Studies on host plant factors required for root nodulation

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K18559
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Plant molecular biology/Plant physiology
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: SUZAKI Takuya 筑波大学, 生命環境系, 准教授 (40575825)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 根粒 / 共生 / ミヤコグサ / 転写制御 / 感染糸

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In Lotus japonicus-Rhizobium root nodule symbiosis, rhizobia enter host cells through an intracellular invasion system that depends on the formation of a root-hair infection thread (IT). While IT-mediated intracellular rhizobia invasion is thought to be the most advanced and dominant invasion system, our understanding of the underlying genetic mechanisms relevant to IT formation is incomplete. In this study, we identify a L. japonicus nodulation-deficient mutant, with a mutation in a novel locus designated as LATE NODULATION (LAN), in which nodulation is significantly delayed. LAN encodes a putative component involved in transcriptional regulation. These results suggest that the predominant role of LAN-mediated gene transcription is to establish swift and efficient production of functional nodules by promoting intracellular rhizobial accommodation.

Free Research Field

植物発生分子遺伝学