The Medicago truncatula lysin [corrected] motif-receptor-like kinase gene family includes NFP and new nodule-expressed genes

Rhizobial Nod factors are key symbiotic signals responsible for starting the nodulation process in host legume plants. Of the six Medicago truncatula genes controlling a Nod factor signaling pathway, Nod Factor Perception (NFP) was reported as a candidate Nod factor receptor gene. Here, we provide further evidence for this by showing that NFP is a lysin [corrected] motif (LysM)-receptor-like kinase (RLK). NFP was shown both to be expressed in association with infection thread development and to be involved in the infection process. Consistent with deviations from conserved kinase domain sequences, NFP did not show autophosphorylation activity, suggesting that NFP needs to associate with an active kinase or has unusual functional characteristics different from classical kinases. Identification of nine new M. truncatula LysM-RLK genes revealed a larger family than in the nonlegumes Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) or rice (Oryza sativa) of at least 17 members that can be divided into three subfamilies. Three LysM domains could be structurally predicted for all M. truncatula LysM-RLK proteins, whereas one subfamily, which includes NFP, was characterized by deviations from conserved kinase sequences. Most of the newly identified genes were found to be expressed in roots and nodules, suggesting this class of receptors may be more extensively involved in nodulation than was previously known.

A method to measure genetic distance between allogamous populations of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) using RAPD molecular markers

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a forage legume of world-wide importance whose both allogamous and autotetraploid nature maximizes the genetic diversity within natural and cultivated populations. This genetic diversity makes difficult the discrimination between two related populations. We analyzed this genetic diversity by screening DNA from individual plants of eight cultivated and natural populations of M. sativa and M.  falcata using the RAPD method. A high level of genetic variation was found within and between populations. Using five primers, 64 intense bands were scored as present or absent across all populations. Most of the loci were revealed to be highly polymorphic whereas very few population-specific polymorphisms were identified. From these observations, we adopted a method based on the Roger's genetic distance between populations using the observed frequency of bands to discriminate populations pairwise. Except for one case, the between-population distances were all significantly different from zero. We have also determined the minimal number of bands and individuals required to test for the significance of between-population distances.

Identification of two groups of leghemoglobin genes in alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and a study of their expression during root nodule development

Differential screening of an alfalfa root nodule cDNA library with either root or nodule mRNA resulted in the isolation of two groups of leghemoglobin cDNA which differ significantly in sequence. Analysis of one member of each group revealed a divergence within the coding region of 15% at the nucleotide level and 14% at the amino acid level. The 3' non-coding sequences are 25% divergent but are highly conserved over a stretch of 54 nucleotides which contains two sequence motifs common to leghemoglobin genes from other plant species. Southern blotting analysis with exon-specific probes has shown that there are approximately twice as many leghemoglobin gene copies in the alfalfa genome corresponding to one type of cDNA as compared with the other. Using the same criterium of DNA sequence relatedness these two distinct groups of leghemoglobin genes have also been identified in the genomes of the diploid annual Medicago truncatula and the closely related genus, Melilotus. Transcripts corresponding to both groups of leghemoglobin genes are first detected in alfalfa nodules 9-10 days after Rhizobium inoculation. Thereafter, mRNA levels increase rapidly and synchronously, reaching a maximum approximately 2 days later. There is a 2-3 fold difference in the steady-state levels of the two mRNA populations and this is maintained throughout the subsequent two weeks of nodule growth. The absence of any detectable transcription during the early stages of nodule development and the apparent co-ordinate expression of leghemoglobin genes in alfalfa contrasts with the situation in soybean and suggests that important differences in leghemoglobin gene regulation exist between these two distantly related legume species.