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Plant Promoter Analysis: Identification and Characterization of Root Nodule Specific Promoter in the Common Bean

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Published on: December 23, 2017

TonB-dependent receptors in nitrogen-fixing nodulating bacteria.

¹School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China. bllim@hku.hk

Microbes and Environments

|May 18, 2011

Summary

TonB-dependent receptors (TBDRs) are crucial for nutrient uptake in Gram-negative bacteria. This study identifies TBDRs in rhizobacteria, revealing diverse roles beyond iron, including potential nickel and sugar transport.

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Genomics
Biochemistry

Background:

TonB-dependent receptors (TBDRs) facilitate high-affinity nutrient uptake in Gram-negative bacteria.
While initially studied for iron-siderophore complexes, TBDRs also transport sugars, vitamins, and heme.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the presence and diversity of TBDRs in nitrogen-fixing, nodulating rhizobacteria using a bioinformatics approach.
To explore the potential roles of TBDRs in the free-living and symbiotic states of Bradyrhizobium japonicum.

Main Methods:

Bioinformatic analysis of 13 selected rhizobacterial genomes.
Identification and clustering of TonB-dependent receptor-like genes.

Main Results:

TBDR gene counts varied from 1 to 14 across the studied rhizobacteria.
Identified TBDRs primarily clustered into 'heme' and 'iron-siderophores' groups.
Discovered putative nickel-specific and sugar-specific TBDRs, with no identified 'Vitamin B12' or 'Non-Fe cations' clusters.

Conclusions:

Rhizobacterial TBDRs exhibit significant diversity, expanding beyond known iron-related functions.
Proposed a model for the biological roles of TBDRs in Bradyrhizobium japonicum, considering both free-living and symbiotic conditions.