Genetics and functional genomics of legume nodulation
Abstract
Gram-negative soil bacteria (rhizobia) within the Rhizobiaceae phylogenetic family (a-proteobacteria) have the unique ability
to infect and establish a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis on the roots of leguminous plants. This symbiosis is of agronomic importance, reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizer for
agriculturally important plants (e.g. soybean and alfalfa). The establishment of the symbiosis involves a complex interplay
between host and symbiont, resulting in the formation of a novel organ, the nodule, which the bacteria colonize as intracellular symbionts. This review focuses on the most recent discoveries relating to how this symbiosis is established. Two general developments have contributed to the recent explosion of research progress in this area: first, the adoption of two genetic model legumes, Medicago truncatula and Lotus
japonicus, and second, the application of modern methods in functional genomics (e.g. transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic analyses).
Citation
Current Opinion in Plant Biology 2006, 9:110-121
Rights
OpenAccess.
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