Analysis of three nodD genes in Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar phaseoli; nodD 1 is preceded by nolE, a gene whose product is secreted from the cytoplasm

In a strain of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar phaseoli, three copies of the regulatory nodulation gene nodD were identified on the Sym plasmid and sequenced. Two were closely linked to each other and the third was near, but not adjacent, to the nodABC genes. Each of these nodD genes could correct the Nod- defect of a nodD mutant strain of R. leguminosarum biovar viciae on peas. A truncated form of nodD2 could also correct this mutant, indicating that the C-terminus of NodD2 is not needed for inducing activity. Upstream of nodD1 and in the same operon is a newly described gene, noIE, whose product appears to be exported into the periplasm. Close to nodD2 is another gene, noIP, with no known counterpart in other rhizobia. Both noIP and noIE-nodD1 are preceded by 'nod-box' sequences and, in the former case, there appear to be two tandemly repeated nod-box sequences. Mutations in each of the nodD genes and in the noIE and noIP genes did not abolish nodulation or nitrogen fixation on beans.