Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 4, 2026
09:59
MALDI-Mass Spectrometric Imaging for the Investigation of Metabolites in Medicago truncatula Root Nodules
Published on: March 5, 2014
19.5K
Signalling in actinorhizal root nodule symbioses
Valérie Hocher1, Mariama Ngom2,3, Alyssa Carré-Mlouka1,4
1LSTM, UMR 040 IRD/INRA/CIRAD, Université Montpellier/Supagro, TA A-82/J, Campus International de Baillarguet, 34398, Montpellier CDX 5, France.
Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek
|October 12, 2018
Summary
Actinorhizal symbiosis involves Frankia bacteria fixing nitrogen in plant root nodules. This review outlines signaling molecules, pathways, and gene networks crucial for this essential plant-microbe interaction.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Microbiology
- Symbiotic interactions
Background:
- Actinorhizal symbiosis is a nitrogen-fixing root nodule interaction between plants and Frankia bacteria.
- This symbiosis provides plants with essential nitrogen, promoting growth and nutrition.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms of actinorhizal nodulation is limited but advancing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review signaling molecules involved in actinorhizal nodule formation.
- To outline the signaling pathways and gene networks governing this symbiosis.
- To highlight recent discoveries in actinorhizal-plant-microbe interactions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific publications.
- Analysis of signaling pathways in actinorhizal nodulation.
- Examination of gene networks controlling nodule development.
Main Results:
- Identification of key signaling molecules at various stages of nodule formation.
- Elucidation of specific plant-microbe recognition and accommodation processes.
- Mapping of signaling cascades and gene regulatory networks.
Conclusions:
- Actinorhizal nodulation involves complex signaling essential for symbiosis establishment.
- Recent advancements facilitate deeper understanding of molecular mechanisms.
- Further research promises to unlock the full potential of this nitrogen-fixing symbiosis.
Related Concept Videos
03:02Primary and Secondary Growth in Roots and Shoots
60.5K
Vascular plants, which account for over 90% of the Earth’s vegetation, all undergo primary growth—which lengthens roots and shoots. Many land plants, notably woody plants, also undergo secondary growth—which thickens roots and shoots.
60.5K
00:57Root Mean Square
3.8K
If in an experiment, data values have a probability of being both positive and negative, neither the arithmetic mean, the geometric mean, nor the harmonic mean can be used to calculate the central tendency of the data set. In particular, if the positive and negative values are equally likely, the arithmetic mean is close to zero.
For example, consider the velocity of gas molecules in a container. The gas molecules are moving in different directions, which might impart positive and negative...
For example, consider the velocity of gas molecules in a container. The gas molecules are moving in different directions, which might impart positive and negative...
3.8K
01:45Endocrine Signaling
68.1K
Endocrine cells produce hormones to communicate with remote target cells found in other organs. The hormone reaches these distant areas using the circulatory system. This exposes the whole organism to the hormone but only those cells expressing hormone receptors or target cells are affected. Thus, endocrine signaling induces slow responses from its target cells but these effects also last longer.
68.1K
01:30Bacterial Signaling
40.7K
Bacterial signaling can occur within bacteria (intracellular) or between bacteria (intercellular). At times, a group of bacteria behaves like a community. To achieve this, they engage in quorum sensing, the perception of higher cell density that causes changes in gene expression. Quorum sensing involves both extracellular and intracellular signaling. The signaling cascade starts with a molecule called an autoinducer (AI). Individual bacteria produce AIs that move out of the bacterial cell...
40.7K
01:28Yeast Signaling
17.3K
Yeasts are single-celled organisms, but unlike bacteria, they are eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus). Cell signaling in yeast is similar to signaling in other eukaryotic cells. A ligand, such as a protein or a small molecule released from a yeast cell, attaches to a receptor on the cell surface. The binding stimulates second-messenger kinases to activate or inactivate transcription factors that further regulate gene expression. Many of the yeast intracellular signaling cascades have similar...
17.3K
02:03What is Cell Signaling?
130.4K
Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate to respond to the environment.
130.4K