A Lotus japonicus beta-type carbonic anhydrase gene expression pattern suggests distinct physiological roles during nodule development

Growing on calcareous soils and facing climate change

Soil calcium carbonate (CaCO3) impacts plant mineral nutrition far beyond Fe metabolism, imposing constraints for crop growth and quality in calcareous agrosystems. Our knowledge on plant strategies to tolerate CaCO3 effects mainly refers to Fe acquisition. This review provides an update on plant cellular and molecular mechanisms recently described to counteract the negative effects of CaCO3 in soils, as well as recent efforts to identify genetic bases involved in CaCO3 tolerance from natural populations, that could be exploited to breed CaCO3-tolerant crops. Finally, we review the impact of environmental factors (soil water content, air CO2, and temperature) affecting soil CaCO3 equilibrium and plant tolerance to calcareous soils, and we propose strategies for improvement in the context of climate change.

Transcriptome sequencing and functional verification revealed the roles of exogenous magnesium in tobacco anti-PVY infection

Potato virus Y (PVY) infection causes necrosis and curling of leaves, which seriously affect the yield and quality of Solanaceous crops. The roles of nutrient elements in the regulation of plant resistance to virus infection has been widely reported, while the mechanisms are poorly studied. Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that foliar spraying of MgSO4 could induce Nicotiana tabacum resistance to PVY by increasing the activity of defense-related enzymes. Consistent with the results, we found that exogenous magnesium (Mg) had a certain effect on N. tabacum anti-PVY infection. Meanwhile, Illumina RNA sequencing revealed that Mg induced resistance to PVY infection was mainly by regulating carbohydrate metabolism and transportation, nitrogen metabolism, Ca2+ signal transduction and oxidative phosphorylation. Moreover, we used virus-induced gene silencing assays to verify the function of homologs of five N. tabacum genes involved in above pathways in N. benthamiana. The results showed that NbTPS and NbGBE were conducive to PVY infection, while NbPPases and NbNR were related to resistance to PVY infection. These results suggested a novel strategy for resistance to PVY infection and provided a theoretical basis for virus-resistance breeding.

Overexpression of cytoplasmic C4 Flaveria bidentis carbonic anhydrase in C3 Arabidopsis thaliana increases amino acids, photosynthetic potential, and biomass

An important method to improve photosynthesis in C₃ crops, such as rice and wheat, is to transfer efficient C₄ characters to them. Here, cytosolic carbonic anhydrase (CA: βCA3) of the C₄ Flaveria bidentis (Fb) was overexpressed under the control of ³⁵ S promoter in Arabidopsis thaliana, a C₃ plant, to enhance its photosynthetic efficiency. Overexpression of CA resulted in a better supply of the substrate HCO3- for the endogenous phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in the cytosol of the overexpressers, and increased its activity for generating malate that feeds into the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This provided additional carbon skeleton for increased synthesis of amino acids aspartate, asparagine, glutamate, and glutamine. Increased amino acids contributed to higher protein content in the transgenics. Furthermore, expression of FbβCA3 in Arabidopsis led to a better growth due to expression of several genes leading to higher chlorophyll content, electron transport, and photosynthetic carbon assimilation in the transformants. Enhanced CO₂ assimilation resulted in increased sugar and starch content, and plant dry weight. In addition, transgenic plants had lower stomatal conductance, reduced transpiration rate, and higher water-use efficiency. These results, taken together, show that expression of C₄ CA in the cytosol of a C₃ plant can indeed improve its photosynthetic capacity with enhanced water-use efficiency.

Molecular Characterization of Carbonic Anhydrase Genes in Lotus japonicus and Their Potential Roles in Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) plays a vital role in photosynthetic tissues of higher plants, whereas its non-photosynthetic role in the symbiotic root nodule was rarely characterized. In this study, 13 CA genes were identified in the model legume Lotus japonicus by comparison with Arabidopsis CA genes. Using qPCR and promoter-reporter fusion methods, three previously identified nodule-enhanced CA genes (LjαCA2, LjαCA6, and LjβCA1) have been further characterized, which exhibit different spatiotemporal expression patterns during nodule development. LjαCA2 was expressed in the central infection zone of the mature nodule, including both infected and uninfected cells. LjαCA6 was restricted to the vascular bundle of the root and nodule. As for LjβCA1, it was expressed in most cell types of nodule primordia but only in peripheral cortical cells and uninfected cells of the mature nodule. Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, the knockout of LjβCA1 or both LjαCA2 and its homolog, LjαCA1, did not result in abnormal symbiotic phenotype compared with the wild-type plants, suggesting that LjβCA1 or LjαCA1/2 are not essential for the nitrogen fixation under normal symbiotic conditions. Nevertheless, the nodule-enhanced expression patterns and the diverse distributions in different types of cells imply their potential functions during root nodule symbiosis, such as CO₂ fixation, N assimilation, and pH regulation, which await further investigations.

High CO2 - and pathogen-driven expression of the carbonic anhydrase βCA3 confers basal immunity in tomato

Atmospheric CO₂ concentrations exert a strong influence on the susceptibility of plants to pathogens. However, the mechanisms involved in the CO₂ -dependent regulation of pathogen resistance are largely unknown. Here we show that the expression of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) β-CARBONIC ANHYDRASE 3 (βCA3) is induced by the virulent pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000. The role of βCA3 in the high CO₂ -mediated response in tomato and two other Solanaceae crops is distinct from that in Arabidopsis thaliana. Using βCA3 knock-out and over-expression plants, we demonstrate that βCA3 plays a positive role in the activation of basal immunity, particularly under high CO₂ . βCA3 is transcriptionally activated by the transcription factor NAC43 and is also post-translationally regulated by the receptor-like kinase GRACE1. The βCA3 pathway of basal immunity is independent on stomatal- and salicylic-acid-dependent regulation. Global transcriptome analysis and cell wall metabolite measurement implicate cell wall metabolism/integrity in βCA3-mediated basal immunity under both CO₂ conditions. These data not only highlight the importance of βCA3 in plant basal immunity under high CO₂ in a well-studied susceptible crop-pathogen system, but they also point to new targets for disease management strategies in a changing climate.

Roots and Nodules Response Differently to P Starvation in the Mediterranean-Type Legume Virgilia divaricata

Virgilia divaricata is a tree legume that grows in the Cape Floristic Region (CFA) in poor nutrient soils. A comparison between high and low phosphate growth conditions between roots and nodules was conducted and evaluated for the plants ability to cope under low phosphate stress conditions in V. divaricata. We proved that the plant copes with low phosphate stress through an increased allocation of resources, reliance on BNF and enhanced enzyme activity, especially PEPC. Nodules had a lower percentage decline in P compared to roots to uphold its metabolic functions. These strategies partly explain how V. divaricata can sustain growth despite LP conditions. Although the number of nodules declined with LP, their biomass remained unchanged in spite of a plant decline in dry weight. This is achieved via the high efficiency of BNF under P stress. During LP, nodules had a lower % decline at 34% compared to the roots at 88%. We attribute this behavior to P conservation strategies in LP nodules that imply an increase in a metabolic bypass that operates at the PEP branch point in glycolysis. The enhanced activities of nodule PEPC, MDH, and ME, whilst PK declines, suggests that under LP conditions an adenylate bypass was in operation either to synthesize more organic acids or to mediate pyruvate via a non-adenylate requiring metabolic route. Both possibilities represent a P-stress adaptation route and this is the first report of its kind for legume trees that are indigenous to low P, acid soils. Although BNF declined by a small percentage during LP, this P conservation was evident in the unchanged BNF efficiency per weight, and the increase in BNF efficiency per mol of P. It appears that legumes that are indigenous to acid soils, may be able to continue their reliance on BNF via increased allocation to nodules and also due to increase their efficiency for BNF on a P basis, owing to P-saving mechanisms such as the organic acid routes.

Transport and Use of Bicarbonate in Plants: Current Knowledge and Challenges Ahead

Bicarbonate plays a fundamental role in the cell pH status in all organisms. In autotrophs, HCO₃− may further contribute to carbon concentration mechanisms (CCM). This is especially relevant in the CO₂-poor habitats of cyanobacteria, aquatic microalgae, and macrophytes. Photosynthesis of terrestrial plants can also benefit from CCM as evidenced by the evolution of C₄ and Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). The presence of HCO₃− in all organisms leads to more questions regarding the mechanisms of uptake and membrane transport in these different biological systems. This review aims to provide an overview of the transport and metabolic processes related to HCO₃− in microalgae, macroalgae, seagrasses, and terrestrial plants. HCO₃− transport in cyanobacteria and human cells is much better documented and is included for comparison. We further comment on the metabolic roles of HCO₃− in plants by focusing on the diversity and functions of carbonic anhydrases and PEP carboxylases as well as on the signaling role of CO₂/HCO₃− in stomatal guard cells. Plant responses to excess soil HCO₃− is briefly addressed. In conclusion, there are still considerable gaps in our knowledge of HCO₃− uptake and transport in plants that hamper the development of breeding strategies for both more efficient CCM and better HCO₃− tolerance in crop plants.

Plant Carbonic Anhydrases: Structures, Locations, Evolution, and Physiological Roles

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are zinc metalloenzymes that catalyze the interconversion of CO2 and HCO3- and are ubiquitous in nature. Higher plants contain three evolutionarily distinct CA families, αCAs, βCAs, and γCAs, where each family is represented by multiple isoforms in all species. Alternative splicing of CA transcripts appears common; consequently, the number of functional CA isoforms in a species may exceed the number of genes. CAs are expressed in numerous plant tissues and in different cellular locations. The most prevalent CAs are those in the chloroplast, cytosol, and mitochondria. This diversity in location is paralleled in the many physiological and biochemical roles that CAs play in plants. In this review, the number and types of CAs in C3, C4, and crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants are considered, and the roles of the α and γCAs are briefly discussed. The remainder of the review focuses on plant βCAs and includes the identification of homologs between species using phylogenetic approaches, a consideration of the inter- and intracellular localization of the proteins, along with the evidence for alternative splice forms. Current understanding of βCA tissue-specific expression patterns and what controls them are reviewed, and the physiological roles for which βCAs have been implicated are presented.

β-carbonic anhydrases and carbonic ions uptake positively influence Arabidopsis photosynthesis, oxidative stress tolerance and growth in light dependent manner

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) catalyse reversible interconversion of CO₂ and water into bicarbonate and protons and regulate concentration of CO₂ around photosynthetic enzymes. In higher plants the CAs are divided into three distinct classes α, β and γ, with members off each of them being involved in CO₂ uptake, fixation or recycling. The most abundant group is βCAs. In C4 plants they are localized in the cytosol of mesophyll cells and catalyse first step of carbon concentration pathway. C3 plants contain orthologues genes encoding βCAs's, however their functions are unknown. Given the importance of βCAs in the present study we analysed the effect of carbonic ions, selected orthologues βCAs's gene expression and βCAs enzymatic activity on Arabidopsis photosynthesis, growth and cell death in different light conditions. Plants fertilised with 0.5-3mM sodium bicarbonate had a significantly increased number of leaves, improved fresh and dry weight and reduced cell death (cellular ion leakage). This effect was dependent on provided photon flux density and photoperiod. Higher content of carbonic ions also stimulated photoprotective mechanisms such as non-photochemical quenching and foliar content of photoprotective pigments (neoxanthin, violaxanthin and carotenes). Function of various βCAs genes examined in null βcas mutants showed to be complementary and additive, and confirm results of fertilizing experiments. Taken together, regulation of βCAs gene expression and enzymatic activities are important for optimal plant growth and probably can be one of the factor influencing a switch between C3 and C4 photosynthesis mode in variable light conditions. Therefore, biotechnological amelioration of βCAs activity in economically important plants and their fertilisation with carbonic ions may lead to improved photosynthetic efficiency and further crop productivity.

Anion inhibition studies of two α-carbonic anhydrases from Lotus japonicus, LjCAA1 and LjCAA2

The model organism for the investigation of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legumes Lotus japonicus encodes two carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) belonging to the α-class, LjCAA1 and LjCAA2. Here we report the kinetic characterization and inhibition of these two CAs with inorganic and complex anions and other molecules interacting with zinc proteins, such as sulfamide, sulfamic acid, and phenylboronic/arsonic acids. LjCAA1 showed a high catalytic activity for the CO2 hydration reaction, with a k(cat) of 7.4∗10(5) s(-1) and a k(cat)/K(m) of 9.6∗10(7) M(-1) s(-1) and was inhibited in the low micromolar range by N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate, sulfamide, sulfamic acid, phenylboronic/arsonic acid (K(I)s of 4-62 μM). LjCAA2 showed a moderate catalytic activity for the physiologic reaction, with a k(cat) of 4.0∗10(5) s(-1) and a k(cat)/K(m) of 4.9∗10(7) M(-1) s(-1). The same anions mentioned above for the inhibition of LjCAA1 showed the best activity against LjCAA2 (K(I)s of 7-29 μM). Nitrate and nitrite, anions involved in nitrogen fixation, showed lower affinity for the two enzymes, with inhibition constants in the range of 3.7-7.0 mM. Halides and sulfate also behaved in a distinct manner towards the two enzymes investigated here. As LjCAA1/2 participate in the pH regulation processes and CO2 metabolism within the nitrogen-fixing nodules of the plant, our studies may shed some light regarding these complex biochemical processes.

Carbonic anhydrase: a key regulatory and detoxifying enzyme for Karst plants

Karstification is a rapid process during which calcidic stones/limestones undergo dissolution with the consequence of a desertification of karst regions. A slow-down of those dissolution processes of Ca-carbonate can be approached by a reforestation program using karst-resistant plants that can resist alkaline pH and higher bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) concentrations in the soil. Carbonic anhydrases (CA) are enzymes that mediate a rapid and reversible interconversion of CO₂ and HCO₃⁻. In the present study, the steady-state expression of a CA gene, encoding for the plant carbonic anhydrase from the parsley Petroselinum crispum, is monitored. The studies were primarily been performed during germination of the seeds up to the 12/14-day-old embryos. The CA cDNA was cloned. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis revealed that the gene expression level of the P. crispum CA is strongly and significantly affected at more alkaline pH in the growth medium (pH 8.3). This abolishing effect is counteracted both by addition of HCO₃⁻ and by addition of polyphosphate (polyP) to the culture medium. In response to polyP, the increased pH in the vacuoles of the growing plants is normalized. The effect of polyP let us to propose that this polymer acts as a buffer system that facilitates the adjustment of the pH in the cytoplasm. In addition, it is proposed that polyP has the potential to act, especially in the karst, as a fertilizer that allows the karstic plants to cope with the adverse pH and HCO₃⁻ condition in the soil.

Family-wide expression characterization of Arabidopsis beta-carbonic anhydrase genes using qRT-PCR and Promoter::GUS fusions

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) are metalloenzymes found throughout the phylogenetic tree. The β-class carbonic anhydrases (β-CAs) are the predominating class of CAs in plants. Growing evidence underscores the importance of β-CAs in plant immunity and environmental adaptation in addition to their roles in photosynthesis. However, many fundamental problems in Arabidopsis βCAs expression remain unsolved. Here we examined the transcript abundance of AtβCAs in different tissues of Arabidopsis thaliana, and the accumulation of mRNA in response to CO2 and darkness. Histochemical analysis was performed to study the promoter activity of AtβCAs during post-germination seedling growth and in mature plants. All six members of the AtβCA subfamily showed a response to changed CO2 level and darkness, but each member showed a specific dynamic pattern. Although expression of each AtβCA was unique, in general most AtβCAs were synchronously expressed in green leaves since 5 days after germination until flowering. AtβCA1 and AtβCA2 were most highly expressed in leaves but AtβCA2 displayed weaker expression in roots. The level of AtβCA3 transcripts was highest in flowers, while AtβCA5 was most widely expressed and might be involved in more processes than other members. AtβCA6 was unique for increased expression in darkness and no expression in either the anther or pistil. The present study provides useful information for further functional investigation.

Carbonic anhydrase and the molecular evolution of C4 photosynthesis

C(4) photosynthesis, a biochemical CO(2)-concentrating mechanism (CCM), evolved more than 60 times within the angiosperms from C(3) ancestors. The genus Flaveria, which contains species demonstrating C(3), C(3)-C(4), C(4)-like or C(4) photosynthesis, is a model for examining the molecular evolution of the C(4) pathway. Work with carbonic anhydrase (CA), and C(3) and C(4) Flaveria congeners has added significantly to the understanding of this process. The C(4) form of CA3, a β-CA, which catalyses the first reaction in the C(4) pathway by hydrating atmospheric CO(2) to bicarbonate in the cytosol of mesophyll cells (mcs), evolved from a chloroplastic C(3) ancestor. The molecular modifications to the ancestral CA3 gene included the loss of the sequence encoding the chloroplast transit peptide, and mutations in regulatory regions that resulted in high levels of expression in the C(4) mesophyll. Analyses of the CA3 proteins and regulatory elements from Flaveria photosynthetic intermediates indicated C(4) biochemistry very likely evolved in a specific, stepwise manner in this genus. The details of the mechanisms involved in the molecular evolution of other C(4) plant β-CAs are unknown; however, comparative genetics indicate gene duplication and neofunctionalization played significant roles as they did in Flaveria.

Nodulation enhances dark CO₂ fixation and recycling in the model legume Lotus japonicus

During symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF), the nodule becomes a strong sink for photosynthetic carbon. Here, it was studied whether nodule dark CO(2) fixation could participate in a mechanism for CO(2) recycling through C(4)-type photosynthesis. Differences in the natural δ(13)C abundance between Lotus japonicus inoculated or not with the N-fixing Mesorhizobium loti were assessed. (13)C labelling and gene expression of key enzymes of CO(2) metabolism were applied in plants inoculated with wild-type or mutant fix(-) (deficient in N fixation) strains of M. loti, and in non-inoculated plants. Compared with non-inoculated legumes, inoculated legumes had higher natural δ(13)C abundance and total C in their hypergeous organs and nodules. In stems, (13)C accumulation and expression of genes coding for enzymes of malate metabolism were greater in inoculated compared with non-inoculated plants. Malate-oxidizing activity was localized in stem xylem parenchyma, sieve tubes, and photosynthetic outer cortex parenchyma of inoculated plants. In stems of plants inoculated with fix(-) M. loti strains, (13)C accumulation remained high, while accumulation of transcripts coding for malic enzyme isoforms increased. A potential mechanism is proposed for reducing carbon losses during SNF by the direct reincorporation of CO(2) respired by nodules and the transport and metabolism of C-containing metabolites in hypergeous organs.

The role of proteins in C(3) plants prior to their recruitment into the C(4) pathway

Our most productive crops and native vegetation use a modified version of photosynthesis known as the C(4) pathway. Leaves of C(4) crops have increased nitrogen and water use efficiencies compared with C(3) species. Although the modifications to leaves of C(4) plants are complex, their faster growth led to the proposal that C(4) photosynthesis should be installed in C(3) crops in order to increase yield potential. Typically, a limited set of proteins become restricted to mesophyll or bundle sheath cells, and this allows CO(2) to be concentrated around the primary carboxylase RuBisCO. The role that these proteins play in C(3) species prior to their recruitment into the C(4) pathway is addressed here. Understanding the role of these proteins in C(3) plants is likely to be of use in predicting how the metabolism of a C(3) leaf will alter as components of the C(4) pathway are introduced as part of efforts to install characteristics of C(4) photosynthesis in leaves of C(3) crops.

Characterization of two novel nodule-enhanced α-type carbonic anhydrases from Lotus japonicus

Two cDNA clones coding for α-type carbonic anhydrases (CA; EC 4.2.1.1) in the nitrogen-fixing nodules of the model legume Lotus japonicus were identified. Functionality of the full-length proteins was confirmed by heterologous expression in Escherichia coli and purification of the encoded polypeptides. The developmental expression pattern of LjCAA1 and LjCAA2 revealed that both genes code for nodule enhanced carbonic anhydrase isoforms, which are induced early during nodule development. The genes were slightly to moderately down-regulated in ineffective nodules formed by mutant Mesorhizobium loti strains, indicating that these genes may also be involved in biochemical and physiological processes not directly linked to nitrogen fixation/assimilation. The spatial expression profiling revealed that both genes were expressed in nodule inner cortical cells, vascular bundles and central tissue. These results are discussed in the context of the possible roles of CA in nodule carbon dioxide (CO(2)) metabolism.

Co-localization of carbonic anhydrase and phosphoenol-pyruvate carboxylase and localization of pyruvate kinase in roots and hypocotyls of etiolated Glycine max seedlings

We investigated the presence of carbonic anhydrase in root and hypocotyl of etiolated soybean using enzymatic, histochemical, immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization approaches. In parallel, we used in situ hybridization and immunolocalization to determine the expression pattern and localization of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase. Their co-localization in the root tip as well as in the central cylinder, suggests that a large fraction of the CO(2) may be re-introduced into C4 compounds. GmPK3 expression, coding for a cytoplasmic isoform of pyruvate kinase, was detected in all different root cell types, suggesting that both phosphoenolpyruvate-utilizing enzymes are involved in phosphoenolpyruvate metabolism in etiolated soybean roots; a case indicative of the necessary flexibility plant metabolism has to adopt in order to compensate various physiological conditions.

Characterization of a Mesorhizobium loti alpha-type carbonic anhydrase and its role in symbiotic nitrogen fixation

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) (EC 4.2.1.1) is a widespread enzyme catalyzing the reversible hydration of CO(2) to bicarbonate, a reaction that participates in many biochemical and physiological processes. Mesorhizobium loti, the microsymbiont of the model legume Lotus japonicus, possesses on the symbiosis island a gene (msi040) encoding an alpha-type CA homologue, annotated as CAA1. In the present work, the CAA1 open reading frame from M. loti strain R7A was cloned, expressed, and biochemically characterized, and it was proven to be an active alpha-CA. The biochemical and physiological roles of the CAA1 gene in free-living and symbiotic rhizobia were examined by using an M. loti R7A disruption mutant strain. Our analysis revealed that CAA1 is expressed in both nitrogen-fixing bacteroids and free-living bacteria during growth in batch cultures, where gene expression was induced by increased medium pH. L. japonicus plants inoculated with the CAA1 mutant strain showed no differences in top-plant traits and nutritional status but consistently formed a higher number of nodules exhibiting higher fresh weight, N content, nitrogenase activity, and delta(13)C abundance. Based on these results, we propose that although CAA1 is not essential for nodule development and symbiotic nitrogen fixation, it may participate in an auxiliary mechanism that buffers the bacteroid periplasm, creating an environment favorable for NH(3) protonation, thus facilitating its diffusion and transport to the plant. In addition, changes in the nodule delta(13)C abundance suggest the recycling of at least part of the HCO(3)(-) produced by CAA1.

Reduction of plastid-localized carbonic anhydrase activity results in reduced Arabidopsis seedling survivorship

Carbonic anhydrase (CA; EC 4.2.1.1) catalyzes the interconversion of CO2 and HCO3(-) and is a major protein constituent of the C3 higher plant chloroplast where it is presumed to play a role in photosynthetic carbon assimilation. In this study, we have used both RNA antisense and gene knockout lines to specifically reduce the activity of the chloroplast betaCA1 polypeptide (At3g01500) in the model plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Although able to germinate, seedling establishment of transgenic plants is significantly reduced relative to wild-type plants when grown at ambient levels of CO2. Growth at elevated (1,500 microL L(-1)) CO2 or on plates supplemented with sucrose restores seedling establishment rates to wild-type levels. Seed from wild-type and transgenic plants exhibited no significant differences in seed protein, lipid content, or reserve mobilization during seedling growth. betaCA1-deficient seedlings do, however, exhibit reduced capacity for light-dependent 14CO2 assimilation prior to the development of true leaves. The small number of surviving seedlings able to grow and develop are phenotypically similar to wild-type plants, even when subsequently grown at subambient levels of CO2. Microarray analysis of mature leaves of betaCA1-deficient plants shows some differences in transcript abundance, particularly with genes involved in ethylene signaling and response. The data suggest that reduced levels of seedling establishment by betaCA1-deficient plants could be the result of poor cotyledon photosynthetic performance at the onset of phototrophic growth and prior to the development of true leaves.

Spatial and temporal organization of sucrose metabolism in Lotus japonicus nitrogen-fixing nodules suggests a role for the elusive alkaline/neutral invertase

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) in legume nodules is a highly energy demanding process, fuelled by plant-supplied carbohydrates mainly in the form of sucrose. In this study, we have combined molecular and biochemical approaches in order to study the spatial and temporal organisation of sucrose metabolism in nitrogen-fixing nodules of the model legume Lotus japonicus, with an emphasis on the neglected role of alkaline/neutral invertase. For this purpose, a full-length cDNA clone coding for an alkaline/neutral invertase isoform, termed LjInv1, was identified in a L. japonicus mature nodule cDNA libraries. Alkaline/neutral invertase activity was also found to be the predominant invertase activity in mature nodules. Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis was used in order to study the temporal expression patterns of LjInv1 in parallel with genes encoding acid invertase and sucrose synthase (SuSy) isoforms, and enzymes involved in the subsequent hexose partitioning including hexokinase, phosphoglucomutase (PGM) and phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI). The spatial organisation of sucrose metabolism was studied by in situ localisation of LjInv1 transcripts and alkaline/neutral invertase activity, and SuSy protein during nodule development. Furthermore, the spatial organisation of hexose metabolism was investigated by histochemical localisation of hexokinase, PGM and PGI activities in mature nodules. The results considered together indicate that alkaline/neutral invertase could contribute to both the Glc-1-P and Glc-6-P pools in nodules, fuelling both biosynthetic processes and SNF. Furthermore, transcript profiling analysis revealed that genes coding for hexokinase and putative plastidic PGM and PGI isoforms are upregulated during the early stages of nodule development, while the levels of transcripts corresponding to cytosolic PGM and PGI isoforms remained similar to uninfected roots, indicating a possible role of LjInv1 in producing hexoses for starch production and other biosynthetic processes in developing nodules.

Identification of a Sed5 -like SNARE Gene LjSYP32-1 that Contributes to Nodule Tissue Formation of Lotus japonicus

We identified a Sed5-like clone LjSYP32-1 which contributes to nodule tissue formation and plant growth in Lotus japonicus. In the L. japonicus expressed sequence tag (EST) clone databases of Kazusa DNA Research Institute, another syntaxin-related clone (LjSYP32-2) was also detected, and the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of these two clone are very similar to each other. Real-time PCR and promoter analysis indicated that expression of LjSYP32-1 was dominant compared with LjSYP32-2 in the various plant organs. Promoter analysis and in situ hybridization revealed that LjSYP32-1 was expressed significantly in the inner cortex cell layer surrounding the infected zone of young nodules and in the meristem area of developing lateral root. To explore the function and physiological role of LjSYP32-1 in nodules and other plant organs, stable transformation lines of L. japonicus expressing either sense or antisense LjSYP32-1 were prepared. The antisense plants showed a significantly retarded plant growth phenotype, suggesting a role for LjSYP32-1 in supporting plant growth. In the same transgenic lines, the plants were capable of forming nodules, but the acetylene reduction activity was reduced by around 50% per plant. The nodules were much smaller and some nodules were fused to each other by sharing the inner cortex. The rate of occurrence of such irregular nodules was twice that observed in wild-type plants. The data suggest that LjSYP32-1 contributes to the support of plant growth and normal nodule tissue differentiation.

Expressed sequence-tag analysis in Casuarina glauca actinorhizal nodule and root

The present study aimed to identify and assess the frequency and tissue specificity of plant genes in the actinorhizal Casuarina glauca-Frankia symbiosis through expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis. Using a custom analysis pipeline for raw sequences of C. glauca uninfected roots and nodules, we obtained an EST databank web interface. Gene expression was studied in nodules vs roots using comparative quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). From roots and nodules, 2028 ESTs were created and clustered in 242 contigs and 1429 singletons, giving a total of 1616 unique genes. Half the nodule transcripts showed no similarity to previously identified genes. Genes of primary metabolism, protein synthesis, cell division and defence were highly represented in the nodule library. Differential expression was observed between roots and nodules for several genes linked to primary metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis. This comparative EST-based study provides the first picture of the set of genes expressed during actinorhizal symbiosis. We consider our database to be a flexible tool that can be used for the management of EST data from other actinorhizal symbioses.

The galactolipid digalactosyldiacylglycerol accumulates in the peribacteroid membrane of nitrogen-fixing nodules of soybean and Lotus

The peribacteroid membrane (PBM) surrounding nitrogen fixing rhizobia in the nodules of legumes is crucial for the exchange of ammonium and nutrients between the bacteria and the host cell. Digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), a galactolipid abundant in chloroplasts, was detected in the PBM of soybean (Glycine max) and Lotus japonicus. Analyses of membrane marker proteins and of fatty acid composition confirmed that DGDG represents an authentic PBM lipid of plant origin and is not derived from the bacteria or from plastid contamination. In Arabidopsis, DGDG is known to accumulate in extraplastidic membranes during phosphate deprivation. However, the presence of DGDG in soybean PBM was not restricted to phosphate limiting conditions. Complementary DNA sequences corresponding to the two DGDG synthases, DGD1 and DGD2 from Arabidopsis, were isolated from soybean and Lotus. The two genes were expressed during later stages of nodule development in infected cells and in cortical tissue. Because nodule development depends on the presence of high amounts of phosphate in the growth medium, the accumulation of the non-phosphorus galactolipid DGDG in the PBM might be important to save phosphate for other essential processes, i.e. nucleic acid synthesis in bacteroids and host cells.