Synthesis of an opine-like compound, a rhizopine, in alfalfa nodules is symbiotically regulated.
We show that the promoter of the mos locus, which encodes genes required for the synthesis of a nodule-specific, opine-like compound, a rhizopine, in alfalfa nodules is regulated by the symbiotic nitrogen-fixation regulatory gene nifA. The 5'-regulatory region and amino-terminal end of the first open reading frame of the mos locus are highly homologous to the 5'-regulatory region and amino-terminal portion of the Rhizobium meliloti nifH gene. The coordinate regulation of mos and nif genes suggests that the mos locus plays a symbiotic role. We propose that the rhizopine enhances the survival of the bacterial partner in the symbiosis.
Murphy
P J
PJ
Max-Planck-Institut für Züchtungsforschung, Abteilung Schell, Köln, Federal Republic of Germany.
Heycke
N
N
Trenz
S P
SP
Ratet
P
P
de Bruijn
F J
FJ
Schell
J
J
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D005796:Genes; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D000455:Medicago sativa / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009586:Nitrogen Fixation / Q000235:genetics*; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics*; D010957:Plasmids; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012231:Rhizobium / Q000235:genetics*; D013559:Symbiosis
D001426:Bacterial Proteins