Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
10:58
Plant Promoter Analysis: Identification and Characterization of Root Nodule Specific Promoter in the Common Bean
Published on: December 23, 2017
Flavonoid-responsive nodY-lacZ expression in three phylogenetically different Bradyrhizobium groups
1Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Saiwai-cho 3-5-8, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan. tadashiy@cc.tuat.ac.jp
Canadian Journal of Microbiology
|May 2, 2008
Summary
Soybean Bradyrhizobium strains exhibit unique responses to flavonoids. Prunetin and esculetin were identified as specific nod gene inducers, differentiating Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Bradyrhizobium elkanii, and Thai Bradyrhizobium.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Plant-Microbe Interactions
Background:
- Genetic diversity exists within Bradyrhizobium nodD1ABC gene regions.
- Phylogenetic differences in nodD1 sequences suggest varied NodD1 protein responses to flavonoids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differential flavonoid-mediated nod gene induction across Bradyrhizobium groups.
- To identify specific flavonoids that induce nod gene expression uniquely in different Bradyrhizobium strains.
Main Methods:
- Construction of six reporter strains containing a nodY-lacZ fusion.
- Evaluation of nodY-lacZ expression in response to 37 flavonoid compounds at various concentrations.
Main Results:
- Prunetin and esculetin were identified as Bradyrhizobium group-specific nod gene inducers.
- Esculetin uniquely induced nod gene activity in Thai Bradyrhizobium strains.
- Prunetin increased nodY-lacZ induction in Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Thai Bradyrhizobium, but not in Bradyrhizobium elkanii.
Conclusions:
- Flavonoid perception and response mechanisms vary significantly among Bradyrhizobium species.
- Prunetin and esculetin can serve as molecular markers for differentiating Bradyrhizobium groups based on nod gene induction patterns.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Cell Signaling in Plants
Plant cells communicate to coordinate their cycle of growth, flowering and fruiting, and activities in roots, shoots, and leaves in response to the changing environmental conditions. Plant signaling is distinct from animal signaling. Plants primarily utilize enzyme-linked receptors, whereas the largest class of cell-surface receptors in animals are G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Unlike animals, receptor tyrosine kinases are rare in plants. Instead, plants have a diverse class of...
02:12Short-distance Transport of Resources
Short-distance transport refers to transport that occurs over a distance of just 2-3 cells, crossing the plasma membrane in the process. Small uncharged molecules, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water, can diffuse across the plasma membrane on their own. In contrast, ions and larger molecules require the assistance of transport proteins due to their charge or size. Transport across membranes also occurs within individual cells, playing a variety of essential roles for the plant as a whole.
01:14Cell Adhesion in Plants
Plants have rigid cell walls that are made up of cell wall polysaccharides that mediate cell-cell adhesion. The primary cell walls of plants consist of two independent and interacting polysaccharide networks: a pectin matrix that embeds the second network comprising cellulose and hemicelluloses.
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose, and...
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose, and...
01:56Plant Hormones
Plant hormones—or phytohormones—are chemical molecules that modulate one or more physiological processes of a plant. In animals, hormones are often produced in specific glands and circulated via the circulatory system. However, plants lack hormone-producing glands.
01:56Plant Hormones
Plant hormones—or phytohormones—are chemical molecules that modulate one or more physiological processes of a plant. In animals, hormones are often produced in specific glands and circulated via the circulatory system. However, plants lack hormone-producing glands.
01:28Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
Quorum sensing is a mechanism of bacterial communication that enables coordinated gene expression in response to changes in population density. This facilitates collective behaviors that enhance survival, resource acquisition, and ecological adaptation. This process relies on small signaling molecules called autoinducers that accumulate as bacterial populations grow. When a critical threshold concentration of autoinducers is reached, bacterial cells collectively modify gene expression,...