Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rafael E. Venado, Lucas E. Wange, Defeng Shen, Fabienne Pinnau, Tonni Grube Andersen, Wolfgang Enard, Macarena Marin
Summary: This study provides genetic evidence for the formation of the nodule oxygen diffusion barrier in legumes, which is crucial for nitrogen fixation in root nodules.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Akira Akamatsu, Miwa Nagae, Yuka Nishimura, Daniela Romero Montero, Satsuki Ninomiya, Mikiko Kojima, Yumiko Takebayashi, Hitoshi Sakakibara, Masayoshi Kawaguchi, Naoya Takeda
Summary: Research shows that gibberellic acid (GA) inhibits root nodule symbiosis by regulating a negative-feedback system called autoregulation of nodulation (AON). GA signaling induces the expression of the symbiotic transcription factor NODULE INCEPTION (NIN), which activates the AON system to regulate nodule formation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Meng Liu, Hiromu Kameoka, Akiko Oda, Taro Maeda, Takashi Goto, Koji Yano, Takashi Soyano, Masayoshi Kawaguchi
Summary: Legumes form root nodules in association with rhizobia to overcome nitrogen deficiency. ERN1 is a crucial transcription factor involved in the establishment of root nodule symbiosis, regulating processes such as cell wall remodeling and signal transduction. RNA sequencing revealed 234 genes associated with ERN1, involved in cell wall remodeling, signal transduction, hormone metabolism, and transcription regulation, expanding our understanding of the role of ERN1 in root nodule symbiosis.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Akihiro Yamazaki, Kai Battenberg, Yoshikazu Shimoda, Makoto Hayashi
Summary: LysM-like receptor kinases play important roles in both plant immunity and symbiosis, particularly in signal perception and activation of downstream signal cascades. The study revealed that NHL13 interacts with NFR1 and SymRK, suggesting its involvement in both plant immunity and symbiosis.
MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Arina Shrestha, Sihui Zhong, Jasmine Therrien, Terry Huebert, Shusei Sato, Terry Mun, Stig U. Andersen, Jens Stougaard, Agnes Lepage, Andreas Niebel, Loretta Ross, Krzysztof Szczyglowski
Summary: Legume root nodule organogenesis is initiated by the stimulation of root cells and involves the regulation of specific gene families to promote cellular differentiation and auxin signaling. The emergence of nodules is dependent on a regulatory cascade involving NF-YA1, STY genes, and downstream targets YUCCA1 and YUCCA11. These genes are important regulators of auxin signaling during the specific stage of nodule emergence in Lotus japonicus and Medicago truncatula.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jesus Montiel, Dugald Reid, Thomas H. Gronbaek, Caroline M. Benfeldt, Euan K. James, Thomas Ott, Franck A. Ditengou, Marcin Nadzieja, Simon Kelly, Jens Stougaard
Summary: This study reports intercellular infection of the model legume Lotus japonicus by the IRBG74 strain and reveals the genetic requirements and differences in the pathways governing this process compared to intracellular infection. The results indicate a differential requirement for cytokinin signaling during intercellular rhizobial entry, highlighting distinct modalities of inter- and intracellular infection mechanisms in L. japonicus.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Takashi Goto, Takashi Soyano, Meng Liu, Tomoko Mori, Masayoshi Kawaguchi
Summary: Nodule development requires spatiotemporal coordination between root epidermis and root cortex. In this study, we found that IAA carboxyl methyltransferase 1 (IAMT1) is transiently induced in wild-type roots at early stages of infection, but shows different expression dynamics in the mutant daphne. Knockdown of one of the IAMT1s, IAMT1a, inhibits nodule development in the root cortex. We also observed an increase in root MeIAA levels with rhizobial infection, and application of MeIAA induces expression of the symbiotic gene NIN in the absence of infection.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Akira Akamatsu, Miwa Nagae, Naoya Takeda
Summary: The establishment of root-nodule symbiosis (RNS) between legumes and rhizobia requires precise molecular interactions, with the transcription factor NODULE INCEPTION (NIN) playing a crucial role. The study found that a region within 7 kb of the NIN start codon contributes to NIN expression during infection thread formation, and the CYCLOPS response element (CYC-RE) in the NIN promoter is important for infection thread formation. However, other factors besides CYCLOPS and CYC-RE may also regulate NIN expression for the induction of infection thread formation.
MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Johan Quilbe, Jesus Montiel, Jean-Francois Arrighi, Jens Stougaard
Summary: The establishment of root-nodule symbiosis in legumes can occur through either root hair infection threads or intercellular passage of bacteria. Research has shown that the intercellular infection mechanism is still poorly understood, but recent discoveries have shed some light on this process.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yong Feng, Ping Wu, Chao Liu, Liwei Peng, Tao Wang, Chao Wang, Qian Tan, Bixuan Li, Yajuan Ou, Hui Zhu, Songli Yuan, Renliang Huang, Gary Stacey, Zhongming Zhang, Yangrong Cao
Summary: The study found that in Lotus japonicus, SymRK is required for rhizobial suppression of plant innate immunity, while LjBAK1 plays a negative role in rhizobial infection. The protein complex formed by SymRK and LjBAK1 serves as an intersection point between rhizobial symbiotic signaling pathways and innate immunity pathways.
Article
Plant Sciences
Lu Tian, Leru Liu, Shaoming Xu, Rufang Deng, Pingzhi Wu, Huawu Jiang, Guojiang Wu, Yaping Chen
Summary: Polyol transporters play a key role in adjusting substrate levels and maintaining osmotic balance in infected cells during the symbiosis between Lotus japonicus and Mesorhizobium. Knock-down of LjPLT11 in Lotus japonicus resulted in accelerated plant growth but abnormal bacteroids, reductions in nitrogenase activity, and perturbed osmotic pressure and reactive oxygen species levels in infected cells of nodules. This suggests that LjPLT11 is crucial for maintaining symbiotic interactions and plant development under nitrogen-fixing conditions.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mitsutaka Fukudome, Yuta Shimokawa, Shun Hashimoto, Yusuke Maesako, Nahoko Uchi-Fukudome, Kota Niihara, Ken-Ichi Osuki, Toshiki Uchiumi
Summary: The hmp gene from Sinorhizobium meliloti introduced into Mesorhizobium loti reduces NO levels in symbiosis with Lotus japonicus, leading to delayed infection and increased nitrogenase activity without affecting nodule senescence, contrasting with the effects of class 1 phytoglobin in L. japonicus.
MICROBES AND ENVIRONMENTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanping Wang, Wenqing Zhou, Jiandong Wu, Kailing Xie, Xiaoyu Li
Summary: This study identified the ammonium transporter LjAMT2;2 in Lotus japonicus as an important player in the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis process, facilitating ammonium transfer and promoting nitrogen absorption. Overexpression of LjAMT2;2 increased nitrogen content, alleviating nitrogen stress and enhancing plant growth.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Amira Susana Nieva, Fernando Matias Romero, Alexander Erban, Pedro Carrasco, Oscar Adolfo Ruiz, Joachim Kopka
Summary: Root fungal endophytes play a crucial role in plant nutrition under mild stress conditions, but variations in the rhizosphere environment can alter the nature of their interactions. This study focused on analyzing the impact of extreme phosphate starvation and the fungal endophyte Fusarium solani on plant metabolism, revealing differential responses in two plant species. The results provide potential markers for further investigation into factors influencing plant nutrition and plant-fungal interactions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Longlong Wang, Jianjun Liang, Yu Zhou, Tao Tian, Baoli Zhang, Deqiang Duanmu
Summary: In this study, 13 carbonic anhydrase (CA) genes were identified in the model legume Lotus japonicus, with three of them further characterized for their expression patterns during nodule development. Knockout experiments using CRISPR/Cas9 technology showed that the knocked-out genes were not essential for nitrogen fixation under normal symbiotic conditions. The diverse expression patterns and distributions of these genes suggest their potential functions in symbiotic nitrogen fixation, awaiting further investigation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Virology
Dimitrios Skliros, Efthymios Karpouzis, Chrysanthi Kalloniati, Pantelis Katharios, Emmanouil Flemetakis
Summary: Tailed bacteriophages with their peculiar contractile tail structure have drawn attention. Through comparative genomics analysis, a pattern of genomic organization and the importance of the baseplate protein encoding genomic region have been revealed. Additionally, the proposal of new genera for dwarf Vibrio myoviruses was made. Comparative genomics of phages infecting aquatic bacteria could provide valuable information for combating fish pathogens in aquaculture.
ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bikash Raul, Oindrila Bhattacharjee, Amit Ghosh, Priya Upadhyay, Kunal Tembhare, Ajeet Singh, Tarannum Shaheen, Asim Kumar Ghosh, Ivone Torres-Jerez, Nick Krom, Josh Clevenger, Michael Udvardi, Brian E. Scheffler, Peggy Ozias-Akins, Ravi Datta Sharma, Kaustav Bandyopadhyay, Vineet Gaur, Shailesh Kumar, Senjuti Sinharoy
Summary: The study reveals dynamic changes in plant gene expression during peanut nodule development using comprehensive analysis and transcriptomics. Compared to other model legumes, peanut demonstrates diversification in oxygen-scavenging mechanisms and molecular mechanisms of terminal bacteroid differentiation.
MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sonali Roy, Marcus Griffiths, Ivone Torres-Jerez, Bailey Sanchez, Elizabeth Antonelli, Divya Jain, Nicholas Krom, Shulan Zhang, Larry M. York, Wolf-Ruediger Scheible, Michael Udvardi
Summary: This study describes a high throughput phenotyping platform for testing the effects of small signaling peptides (SSP) on root uptake of multiple nutrients in plants. The results show that SSP CEP1 can enhance nitrate uptake rate in Medicago truncatula plants deprived of nitrogen. Furthermore, specific structural variants of CEP1 peptides not only enhance nitrate uptake, but also phosphate and sulfate uptake in both Medicago truncatula and Arabidopsis thaliana. Transcriptome analysis reveals that CEP1 peptides can induce the expression of several genes, including nutrient transporters and signaling pathway genes.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Yun Kang, Amaia Seminario, Michael Udvardi, Paolo Annicchiarico
Summary: This study aimed to explore the relationship between leaf morphophysiological traits and adaptive response in alfalfa, and it provided support for breeding strategies. The results showed that cultivars specifically adapted to drought-prone environments exhibited better drought tolerance and smaller leaves compared to those specifically adapted to moisture-favourable environments. In addition, the study identified some inexpensive morphophysiological traits that could be used for early selection targeting drought-prone environments.
JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
V Holland, N. Reininger, F. Bantis, W. Brueggemann, K. Radoglou, M. N. Fotelli
Summary: Research has shown that Greek and Italian provenances of Mediterranean oaks have similar diurnal photosynthetic performance under different growth regimes. These oaks exhibit high photosynthetic efficiency under the current climate in Central Europe, making them suitable for assisted migration schemes.
Article
Cell Biology
Kashif Mahmood, Ivone Torres-Jerez, Nick Krom, Wei Liu, Michael K. Udvardi
Summary: This study used RNA-sequencing to investigate the molecular basis of age-dependent and dark-induced leaf senescence in Medicago truncatula, a forage crop. The results revealed the differentially expressed genes and identified the key biological processes associated with leaf senescence. The study also identified a set of transcription factors that promoted senescence in tobacco leaves when expressed. These findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of leaf senescence in forage crops and suggest potential targets for controlling senescence in these crops.
Article
Biology
Zhao Hao, Yuan Wang, Na Ding, Malay C. Saha, Wolf-Rudiger Scheible, Kelly Craven, Michael Udvardi, Peter S. Nico, Mary K. Firestone, Eoin L. Brodie
Summary: In this study, it was found that switchgrass adapts well to marginal soils with low phosphorus content. The research also discovered that phosphorus limitation affects the chemical composition and quality of switchgrass, and different soil conditions impact nutrient allocation strategies, which in turn affects biomass yields in the subsequent year. The use of a machine learning model effectively addresses these challenges and provides important information about switchgrass growth conditions and feedstock quality.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Stamatios R. Tziaferidis, Gavriil Spyroglou, Mariangela N. Fotelli, Kalliopi Radoglou
Summary: Allometric equations relating trees' vascular system and other stem metrics with foliage area and mass are necessary to estimate their growth and carbon balance. This study focused on restoration plantations of Robinia pseudoacacia in Greece and aimed to establish species-specific models to predict foliage leaf area and biomass. The study found that total stem cross-sectional area at mid-bole and stump height was the best predictor of foliage dry mass and area.
IFOREST-BIOGEOSCIENCES AND FORESTRY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nancy A. Eckardt, Sean Cutler, Thomas E. Juenger, Amy Marshall-Colon, Michael Udvardi, Paul E. Verslues
Review
Plant Sciences
Marios I. I. Valmas, Moritz Sexauer, Katharina Markmann, Daniela Tsikou
Summary: Plants form symbiotic relationships with soil microorganisms to overcome nutrient limitations. Plant interactions with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and rhizobia bacteria have been extensively studied. The regulation of nutrient homeostasis and acquisition in plants involves small molecules such as peptides and miRNAs. These molecules respond to the availability of essential nutrients and play a role in plant responses to root colonization and mineral nutrition. The crosstalk between root endosymbiosis and nutrient availability is a subject of intense investigation, with a focus on peptides and miRNAs.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Dimitrios Skliros, Polyxeni Papazoglou, Danai Gkizi, Eleni Paraskevopoulou, Pantelis Katharios, Dimitrios E. Goumas, Sotirios Tjamos, Emmanouil Flemetakis
Summary: In recent years, the biology and biotechnology of bacteriophages have been extensively studied as a means to find environmentally friendly methods to control phytopathogenic bacteria. The use of bacteriophages in biological control of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) could be an alternative approach to combat bacterial speck disease in tomato plants. The isolated bacteriophage, Medea1, showed promising results in reducing Pst symptoms in tomato plants and upregulating defense-related genes.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Irene Dervisi, Chrysanthi Valassakis, Aikaterini Koletti, Vassilis N. Kouvelis, Emmanouil Flemetakis, Christos A. Ouzounis, Andreas Roussis
Summary: Selenium-binding proteins (SBPs) are a widely distributed protein family, with SBP1 recently identified as a new stress response regulator in plants. Although SBP1 has been characterized as a methanethiol oxidase, its exact role is still unclear. In mammals, SBP1 is involved in anti-carcinogenic growth regulation, redox modulation, and detoxification. This study investigates the functional potential of specific motifs of SBPs in an evolutionary context. Phylogenetic analysis reveals the absence of SBP in fungi and most non-eukaryotic organisms. The phylogenetic tree also highlights the differentiation and evolution of characteristic SBP motifs, with modifications found in Acidobacteria, Fungi, and Archaea for the CSSC motif and a conserved CC motif in Plants modified to CxxC in Animals. These results suggest that SBPs likely emerged from bacteria as methanethiol oxidases.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Nikos Markos, Kalliopi Radoglou, Mariangela N. Fotelli
Summary: Black locust is widely planted for restoration plantations, but drought dieback and growth declines are being observed. This study investigated the water and carbon fluxes of a black locust post-mining restoration plantation in Greece with eddy covariance. It found that GPP increased with Rg, SWC, and EVI, but declined with VPD. ET constantly increased with solar radiation and SWC, but was not responsive to enhanced VPD. The results suggest that increasing VPD due to climate change may negatively impact these ecosystems.
Article
Microbiology
Eleni Gkimprixi, Stathis Lagos, Christina N. Nikolaou, Dimitrios G. Karpouzas, Daniela Tsikou
Summary: The anthelminthic compound albendazole has a negative impact on the establishment and functionality of the symbiosis between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, suggesting potential toxicity to the fungal population in agricultural soils.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Daniela Tsikou, Christina N. Nikolaou, Myrto Tsiknia, Kalliope K. Papadopoulou, Constantinos Ehaliotis
Summary: This study identifies the main factors influencing the tripartite association between legumes, arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF), and nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. It finds that different AMF strains can enhance nodulation in legumes, especially under heat-stress conditions. The impact of rhizobia on mycorrhizal colonization depends on the specific AMF strain. Additionally, phosphorus enhances nodulation while nitrogen does not affect mycorrhizal colonization.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)