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Bian Q, Cheng K, Chen L, Jiang Y, Li D, Xie Z, Wang X, Sun B. Organic amendments increased Chinese milk vetch symbiotic nitrogen fixation by enriching Mesorhizobium in rhizosphere. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:118923. [PMID: 38636641 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Symbiotic nitrogen fixation of Chinese milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus L.) can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and serve as an organic nitrogen source in agricultural ecosystems. Exogenous organic material application is a common practice of affecting symbiotic nitrogen fixation; however, the results of the regulation activities remain under discussion. Studies on the impact of organic amendments on symbiotic nitrogen fixation have focused on dissolved organic carbon content changes, whereas the impact on dissolved organic carbon composition and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. In situ pot experiments were carried out using soils from a 40-year-old field experiment platform to investigate symbiotic nitrogen fixation rate trends, dissolved organic carbon concentration and component, and diazotroph community structure in roots and in rhizosphere soils following long-term application of different exogenous organic substrates, i.e., green manure, green manure and pig manure, and green manure and rice straw. Remarkable increases in rate were observed in and when compared with that in green manure treatment, with the greatest enhancement observed in the treatment. Moreover, organic amendments, particularly pig manure application, altered diazotroph community composition in rhizosphere soils, therefore increasing the abundance of the host-specific genus Mesorhizobium. Furthermore, organic amendments influence the diazotroph communities through two primary mechanisms. Firstly, the components of dissolved organic carbon promote an increase in available iron, facilitated by the presence of humus substrates. Secondly, the elevated content of dissolved organic carbon and available iron expands the niche breadth of Mesorhizobium within the rhizosphere. Consequently, these alterations result in a modified diazotroph community within the rhizosphere, which in turn influences Mesorhizobium nodulation in the root and symbiotic nitrogen fixation rate. The results of the present study enhance our understanding of the impact of organic amendments on symbiotic nitrogen fixation and the underlying mechanism, highlighting the key role of dissolved organic carbon composition on diazotroph community composition in the rhizosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Bian
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Kun Cheng
- Institute of Red Soil and Germplasm Resources, Jinxian, 331717, China
| | - Ling Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Yuji Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Daming Li
- Institute of Red Soil and Germplasm Resources, Jinxian, 331717, China.
| | - Zubin Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Xiaoyue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Bo Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
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Kohlmeier MG, Oresnik IJ. The transport of mannitol in Sinorhizobium meliloti is carried out by a broad-substrate polyol transporter SmoEFGK and is affected by the ability to transport and metabolize fructose. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2023; 169:001371. [PMID: 37505890 PMCID: PMC10433430 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The smo locus (sorbitol mannitol oxidation) is found on the chromosome of S. meliloti's tripartite genome. Mutations at the smo locus reduce or abolish the ability of the bacterium to grow on several carbon sources, including sorbitol, mannitol, galactitol, d-arabitol and maltitol. The contribution of the smo locus to the metabolism of these compounds has not been previously investigated. Genetic complementation of mutant strains revealed that smoS is responsible for growth on sorbitol and galactitol, while mtlK restores growth on mannitol and d-arabitol. Dehydrogenase assays demonstrate that SmoS and MtlK are NAD+-dependent dehydrogenases catalysing the oxidation of their specific substrates. Transport experiments using a radiolabeled substrate indicate that sorbitol, mannitol and d-arabitol are primarily transported into the cell by the ABC transporter encoded by smoEFGK. Additionally, it was found that a mutation in either frcK, which is found in an operon that encodes the fructose ABC transporter, or a mutation in frk, which encodes fructose kinase, leads to the induction of mannitol transport.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ivan J. Oresnik
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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Kohlmeier MG, Yudistira H, Ali A, Oresnik IJ. Bradyrhizobium japonicum FN1 produces an inhibitory substance that affects competition for nodule occupancy. Can J Microbiol 2022; 68:227-236. [PMID: 34990307 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2021-0355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Bacteriocins are narrow-spectrum antibiotics of bacterial origin that can affect competition in resource-limited environments, such as the rhizosphere. Therefore, bacteriocins may be good candidates for manipulation to generate more competitive inocula for soybean. In this study, Bradyrhizobium japonicum FN1, along with other Bradyrhizobia in our culture collection, was screened for bacteriocin-like activity. Five distinct inhibitory effects were observed. FN1 genes putatively involved in bacteriocin production were computationally identified. These genes were mutagenized, and the subsequent strains were screened for loss of inhibitory activity. Mutant strain BRJ-48, with an insert in bjfn1_01204, displayed a loss of ability to inhibit an indicator strain. This loss can be complemented by the introduction of a plasmid expressing bjfn1_01204 in trans. The strain carrying the mutation did not affect competition in broth cultures but was less competitive for nodule occupancy. Annotation suggests that bjfn1_01204 encodes a carboxymuconolactone decarboxylase; however, the direct contribution of how this enzyme contributes to inhibiting the tester strain remains unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Harry Yudistira
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Amanat Ali
- Soil & Environmental Sciences Division, Nuclear Institute of Agriculture, Tandojam, Pakistan
| | - Ivan J Oresnik
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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Hawkins JP, Oresnik IJ. The Rhizobium-Legume Symbiosis: Co-opting Successful Stress Management. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 12:796045. [PMID: 35046982 PMCID: PMC8761673 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.796045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The interaction of bacteria with plants can result in either a positive, negative, or neutral association. The rhizobium-legume interaction is a well-studied model system of a process that is considered a positive interaction. This process has evolved to require a complex signal exchange between the host and the symbiont. During this process, rhizobia are subject to several stresses, including low pH, oxidative stress, osmotic stress, as well as growth inhibiting plant peptides. A great deal of work has been carried out to characterize the bacterial response to these stresses. Many of the responses to stress are also observed to have key roles in symbiotic signaling. We propose that stress tolerance responses have been co-opted by the plant and bacterial partners to play a role in the complex signal exchange that occurs between rhizobia and legumes to establish functional symbiosis. This review will cover how rhizobia tolerate stresses, and how aspects of these tolerance mechanisms play a role in signal exchange between rhizobia and legumes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ivan J. Oresnik
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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diCenzo GC, Tesi M, Pfau T, Mengoni A, Fondi M. Genome-scale metabolic reconstruction of the symbiosis between a leguminous plant and a nitrogen-fixing bacterium. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2574. [PMID: 32444627 PMCID: PMC7244743 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16484-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The mutualistic association between leguminous plants and endosymbiotic rhizobial bacteria is a paradigmatic example of a symbiosis driven by metabolic exchanges. Here, we report the reconstruction and modelling of a genome-scale metabolic network of Medicago truncatula (plant) nodulated by Sinorhizobium meliloti (bacterium). The reconstructed nodule tissue contains five spatially distinct developmental zones and encompasses the metabolism of both the plant and the bacterium. Flux balance analysis (FBA) suggests that the metabolic costs associated with symbiotic nitrogen fixation are primarily related to supporting nitrogenase activity, and increasing N2-fixation efficiency is associated with diminishing returns in terms of plant growth. Our analyses support that differentiating bacteroids have access to sugars as major carbon sources, ammonium is the main nitrogen export product of N2-fixing bacteria, and N2 fixation depends on proton transfer from the plant cytoplasm to the bacteria through acidification of the peribacteroid space. We expect that our model, called 'Virtual Nodule Environment' (ViNE), will contribute to a better understanding of the functioning of legume nodules, and may guide experimental studies and engineering of symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
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Affiliation(s)
- George C diCenzo
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Michelangelo Tesi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Thomas Pfau
- Life Sciences Research Unit, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Alessio Mengoni
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
| | - Marco Fondi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
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Becerra-Rivera VA, Arteaga A, Leija A, Hernández G, Dunn MF. Polyamines produced by Sinorhizobium meliloti Rm8530 contribute to symbiotically relevant phenotypes ex planta and to nodulation efficiency on alfalfa. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2020; 166:278-287. [PMID: 31935179 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In nitrogen-fixing rhizobia, emerging evidence shows significant roles for polyamines in growth and abiotic stress resistance. In this work we show that a polyamine-deficient ornithine decarboxylase null mutant (odc2) derived from Sinorhizobium meliloti Rm8530 had significant phenotypic differences from the wild-type, including greatly reduced production of exopolysaccharides (EPS; ostensibly both succinoglycan and galactoglucan), increased sensitivity to oxidative stress and decreased swimming motility. The introduction of the odc2 gene borne on a plasmid into the odc2 mutant restored wild-type phenotypes for EPS production, growth under oxidative stress and swimming. The production of calcofluor-binding EPS (succinoglycan) by the odc2 mutant was also completely or mostly restored in the presence of exogenous spermidine (Spd), norspermidine (NSpd) or spermine (Spm). The odc2 mutant formed about 25 % more biofilm than the wild-type, and its ability to form biofilm was significantly inhibited by exogenous Spd, NSpd or Spm. The odc2 mutant formed a less efficient symbiosis with alfalfa, resulting in plants with significantly less biomass and height, more nodules but less nodule biomass, and 25 % less nitrogen-fixing activity. Exogenously supplied Put was not able to revert these phenotypes and caused a similar increase in plant height and dry weight in uninoculated plants and in those inoculated with the wild-type or odc2 mutant. We discuss ways in which polyamines might affect the phenotypes of the odc2 mutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor A Becerra-Rivera
- Programa de Genómica Funcional de Procariotes, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas-Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, C.P. 62210, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Arteaga
- Programa de Genómica Funcional de Procariotes, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas-Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, C.P. 62210, Mexico
| | - Alfonso Leija
- Programa de Genómica Funcional de Eucariotes, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas-Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, C.P. 62210, Mexico
| | - Georgina Hernández
- Programa de Genómica Funcional de Eucariotes, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas-Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, C.P. 62210, Mexico
| | - Michael F Dunn
- Programa de Genómica Funcional de Procariotes, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas-Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, C.P. 62210, Mexico
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Kohlmeier MG, White CE, Fowler JE, Finan TM, Oresnik IJ. Galactitol catabolism in Sinorhizobium meliloti is dependent on a chromosomally encoded sorbitol dehydrogenase and a pSymB-encoded operon necessary for tagatose catabolism. Mol Genet Genomics 2019; 294:739-755. [DOI: 10.1007/s00438-019-01545-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Hawkins JP, Ordonez PA, Oresnik IJ. Characterization of Mutations That Affect the Nonoxidative Pentose Phosphate Pathway in Sinorhizobium meliloti. J Bacteriol 2018; 200:e00436-17. [PMID: 29084855 PMCID: PMC5738737 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00436-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sinorhizobium meliloti is a Gram-negative alphaproteobacterium that can enter into a symbiotic relationship with Medicago sativa and Medicago truncatula Previous work determined that a mutation in the tkt2 gene, which encodes a putative transketolase, could prevent medium acidification associated with a mutant strain unable to metabolize galactose. Since the pentose phosphate pathway in S. meliloti is not well studied, strains carrying mutations in either tkt2 and tal, which encodes a putative transaldolase, were characterized. Carbon metabolism phenotypes revealed that both mutants were impaired in growth on erythritol and ribose. This phenotype was more pronounced for the tkt2 mutant strain, which also displayed auxotrophy for aromatic amino acids. Changes in pentose phosphate pathway metabolite concentrations were also consistent with a mutation in either tkt2 or tal The concentrations of metabolites in central carbon metabolism were also found to shift dramatically in strains carrying a tkt2 mutation. While the concentrations of proteins involved in central carbon metabolism did not change significantly under any conditions, the levels of those associated with iron acquisition increased in the wild-type strain with erythritol induction. These proteins were not detected in either mutant, resulting in less observable rhizobactin production in the tkt2 mutant. While both mutants were impaired in succinoglycan synthesis, only the tkt2 mutant strain was unable to establish symbiosis with alfalfa. These results suggest that tkt2 and tal play central roles in regulating the carbon flow necessary for carbon metabolism and the establishment of symbiosis.IMPORTANCESinorhizobium meliloti is a model organism for the study of plant-microbe interactions and metabolism, especially because it effects nitrogen fixation. The ability to derive the energy necessary for nitrogen fixation is dependent on an organism's ability to metabolize carbon efficiently. The pentose phosphate pathway is central in the interconversion of hexoses and pentoses. This study characterizes the key enzymes of the nonoxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway by using defined genetic mutations and shows the effects the mutations have on the metabolite profile and on physiological processes such as the biosynthesis of exopolysaccharide, as well as the ability to regulate iron acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin P Hawkins
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Patricia A Ordonez
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Ivan J Oresnik
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Hawkins JP, Geddes BA, Oresnik IJ. Succinoglycan Production Contributes to Acidic pH Tolerance in Sinorhizobium meliloti Rm1021. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2017; 30:1009-1019. [PMID: 28871850 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-07-17-0176-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In this work, the hypothesis that exopolysaccharide plays a role in the survival of Sinorhizobium meliloti at low pH levels is addressed. When S. meliloti was grown at pH 5.75, synthesis of succinoglycan increased, whereas synthesis of galactoglucan decreased. Succinoglycan that was isolated from cultures grown at low pH had a lower degree of polymerization relative to that which was isolated from cultures grown at neutral pH, suggesting that low-molecular weight (LMW) succinoglycan might play a role in adaptation to low pH. Mutants unable to produce succinoglycan or only able to produce high-molecular weight polysaccharide were found to be sensitive to low pH. However, strains unable to produce LMW polysaccharide were 10-fold more sensitive. In response to low pH, transcription of genes encoding proteins for succinoglycan, glycogen, and cyclic β(1-2) glucans biosynthesis increased, while those encoding proteins necessary for the biosynthesis of galactoglucan decreased. While changes in pH did not affect the production of glycogen or cyclic β(1-2) glucan, it was found that the inability to produce cyclic β(1-2) glucan did contribute to pH tolerance in the absence of succinoglycan. Finally, in addition to being sensitive to low pH, a strain carrying mutations in exoK and exsH, which encode the glycanases responsible for the cleavage of succinoglycan to LMW succinoglycan, exhibited a delay in nodulation and was uncompetitive for nodule occupancy. Taken together, the data suggest that the role for LMW succinoglycan in nodule development may be to enhance survival in the colonized curled root hair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin P Hawkins
- Dept. of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Barney A Geddes
- Dept. of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Ivan J Oresnik
- Dept. of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, R3T 2N2, Canada
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Hawkins JP, Oresnik IJ. Characterisation of a gene encoding a membrane protein that affects exopolysaccharide production and intracellular Mg2+ concentrations in Ensifer meliloti. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2017; 364:3072829. [DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnx061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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