Sulphation of Rhizobium sp. NGR234 Nod factors is dependent on noeE, a new host-specificity gene

Rhizobia secrete specific lipo-chitooligosaccharide signals (LCOs) called Nod factors that are required for infection and nodulation of legumes. In Rhizobium sp. NGR234, the reducing N -acetyl- d -glucosamine of LCOs is substituted at C₆ with 2- O -methyl- l -fucose which can be acetylated or sulphated. We identified a flavonoid-inducible locus on the symbiotic plasmid pNGR234 a that contains a new nodulation gene, noeE which is required for the sulphation of NGR234 Nod factors (NodNGR). noeE was identified by conjugation into the closely related Rhizobium fredii strain USDA257, which produces fucosylated but non-sulphated Nod factors (NodUSDA). R. fredii transconjugants producing sulphated LCOs acquire the capacity to nodulate Calopogonium caeruleum . Furthermore, mutation of noeE (NGRΔ noeE  ) abolishes the production of sulphated LCOs and prevents nodulation of Pachyrhizus tuberosus . The sulphotransferase activity linked to NoeE is specific for fucose. In contrast, the sulphotransferase NodH of Rhizobium meliloti seems to be less specific than NoeE, because its introduction into NGRΔ noeE leads to the production of a mixture of LCOs that are sulphated on C₆ of the reducing terminus and sulphated on the 2- O -methylfucose residue. Together, these findings show that noeE is a host-specificity gene which probably encodes a fucose-specific sulphotransferase.     

Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 and R. fredii USDA257 share exceptionally broad, nested host ranges

Genetically, Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 and R. fredii USDA257 are closely related. Small differences in their nodulation genes result in NGR234 secreting larger amounts of more diverse lipo-oligosaccharidic Nod factors than USDA257. What effects these differences have on nodulation were analyzed by inoculating 452 species of legumes, representing all three subfamilies of the Leguminosae, as well as the nonlegume Parasponia andersonii, with both strains. The two bacteria nodulated P. andersonii, induced ineffective outgrowths on Delonix regia, and nodulated Chamaecrista fasciculata, a member of the only nodulating genus of the Caesalpinieae tested. Both strains nodulated a range of mimosoid legumes, especially the Australian species of Acacia, and the tribe Ingeae. Highest compatibilities were found with the papilionoid tribes Phaseoleae and Desmodieae. On Vigna spp. (Phaseoleae), both bacteria formed more effective symbioses than rhizobia of the "cowpea" (V. unguiculata) miscellany. USDA257 nodulated an exact subset (79 genera) of the NGR234 hosts (112 genera). If only one of the bacteria formed effective, nitrogen-fixing nodules it was usually NGR234. The only exceptions were with Apios americana, Glycine max, and G. soja. Few correlations can be drawn between Nod-factor substituents and the ability to nodulate specific legumes. Relationships between the ability to nodulate and the origin of the host were not apparent. As both P. andersonii and NGR234 originate from Indonesia/Malaysia/Papua New Guinea, and NGR234's preferred hosts (Desmodiinae/Phaseoleae) are largely Asian, we suggest that broad host range originated in Southeast Asia and spread outward.     

Genetic snapshots of the Rhizobium species NGR234 genome

Background  

In nitrate-poor soils, many leguminous plants form nitrogen-fixing symbioses with members of the bacterial family Rhizobiaceae. We selected Rhizobium sp. NGR234 for its exceptionally broad host range, which includes more than 112 genera of legumes. Unlike the genome of Bradyrhizobium japonicum, which is composed of a single 8.7 Mb chromosome, that of NGR234 is partitioned into three replicons: a chromosome of about 3.5 Mb, a megaplasmid of more than 2 Mb (pNGR234b) and pNGR234a, a 536,165 bp plasmid that carries most of the genes required for symbioses with legumes. Symbiotic loci represent only a small portion of all the genes coded by rhizobial genomes, however. To rapidly characterize the two largest replicons of NGR234, the genome of strain ANU265 (a derivative strain cured of pNGR234a) was analyzed by shotgun sequencing.     

Rhizobia utilize pathogen-like effector proteins during symbiosis

A type III protein secretion system (T3SS) is an important host range determinant for the infection of legumes by Rhizobium sp. NGR234. Although a functional T3SS can have either beneficial or detrimental effects on nodule formation, only the rhizobial-specific positively acting effector proteins, NopL and NopP, have been characterized. NGR234 possesses three open reading frames potentially encoding homologues of effector proteins from pathogenic bacteria. NopJ, NopM and NopT are secreted by the T3SS of NGR234. All three can have negative effects on the interaction with legumes, but NopM and NopT also stimulate nodulation on certain plants. NopT belongs to a family of pathogenic effector proteases, typified by the avirulence protein, AvrPphB. The protease domain of NopT is required for its recognition and a subsequent strong inhibition in infection of Crotalaria juncea . In contrast, the negative effects of NopJ are relatively minor when compared with those induced by its Avr homologues. Thus NGR234 uses a mixture of rhizobial-specific and pathogen-derived effector proteins. Whereas some legumes recognize an effector as potentially pathogen-derived, leading to a block in the infection process, others perceive both the negative- and positive-acting effectors concomitantly. It is this equilibrium of effector action that leads to modulation of symbiotic development.     

NopP, a phosphorylated effector of Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234, is a major determinant of nodulation of the tropical legumes Flemingia congesta and Tephrosia vogelii

Rhizobium sp. NGR234 nodulates many plants, some of which react to proteins secreted via a type three secretion system (T3SS) in a positive- (Flemingia congesta, Tephrosia vogelii) or negative- (Crotalaria juncea, Pachyrhizus tuberosus) manner. T3SSs are devices that Gram-negative bacteria use to inject effector proteins into the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. The only two rhizobial T3SS effector proteins characterized to date are NopL and NopP of NGR234. NopL can be phosphorylated by plant kinases and we show this to be true for NopP as well. Mutation of nopP leads to a dramatic reduction in nodule numbers on F. congesta and T. vogelii. Concomitant mutation of nopL and nopP further diminishes nodulation capacity to levels that, on T. vogelii, are lower than those produced by the T3SS null mutant NGR(Omega)rhcN. We also show that the T3SS of NGR234 secretes at least one additional effector, which remains to be identified. In other words, NGR234 secretes a cocktail of effectors, some of which have positive effects on nodulation of certain plants while others are perceived negatively and block nodulation. NopL and NopP are two components of this mix that extend the ability of NGR234 to nodulate certain legumes.     

Symbiosis-promoting and deleterious effects of NopT, a novel type 3 effector of Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234

Establishment of symbiosis between certain host plants and nitrogen-fixing bacteria ("rhizobia") depends on type 3 effector proteins secreted via the bacterial type 3 secretion system (T3SS). Here, we report that the open reading frame y4zC of strain NGR234 encodes a novel rhizobial type 3 effector, termed NopT (for nodulation outer protein T). Analysis of secreted proteins from NGR234 and T3SS mutants revealed that NopT is secreted via the T3SS. NopT possessed autoproteolytic activity when expressed in Escherichia coli or human HEK 293T cells. The processed NopT exposed a glycine (G50) to the N terminus, which is predicted to be myristoylated in eukaryotic cells. NopT with a point mutation at position C93, H205, or D220 (catalytic triad) showed strongly reduced autoproteolytic activity, indicating that NopT is a functional protease of the YopT-AvrPphB effector family. When transiently expressed in tobacco plants, proteolytically active NopT elicited a rapid hypersensitive reaction. Arabidopsis plants transformed with nopT showed chlorotic and necrotic symptoms, indicating a cytotoxic effect. Inoculation experiments with mutant derivatives of NGR234 indicated that NopT affected nodulation either positively (Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Yudou No. 1; Tephrosia vogelii) or negatively (Crotalaria juncea). We suggest that NopT-related polymorphism may be involved in evolutionary adaptation of NGR234 to particular host legumes.     

Characterization of NopP, a type III secreted effector of Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234

The type three secretion system (TTSS) encoded by pNGR234a, the symbiotic plasmid of Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234, is responsible for the flavonoid- and NodD1-dependent secretion of nodulation outer proteins (Nops). Abolition of secretion of all or specific Nops significantly alters the nodulation ability of NGR234 on many of its hosts. In the closely related strain Rhizobium fredii USDA257, inactivation of the TTSS modifies the host range of the mutant so that it includes the improved Glycine max variety McCall. To assess the impact of individual TTSS-secreted proteins on symbioses with legumes, various attempts were made to identify nop genes. Amino-terminal sequencing of peptides purified from gels was used to characterize NopA, NopL, and NopX, but it failed to identify SR3, a TTSS-dependent product of USDA257. By using phage display and antibodies that recognize SR3, the corresponding protein of NGR234 was identified as NopP. NopP, like NopL, is an effector secreted by the TTSS of NGR234, and depending on the legume host, it may have a deleterious or beneficial effect on nodulation or it may have little effect.     

Two C4-dicarboxylate transport systems in Rhizobium sp. NGR234: rhizobial dicarboxylate transport is essential for nitrogen fixation in tropical legume symbioses.

To investigate the role of dicarboxylate transport in nitrogen-fixing symbioses between Rhizobium and tropical legumes, we made a molecular genetic analysis of the bacterial transport system in Rhizobium sp. NGR234. This braod host range strain fixes nitrogen in association with evolutionarily divergent legumes. Two dicarboxylate transport systems were cloned from Rhizobium NGR234. One locus was chromosomally located, whereas the other was carried on the symbiotic plasmid (pSym) and contained a dctA carrier protein gene, which was analyzed in detail. Although the DNA and derived amino acid sequences of the structural gene were substantially homologous to that of R. meliloti, its promoter sequences was quite distinct, and the upstream sequence also exhibited no homology to dctB, which is found at this position in R. meliloti. A site-directed internal deletion mutant in dctA of NGR234 exhibited a (unique) exclusively symbiotic phenotype that could grow on dicarboxylates ex planta, but could not fix nitrogen in planta. This phenotype was found for tested host plants of NGR234 with either determinate- or indeterminate-type nodules, confirming for the first time that symbiosis-specific uptake of dicarboxylates is a prerequisite for nitrogen fixation in tropical legume symbioses.     

nodSU, two new nod genes of the broad host range Rhizobium strain NGR234 encode host-specific nodulation of the tropical tree Leucaena leucocephala

Rhizobium species strain NGR234 nodulates at least 35 diverse genera of legumes as well as the nonlegume Parasponia andersonii. Most nodulation genes are located on the 500-kilobase pair symbiotic plasmid, pNGR234a. Previously, three plasmid-borne host range determinants (HsnI, HsnII, and HsnIII) were identified by their ability to extend the nodulation capacity of heterologous rhizobia to include Vigna unguiculata. In this study, we show that HsnII contains two new nod-box linked hsn genes, nodS and nodU.nodS controls nodulation of the tropical tree Leucaena leucocephala, while the nodSU genes regulate nodulation of the pasture legume Desmodium intortum and the grain legume V. unguiculata. Regulation of the nod-box upstream of nodSU by the flavonoid naringenin was shown using a fusion with a promoterless lacZ gene. Determination of the nucleotide sequence of the nodS gene did not reveal homology with any gene in the EMBL library, although Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA110 contains both nodS and nodU (M. G?ttfert, S. Hitz, and H. Hennecke, Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 3:308-316, 1990). We suggest that broad host range in NGR234 is controlled in part by a nodD gene which interacts with a wide range of flavonoids, and in part by host-specific nod genes such as nodS.     

Role of BacA in lipopolysaccharide synthesis, peptide transport, and nodulation by Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234

BacA of Sinorhizobium meliloti plays an essential role in the establishment of nitrogen-fixing symbioses with Medicago plants, where it is involved in peptide import and in the addition of very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) to lipid A of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We investigated the role of BacA in Rhizobium species strain NGR234 by mutating the bacA gene. In the NGR234 bacA mutant, peptide import was impaired, but no effect on VLCFA addition was observed. More importantly, the symbiotic ability of the mutant was comparable to that of the wild type for a variety of legume species. Concurrently, an acpXL mutant of NGR234 was created and assayed. In rhizobia, AcpXL is a dedicated acyl carrier protein necessary for the addition of VLCFA to lipid A. LPS extracted from the NGR234 mutant lacked VLCFA, and this mutant was severely impaired in the ability to form functional nodules with the majority of legumes tested. Our work demonstrates the importance of VLCFA in the NGR234-legume symbiosis and also shows that the necessity of BacA for bacteroid differentiation is restricted to specific legume-Rhizobium interactions.     

Host range,RFLP, and antigenic relationships betweenRhizobium fredii strains andRhizobium sp. NGR234

Rhizobium fredii is a nitrogen-fixing symbiont from China that combines broad host range for nodulation of legume species with cultivar specificity for nodulation of soybean. We have compared 10R. fredii strains withRhizobium sp. NGR234, a well known broad host range strain from Papua New Guinea. NGR234 nodulated 16 of 18 tested lugume species, and nodules on 14 of the 16 fixed nitrogen. TheR. fredii strains were not distinguishable from one another. They nodulated 13 of the legumes, and in only nine cases were nodules effective. All legumes nodulated byR. fredii were included within the host range of NGR234. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were detected with four DNA hybridization probes: the regulatory and commonnod genes,nodDABC; the soybean cultivar specificity gene,nolC; the nitrogenase structural genes, nifKDH; and RFRS1, a repetitive sequence fromR. fredii USDA257. A fifth locus, corresponding to a second set of soybean cultivar specificity genes,nolBTUVWX, was monomorphic. Using antisera against whole cells of threeR. fredii strains and NGR234, we separated the 11 strains into four serogroups. The anti-NGR234 sera reacted with a singleR. fredii strain, USDA191. Only one serogroup, which included USDA192, USDA201, USDA217, and USDA257, lacked cross reactivity with any of the others. Although genetic and phenotypic differences amongR. fredii strains were as great as those between NGR234 andR. fredii, our results confirm that NGR234 has a distinctly wider host range thanR. fredii.     

NopA is associated with cell surface appendages produced by the type III secretion system of Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234

Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234, which is capable of interacting with a large number of legumes, utilizes a variety of signaling molecules to establish nitrogen-fixing symbioses. Among these are nodulation outer proteins (Nops) that transit through a type III secretion system (TTSS). Abolition of Nop secretion affects nodulation of certain legumes. Under free-living conditions, the secretion of Nops can be induced by the addition of flavonoids. Here, we show that an in-frame deletion of nopA abolishes secretion of all other Nops and has the same impact on nodule formation as mutations that lead to a nonfunctional TTSS. This secretion-minus phenotype of the nopA mutant, as well as bioinformatics analysis of NopA itself, suggests that NopA could be an external component of the TTSS. Electron microscopy showed that NGR234 synthesizes fibrillar structures on the cell surface in a flavonoid-inducible and NopA-dependent manner. Purification of the macromolecular surface appendages revealed that NopA is a major component of these structures.     

Structure and evolution of NGRRS-1, a complex, repeated element in the genome of Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234.

Much of the remarkable ability of Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 to nodulate at least 110 genera of legumes, as well as the nonlegume Parasponia andersonii, stems from the more than 80 different Nod factors it secretes. Except for nodE, nodG, and nodPQ, which are on the chromosome, most Nod factor biosynthesis genes are dispersed over the 536,165-bp symbiotic plasmid, pNGR234a. Mosaic sequences and insertion sequences (ISs) comprise 18% of pNGR234a. Many of them are clustered, and these IS islands divide the replicon into large blocks of functionally related genes. At 6 kb, NGRRS-1 is a striking example: there is one copy on pNGR234a and three others on the chromosome. DNA sequence comparisons of two NGRRS-1 elements identified three types of IS, NGRIS-2, NGRIS-4, and NGRIS-10. Here we show that all four copies of NGRRS-1 probably originated from transposition of NGRIS-4 into a more ancient IS-like sequence, NGRIS-10. Remarkably, all nine copies of NGRIS-4 have transposed into other ISs. It is unclear whether the accumulation of potentially mutagenic sequences in large clusters is due to the nature of the IS involved or to some selection process. Nevertheless, a direct consequence of the preferential targeting of transposons into such IS islands is to minimize the likelihood of disrupting vital functions.     

Exo-oligosaccharides of Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 are required for symbiosis with various legumes

Rhizobia are nitrogen-fixing bacteria that establish endosymbiotic associations with legumes. Nodule formation depends on various bacterial carbohydrates, including lipopolysaccharides, K-antigens, and exopolysaccharides (EPS). An acidic EPS from Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 consists of glucosyl (Glc), galactosyl (Gal), glucuronosyl (GlcA), and 4,6-pyruvylated galactosyl (PvGal) residues with beta-1,3, beta-1,4, beta-1,6, alpha-1,3, and alpha-1,4 glycoside linkages. Here we examined the role of NGR234 genes in the synthesis of EPS. Deletions within the exoF, exoL, exoP, exoQ, and exoY genes suppressed accumulation of EPS in bacterial supernatants, a finding that was confirmed by chemical analyses. The data suggest that the repeating subunits of EPS are assembled by an ExoQ/ExoP/ExoF-dependent mechanism, which is related to the Wzy polymerization system of group 1 capsular polysaccharides in Escherichia coli. Mutation of exoK (NGROmegaexoK), which encodes a putative glycanase, resulted in the absence of low-molecular-weight forms of EPS. Analysis of the extracellular carbohydrates revealed that NGROmegaexoK is unable to accumulate exo-oligosaccharides (EOSs), which are O-acetylated nonasaccharide subunits of EPS having the formula Gal(Glc)5(GlcA)2PvGal. When used as inoculants, both the exo-deficient mutants and NGROmegaexoK were unable to form nitrogen-fixing nodules on some hosts (e.g., Albizia lebbeck and Leucaena leucocephala), but they were able to form nitrogen-fixing nodules on other hosts (e.g., Vigna unguiculata). EOSs of the parent strain were biologically active at very low levels (yield in culture supernatants, approximately 50 microg per liter). Thus, NGR234 produces symbiotically active EOSs by enzymatic degradation of EPS, using the extracellular endo-beta-1,4-glycanase encoded by exoK (glycoside hydrolase family 16). We propose that the derived EOSs (and not EPS) are bacterial components that play a crucial role in nodule formation in various legumes.     

The Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 systemically suppresses arbuscular mycorrhizal root colonization in a split‐root system of barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Nitrogen‐fixing bacteria (rhizobia) form a nodule symbiosis with legumes, but also induce certain effects on non‐host plants. Here, we used a split‐root system of barley to examine whether inoculation with Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 on one side of a split‐root system systemically affects arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) root colonization on the other side. Mutant strains of NGR234 deficient in Nod factor production (strain NGRΔnodABC), perception of flavonoids (strain NGRΔnodD1) and secretion of type 3 effector proteins (strain NGRΩrhcN) were included in this study. Inoculation resulted in a systemic reduction of AM root colonization with all tested strains. However, the suppressive effect of strain NGRΩrhcN was less pronounced. Moreover, levels of salicylic acid, an endogenous molecule related to plant defense, were increased in roots challenged with rhizobia. These data indicate that barley roots perceived NGR234 and that a systemic regulatory mechanism of AM root colonization was activated. The suppressive effect appears to be Nod factor independent, but enhanced by type 3 effector proteins of NGR234.     

Flavonoid-inducible modifications to rhamnan O antigens are necessary for Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234-legume symbioses

Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 produces a flavonoid-inducible rhamnose-rich lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that is important for the nodulation of legumes. Many of the genes encoding the rhamnan part of the molecule lie between 87 degrees and 110 degrees of pNGR234a, the symbiotic plasmid of NGR234. Computational methods suggest that 5 of the 12 open reading frames (ORFs) within this arc are involved in synthesis (and subsequent polymerization) of L-rhamnose. Two others probably play roles in the transport of carbohydrates. To evaluate the function of these ORFs, we mutated a number of them and tested the ability of the mutants to nodulate a variety of legumes. At the same time, changes in the production of surface polysaccharides (particularly the rhamnan O antigen) were examined. Deletion of rmlB to wbgA and mutation in fixF abolished rhamnan synthesis. Mutation of y4gM (a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporter family) did not abolish production of the rhamnose-rich LPS but, unexpectedly, the mutant displayed a symbiotic phenotype very similar to that of strains unable to produce the rhamnan O antigen (NGRDeltarmlB-wbgA and NGROmegafixF). At least two flavonoid-inducible regulatory pathways are involved in synthesis of the rhamnan O antigen. Mutation of either pathway reduces rhamnan production. Coordination of rhamnan synthesis with rhizobial release from infection threads is thus part of the symbiotic interaction.     

Rhizobium sp. Strain NGR234 Possesses a Remarkable Number of Secretion Systems

Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 is a unique alphaproteobacterium (order Rhizobiales) that forms nitrogen-fixing nodules with more legumes than any other microsymbiont. We report here that the 3.93-Mbp chromosome (cNGR234) encodes most functions required for cellular growth. Few essential functions are encoded on the 2.43-Mbp megaplasmid (pNGR234b), and none are present on the second 0.54-Mbp symbiotic plasmid (pNGR234a). Among many striking features, the 6.9-Mbp genome encodes more different secretion systems than any other known rhizobia and probably most known bacteria. Altogether, 132 genes and proteins are linked to secretory processes. Secretion systems identified include general and export pathways, a twin arginine translocase secretion system, six type I transporter genes, one functional and one putative type III system, three type IV attachment systems, and two putative type IV conjugation pili. Type V and VI transporters were not identified, however. NGR234 also carries genes and regulatory networks linked to the metabolism of a wide range of aromatic and nonaromatic compounds. In this way, NGR234 can quickly adapt to changing environmental stimuli in soils, rhizospheres, and plants. Finally, NGR234 carries at least six loci linked to the quenching of quorum-sensing signals, as well as one gene (ngrI) that possibly encodes a novel type of autoinducer I molecule.Diverse soil bacteria interact with plants in ways that range from symbiotic to pathogenic. Symbiotic Eubacteria (both alpha- and betaproteobacteria, collectively called rhizobia) form nitrogen-fixing associations of tremendous environmental importance (41, 66). Although some rhizobia are able to reduce atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia under saprophytic, free-living conditions, the reduced oxygen tensions found within the intracellular environment of specialized organs called nodules, maximizes this process (16). As legume roots penetrate the soil, they come in contact with rhizobia. Symbiotic interactions are initiated by the exchange of diverse molecules between the partners. Among them, plants liberate flavonoids into the rhizosphere that upregulate rhizobial genes. As a result, lipo-chito-oligo-saccharidic Nod factors are produced that trigger the nodulation pathway in susceptible legumes. Then, in many hosts, rhizobia enter the roots through root hairs, make their way to the cortex, multiply and fill the intracellular spaces of mature nodules. Centripetal progression of rhizobia into the plant and their maturation into nitrogen-fixing symbiosomes depends on the continued exchange of diverse signals. Many, but not all of these signals have been identified; one sure way to take stock of what is necessary for effective symbiosis is to sequence the partners. We began this work by assembling overlapping sets of cosmids (contigs) of the microsymbiont Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 (hereafter NGR234) (63), which enabled us to elucidate the nucleotide sequence of the symbiotic (pNGR243a) plasmid (29). Similar techniques permitted the assembly of sections of the extremely large megaplasmid pNGR234b (86), and some snapshot genome information was made available earlier (91); however, the use of pyrosequencing methods greatly facilitated this process. We report here the genome sequence of NGR234 that is able to nodulate more than 120 genera of legumes and the nonlegume Parasponia andersonii (69). It seems likely that the vast richness of secretory systems might be a major key to the broad host range.     

NopB, a type III secreted protein of Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234, is associated with pilus-like surface appendages

Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 possesses a functional type three secretion system (TTSS), through which a number of proteins, called nodulation outer proteins (Nops), are delivered to the outside of the cell. A major constraint to the identification of Nops is their low abundance in the supernatants of NGR234 strains grown in culture. To overcome this limitation, a more sensitive proteomics-based strategy was developed. Secreted proteins from wild-type NGR234 were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and the gel was compared to similar gels containing the proteins from a TTSS mutant (NGROmegarhcN). To identify the proteins, spots unique to the NGR234 gels were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and the data were compared to the sequence of the symbiotic plasmid of NGR234. A nonpolar mutant of one of these proteins was generated called NopB. NopB is required for Nop secretion but inhibits the interaction with Pachyrhizus tuberosus and augments nodulation of Tephrosia vogelii. Flavonoids and a functional TTSS are required for the formation of some surface appendages on NGR234. In situ immunogold labeling and isolation of these pili showed that they contain NopB.     

Nitrogen fixation ability of exopolysaccharide synthesis mutants of Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 and Rhizobium trifolii is restored by the addition of homologous exopolysaccharides.

Several transposon Tn5-induced mutants of the broad-host-range Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 produce little or no detectable acidic exopolysaccharide (EPS) and are unable to induce nitrogen-fixing nodules on Leucaena leucocephala var. Peru or siratro plants. The ability of these Exo- mutants to induce functioning nodules on Leucaena plants was restored by coinoculation with a Sym plasmid-cured (Nod- Exo+) derivative of parent strain NGR234, purified EPS from the parent strain, or the oligosaccharide from the EPS. Coinoculation with EPS or related oligosaccharide also resulted in formation of nitrogen-fixing nodules on siratro plants. In addition, an Exo- mutant (ANU437) of Rhizobium trifolii ANU794 was able to form nitrogen-fixing nodules on white clover in the presence of added EPS or related oligosaccharide from R. trifolii ANU843. These results demonstrate that the absence of Rhizobium EPSs can result in failure of effective symbiosis with both temperate and subtropical legumes.