title: Isolation and characterization of endophytic bacteria from the nickel hyperaccumulator plant Alyssum bertolonii.
abstract: We report the isolation and characterization of endophytic bacteria, endemic to serpentine outcrops of Central Italy, from a nickel hyperaccumulator plant, Alyssum bertolonii Desv. (Brassicaceae). Eighty-three endophytic bacteria were isolated from roots, stems, and leaves of A. bertolonii and classified by restriction analysis of 16S rDNA (ARDRA) and partial 16S rDNA sequencing in 23 different taxonomic groups. All isolates were then screened for siderophore production and for resistance to heavy metals. One isolate representative of each ARDRA group was then tested for plant tissue colonization ability in sterile culture. Obtained results pointed out that, despite the high concentration of heavy metals present in its tissues, A. bertolonii harbors an endophytic bacterial flora showing a high genetic diversity as well as a high level of resistance to heavy metals that could potentially help plant growth and Ni hyperaccumulation.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biologia Vegetale, Università di Firenze, via Micheli 1, 1-50121, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barzanti
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ozino
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bazzicalupo
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gabbrielli
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Galardi
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gonnelli
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mengoni
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria; D019607:Brassicaceae / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology*; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D009532:Nickel / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000382:microbiology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000382:microbiology; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000382:microbiology; D017262:Siderophores / Q000378:metabolism; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D017262:Siderophores; D009532:Nickel