Sinorhizobium meliloti nifA is important in fixing nitrogen during symbiosis. A nifA null mutant induces small white invalid nodules in the roots of host plant. The additional phenotypic alterations associated with th...Sinorhizobium meliloti nifA is important in fixing nitrogen during symbiosis. A nifA null mutant induces small white invalid nodules in the roots of host plant. The additional phenotypic alterations associated with the disruption of the nifA gene are reported in this study. Under a free-living state, S. meliloti nifA mutant reduces its ability to swarm on a half-solid plate. Interestingly, the AHL （Acylhomoserine lactones） contents in the nifA mutant are lower than that of the wild type during the lag phase, whereas it is reversed in the logarithmic and stationary phases. Quantitative spectrophotometric assays reveal that the total amount of extracellular proteins of the nifA mutant are lower than that of the wild type. In addition, the mutant abolishes its nodulation competitive ability during symbiosis. These findings indicate that NifA plays a regulatory role in multiple cellular processes in S. meliloti.展开更多
Arbuscular mycorrhizal （AM） fungi are obligate symbionts that colonize the roots of more than 80% of land plants. Experi- ments on the relationship between the host plant and AM in soil or in sterile root-organ cult...Arbuscular mycorrhizal （AM） fungi are obligate symbionts that colonize the roots of more than 80% of land plants. Experi- ments on the relationship between the host plant and AM in soil or in sterile root-organ culture have provided clear evidence that the extraradical mycelia of AM fungi uptake various forms of nitrogen （N） and transport the assimilated N to the roots of the host plant. However, the uptake mechanisms of various forms of N and its translocation and transfer from the fungus to the host are virtually unknown. Therefore, there is a dearth of integrated models describing the movement of N through the AM fungal hyphae. Recent studies examined Ri T-DNA-transformed carrot roots colonized with AM fungi in ~SN tracer experi- ments. In these experiments, the activities of key enzymes were determined, and expressions of genes related to N assimilation and translocation pathways were quantified. This review summarizes and discusses the results of recent research on the forms of N uptake, transport, degradation, and transfer to the roots of the host plant and the underlying mechanisms, as well as re- search on the forms of N and carbon used by germinating spores and their effects on amino acid metabolism. Finally, a path- way model summarizing the entire mechanism of N metabolism in AM fungi is outlined.展开更多
As common soil fungi that form symbioses with most terrestrial plants,arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM) fungi play an important role in plant adaptation to chromium(Cr) contamination.However,little information is available o...As common soil fungi that form symbioses with most terrestrial plants,arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM) fungi play an important role in plant adaptation to chromium(Cr) contamination.However,little information is available on the underlying mechanisms of AM symbiosis on plant Cr resistance.In this study,dandelion(Taraxacum platypecidum Diels.) was grown with and without inoculation of the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis and Cr uptake by extraradical mycelium(ERM) was investigated by a compartmented cultivation system using a Cr stable isotope tracer.The results indicated that AM symbiosis increased plant dry weights and P concentrations but decreased shoot Cr concentrations.Using the Cr stable isotope tracer technology,the work provided possible evidences of Cr uptake and transport by ERM,and confirmed the enhancement of root Cr stabilization by AM symbiosis.This study also indicated an enrichment of lighter Cr isotopes in shoots during Cr translocation from roots to shoots in mycorrhizal plants.展开更多
基金This work was supported by the National Grand Fundamental Research 973 Project (No. 2001CB108901)National Science Foundation of China (No. 30400267).
文摘Sinorhizobium meliloti nifA is important in fixing nitrogen during symbiosis. A nifA null mutant induces small white invalid nodules in the roots of host plant. The additional phenotypic alterations associated with the disruption of the nifA gene are reported in this study. Under a free-living state, S. meliloti nifA mutant reduces its ability to swarm on a half-solid plate. Interestingly, the AHL （Acylhomoserine lactones） contents in the nifA mutant are lower than that of the wild type during the lag phase, whereas it is reversed in the logarithmic and stationary phases. Quantitative spectrophotometric assays reveal that the total amount of extracellular proteins of the nifA mutant are lower than that of the wild type. In addition, the mutant abolishes its nodulation competitive ability during symbiosis. These findings indicate that NifA plays a regulatory role in multiple cellular processes in S. meliloti.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 30970101)
文摘Arbuscular mycorrhizal （AM） fungi are obligate symbionts that colonize the roots of more than 80% of land plants. Experi- ments on the relationship between the host plant and AM in soil or in sterile root-organ culture have provided clear evidence that the extraradical mycelia of AM fungi uptake various forms of nitrogen （N） and transport the assimilated N to the roots of the host plant. However, the uptake mechanisms of various forms of N and its translocation and transfer from the fungus to the host are virtually unknown. Therefore, there is a dearth of integrated models describing the movement of N through the AM fungal hyphae. Recent studies examined Ri T-DNA-transformed carrot roots colonized with AM fungi in ~SN tracer experi- ments. In these experiments, the activities of key enzymes were determined, and expressions of genes related to N assimilation and translocation pathways were quantified. This review summarizes and discusses the results of recent research on the forms of N uptake, transport, degradation, and transfer to the roots of the host plant and the underlying mechanisms, as well as re- search on the forms of N and carbon used by germinating spores and their effects on amino acid metabolism. Finally, a path- way model summarizing the entire mechanism of N metabolism in AM fungi is outlined.
基金supported by the Knowledge Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (No.KZCX2-YW-BR-17)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41101246)the State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center of Eco-Environmental Sciences,Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.SKLURE2008-1-03)
文摘As common soil fungi that form symbioses with most terrestrial plants,arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM) fungi play an important role in plant adaptation to chromium(Cr) contamination.However,little information is available on the underlying mechanisms of AM symbiosis on plant Cr resistance.In this study,dandelion(Taraxacum platypecidum Diels.) was grown with and without inoculation of the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis and Cr uptake by extraradical mycelium(ERM) was investigated by a compartmented cultivation system using a Cr stable isotope tracer.The results indicated that AM symbiosis increased plant dry weights and P concentrations but decreased shoot Cr concentrations.Using the Cr stable isotope tracer technology,the work provided possible evidences of Cr uptake and transport by ERM,and confirmed the enhancement of root Cr stabilization by AM symbiosis.This study also indicated an enrichment of lighter Cr isotopes in shoots during Cr translocation from roots to shoots in mycorrhizal plants.
