Legume nodulation: successful symbiosis through short- and long-distance signalling
Mark Kinkema1, Paul T Scott1, Peter M Gresshoff1
1ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Legume Research, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia.
Abstract:
Nodulation in legumes provides a major conduit of available nitrogen into the biosphere. The development of nitrogen-fixing nodules results from a symbiotic interaction between soil bacteria, commonly called rhizobia, and legume plants. Molecular genetic analysis in both model and agriculturally important legume species has resulted in the identification of a variety of genes that are essential for the establishment, maintenance and regulation of this symbiosis. Autoregulation of nodulation (AON) is a major internal process by which nodule numbers are controlled through prior nodulation events. Characterisation of AON-deficient mutants has revealed a novel systemic signal transduction pathway controlled by a receptor-like kinase. This review reports our present level of understanding on the short- and long-distance signalling networks controlling early nodulation events and AON.
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