title: Rhizobium extracellular structures in the symbiosis.
abstract: The extracellular and surface polysaccharides produced by Rhizobium species constitute a composite macromolecular interface between the bacterial cell and its environment. Several of these polysaccharides are involved in the complex series of interactions leading to the establishment of an effective Rhizobium-legume symbiosis. Extracellular heteropolysaccharides (EPSs) are found in culture supernatants, while capsular polysaccharides adhere to the cell surface. Cyclic (1-2)-β-d glucan is a periplasmic oligosaccharide that has also been found in the culture supernatants of some strains. The lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), which form part of the outer membrane and contain the O-somatic antigens, comprise the other major group of extracellular polysaccharides. In this review we will describe the major Rhizobium extracellular structures and their role in symbiosis with leguminous plants.
authors.affiliation: , .
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Coronado
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Andújar
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Palomares