Extracellular polysaccharide composition, ex planta nitrogenase activity, and DNA homology in Rhizobium japonicum.
The composition of the major acidic extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) of 25 strains of Rhizobium japonicum was determined. Eight strains synthesized an acidic EPS containing rhamnose and 4-O- methylglucuronic acid and were closely related according to DNA homology. These same strains also expressed high levels of ex planta nitrogenase activity. Sixteen strains produced an acidic EPS containing glucose, mannose, galacturonic acid, and galactose and were also related by DNA homology. These strains developed little or no nitrogenase activity under the experimental conditions employed.
D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D009591:Nitrogenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012231:Rhizobium / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D009591:Nitrogenase