The Rhizobium-legume symbiosis: plant morphogenesis in a nodule

Development of the legume root nodule can be divided conceptually into two parallel processes. On the one hand, there is the induction of a nodule meristem and the progressive differentiation of specialised cells and tissues. On the other hand, there is cell and tissue invasion by Rhizobium, which leads ultimately to the differentiation of intracellular bacteroids as specialised nitrogen-fixing endosymbionts. The early stages of plant-microbe communication seem to be mostly mediated by the exchange of soluble, diffusible signal molecules: flavonoid compounds are secreted by plant roots, and chitin-like lipooligosaccharides are secreted by rhizobia. Further development of the nodule structure may involve the interplay of fairly conventional plant growth regulators. Direct physical contact between the cell surfaces of the symbionts also plays a prominent role in the process of tissue and cell invasion.