能够提高30倍以上,说明noeAB是受nodD1控制的,但除受毛地黄黄酮诱导外,noeAB还可能受到其他因子的调节     

苜蓿中华根瘤菌042B共同结瘤基因nodABC的克隆与序列分析

根瘤菌的ｎｏｄＡＢＣ和ｎｏｄＤ在结构和功能上保守,在不同的菌种之间能够互换［１］,是目前所有供试的豆科植物结瘤所必不可少的,称为共同结瘤基因。另一类是寄生专一性结瘤基因,如苜蓿中华根瘤菌（Ｓｉｎｏｒｈｉｚｏｂｉｕｍｍｅｌｉｌｏｔｉ）的ｎｏｄＰＱ等［２...     

苜蓿中华根瘤菌042BMnoeA基因的克隆、敲除与功能的初步分析

通过PCR扩增获得了 0 4 2BM的noeA基因。该基因与苜蓿中华根瘤菌 (Sinorhizobiummeliloti) 10 2 1noeA的同源性为 99% ,而其NoeA与 10 2 1NoeA的相似性为 97%。还发现其NoeA与中慢生根瘤菌 (Mesorhizobiumsp .)BNC1可能的SAM_依赖性的甲基转移酶相似性为 32 % ,而其 30 3～ 36 2氨基酸区域与大肠杆菌 (Escherichiacoli)的核糖体 5 0S亚基的L11蛋白甲基转移酶 (PrmA)的 16 0～ 2 2 0氨基酸区域的相似性达到 4 1%。通过插入卡那盒 ,敲除noeA ,获得突变株 0 4 2BMA_Km。与苜蓿中华根瘤菌 0 4 2BM相比 ,敲除noeA的突变株在普通紫花、保定、宁夏、百发和傲汉苜蓿品种上的结瘤数、根瘤鲜重和植株地上部分的干重都有不同程度的增加 ,而在秘鲁苜蓿品种上的结瘤数和植株地上部分的干重明显下降 ,在皇后和美国杂花苜蓿品种上则没有明显的变化。     

苜蓿中华根瘤菌042BMnoeAB基因的转录调控

对苜蓿中华根瘤菌（Sinorhizobium meliloti）042BM noeAB基因的表达调控进行研究。结果发现,葫芦巴碱不能使noeAB的表达水平提高,证明它们的转录不受nodD2的调控。当nodD3和syrM同时存在时,noeAB的表达水平没有明显的变化,表明它们也不受nodD3syrM系统的调控。在FY基本培养基上,毛地黄黄酮的诱导使noeAB基因的表达水平提高16倍,而在不添加该诱导物的TY培养基上,noeAB基因的表达水平也能够提高30倍以上,说明noeAB是受nodD1控制的,但除受毛地黄黄酮诱导外,noeAB还可能受到其他因子的调节。     

苜蓿中华根瘤菌042BMnoeA基因的克隆、敲除与功能的初步分析

通过PCR扩增获得了042BM的noeA基因。该基因与苜蓿中华根瘤菌(Sinorhizobium meliloti)1021noeA的同源性为99%,而其NoeA与1021NoeA的相似性为97%。还发现其NoeA与中慢生根瘤菌（Mesorhizobium sp.）BNC1可能的SAM_依赖性的甲基转移酶相似性为32%,而其303～362氨基酸区域与大肠杆菌（Escherichia coli）的核糖体50S亚基的L11蛋白甲基转移酶(PrmA)的160～220氨基酸区域的相似性达到41%。通过插入卡那盒,敲除noeA,获得突变株042BMA_Km。与苜蓿中华根瘤菌042BM相比,敲除noeA的突变株在普通紫花、保定、宁夏、百发和傲汉苜蓿品种上的结瘤数、根瘤鲜重和植株地上部分的干重都有不同程度的增加,而在秘鲁苜蓿品种上的结瘤数和植株地上部分的干重明显下降,在皇后和美国杂花苜蓿品种上则没有明显的变化。     

苜蓿中华根瘤菌desA基因功能的鉴定

为研究苜蓿中华根瘤菌脂肪酸脱饱和酶desA基因在不饱和脂肪酸合成、共生结瘤固氮以及应对逆境胁迫中的功能,为高效利用苜蓿中华根瘤菌提供理论依据,本文通过异体遗传互补和脂肪酸组成薄层层析,分析SmdesA编码蛋白是否具有脱饱和酶的活性并参与不饱和脂肪酸的合成,构建SmdesA的缺失突变株和互补菌株,比较各菌株在不同逆境胁迫条件下的生长速率以及回接宿主植物后与紫花苜蓿共生结瘤的能力.结果表明SmdesA不能互补大肠杆菌CY57中EcfabA的突变,但具有将饱和脂肪酸脱饱和形成不饱和的棕榈油酸和十八碳烯酸的能力.另外,SmdesA缺失突变对苜蓿中华根瘤菌的脂肪酸组成影响不大,但会显著影响低温和高盐条件下菌株的生长速率以及与紫花苜蓿共生结瘤的能力.我们推测,SmdesA参与的脱饱和途径可能是苜蓿中华根瘤菌不饱和脂肪酸合成的补偿途径,其编码的蛋白DesA不是不饱和脂肪酸合成的关键酶,但在应对逆境胁迫和共生结瘤中具有重要的生物学功能.     

苜蓿中华根瘤菌氮代谢调控相关非编码RNA的研究

为了探究非编码RNA（non-coding RNA,ncRNA）在氮代谢调控过程的作用,以苜蓿中华根瘤菌（Sinorhizobium meliloti）为出发菌株,鉴定并获得了与ntrC基因表达相关的ncRNA,利用lncPRO软件分析苜蓿中华根瘤菌中ncRNA与调控蛋白NtrC相互作用的可能性,最终确定了评分较高的4个基因,即SM2011_c06191、SM2011_c06248、SM2011_c07102和SM2011_c07132,并对其中得分最高的SM2011_c06248基因进行研究。利用Northern blot验证ncRNA的表达,发现富氮处理后其表达水平呈先升高后降低的趋势。实验构建了SM2011_c06248基因敲除菌株,通过qRT-PCR发现SM2011_c06248在自然生长条件下表达无明显规律,富氮处理后,野生型菌株ncRNA表达水平呈先降低后升高再降低的趋势,与自然生长相比,ncRNA在20 min后表达水平明显上调;野生型菌株ntrC、nar基因表达水平呈先降低后升高再降低的趋势;与野生型相比,SM2011_c06248基因敲除菌株SM∷248中ntrC、nar基因表达水平明显下调。实验中构建SM2011_c06248、NtrC双突变菌株SM∷248-NtrC和SM2011_c06248过表达菌株SM:dld-248,qRT-PCR分析表明,与野生型相比,富氮处理后,SM∷248-NtrC菌株nar基因表达量无明显变化,SM:dld-248菌株ntrC、nar基因表达水平显著上调。ncRNA SM2011_c06248可响应环境中氮元素信号变化,对ntrC、nar基因的表达有正调控作用,且ntrC对nar有上位基因效应。     

苜蓿中华根瘤菌042B nodD基因的克隆、序列分析及其表达

苜蓿中华根瘤菌０４２Ｂ是一株能在苜蓿和大豆上结瘤的菌株。将０４２Ｂ的ｎｏｄＳＤ基因克隆到时载体ｐＢＢＲ１ＭＣＳ－５,并在豌豆根瘤菌ＬＲＲ５０４５系统中进行功能分析,发现０４２Ｂ的ＮｏｄＤ蛋白能与大豆的类黄酮化合物ｇｅｎｉｓｔｅｉｎ结合,也怀苜蓿原类黄酮化合物ｌｕｔｅｏｌｉｎ反应。     

苜蓿中华根瘤菌nifA基因突变影响多种细胞学过程

苜蓿中华根瘤菌nifA基因在共生固氮过程中担负着调控功能,nifA突变株Rm1354在宿主植物的根部诱导白色无效根瘤。本文报道Rm1354在自生状态下的表型变化。nifA的突变导致根瘤菌在半固体培养基上泳动变慢,胞外蛋白含量降低。有趣的是,Rm1354在延宕期间高丝氨酸内酯含量比野生型低,在指数期和静止期却比野生型高。另外,突变株Rm1354的竞争结瘤能力也大大减弱。这些结果揭示了苜蓿中华根瘤菌nifA基因对许多细胞学过程都有调控作用。     

Genetic relationship of Sinorhizobium meliloti and Sinorhizobium medicae strains isolated from Caucasian region

Sinorhizobium meliloti and Sinorhizobium medicae are two closely related species of the genus Sinorhizobium showing a similar host range, nodulating leguminous species of the genera Medicago, Melilotus and Trigonella, but their phylogenic relationship has not been elucidated yet. In this paper we report the application of three different molecular markers, (i) RFLP of nodD genes, (ii) 16S-23S rDNA intergenic gene spacer fingerprinting and (iii) amplification fragment length polymorphism to S. meliloti and S. medicae strains isolated from the Caucasian area, which is the region of origin of the host plant Medicago. The analysis of data could suggest the origin of S. medicae strains from an ancestral S. meliloti population.     

Heterologous complementation of the exopolysaccharide synthesis and carbon utilization phenotypes of Sinorhizobium meliloti Rm1021 polyhydroxyalkanoate synthesis mutants

A reduced exopolysaccharide phenotype is associated with inability to synthesize polyhydroxyalkanaote (PHA) stores in Sinorhizobium meliloti strain Rm1021. Loss of function mutations in phbB and phbC result in non-mucoid colony morphology on Yeast Mannitol Agar, compared to the mucoid phenotype exhibited by the parental strain. This phenotype is attributed to reduction in succinoglycan synthesis. We have used complementation of this phenotype and the previously described D-3-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate utilization phenotype to isolate a heterologous clone containing a Bradyrhizobium japonicum phbC gene. Sequence analysis confirmed that this clone contains one of the five predicted phbC genes in the B. japonicum genome. The described phenotypic complementation strategy should be useful for isolation of novel PHA synthesis genes of diverse origin.     

nifH promoter activity is regulated by DNA supercoiling in Sinorhizobium meliloti

In prokaryotes, DNA supercoiling regulates the expression of many genes; for example, the expression of Klebsiella pneumoniae nifLA operon depends on DNA negative supercoiling in anaerobically grown ceils, which indicates that DNA supercoiling might play a role in gene regulation of the anaerobic response. Since the expression of the nifH promoter in Sinorhizobium meliloti is not repressed by oxygen, it is proposed that the status of DNA supercoiling may not affect the expression of the nifH promoter. We tested this hypothesis by analyzing nifH promoter activity in wild-type and gyr- Escherichia coli in the presence and absence of DNA gyrase inhibitors. Our results show that gene expression driven by the S.meliloti nifH promoter requires the presence of active DNA gyrase. Because DNA gyrase increases the number of negative superhelical turns in DNA in the presence of ATP, our data indicate that negative supercoiling is also important for nifH promoter activity. Our study also shows that the DNA supercoiling-dependent S. meliloti nifH promoter activity is related to the trans-acting factors NtrC and NifA that activate it. DNA supercoiling appeared to have a stronger effect on NtrC-activated nifH promoter activity than on NifA-activated promoter activity. Collectively, these results from the S. meliloti nifH promoter model system seem to indicate that, in addition to regulating gene expression during anaerobic signaling, DNA supercoiling may also provide a favorable topology for trans-acting factor binding and promoter activation regardless of oxygen status.     

The model legume Medicago truncatula A17 is poorly matched for N2 fixation with the sequenced microsymbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021

Medicago truncatula (barrel medic) A17 is currently being sequenced as a model legume, complementing the sequenced root nodule bacterial strain Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021 (Sm1021). In this study, the effectiveness of the Sm1021-M. truncatula symbiosis at fixing N(2) was evaluated. N(2) fixation effectiveness was examined with eight Medicago species and three accessions of M. truncatula with Sm1021 and two other Sinorhizobium strains. Plant shoot dry weights, plant nitrogen content and nodule distribution, morphology and number were analysed. Compared with nitrogen-fed controls, Sm1021 was ineffective or partially effective on all hosts tested (excluding M. sativa), as measured by reduced dry weights and shoot N content. Against an effective strain, Sm1021 on M. truncatula accessions produced more nodules, which were small, pale, more widely distributed on the root system and with fewer infected cells. The Sm1021-M. truncatula symbiosis is poorly matched for N(2) fixation and the strain could possess broader N(2) fixation deficiencies. A possible origin for this reduction in effectiveness is discussed. An alternative sequenced strain, effective at N(2) fixation on M. truncatula A17, is Sinorhizobium medicae WSM419.     

Sinorhizobium meliloti genes involved in tolerance to the antimicrobial peptide protamine

The innate resistance of plants and animals to microbial infection is mediated in part by small cationic peptides with antimicrobial activity. We assessed the susceptibility of the alfalfa symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti to the model antimicrobial peptide protamine. Twenty-one Tn5-induced mutants showing increased sensitivity to protamine were isolated, and nine were further characterized in detail. These nine mutants carried distinct transposon insertions that affected a total of seven different genes. Three of these genes are involved in exopolysaccharide and beta-(1,2)-glucan biosynthesis (exoT, exoU and ndvB), three other genes are implicated in nitrogen metabolism, such as a putative dyhidropyrimidinase, hutU and ureF, and the last gene exhibited similarity to the ATP binding cassette family of membrane transporters. Symbiotic defects ranging from severe to moderate were displayed by some of the protamine-hypersensitive mutants suggesting that S. meliloti possess active mechanisms to counteract hypothetical cationic peptides that may be produced by its host plant.