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Genetic and functional analysis of the nodulation region of the Rhizobium leguminosarum Sym plasmid pRL1JI

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Abstract

Thirty Tn5- or Tn1831-induced nodulation (nod) mutants of Rhizobium leguminosarum were examined for their genetic and symbiotic properties. Thirteen mutants contained a deletion in Sym plasmid pRL1JI. These deletions cover the whole nod region and are 50 kb in size. All remaining seventeen mutations are located in a 6.6 kb EcoRI nod fragment of the Sym plasmid. Mutations in a 3.5 kb part on the right hand side of this 6.6 kb fragment completely prevent nodulation on Vicia sativa. All mutants in this 3.5 kb area are unable to induce marked root hair curling and thick and short roots.

Mutations in a 1.5 kb area on the left hand side of the 6.6 kb nod fragment generate other symbiotic defects in that nodules are only rarely formed and only so after a delay of several days. Moreover, infection thread formation is delayed and root hair curling is more excessive than that caused by the parental strain. Their ability to induce thick and short roots is unaltered.

Mutations in this 1.5 kb region are not complemented by pRmSL26, which carries nod genes of R. meliloti, whereas mutations in the 3.5 kb region are all complemented by pRmSL26.

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Abbreviations

Rps:

repression of production of small bacteriocin

Mep:

medium bacteriocin production

Nod:

nodulation

Fix:

fixation

Tsr:

thick and short roots

Flac:

root hair curling

Hsp:

host specificity

Flad:

root hair deformation

Tc:

tetracycline

Km:

kanamycin

Cm:

chloramphenicol

Sp:

spectinomycin

Sm:

streptomycin

R:

resistant

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Leiden, Nonnensteeg 3, NL-2311 VJ, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Carel A. Wijffelman, Elly Pees, Anton A. N. van Brussel, Rob J. H. Okker & Ben J. J. Lugtenberg

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  1. Carel A. Wijffelman
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  2. Elly Pees
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  3. Anton A. N. van Brussel
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  4. Rob J. H. Okker
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  5. Ben J. J. Lugtenberg
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Wijffelman, C.A., Pees, E., van Brussel, A.A.N. et al. Genetic and functional analysis of the nodulation region of the Rhizobium leguminosarum Sym plasmid pRL1JI. Arch. Microbiol. 143, 225–232 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00411240

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00411240

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