A comparative genomics screen identifies a Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021 sodM-like gene strongly expressed within host plant nodules.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We have used the genomic data in the Integrated Microbial Genomes system of the Department of Energy's Joint Genome Institute to make predictions about rhizobial open reading frames that play a role in nodulation of host plants. The genomic data was screened by searching for ORFs conserved in α-proteobacterial rhizobia, but not conserved in closely-related non-nitrogen-fixing α-proteobacteria.

Results

Using this approach, we identified many genes known to be involved in nodulation or nitrogen fixation, as well as several new candidate genes. We knocked out selected new genes and assayed for the presence of nodulation phenotypes and/or nodule-specific expression. One of these genes, SMc00911, is strongly expressed by bacterial cells within host plant nodules, but i

SUBMITTER: Queiroux C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3462710 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature