Lipochitooligosaccharides and legume Rhizobium symbiosis--a new concept.

ABSTRACT

Legume-Rhizobium symbiosis is a multistep process characterized by the formation of root nodules on the host plant. A number of genes from both symbiotic partners share information during the interaction process. Nodulation genes (nod, nol and noe) have been classified as common nodulation genes and host specific (hsn) nodulation genes. Though common nodulation genes are enough to form root nodules, host specific nodulation genes are needed for specific interaction leading to formation of functional nodules. Core lipochitooligosaccharides (LCOs), the products of common nodulation genes are modified by the action of host specific nodulation genes. LCOs seem to be present in legumes as well as nonlegume and are known to act as a morphogen by acting as auxin-transport inhibitor. The understanding of Nod factor may contribute to reveal complex biological functions such as developmental regulation, signal transduction and plant morphogenesis.