Experiemental evolution of Rhizobium leguminosarum carrying a native and novel pSym. Strains were passaged through two hosts relating to each plasmid and reisolated from nodules
Rhizobial host range is determined by symbiosis genes. In the genus Rhizobum these genes are carried on plasmids called pSyms. Different genes confer the ability to infect different hosts and the plasmids which carry them are often different - and so are not inherently incompatible. However strains carrying more than one set of symbiosis genes are rarely found in nature. This project seeks to understand this conundrum by introducing a novel pSym confering infection with peas and beans (pJI5JL) into 3 diverse strains within the Rhizobium leguminosarum species complex carrying native pSyms which infect clover. Replicate tranconjugants of these strains were passaged through pea and subsequently clover. Strains recovered from nodules from each plant growth period were then isolated and sequenced.
Rhizobial host range is determined by symbiosis genes. In the genus Rhizobum these genes are carried on plasmids called pSyms. Different genes confer the ability to infect different hosts and the plasmids which carry them are often different - and so are not inherently incompatible. However strains carrying more than one set of symbiosis genes are rarely found in nature. This project seeks to understand this conundrum by introducing a novel pSym confering infection with peas and beans (pJI5JL) into 3 diverse strains within the Rhizobium leguminosarum species complex carrying native pSyms which infect clover. Replicate tranconjugants of these strains were passaged through pea and subsequently clover. Strains recovered from nodules from each plant growth period were then isolated and sequenced.
P3 Institute