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Root lectin as a determinant of host–plant specificity in the Rhizobium–legume symbiosis

Nature volume 338, pages 579–581 (1989)Cite this article

Abstract

THE induction of nitrogen-fixing nodules in legume roots by soil bacteria from the genera Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium is host-plant-specific. This specificity is expressed at an early stage of the infection process and results from multiple interactions between bacterial and plant products. Among these, it has been suggested that root lectin recognized by bacterial receptor molecules is an important determinant of host specificity1,2. Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins and it is known that legumes belonging to different cross-inoculation groups produce lectins with different sugar-binding specificities3. We have tested this suggestion by introducing the pea lectin gene into white clover roots using Agrobacterium rhizogenes as a vector. The 'hairy' clover roots that result can be nodulated by a Rhizobium strain usually specific for plants from the pea cross-inoculation group.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Molecular Biology, Leiden University, Nonnensteeg, 3, 2311 VJ, Leiden

    Clara L. Díaz, Ben J. J. Lugtenberg & Jan W. Kijne

  2. Department of Plant Molecular Biology, Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 64, 2333 AL, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Leo S. Melchers & Paul J. J. Hooykaas

Authors
  1. Clara L. Díaz
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  2. Leo S. Melchers
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  3. Paul J. J. Hooykaas
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  4. Ben J. J. Lugtenberg
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  5. Jan W. Kijne
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Díaz, C., Melchers, L., Hooykaas, P. et al. Root lectin as a determinant of host–plant specificity in the Rhizobium–legume symbiosis. Nature 338, 579–581 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/338579a0

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