Rhizobial lipo-oligosaccharides: answers and questions.
Rhizobium bacteria produce certain lipo-oligosaccharides (modified chitin oligomers) after induction of nodulation (nod) gene transcription by the host plant. The function of the rhizobial nod genes in the biosynthesis of these lipo-oligosaccharides, focusing on their host specific aspects, is discussed. The lipo-oligosaccharides can elicit various responses in the host plants, like the formation of pre-infection threads and nodule meristems. Speculating on their function in plant morphogenesis the question is raised: do the rhizobial lipo-oligosaccharides resemble unknown plant signal molecules?
Spaink
H P
HP
Leiden University, Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, Netherlands.
D002240:Carbohydrate Sequence; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics*; D012230:Rhizobiaceae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012231:Rhizobium / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; C023023:lipid-linked oligosaccharides