title: Effect of leguminous lectins on the growth of Rhizobium tropici CIAT899.
abstract: Rhizobium tropici is a Gram-negative bacterium that induces nodules and fixed atmospheric nitrogen in symbiotic association with Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean) and some other leguminous species. Lectins are proteins that specifically bind to carbohydrates and, consequently, modulate different biological functions. In this study, the d-glucose/ d-mannose-binding lectins (from seeds of Dioclea megacarpa, D. rostrata and D. violacea) and D-galactose-binding lectins (from seeds of Bauhinia variegata, Erythina velutina and Vatairea macrocarpa) were purified using chromatographic techniques and evaluated for their effect on the growth of R. tropici CIAT899. All lectins were assayed with a satisfactory degree of purity according to SDS-PAGE analysis, and stimulated bacterial growth; in particular, the Dioclea rostrata lectin was the most active among all tested proteins. As confirmed in the present study, both d-galactose- and d-glucose/d-mannose-binding lectins purified from the seeds of leguminous plants may be powerful biotechnological tools to stimulate the growth of R. tropici CIAT99, thus improving symbiotic interaction between rhizobia and common bean and, hence, the production of this field crop.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE 60440-970, Brazil. mayronvasconcelos@gmail.com
authors.forename: Mayron Alves
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: de Vasconcelos
authors.forename: Cláudio Oliveira
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.forename: Francisco Vassiliepe Sousa
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Arruda
authors.forename: Victor Alves
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.forename: Rafaela Mesquita
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bastos
authors.forename: Fábio Martins
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Mercante
authors.forename: Kyria Santiago
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: do Nascimento
authors.forename: Benildo Sousa
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Cavada
authors.forename: Ricardo Pires
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: dos Santos
authors.forename: Edson Holanda
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D007887:Fabaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D042162:Rhizobium tropici / Q000254:growth & development*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D037121:Plant Lectins